Flyers at Hurricanes
Wayne Simmonds has been one of the many key cogs that have the Philadelphia Flyers back in contention for a postseason berth. The 26-year-old looks to extend his career-high eight-game point streak when the Flyers open a brief two-game road trip against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday. Simmonds scored his team-leading 24th goal as Philadelphia posted a 3-2 shootout victory over Washington on Sunday afternoon to improve to 8-1-4 in its last 13 contests.
Simmonds has scored six goals and set up four others during his point streak and has 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in as many career meetings with Carolina. While the Flyers reside four points behind Boston for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, Carolina has lost four of its last six to firmly entrench itself in the cellar of the Metropolitan Division. Jeff Skinner, who has recorded four goals in his last six contests, netted his team's lone tally in a 3-1 setback to New Jersey on Saturday.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCSN, CSN Philadelphia
ABOUT THE FLYERS (26-23-11): Residing 13 points out of a playoff berth on Jan. 16, Philadelphia's torrid stretch has surprised many - including team chairman Ed Snider. "We were written off, but these guys won't quit," Snider told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "The guys have stuck together. ... In my mind, I was almost writing them off, too." Captain Claude Giroux scored his first goal in 12 games on Sunday and has recorded two assists against Carolina this season.
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (21-30-7): General manager Ron Francis didn't mince words when addressing a persistent rumor surrounding one of his key players, telling the Raleigh News & Observer that "We're not moving Jordan Staal." Acquired from Pittsburgh in June 2012, Staal is expected to be a part of the rebuilding process - although rumors have circulated that the Penguins were interested in reeling him back in as several of the team's scouts reportedly have been attending Carolina's recent contests. As for another family member, captain Eric Staal has scored a goal in both games against the Flyers this season.
OVERTIME
1. Philadelphia's Rob Zepp has won five of his six decisions and is expected to get the nod against Carolina as fellow G Ray Emery suffered a lower-body injury in Monday's practice.
2. Hurricanes G Cam Ward made 23 saves in a 2-1 victory over the Flyers on Jan. 2 but is just 6-10-3 with a 3.04 goals-against average versus the club.
3. Philadelphia has killed off all 10 short-handed situations over its last three games, while Carolina is 15-for-16 on the penalty kill in its last seven.