Flyers host the return of Giroux, Senators

Today, the Philadelphia Flyers (7-4-2) host the Ottawa Senators (4-8-1) at the Wells Fargo Center. It’ll be the first time Claude Giroux returns to the city where he spent most of his NHL career.

The Flyers already hold a victory over the Senators this season, traveling to the Canadian Tire Centre a week ago. Giroux began the scoring but didn’t get the last laugh. Carter Hart earned the win, 2-1. Zack MacEwen scored the game-winner in the second period.

Recently, Philadelphia dropped their only road game this week against the Columbus Blue Jackets, 5-2. John Tortorella didn’t speak with the media following the loss, opting for Brad Shaw. Turnovers were the culprit behind a miserable performance, spoonfeeding Johnny Gaudreau the puck to create a trifecta of scoring plays.

As Giroux returns to old stomping grounds, the Flyers aim to stomp out Ottawa.

Ottawa Senators

Here is the tentative lineup for the Senators:

Tkachuk-Stutzle-Giroux
DeBrincat-Brassard-Batherson
Motte-Pinto-Joseph
Kelly-Kastelic-Watson

Chabot-Bernard-Docker
Sanderson-Hamonic
Brannstrom-Holden

Talbot
(Forsberg)

Brady Tkachuk (6G, 10A) was a physical force in his last appearance versus Philadelphia. He gave Travis Sanheim all he could handle along the crease, drawing penalties to keep Ottawa close. Tkachuk notched an assist when Giroux scored. Generally, the top line will be the focus, especially when Giroux plays a former team.

Nick Holden (+1, 17BLK, 6GV, 39%CF) will anchor the bottom pair with Erik Brannstrom. Defensively, the Senators didn’t perform well against the New Jersey Devils. Holden was active in the offensive zone, tabbing two shots on goal.

Philadelphia Flyers

Here’s the tentative lineup for the Flyers:

Tippett-Hayes-Konecny
Farabee-Laughton-Allison
Sedlak-N. Cates-MacEwen
Deslauriers-Frost-Laczynski

Provorov-DeAngelo
Sanheim-Braun
Seeler-Ristolainen

Hart
(Sandstrom)

Zack MacEwen (3G, 1A) continues to play hard, quality minutes for Philadelphia. What separates his game from the rest of the pack is his tenacity. He continues to chase pucks deep, creating scoring chances on the second effort. MacEwen scored the game-winner last time against Ottawa in the second effort; Mark Kastelic blocked his initial shot.

MacEwen takes two, and it's a wrap. #Flyers #FueledByPhilly #OTTvsPHI pic.twitter.com/svzsnBp5CH https://t.co/fQZWXSWXld
— Eric Reese (@EricReesePSN) November 6, 2022

Ivan Provorov (+2, 40BLK, 5GV, 38.8%CF) is buzzing with Tony DeAngelo on the top pair. Both accounted for the two goals in the loss to the Blue Jackets. Provorov attacked the offensive zone often, generating pressure; he added a blocked shot back on defense.