With three wins over the past 30 days and five consecutive losses, it's safe to say the Flyers are at a low point at the quarter mark of the season.
Sure, as the old adage goes, the only way to go from here is up. The Orange and Black just have to hope it doesn't continue to get worse before it can get better.
Of course, it's a tough task when they take on a surging NY Islanders club in only their second divisional game of the season, opening up a home-and-home series. Nothing gets you quite on track like a divisional matchup, and the Flyers will surely look to knock the stuffing out of the Isles.
One bright spot, though? More young talent. The Flyers recalled Samuel Morin and Danick Martel from Lehigh Valley earlier today, and both are set to be in the lineup. Morin makes his season debut after missing the first four games as a healthy scratch, while Martel is set to make his NHL debut.
Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Team Leaders
Philadelphia Flyers | GP | G | A | P | New York Islanders | GP | G | A | P |
Jake Voracek | 21 | 6 | 20 | 26 | John Tavares | 20 | 15 | 8 | 23 |
Sean Couturier | 21 | 12 | 10 | 22 | Josh Bailey | 20 | 4 | 19 | 23 |
Claude Giroux | 21 | 9 | 13 | 22 | Anders Lee | 20 | 11 | 10 | 21 |
Shayne Gostisbehere | 18 | 1 | 15 | 16 | Mathew Barzal | 20 | 4 | 15 | 19 |
Wayne Simmonds | 21 | 6 | 6 | 12 | Nick Leddy | 20 | 5 | 11 | 16 |
Player to Watch | |
9 Ivan Provorov | 27 Anders Lee |
Last 5 Games: 1 G, 0 A, 1 P, -2 | Last 5 Games: 3 G, 3 A, 6 P, -2 |
Goalie Matchup | |
37 Brian Elliott | 1 Thomas Greiss |
6-5-3, 2.63 GAA, .910 SV% | 6-2-2, 3.33 GAA, .904 SV% |
Last night was supposed to be a night off for Brian Elliott, but after Michal Neuvirth allowed his fourth goal last night, Elliott took over late in the 2nd period. He turned away all 13 shots he faced, and will look to carry that into tonight's game.
Thomas Greiss gets the nod for the Isles. He last stymied the Eastern Conference-best Tampa Bay Lightning with a 36-save effort on Saturday, helping the Islanders claim a 5-3 win. Platooning with Jaroslav Halak this season, Greiss has put up decent numbers, earning a better win total (six) and a higher save percentage (.904).
Flyers Projected Lineup
Injuries: Andrew MacDonald (lower-body)
Scratches: Dale Weise (healthy), Radko Gudas (suspended)
Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
28 Claude Giroux | 14 Sean Couturier | 93 Jake Voracek |
40 Jordan Weal | 19 Nolan Patrick | 17 Wayne Simmonds |
12 Michael Raffl | 51 Valtteri Filppula | 11 Travis Konecny |
20 Taylor Leier | 21 Scott Laughton | 70 Danick Martel |
Defense | ||
9 Ivan Provorov | 8 Robert Hagg | |
53 Shayne Gostisbehere | 23 Brandon Manning | |
6 Travis Sanheim | 5 Samuel Morin | |
Goalie | ||
30 Michal Neuvirth |
Lineup Notes
Following last night's loss to Vancouver, Mark Alt was sent back to Lehigh Valley. With Matt Read clearing waivers, that paved the way for Samuel Morin and Danick Martel to be called up — with Martel making his NHL debut.
Islanders Projected Lineup
Injuries: Nikolay Kulemin is sidelined with a shoulder injury, while Shane Prince has been out of action to this point after offseason ankle surgery.
Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
27 Anders Lee | 91 John Tavares | 12 Josh Bailey |
16 Andrew Ladd | 13 Mathew Barzal | 7 Jordan Eberle |
29 Brock Nelson | 72 Anthony Beauvillier | 66 Josh Ho-Sang |
25 Jason Chimera | 53 Casey Cizikas | 15 Cal Clutterbuck |
Defense | ||
2 Nick Leddy | 55 Johnny Boychuk | |
44 Calvin de Haan | 50 Adam Pelech | |
4 Dennis Seidenberg | 42 Scott Mayfield | |
Goalie | ||
1 Thomas Greiss |
Lineup Notes
Cal Clutterbuck missed the last two games with illness, and is expected to return tonight.
Game Notes
- Power Play: Flyers (19th, T-12th on road), Islanders (12th, 11th at home)
- Penalty Kill: Flyers (28th, 16th on road), Islanders (15th, 17th at home)
- Recent History vs. Islanders
- March 30, 2017 – Flyers 6, Islanders 3
- Feb. 9, 2017 – Islanders 3, Flyers 1
- Jan. 22, 2017 – Flyers 3, Islanders 2 – F/OT
- Milestone Watch
- Claude Giroux still remains four points from 600 in his career.
Where to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia+
Radio: 93.3 WMMR