Flyers vs. Jets
7 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet
After going 2-1-1 on their four-game road trip, the Flyers (36-25-13) return to the Wells Fargo Center Monday night for a matchup they need to win against the Winnipeg Jets (31-38-6).
We'll get to that and more in five things you need to know for the contest.
1. No messin' around
This is a game the Flyers must have. We know every game in the heat of a postseason race feels like a must-win, but this one really is important.
Coming home following an irritating loss to the Coyotes, the playoff-hopeful Flyers are facing a road-weary Jets team in last place of the Central Division.
The Flyers on Saturday came up empty in a chance to gain two points on the Red Wings. If for some reason they can't handle Winnipeg on home ice, the Flyers are staring at the NHL-leading Capitals Wednesday and a possible three-game losing skid at a time they can ill afford it.
Meanwhile, Detroit's next four games are against teams with a combined record of 129-134-38.
NHL
To the Flyers' credit, they've had an answer for every loss since Feb. 13-14. That's the last time Dave Hakstol's group has dropped consecutive games, so expect the Flyers to come out with conviction and urgency Monday night.
If not, it could spell trouble.
2. Standings watch
It's time for your daily wild-card update.
The Flyers and Red Wings remain tied for the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot. The Flyers have eight games remaining to Detroit's seven, but the Red Wings hold an edge in regulation/overtime wins with 35 to the Flyers' 34.
Despite having one meeting left with Detroit on April 6 at Joe Louis Arena, the Flyers have already won the regular-season series in points. But, of course, that game still looms large, along with the two others against the Penguins and another with the Islanders.
New York, which the Flyers trail by four points for the No. 1 wild card, is idle tonight, while the Red Wings welcome the Sabres at 7:30 on NBCSN.
3. You cool, Captain?
Thankfully for the Flyers, Claude Giroux says he's fine.
The team's leading scorer went headfirst into the boards Saturday night courtesy of a hit from Martin Hanzal late in the third period. Giroux stayed down on the ice before slowly skating off on his own power.
Consider it defense of the captains, as Hanzal said afterward, “When somebody goes after our captain, that’s usually what happens," following Radko Gudas delivering a shot to Coyotes longtime leader Shane Doan.
But that's all in the past and Giroux sounds ready for the present.
“I’m playing tonight,” he said at morning skate.
“I feel good. It wasn’t a fun incident, but I was lucky I felt pretty good.”
Still, it's worth keeping an eye on Giroux during game action — especially with you-know-who on the Jets (see below).
CSNPhilly.com's Greg Paone has the story on the Flyers' captain, an update on the goalies and more right here.
4. Keep an eye on ...
Flyers: Let's go with Sean Couturier. The Flyers are always at their best when receiving contributions from outside their top guns. Couturier has provided that, recording at least a point in nine of his last 11 games, while also compiling seven goals and 19 assists for a plus-13 rating in his past 29 games.
Jets: Dustin Byfuglien has a history of ruffling the Flyers' feathers. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound defenseman is always eyeing a thumping hit and has targeted Giroux in the past. Don't be surprised to see him in the middle of some post-whistle scuffles, and the Flyers will want to make sure he's a non-factor.
5. This and that
• The Flyers are 7-1-1 in their last nine games against the Jets and have won the last four meetings.
• Giroux needs three more assists to pass Reggie Leach (514) for 12th on the Flyers’ all-time list.
• The Flyers are 35 for 39 on the penalty kill since Feb. 25.
• Winnipeg owns the NHL's worst power play with a 14.3 percentage.
• Steve Mason is 4-0-1 with a 1.11 goals-against average and .963 save percentage in six career games against the Jets
• Winnipeg goalie Ondrej Pavelec is 7-5-2 with a 3.13 goals-against average and .906 save percentage in 15 lifetime games against the Flyers.