As amazing as the Flyers were in November, the start of December has been downright disastrous. That is not to say I blame them or am making excuses. Injuries have decimated the forwards. Fifty percent of the Flyers forwards playing were playing in the AHL to start the season. That is not a good recipe for success. Well playing at home is, especially for Carter Hart who has been tremendous at the Wells Fargo Center. Alain Vigneault announced that Hart will start Tuesday night, as the Anaheim Ducks migrate into South Philadelphia for a mid-week showdown with the Flyers. The Flyers look to break their three-game losing streak Tuesday against the Ducks.
Before we dive into the Ducks, we have to address the most recent news. the NHL Department of Player Safety has suspended Joel Farabee three games for his late hit on, Mathieu Perreault Sunday. Farabee’s decision was dumb. However, the hit would have been a legal hit had the puck been closer to Perreault. Farabee appeared to take out his frustration on Perreault. The Department of Player Safety once again showed it’s inconsistency with this one here. One game should have been the maximum issued.
The officiating has been horrendously inconsistent as has the supplemental discipline. In fact, referees rarely call interference anymore. Flyers announcer Jim Jackson says on a nightly basis that a player is interfered with and not called. The game against Ottawa last week is an example where late hits were allowed for both teams.
Farabee will not appeal his suspension and is not expected to play tonight. The Flyers sent down Carsen Twarynski to the Phantoms and Andre Andreoff has been recalled, and Phil Myers is the odd D-man out……Oh, I almost forgot TK IS BACK:
Analyzing Anaheim
The Ducks come into Philadelphia with a record of 14-15-4 and 32 points, which is 25th in the NHL. They currently sit second to last in the Pacific, however, they are only eight points out of a playoff position. The Ducks come into Philadelphia fresh off of a shootout win against the NY Rangers, however, they have been struggling of late having lost six of their last ten, with three of those games going to a shoot out.
The Ducks have scored 85 goals on the season which ranks 28th in the league. However, they play a good defensive game having only allowed 96 goals which rank eleventh in the league and one spot below the Flyers, who are tenth. Special teams can decide the game for the Flyers as the Ducks rank 28th in the powerplay, having converted 13.9% of their chances with the man advantage. The Ducks kill penalties at 77.9% rate which ranks 23rd in the league.
Leading the Ducks is their long-time captain, Ryan Getzlaf. Getzlaf has 25 points on the season (10G, 15A). Second in scoring is Rickard Rakell who has scored 24 points (9G, 15A) in 33 games played.
Between the pipes should be John Gibson, who has played well for the Ducks. The 26-year-old netminder has played in 25 games this season. He has a record of 12-13-2 on the season with a 2.79 and a .910 save percentage.
Family Reunion
Newly promoted Flyers’ forward, David Kase will welcome his brother Ondrej to the Wells Fargo Center. This will be the first time that the brothers play against each other in their NHL careers. Ondrej is in his fourth NHL season and has scored 12 points in 27 games this season.
The Flyers look to end their streak tonight as they welcome the Ducks. Follow along on Twitter for updates as I report from the Wells Fargo Center.
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
