Despite setting a season high for shots on goal (45) on Thursday night in Ottawa, the Ducks' offensive woes continued in a 4-0 loss to the Senators. To make matters worse, goaltender John Gibson was injured in the later stages of the second period. With his status for today's game in question, the Ducks recalled Kevin Boyle from the San Diego Gulls. Chad Johnson will likely be the starter if Gibson isn't fit to play.
The Flyers are 8-1-1 in their last 10, have points nine straight (8-0-1) and currently sit eight points out of a playoff spot, but their recent string of wins have at least gotten them in contention. In addition to being the NHL's longest winning streak, Philadelphia's eight-game run was its longest since a 10-game streak from Nov. 27-Dec. 14, 2016. Jake Voracek forced overtime when he scored the game-tying goal with just 18 seconds left in regulation against the Kings.
Sean Couturier, who leads the Flyers with 22 goals on the season, comes in with points in five straight (3g/3a) and has 16 points (7g/9a) in his last 12. Claude Giroux leads the Flyers with 58 points (16g/42a), including 15 (2g/13a) on the power play. Rookie goaltender Carter Hart has been strong in goal for the Flyers, posting a 10-5-1 mark, 2.48 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage in 16 games. When the 20-year-old netminder made his NHL debut on Dec. 18 vs. Detroit, he became the sixth goalie to start for the Flyers this season. It represented just the 14th time in league history a team used six goalies in a season and the only time it happened within the first 35 games. Hart was selected in the second round (48th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft and played junior hockey with the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League.
