Flyers at Hurricanes
THE STORY: The Philadelphia Flyers have every reason to be confident heading into Monday's game against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Flyers have won 15 of their last 18 games against the Hurricanes, including a convincing 5-1 decision on Oct. 29. The latest triumph started Philadelphia on its current string of success as it has secured at least a point in six straight games (4-0-2). Carolina snapped a four-game losing skid with a 5-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. Captain Eric Staal rebounded from a difficult start to the game and scored for the first time since Oct. 18. Said Staal: "Anytime you're counted on as a leader, you have to continue to work, continue to push. ... It wasn't looking good, but I stayed with it. Stayed in the fight. The whole group did." The Hurricanes will need that type of determination to turn back the soaring Flyers.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, CS Philadelphia, FS Carolina
ABOUT THE FLYERS (9-4-3): Philadelphia continues to make itself at home on the road. On Sunday, defenseman Braydon Coburn netted his first goal of the season as Peter Laviolette's club improved to 5-1-1 away from the City of Brotherly Love with a 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers. Ilya Bryzgalov improved to 4-0-1 since being "lost in the woods" following the team's 9-8 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Oct. 27. With the team playing on consecutive days, fellow Russian Sergei Bobrovsky may get the start Monday.
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (6-8-3): Last month, Brian Boucher started against his former mates and didn't fare so well. Cam Ward is expected to be between the pipes Monday, but his 4-8-2 career mark versus Philadelphia leaves a bit to be desired. Jussi Jokinen scored the team's lone goal in the 5-1 loss to the Flyers last month. The 28-year-old Finn has recorded seven goals in 13 career games versus Philadelphia.
OVERTIME:
1. Philadelphia has killed off 25 of its last 26 shorthanded situations - including all six Sunday.
2. Carolina defenseman Joni Pitkanen missed Saturday's game with a lower body injury. The Finn is expected to return to face the team that drafted him in 2002.