Flyers vs. Stars
7:30 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet
Hey, the Flyers are still a team. After nearly an entire week off, it almost feels like they’re preparing for another season opener.
Regardless, the Flyers (2-1-1) will play a real life hockey game at the Wells Fargo Center against the surging Dallas Stars (4-1-0) on Tuesday night.
Here are five things to get you ready for the tilt:
1. Checking in on Voracek
Jakub Voracek doesn't want you to worry.
He knows he's expected to put up big numbers. After all, he broke out for 81 points in 2014-15, represented the Flyers in the All-Star Game, finished fourth in the entire league in scoring and was rewarded with an eight-year contract extension worth $66 million in July.
But Voracek isn't feeling any pressure yet, nor should he. Sure, he has only one assist through four games, but it's not like he's been invisible. The top line has had its chances and has also been strong in the defensive zone. That's something Voracek takes pride in.
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"In the end it doesn't matter how many points you're gonna end up with," he said after practice Sunday. "We can score one goal a game and make a difference by playing good defense. I think that's what we're focusing on right now. Obviously if you have chances, you wanna score the goals."
And the goals will come. Voracek is averaging four shots per game this season. He admitted he's antsy to get back on the ice and break into the goal column after the Flyers' five-day break from game action. The hunger is clearly still there, so the Stars could have their hands full. A motivated Voracek is not an easy one to keep off the scoresheet.
2. Welcome back, Mase
The crease belongs to Steve Mason.
The 27-year-old missed the Flyers’ last two games to deal with a personal family matter but is slated to make his return Tuesday night against Dallas.
“I feel pretty good, had a good couple days here,” Mason said Monday (see story). “Put the work in and just make sure I did the best I could to prepare for the next games.”
While Mason was away, backup Michal Neuvirth dazzled, posting back-to-back shutout victories in his first two starts with the Flyers. It’s likely Neuvirth will start Wednesday night, when the Flyers travel to Boston for a clash with the Bruins.
But for now it’s all eyes on Mason, who was lit up for four goals in less than seven minutes in his last start, a 7-1 loss to the Florida Panthers on Oct. 10. Getting back into a groove and building up some confidence is crucial.
3. Seeing Stars
This offensive group is scary good.
When you look at the long list of stud forwards on Dallas' roster, it's not hard to figure out how the Stars have managed to rack up 19 goals through their first five games.
It's almost not fair. Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and newcomer Patrick Sharp make up the top line. Then there's Jason Spezza, Valeri Nichushkin and Vernon Fiddler on the second unit. And don't forget about Ales Hemsky, who is skating with Cody Eakin and Mattias Janmark on the third line.
That's the definition of depth.
Where the Stars could run into trouble is their own end. The defensive corps isn't the strongest and the team's two netminders have had consistency concerns throughout their careers. But make no mistake, Dallas will make noise in a loaded Central Division. And when you're scoring nearly four goals per game, who needs defense anyway?
4. Keep an eye on …
Flyers: Let's go with Brayden Schenn, who has two tallies, an assist and nine shots on goal in four games this season. New head coach Dave Hakstol is still tinkering with his lines and is going to try Schenn, mostly a left winger during his time with the Flyers, on the right side of the ice against Dallas. Schenn saw time at his natural center position during the preseason, too. But it hasn't mattered where he's played, or even with who for that matter, in the early going. The 24-year-old has looked confident and is making things happen. That bodes well for Schenn, considering his contract expires at the end of the season.
Stars: How about the reigning Art Ross Trophy winner? Benn has recorded at least one point in all five of the games Dallas has played this season and is coming off a two-goal, one-assist performance against the Panthers. The Flyers will see a lot of him, too. Benn averages around 20 minutes per game and is currently skating as the left winger on the Stars' top line with Seguin and Sharp. He's also a key fixture on the power play as three of his five goals have come on the man advantage. This guy is the total package.
5. This and that
• The Flyers and Stars split two games in 2014-15. Each team scored seven goals and came away with a victory on the road. Voracek (one goal, three assists), Seguin (one goal, three assists) and Spezza (four assists) all tallied four points in the season series.
• The Flyers went a perfect 11 for 11 on the penalty kill in their last two games. They were just 6 for 10 on the PK in their first two games.
• The Stars lead the NHL in goals for per game (3.80) and are third in power-play effectiveness (33.3 percent) and shots per game (33.6).
• Mason is 5-5-1 with a .910 save percentage and 2.69 goals-against average in 13 career starts against Dallas.
• Antti Niemi, Tuesday's starter for Dallas, is 2-1-0 with a .936 save percentage, 1.83 goals-against average and one shutout in three career starts against the Flyers.