Islanders at Flyers
Inconsistent offensive performances have the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Islanders taking on water in the Metropolitan Division. The Flyers will look to rebound from being shut out for the second time this season on Saturday afternoon when they host the Islanders at Wells Fargo Center.
"We're not scoring when we have chances, and the next thing you know we're down a goal or two. We have to try to be more opportunistic," said Sean Couturier, who saw his team outscored 7-1 in its last two games with decisive three-goal losses to Colorado and Boston. The 25-year-old has been kept off the scoresheet in seven of 10 contests in 2018-19, although he erupted for six points (two goals, four assists) as Philadelphia finished with a split of its four-game season series against New York. Fellow center Brock Nelson scored in his second straight contest and third in five games on Wednesday, but the Islanders squandered a two-goal lead and dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to Florida. New York has netted just six goals during its four losses over the last five outings heading into the opener of a three-game road trip against divisional foes.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, MSG-Plus (New York), NBCS Philadelphia
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (3-4-1): Coach Barry Trotz told reporters that Robin Lehner is expected to get the nod versus Philadelphia on Saturday before fellow goaltender Thomas Greiss mans the net the following night in Carolina. The 27-year-old Lehner has faced 41 shots in back-to-back outings and fared well last season by turning aside 83 of 89 shots in three meetings with the Flyers, but only had a 1-2-0 mark to go along with a 2.04 goals-against average and .933 save percentage. Reigning Calder Trophy recipient Mathew Barzal, who leads the team in assists (seven) and points (eight), scored four goals and set up three others in last season's series versus the Flyers.
ABOUT THE FLYERS (4-6-0): Michal Neuvirth, who owns a 7-2-1 mark with a 1.76 goals-against average in his career versus New York, will make his season debut Saturday after turning aside 31 shots in Lehigh Valley's 7-3 win over Hartford in an American Hockey League conditioning assignment. "I feel like my game is where it needs to be right now. Obviously I haven't played much. Who knows what's gonna happen? But I'm feeling good now and I'm ready to go," said the 30-year-old Neuvirth, who is battling back from both a groin injury and offseason hip surgery while being nearly seven months removed from his last regular-season game. Philadelphia's goaltenders are tied for last with a collective .865 save percentage, and the team's punchless power play hasn't helped matters by going 1-for-17 in its last six contests.
OVERTIME
1. New York RW Jordan Eberle, who scored to snap a 16-game drought dating back to March 20, recorded a pair of two-point performances against Philadelphia last season.
2. The Flyers permitted the first goal in nine of 10 contests this season.
3. The Islanders have yielded six power-play goals in their last five games after thwarting all of their short-handed chances in the first three contests.