As the Philadelphia Flyers continue to make the lives of teams competing for playoff spots a misery, they were unable to handle a struggling Hurricanes side over the course of the weekend. However, now they will be looking to settle the score and make it a third straight win when they face Carolina this evening.
The Flyers have picked up some real steam as of late, picking up victories over Chicago, Pittsburgh and the New York Islanders…however the New York game can hardly be classed in the same category! Blowing a three goal lead late on only to be rescued by Brayden Schenn’s unthinkable goal with just three seconds left in the third.
Brayden Schenn has made the transition from center to right wing seem effortless, scoring four times in the last four games. He will need to be contained if the Hurricanes are going to come away with the win. Fast, unpredictable and a forward thinker, Schenn has found a recent stride of confidence on the ice.
One big factor coming into this game is undoubtedly the power play. Claude Giroux now has seven goals and four assists in his last 11 games as the team now have at least one power-play goal in each of their last seven fixtures, making it 9 from 23.
Another will be the Hurricane’s lack of ability defensively. Despite the win at the weekend, the 29 win Carolina have been outscored 21-11 in games that have not gone to a shootout in a six game stretch. The team are coming off of a 3-2 defeat to Detroit so spirits won’t exactly be heigh as the equal a season high fifth straight road loss.
For Philly however, there has been a huge defensive turnaround. Streit is currently third on the team with 51 points after delivering five assists in just two games. He is now the first Flyers defenseman to reach the 50 mark since Chris Pronger in 2009. Streit will have to be contained if the Hurricanes have any hope of snatching a victory tonight.
As well as averaging 4.4 goals in their most recent five game stretch, Steve Mason has once again found some great form. The Flyers goalie is 4-0-1 with 1.78 GAA in his latest stretch of 5 and gone an impressive 11-2-4 in his last 18 home starts.
Prediction-
I can see the Flyers making up for lost time tonight and achieving what they should have at the weekend. Expect there to be more than three goals and to see a very one sided affair. Possession is going to be key here but I think Philly have more than enough ability, potential and confidence to keep this run going and end the season on a high.
Score- Hurricanes 1-4 Flyers
