PREVIEW 3:45 AM EST
Having failed their three straight tests against top teams in the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia Flyers (11-14-1) go into salvation mode when they return home today to take on another underachieving team, the Buffalo Sabres (9-13-3). The game starts at 7:30 p.m. EST and will be broadcast nationally on NBCSN.
This is the second meeting between the teams this season. On the opening weekend of the regular season, the Flyers built a 2-1 lead in the second period but were unable to hold it. Tied 2-2 heading into the third period, the Flyers collapsed in the third period as Buffalo broke loose for three unanswered goals. The game was also marked by a pair of questionable disallowed goals -- one in the first period, and another late in regulation -- that went against Philadelphia.
Yesterday in Boston, the Flyers meekly accepted a 3-0 shutout loss. They couldn't stop the bleeding after falling behind 1-0 in the first period, and two more Bruins goals followed in quick succession. In no way, shape or form did the Flyers pose a credible threat to Boston thereafter.
The Sabres have also lost three in a row heading into this evening's game, but at least two of the defeats have come beyond regulation. One of the team's biggest issues throughout the season has been an anemic power play that has connected at 12.2 percent overall, including an abysmal 8.7 percent on the road.
Tye McGinn (fractured orbital bone) and Jody Shelley (hip surgery) remain out of the lineup for the Flyers. Andrej Sekera and ex-Flyer Ville Leino are out for the Sabres. There is a chance offensive defenseman Jordan Leopold may return from an upper-body injury.
The Flyers have recalled Michael Leighton from the Phantoms.
FLYERS
19 Scott Hartnell - 28 Claude Giroux - 93 Jakub Voracek
48 Danny Briere - 10 Brayden Schenn - 17 Wayne Simmonds
12 Simon Gagne - 14 Sean Couturier - 24 Matt Read
25 Max Talbot - 26 Ruslan Fedotenko - 36 Zac Rinaldo
44 Kimmo Timonen - 22 Luke Schenn
8 Nicklas Grossmann - 5 Braydon Coburn
41 Andrej Meszaros - 29 Erik Gustafsson
30 Ilya Bryzgalov/ 49 Michael Leighton
SABRES
26 Thomas Vanek - 19 Cody Hodgson - 29 Jason Pominville
9 Steve Ott - 63 Tyler Ennis - 42 Nathan Gerbe
82 Marcus Foligno - 12 Kevin Porter - 65 Brian Flynn
32 John Scott - 25 Mikhail Grigorenko - 21 Drew Stafford
10 Christian Ehrhoff - 57 Tyler Myers
44 Andrej Sekera - 24 Robyn Regehr
27 Adam Pardy - 6 Mike Weber
30 Ryan Miller
[1 Jhonas Enroth]
**********
Kindle users: Please sign up for Flyers Buzz. For more information
click here.
Click below to follow me on Twitter:
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
Join the Discussion:
»