FLYER FILES

Flyers vs. Islanders: 3 things to watch in Game 23

Dave Isaac
The Courier-Post
The Flyers have a 4-4-3 home record, which is second worst in the Eastern Conference to the Buffalo Sabres.

Today: Flyers vs. New York Islanders

Site: Wells Fargo Center / Philadelphia, Pa.

Time: 4 p.m. 

TV/Radio: NBCSP/97.5 FM

Records: Flyers 8-9-5, Islanders 12-10-1

PROSPECT WATCH:Cooper Marody on a tear for Michigan

FLYERS PROJECTED LINEUP

Forwards
28-Claude Giroux, 14-Sean Couturier, 93-Jake Voracek

70-Danick Martel,19-Nolan Patrick,17-Wayne Simmonds

12-Michael Raffl, 51-Valtteri Filppula, 11-Travis Konecny

20-Taylor Leier, 21-Scott Laughton, 40-Jordan Weal

Defensemen
9-Ivan Provorov & 8-Robert Hagg

5-Samuel Morin & 53-Shayne Gostisbehere

6-Travis Sanheim & 23-Brandon Manning

Goalie
37-Brian Elliott

Injuries/Suspensions
D Andrew MacDonald — injured reserve, left knee injury
D Radko Gudas — serving fourth in a 10-game suspension

ISLANDERS PROJECTED LINEUP

Forwards
27-Anders Lee, 91-John Tavares, 12-Josh Bailey

16-Andrew Ladd, 13-Mathew Barzal, 7-Jordan Eberle

29-Brock Nelson, 72-Anthony Beauviller, 66-Josh Ho-Sang

25-Jason Chimera, 53-Casey Cizikas, 15-Cal Clutterbuck

Defensemen
2-Nick Leddy & 55-Johnny Boychuk

44-Calvin de Haan & 50-Adam Pelech

4-Dennis Seidenberg & 42-Scott Mayfield

Goalie
1-Thomas Greiss

Injuries/Suspensions
LW Shane Prince — injured reserve, ankle surgery
LW Nikolay Kulemin — injured reserve, shoulder surgery

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

1. A better home showing

With a home record of 4-4-3, the Flyers are one of the worst teams in the East in their own barn. Home-ice advantage is something they'll need to get back if they're going to turn the tide and get in a playoff position. 

"Obviously we want to be a good team at home," Claude Giroux said. "We want to be a tough team to play in our building. I think we need to take a breather here and kind of just play hockey. We’re pressing a little too much right now. We want it a little too much. Just got to go out there and play hockey."

2. A spark?

Clearly calling up Danick Martel, the AHL's leading goal scorer, was a message to the Flyers that they need to pick it up. In his NHL debut, Martel got close a couple times. If he's able to find the back of the net, perhaps he earns a long stay. 

“If I got one or two more shots, I would have a goal today,” he said Wednesday night, after a 4-3 Flyers overtime loss. “I had a lot of chances in the slot, a breakaway. I battle well in front of the net. We’ll see next game, if I stay here and am still playing. I’m pretty happy with my game today.”

3. Goalie matchup

Brian Elliott has been the best Flyer in recent games and will likely keep the net as his own. He has a 5-1-5 record in a dozen career games against the Islanders with a 2.50 goals-against average and .914 save percentage. 

Thomas Greiss got the win in the first half of this home-and-home so perhaps he stays between the pipes. In his 10 career games against the Flyers he has a 4-2-2 record to go with a 2.81 goals-against average and .919 save percentage