Flyers vs. Oilers
7 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet
The Flyers (29-22-11) continue their six-game homestand and fight for a playoff spot tonight against the Edmonton Oilers (24-34-7) at the Wells Fargo Center.
Entering tonight, the Flyers are three points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Penguins host the New York Rangers tonight.
Here are five things to get you ready for the contest:
1. Youth movement
Connor McDavid versus Shayne Gostisbehere. Tonight will feature two of the most exciting young players in the NHL. One a top pick in the draft; the other a third-rounder. Both electrifying to watch and both could be matched up often when they're on the ice.
McDavid, last summer's No. 1 pick, returned to game action Feb. 2 after missing three months with a broken collarbone suffered against the Flyers Nov. 3 in Edmonton, and in 15 games since returning, the rookie's put himself back in the Calder Trophy conversation.
The 19-year-old McDavid registered 17 points in 14 games in February and was named the NHL's Rookie of the Month, beating out Gostisbehere, who recorded at least one point in 12 of his 15 February games. Eleven of those 12 games came during a 15-game point streak that carried over from January. Gostisbehere picked up an assist in the Flyers' 5-3 win over the Flames Monday.
NHL
On Tuesday night, McDavid squared off with Jack Eichel, who Buffalo selected with the second overall pick last June, for the first time in their careers, and it was McDavid who shined. McDavid scored twice, including the overtime game-winner over the Sabres.
While tonight's matchup offers the Flyers a prime opportunity to pick up two points against the second-worst team in the NHL, the real fun will be watching these two rookies. McDavid's been pegged as the next face of the league for years, and Gostisbehere is part of a youth movement in Philadelphia that should entertaining to see evolve over the next few years.
2. Starting in net …
The Flyers are winning and head coach Dave Hakstol has been riding the hot hand in net. Michal Neuvirth, who signed here to back up Steve Mason, has started the Flyers' last four games and six of their last seven games. Mason last played in Toronto on Feb. 20.
But who starts against the Oilers remains unanswered. Hakstol usually doesn't announce his game-day starter before the day of the game. Coming in on a three-game winning streak, it's safe to assume Neuvirth gets the nod again.
Mason has had an up-and-down season that has included multiple injuries and a personal family matter. He's getting meager goal support and lackluster defensive play in front of him, though he, too, has had inconsistencies in his own game.
Throughout the season, the Flyers have said Mason's the No. 1 goalie. But Neuvirth's been getting the brunt of the workload lately and rightfully so. Starting the Czech goalie against Edmonton would be the popular opinion, especially given the team's recent play. Neuvirth, who's 16-7-4 with a 2.22 goals-against average and .927 save percentage on the season, has a 1.88 GAA in his last seven games with quite a few highlight-reel stops. Mason has allowed three goals in four of his last five outings.
3. The McDavid effect
Despite McDavid's torrid pace since returning from injury, the Oilers' offense has largely relied on him and no one player can single-handedly carry a team. In its last 13 games, Edmonton is averaging 1.9 goals. McDavid has tallied 19 of his 31 points in the last 15 games, and is scoring more than a point per game his rookie season.
The Oilers come into tonight winners of their last two, and seek their first three-game win streak since their season-best six-game streak from Dec. 2-14. Edmonton is just 5-8-2 since McDavid's return. With the rookie in their lineup, the Oilers are 10-16-2. With him out of the lineup, they're 14-18-5. Still, McDavid is enough for a coach to game plan for.
“We’re going to play our game,” Hakstol said (see story). “He’s a great young player and deserves all the accolades and attention that comes his way. We’ll prepare to play our best game.”
4. Keep an eye on …
Flyers: The team's best player since Jan. 1 has been Brayden Schenn, and the winger is coming off an Alex Ovechkin-esque performance against Calgary. Schenn, a pending restricted free agent, recorded his first career hat trick against the Flames in a performance that also saw him throw a career-high nine shots on goal. He finished February with nine goals and 16 points and has 14 goals and 27 points since the turn of the calendar. While his shooting percentage may be at an unsustainable clip, Schenn has really started to come around in the last two months and now has a career-high 21 goals.
Oilers: He's been talked about a lot already, but McDavid is the Oiler to watch tonight.
5. This and that
• The Flyers have four power-play goals in eight opportunities in their last four games.
• Schenn has six points on the Flyers' current six-game homestand.
• In their last seven games, the Flyers are averaging 3.7 goals.
• The Oilers have lost their last four in Philly, scoring just four goals in those games.
• Cam Talbot, formerly with the Rangers and probable starting goalie for Edmonton, is 2-2 with a 1.26 GAA and .957 save percentage in four career games against the Flyers.