Giroux, Gudas in Flyers' lineup; Konecny, Provorov trying to survive
Based on Monday's morning skate, captain Claude Giroux and rugged defenseman Radko Gudas will make their first appearances of the preseason Monday night, when the Flyers (2-2-1) host the New York Rangers (2-1).
Giroux just returned from the World Cup - where he was a healthy scratch most of the time for Team Canada - while Gudas has been sidelined by an injured right wrist.
Coach Dave Hakstol had said Giroux would not play until Thursday, but those plans have changed.
Here were the lines and pairings at the skate:
Lines:
* Giroux centering Travis Konecny and Brayden Schenn.
* Sean Couturier centering Matt Read and Jake Voracek.
* Nick Cousins centering Scott Laughton and Colin McDonald.
* Jordan Weal centering Taylor Leier and Roman Lyubimov.
Defense: Shayne Gostisbehere and Ivan Provorov; Sam Morin and Andrew MacDonald; Michael Del Zotto and Gudas.
Goalie: Steve Mason.
Konecny, a right winger, will play the left side for the second straight game. "Part of making the step to this level is versatility as well," Hakstol said on Sunday.
By no means is Konecny a lock to make the team, but he has forced himself into the conversation.
Konecny and Provorov have played well in the Flyers' preseason games. Have the 19-year-old rookies done enough to stay with the Flyers?
Monday night will provide some answers. (The game will be televised by the Comcast Network.)
General manager Ron Hextall said Sunday he was pleased with the play of Konecny and Provorov, but added that "we haven't played teams with veteran-laden lineups yet."
That will change Monday. The Rangers' lineup will probably include numerous veterans. Here are the players the Blueshirts are expected to dress:
GOALTENDERS:
30 Henrik Lundqvist
70 Mackenzie Skapski
SKATERS:
4 Adam Clendening
6 Dylan McIlrath
10 J.T. Miller
13 Kevin Hayes
15 Tanner Glass
21 Derek Stepan
22 Nick Holden
26 Jimmy Vesey
27 Ryan McDonagh
41 Maxim Lapierre
46 Marek Hrivik
55 Chris Summers
61 Rick Nash
63 Ryan Graves
71 Robin Kovacs
73 Brandon Pirri
84 Malte Stromwall
89 Pavel Buchnevich
Lyubimov opening eyes. Lyubimov, a former KHL player who signed as a free agent in the off-season, has helped the Flyers go 19-for 20 on the penalty kill in the preseason, and he is making it difficult for the Flyers to send him to the Phantoms.
"He keeps earning the next opportunity," Hakstol said. "He continues to show improvement in areas of games he has to improve. ....He's worked his tail off."
Mason in nets. Mason will start for the Flyers Monday. Since Mason's fiance is scheduled to deliver the couple's first baby (a girl) on Thursday, there is a chance that this will be his last preseason appearance.
The Flyers finish their preseason schedule with night games Thursday in New York (Rangers) and Saturday in Boston.
Roster update. If defenseman Will O'Neill clears waivers at noon, the Flyers will have 29 healthy players left in camp. They must get down to 23 by Oct. 11 at 5 p.m.