Flyers welcome McDavid, Oilers looking to keep winning ways rolling
The Flyers could not have asked for a better start to the six-game homestand, taking the first three contests as the calendar turns to March.
Their first meeting of March comes against one of the NHL's most highly-touted rookies. Connor McDavid makes his first trip to Philadelphia, as the Edmonton Oilers play their final game against the Flyers this season.
The opening faceoff is set for 7 p.m.
| Flyers Leaders | GP | G | A | P | Oilers Leaders | GP | G | A | P |
| Claude Giroux | 59 | 17 | 37 | 54 | Taylor Hall | 65 | 20 | 34 | 54 |
| Jakub Voracek | 60 | 10 | 38 | 48 | Leon Draisaitl | 55 | 16 | 28 | 44 |
| Wayne Simmonds | 62 | 23 | 20 | 43 | Jordan Eberle | 52 | 20 | 19 | 39 |
| Brayden Schenn | 60 | 21 | 21 | 42 | Benoit Pouliot | 55 | 14 | 22 | 36 |
| Shayne Gostisbehere | 44 | 12 | 23 | 35 | Teddy Purcell | 61 | 11 | 21 | 32 |
| Player to Watch | |
| 53 Shayne Gostisbehere | 97 Connor McDavid |
| Last 5 Games: 1 G, 1 A, 2 P, +3 | Last 5 Games: 2 G, 2 A, 4 P, +2 |
| Goalie Matchup | |
| 30 Michal Neuvirth | 33 Cam Talbot |
| 16-7-4, 2.22 GAA, .927 SV% | 14-22-4, 2.60 GAA, .915 SV% |
It's Michal Neuvirth again for the Flyers. The netminder makes his seventh start in the last eight games. With the exception of a rough night in Carolina, Neuvirth has remained steady in net for the Flyers.
Already familiar with the Flyers from his days as the Rangers backup, the Oilers turn to now starter Cam Talbot. Talbot is 2-2-0 in his career against the Flyers, but has stellar numbers, with a 1.26 GAA and .957 save percentage.
Flyers Projected Lineup
Scratches: Brandon Manning, R.J. Umberger, Jordan Weal, Jake Voracek, Michael Del Zotto
| Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
| 10 Brayden Schenn | 28 Claude Giroux | 17 Wayne Simmonds |
| 12 Michael Raffl | 14 Sean Couturier | 89 Sam Gagner |
| 21 Scott Laughton | 52 Nick Cousins | 24 Matt Read |
| 76 Chris VandeVelde | 78 Pierre-Edouard Bellemare | 25 Ryan White |
| Defense | ||
| 47 Andrew MacDonald | 53 Shayne Gostisbehere | |
| 55 Nick Schultz | 32 Mark Streit | |
| 82 Evgeny Medvedev | 3 Radko Gudas | |
| Goalie | ||
| 30 Michal Neuvirth |
The Flyers lineup remains the same as it did on Monday with Evgeny Medvedev in for Brandon Manning.
Game Notes
- Power Play: Flyers (13th, T-16th at home), Oilers (27th, 18th on road)
- Penalty Kill: Flyers (23rd, 22nd at home), Oilers (18th, T-23rd on road)
- Recent History vs. Oilers
- Nov. 4, 2014 – The Flyers defeated the Oilers, 4-1, at Wells Fargo Center. Jake Voracek scored twice in the first period and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare scored early in the second to open a 3-0 lead. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored the lone goal for the Oilers in the second before Luke Schenn answered with a goal at 12:01 of the second. Steve Mason made 35 saves in the win.
- March 21, 2015 – The Flyers fell to the Oilers in overtime, 5-4, in Edmonton. The Flyers opened a 3-1 first-period lead with two goals by Claude Giroux and one from Ryan White before the Oilers rallied to tie the game in the final 3:45 of the period. The Flyers trailed, 4-3, going to the third before Michael Raffl tied the game 46 second into the period. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored the game-winner at 2:46 of overtime for his second of the game.
- Nov. 3, 2015 – The Flyers suffered a 4-2 loss in Edmonton. After Connor McDavid left with injury, the Flyers carried a 2-1 lead into the third with goals from Ryan White and Scott Laughton. The Oilers struck for three goals in the third getting goals from Matt Hendricks, Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Michal Neuvirth made 45 saves in the loss.
- Flyers leaders vs. Oilers
- Claude Giroux – 8 games, 3 goals, 5 assists, 8 points
- Scott Laughton – 1 game, 1 goal, 0 assists, 1 point
- Sam Gagner – 6 games, 2 goals, 3 assists, 5 points
- Michal Neuvirth – 3 games, 1-2-0, 2.70 GAA, .938 Sv%
Where to Watch
TV: CSN
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
