Game #8 Preview - Flyers vs Leafs
Marco Perruzza on Mon, 2011-10-24 13:24
Bright lights and loud screaming are considered normal for birthdays. However tonight Jonas Gustavsson will hope that his 27th birthday will be void of the flashing red goal light behind him and that the Wells Fargo Centre does its library impression. With James Reimer sidelined, the Leafs (5-1-1) will turn to their maligned backup tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers (4-2-1). Gustavsson is coming off a 5-4 OT victory against the Montreal Canadiens Saturday night, a game in which he surrendered the first shot he faced and three goals in total during his two periods of work. The Monster has surrendered 9 goals in five periods of hockey this season, and Leafs fans are hoping tonight's encounter doesn't get ugly.
The Philadelphia Flyers are experiencing some problems themselves between the pipes. Big free agent signing Ilya Bryzgalov has allowed 16 goals in his last four games, meaning the Flyers will also turn to their backup Sergei Bobrovski. Bob the Goalie has won his only start of the season, and played well versus the Leafs last year. With all the hype out of Edmonton surrounding Ryan Nugent Hopkins, Leaf fans should keep an eye out for 18 year old Sean Couturier who has 4 points through 7 games, and has been turning heads with his two way play.
Tim Connolly, Colby Armstrong, James Reimer and Tyler Bozak are expected to be out for tonight's affair. Both Connolly and Reimer should be in the lineup Thursday night against the Rangers.
Lineups
Leafs
Forwards
Lupul - Lombardi - Kessel
MacArthur - Grabovski - MacArthur
Kadri - Steckel - Frattin
Brown - Dupuis - Rosehill
Defense
Gunnarsson - Phaneuf
Gardiner - Schenn
Liles - Komisarek
Goalies
Gustavsson
Scrivens
Flyers
Forwards
Hartnell - Giroux - Jagr
Schenn - Brier - Simmons
Van Riemsdyk - Read - Voracek
Nodl - Couturier - Talbot
Defense
Carle - Pronger
Timmonen - Colborn
Lilja - Meszaros
Goalies
Bobrovski
Bryzgalov
Players to Watch
Leafs: Clark MacArthur - Coming off of a 60 point season, the Leaf winger has gone suffered through an early suspension, a severely infected elbow and a hip flexor leading to a slow start. MacArthur had a decent game Saturday, and tonight's game may be a barn burner so the Leafs will need #16 to bust out of his slump.
Flyers: Brayden Schenn - The "best prospect in hockey" didn't make the Flyers out of camp. Luke's brother was recalled after 4 games in the AHL (8 points), but has struggled in his two games with the Flyers (no points, -3). Tonight's game will be the first regular season meeting between the two Schenn brothers.
Game Time: 7:00 at the Wells Fargo Centre. TV - Leafs TV. Radio - AM640.
4 Comments
Gustavsson allowed 3 goals on one of the crappiest teams in the league Saturday. He's now facing one of the top 3 offensive teams in the league. Goonight, sweet prince.
I think it can get ugly very quickly tonight. Hopefully Wilson doesn't hesitate to use Scrivens when the wheels start to come off.
Do you think he's ready for NHL action? I never even heard of him before a conversation I had with Pat after the game Saturday.
Scrivens outplayed Gustavsson dramatically in the pre-season. His game is more conducive to the NHL, he's a blocker not a shot stopper. Scrivens is also 25 years, so he's a mature prospect. He'll replace The Monster sooner rather than later.