Panthers at Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers arguably played their best game of the season in the last outing, but their near-complete effort resulted in a hard-luck 1-0 loss to three-time Stanley Cup champion Marc-Andre Fleury and Vegas. The Flyers will bid for their first win of the season at Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday when they host a team that has yet to taste victory regardless of venue in the Florida Panthers.
"I think their group of forwards is tremendous. Their D play an aggressive, up-ice style. So flat out, they're just a good hockey team," Philadelphia coach Dave Hakstol told reporters of the Panthers, who have dropped consecutive games in regulation after venturing to a shootout at Tampa Bay in the season opener. Vincent Trocheck scored and set up a goal in Saturday's 3-2 setback against Vancouver, a game that saw defenseman Mike Matheson register a hit on Vancouver rookie Elias Pettersson that landed the Florida defenseman a hearing with the NHL on Monday. While the Panthers have yet to win, the Flyers aren't hanging their hats on a good effort put forth during Saturday's setback. "No matter how good you play, if you don't find a way to win, it's useless," forward Jakub Voracek told the media. "We all know we had a good game against Vegas. Did we win? No. I'd rather get outshot 40 to 15 and win 2-1, but like I said, I think defensively that was our best game."
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Florida, NBCS Philadelphia
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (0-2-1): While Florida has yet to celebrate after the final horn, it has held the lead in all three of its games before dropping one-goal decisions. "Every time we take the lead, it's tough when the momentum changes and the other team ties it up right after," coach Bob Boughner told reporters. "It's a pattern so far in the first three games. It's something that's got to change." Jonathan Huberdeau, who scored his first goal of the season versus Vancouver, tallied twice against Philadelphia last season - with Florida winning two of the three games.
ABOUT THE FLYERS (2-3-0): Philadelphia has been battered by injury already with James van Riemsdyk sidelined with a serious knee injury and Nolan Patrick nursing an upper-body ailment, however Oskar Lindblom was fortunate to avoid adding his name to the growing list. Lindblom, who was slammed face-first into the boards during Saturday's game versus Vegas, returned to practice on Monday and is expected to be in the lineup against Florida. "After the hard hit, I felt a little shaky, but I got a good day off and I felt like I came back to normal pretty quick," Lindblom told Philly.com after Monday's practice in Voorhees, N.J.
OVERTIME
1. Florida F Nick Bjugstad (upper body) is uncertain to play versus Philadelphia despite receiving extra work after practice on Monday.
2. Flyers F Travis Konecny scored a goal and set up two others in three meetings with the Panthers last season.
3. Florida hasn't done itself any favors on the power play, going 0-for-12 in 2018-19.