Claude Giroux will be joined by Jake Voracek and Scott Hartnell on the top line after injuries sustained in Friday's loss by Steve Downie and Vincent Lecavalier. Photo Courtesy of ESPN.com
Following the embarrassment that resulted in a 7-0 loss to the Washington Capitals and the line brawl that furthered the embarrassment, the Flyers must return to the ice.
This time, they travel to New Jersey to face the Devils.
They do so short-handed, as Vincent Lecavalier and Steve Downie both suffered injuries as a result of the multiple altercations in Friday's loss.
The Flyers have called up Tye McGinn from the Phantoms and will likely use Jay Rosehill to replace another piece of the lineup.
With a total lack of scoring, the object is simple. Forget last night and forget the quotes. Somebody needs to step, regardless of whether or not the Flyers have a chance this season. It is for people like the captain Claude Giroux, veterans like Scott Hartnell and Wayne Simmonds or defensemen Kimmo Timonen and Mark Streit.
Play with some urgency and act like you actually want to be there, the opposite of last night. There is no real indication who will start in goal. Steve Mason was pulled early but still played a majority of the game after Ray Emery exited with a game misconduct.
The Devils are struggling as well to the tune of a 3-5-4 record. They will also be without Travis Zajac tonight. Former Flyer Jaromir Jagr joins Patrik Elias as well as highly touted draft pick Andrei Loktionov. Adam Henrique, Stephen Gionta and Dainius Zubrus are also key forwards.
Defensively, the Devils are led by Adam Larsson. The Devils also take a hit defensively with Bryce Salvador out with injury, as is backup goalie Cory Schneider.
In goal, the Devils will likely go with Martin Brodeur. Brodeur has a 2-2-2 record with a 2.94 GAA and .879 save percentage.
Flyers Scratches: Hal Gill, Erik Gustafsson, Steve Downie, Vincent Lecavalier
Flyers Projected Lineup
Line 1: Scott Hartnell-Claude Giroux-Jake Voracek
Line 2: Matt Read-Sean Couturier-Wayne Simmonds
Line 3: Michael Raffl-Brayden Schenn-Tye McGinn
Line 4: Zac Rinaldo-Adam Hall-Jay Rosehill
D-Pair 1: Kimmo Timonen-Andrej Meszaros
D-Pair 2: Braydon Coburn-Nick Grossmann
D-Pair 3: Mark Streit-Luke Schenn
Goalie: Ray Emery
TV: TCN
Radio: 93.3 WMMR
Kevin Durso is the lead beat writer for Flyerdelphia. You can follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
