Flyers at Flames
9 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet
The flailing Flyers (29-28-15) will continue their four-game road trip across Canada when they battle the playoff-hopeful Calgary Flames (38-27-5) on Thursday night.
Here are five things you need to know before puck drop at Scotiabank Saddledome:
1. Road kill
Baffling is probably the best word to describe the Flyers’ woes on the road this season.
Just a few seasons ago, the Flyers proved they were a threat to steal a game no matter which building they played in. Remember: They reeled off back-to-back 25-win seasons on the road in 2011 and 2012. Those days are long gone.
The Flyers arrived in Calgary having gone 0-4-3 in their last seven tilts away from the Wells Fargo Center. In 37 total away games this season, the Flyers have just nine wins — six against teams with winning records. Wait, what? How does that happen?
“It’s just the way it’s gone this year,” goalie Steve Mason said after Tuesday’s 4-1 loss in Vancouver.
NHL
Mason has been a victim of the Flyers’ shoddy play on the road this season. He has just one win — but somehow two shutouts — in 18 road starts in 2014-15. In 16 of those games, the Flyers scored two or fewer goals. Like we said, baffling.
2. Into the Flames
Don’t be surprised if the Flames, who have dropped two consecutive games, look like a desperate club on Thursday night.
With 12 games remaining in its campaign, Calgary is in the thick of a wild playoff chase in the Western Conference. Los Angeles, third in the Pacific Division, and Winnipeg, final wild-card spot, are still well within striking distance.
A meeting with the Flyers provides an ideal opportunity for the Flames to get back on track. Two weeks ago, Calgary registered 33 blocked shots in a 3-2 overtime victory at the Wells Fargo Center. Look for the Flames to try to duplicate that performance.
3. Injuries
Defenseman Michael Del Zotto told reporters in Calgary on Wednesday that he’s ready to return and expects to play against the Flames. The Flyers have posted a 1-3-2 record since Del Zotto went down with what the team called an upper-body injury.
Forward R.J. Umberger (hip/abdomen) and defenseman Radko Gudas (knee) are done for the season.
For Calgary, defensemen Mark Giordano (torn biceps) and Ladislav Smid (upper-body) are on injured reserve. Forward Paul Byron (lower-body) is also sidelined.
4. Keep an eye on …
Flyers: Nick Cousins passed his first test at the NHL level on Tuesday. The 21-year-old was used predominantly as a checking forward, which is why he centered gritty wingers Ryan White and Zac Rinaldo. Cousins played just over 10 minutes and did not look out of place. He showed he’s capable of keeping up with the pace of the game in the NHL and had perhaps the best scoring chance of the game for the Flyers. It should be interesting to see if he remains in the lineup or if he will be given a different role when Matt Read rejoins the club. Keep in mind there’s only 10 games remaining in the season. Let’s see what the kid can do.
Flames: Speaking of gifted young forwards, how good has rookie Johnny Gaudreau been for Calgary? Listed at just 5-foot-9 and 150 pounds, the Carney’s Point, New Jersey native has proved smaller players can still provide a significant impact on the league. He enters Thursday with 19 goals and 34 assists and is building a strong case for a Rookie of the Year nomination. The 21-year-old’s offensive instincts are off the charts and he’s lethal when given time and space. Try not to blink when No. 13 on the Flames hits the ice. You might miss him.
5. This and that
• The Flyers are averaging 1.64 goals per game on the road since the All-Star break — the second-worst mark in the NHL.
• The Flames have gone 0-4-1 in their last five home games against the Flyers. Their last home win over the orange and black came on March 22, 2001.
• Wayne Simmonds, Jakub Voracek and Claude Giroux have combined for just three goals during the Flyers’ current road losing skid.
• Jiri Hudler, Calgary’s leading scorer, has been held pointless in consecutive games after collecting six goals and six assists in his previous six contests.
• Michael Raffl leads the Flyers with 16 even-strength goals this season.