After gaining just four points out of a possible 16 in their last eight games -- and suddenly in danger of falling out of a wild-card spot -- the Philadelphia Flyers are making changes ahead of tomorrow’s home game against Tampa Bay.
The changes start in goal, where Michal Neuvirth is expected to make his first start since getting injured in a game against Minnesota on Nov. 12.
Neuvirth has a decent record, 4-2-0, but a lowly save percentage of .859. He’ll give Steve Mason a rest, after Mason allowed four goals on 27 shots in Wednesday’s 5-2 loss to the Rangers.
“I wasn’t good enough,” said Mason, per CSN Philly. “It’s pretty simple.”
Head coach Dave Hakstol also shook up his top three forward lines ahead of Saturday’s afternoon affair.
From philly.com:
Top-line center Claude Giroux had a new right winger, Matt Read, with Michael Raffl still on the left side; right winger Jake Voracek dropped to the second line, which had a new center, Sean Couturier, and Travis Konecny on the left. The third line had Brayden Schenn centering Wayne Simmonds, with Nick Cousins and Dale Weise alternating at left wing.
Only the fourth line - Pierre-Edouard Bellemare cenetring Chris VandeVelde and Boyd Gordon - was the same as the last game. Gordon, however, could be replaced by Roman Lyubimov.
It’s a big game for both teams tomorrow. The Flyers are only three points ahead of the Lightning, who’ve had their own issues lately.
The Bolts have dropped two straight and are coming off a 6-1 loss to Nashville on Thursday evening.
The Flyers also play Sunday in Columbus.
