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