Canadiens at Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers' offense has erupted for 30 goals during its eight-game point streak (6-0-2), but the franchise's age-old goaltending problem is back at the forefront after injuries to Brian Elliott and Michal Neuvirth. Rookie Alex Lyon likely will receive his third career start on Tuesday as the Flyers face the Montreal Canadiens to open a two-game homestand.
"We've won games as a team, and we'll continue to do that. Whoever is in net for us will do a good job," Philadelphia coach Dave Hakstol said after Lyon turned aside 25 of 26 shots in place of an injured Neuvirth in Sunday afternoon's 7-4 victory over the reeling New York Rangers. The 25-year-old Lyon recorded his first career victory for Philadelphia, which reportedly has engaged in talks with Detroit over goaltender Petr Mrazek. While the Flyers have posted a 22-8-3 mark since Dec. 4 to move into third place in the congested Metropolitan Division, Montreal is spiraling down the Atlantic with losses in five straight games overall and 11 of its last 12 away from home to fall to 8-19-1 on the road. Brendan Gallagher notched an assist in Saturday's 6-3 setback at expansion Vegas to increase his point total to 10 (five goals, five assists) in his last 11 outings, a stretch that also includes a goal in a 5-3 loss at Philadelphia on Feb. 8.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN2, RDS (Montreal), NBCS Philadelphia
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (22-29-7): Andrew Shaw and Phillip Danault returned to practice on Monday and could be in line to end lengthy absences in the near future, although Claude Julien cautioned reporters that it's unlikely versus the Flyers. "Neither of them have the green light," Julien said of Shaw (lower body) and Danault (concussion). "Shaw was at his first practice (in over a month), so he's definitely out tomorrow. Danault, I'll have to see with the medical staff. I think he's pretty close, but we're dealing with a guy who had a concussion, so we're going to be very cautious before he gets the green light." Shaw has missed 15 games while Danault has been sidelined since Jan. 13 after being stretchered off the ice in a game against Boston.
ABOUT THE FLYERS (30-19-10): Captain Claude Giroux scored his 200th career goal and added two assists on Sunday to increase his point total to 11 (five goals, six assists) in his last six contests. That sizzling stretch began with a three-point performance in the first encounter with Montreal, during which the 30-year-old rebounded after publicly calling himself out with a goal and two assists. Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere notched three assists in that outing to highlight a sterling start to February in which he has registered 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) in nine games.
OVERTIME
1. Philadelphia C Travis Konecny scored twice in the first encounter with Montreal and also recorded his first career three-point performance on Sunday, giving him 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) since he joined Giroux and Sean Couturier on the top line on Dec. 23.
2. The Canadiens' 26th-ranked penalty kill has surrendered five power-play goals during the team's losing streak.
3. The Flyers are expected to recall Lyon's teammate, former Canadiens G Dustin Tokarski, from Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League prior to Tuesday's tilt.