Brian Gionta scores the first goal in the Flyers 4-1 loss to the Canadiens on Saturday.
The Flyers started the 2013 lockout-shortened season 0-3-0, their worst start to a season in 17 years. Through two games, the Flyers have scored two total goals while allowing seven to start at 0-2-0.
If the Flyers want to avoid a repeat of last season, they need a point in Carolina, preferably two points.
The Flyers lone goal scorers to this point are Brayden Schenn and Vincent Lecavalier. After splitting goaltending duties in the first two games, Steve Mason will start in goal on Sunday.
It was a real struggle on the defensive end for the Flyers on Saturday. Mark Streit was on the ice for two of the Montreal goals and finished at -1, assisting on Lecavalier's goal. Nick Grossmann and Andrej Meszaros also finished at -1 on the night.
The Hurricanes come into Sunday's game having played just one game this season. They lost in overtime on Friday to the Detroit Red Wings, 3-2.
Scoring goals for the Hurricanes were Radek Dvorak and Nathan Gerbe. There are plenty of players that can burn a weak defense, like Eric Staal and brother Jordan Staal. Jiri Tlusty and Alexander Semin also had success against the Flyers last season, and younger players in Jeff Skinner and Patrick Dwyer always make things tough on the Orange and Black as well.
Defensively, the Hurricanes have Tim Gleason leading the way alongside Mike Komisarek. A solid second pairing in Jay Harrison and Andres Sekera also help the Hurricanes. In goal, look for Cam Ward, who did start the opener. Carolina could also elect to start Anton Khudobin, one of the many departures from the Boston Bruins, to start the second game of the season for the Hurricanes.
Some good news for the Flyers is a long-ranging run of success against Carolina. Since the 2000-01 season, the Flyers are 33-6-4-4 against the Hurricanes.
TV: CSN
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Kevin Durso is a contributor for Flyerdelphia. You can follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
