Rolling Flyers hope to continue streak against Islanders.
Rolling Flyers hope to continue streak against Islanders.
NY Islanders (2-6-0) at Philadelphia (3-3-3), 7:00 pm EDT
It was not too long ago that the Philadelphia Flyers seemed as hopeless as the New York Islanders currently appear to be.
The resurgent Flyers hope to extend their winning streak to four games when they host the struggling Islanders in a battle of Atlantic Division rivals on Thursday.
After dropping its first six games of the season - including a 7-6 shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks last Wednesday - Philadelphia has used a high-octane offense to produce a three-game winning streak.
Receiving two goals apiece from Simon Gagne, Mike Knuble and Joffrey Lupul, the Flyers cruised to a 7-0 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers on Tuesday. Prior to that outburst, they took two games from the division rival New Jersey Devils in a home-and-home series over the weekend.
Netminders Martin Biron and Antero Niittymaki, who made 24 saves on Tuesday en route to his fourth career shutout, have had a rather easy time protecting leads since the Flyers have outscored opponents, 16-5, during their recent stretch.
The Islanders, however, have not had as much success lately, dropping four consecutive contests. Promising youngster Kyle Okposo and veteran Doug Weight each scored on Monday, but their efforts were not enough to overcome the New York Rangers in a 4-2 loss.
The Islanders have won five games in each of the last three Octobers, but they captured just two of eight thus far with just one game remaining this month.
The team also could be without goaltender Rick DiPietro, who suffered a lower body injury in Saturdays 4-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
In just his third start since recovering from arthroscopic surgery performed on his right knee on June 4, DiPietro stopped 10 of 12 shots before being removed.
If DiPietro cannot go, Joey MacDonald will resume the starting duties - a role he occupied for the first four games of the season. The 28-year-old MacDonald is 2-4-0 with a 3.54 goals-against average in six appearances.
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Avalanche hope to return to winning ways vs. Blue Jackets.
Columbus (3-6-0) at Colorado (5-4-0) 9:00 p.m. EDT
A rare offensive drought halted the Colorado Avalanches five-game winning streak.
With just a single goal over its last two games, Colorado will look for a breakout offensive performance when it takes on the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.
The Avalanche had scored four or more goals in five consecutive games, but after a 2-1 shootout win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, they were shut out for the first time this season in a 3-0 loss to the Calgary Flames three days later.
Goaltender Peter Budaj had his three-game winning streak snapped as he allowed three first-period tallies in the loss to the Flames.
Columbus is in the midst of its own offensive struggles, having collected just four goals during its current three-game losing streak.
Without starting netminder Pascal Leclaire, who was placed on injured reserve Monday with an ankle injury, the Blue Jackets will need an increase in offensive production with backup Fredrik Norrena in net.
Norrena has allowed seven goals in his two starts this season, stopping just 40 of 48 shots. He owns an 0-3-0 record in five overall appearances.
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Sabres look to end skid against Lightning.
Tampa Bay (2-3-3) at Buffalo (6-1-2), 7:00 pm EDT
After solving every team in the early stages of the season, the Buffalo Sabres are now scrambling for answers.
Hoping to avoid a mild three-game losing streak, goaltender Ryan Miller and the Sabres host the struggling Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday.
Beginning the season with six wins in seven games, Buffalo suffered a 2-1 shootout loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.
The Sabres then fell for the first time in regulation on Monday, when the Ottawa Senators skated to a 5-2 victory. Playing in place of Miller, former Senator Patrick Lalime was the victim of two goals by Jason Spezza and a power-play tally by Dany Heatley.
Miller has been terrific, posting a 5-0-1 record and a league-best 1.60 goals-against average through six games. Left wing Thomas Vanek has provided plenty of support for the former Michigan State standout and 2001 Hobey Baker Award winner, netting eight goals.
The Lightning are coming off an impressive 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, thanks to two goals by captain Vincent Lecavalier. Mike Smith made 37 saves and has now yielded more than two goals just twice in six games this season.
The top pick in this past Junes draft, Steven Stamkos recorded his first career point when he set up Lecavaliers second goal of the game. The 18-year-old prized prospect was held scoreless in his first seven games, and a lack of playing time may have been the reason.
Coach Barry Melrose has given Stamkos an increase in ice time over the past few games, however, as the teenager logged 12 minutes, 58 seconds on Tuesday. Stamkos ranked 46th among NHL rookies before Wednesday with an average ice time of 11:10.
Tampa Bay, which has scored a league-low 14 goals, has yet to register more than three in a game this season. All eight of its contests have been decided by one tally.
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Coyotes hope shuffled lines generate offense.
Pittsburgh (5-3-2) at Phoenix (3-4-0) 10:00 p.m. EDT
The Phoenix Coyotes have struggled to score this season, and coach Wayne Gretzky is determined to fix his teams ailments.
The Coyotes look to put an end to their offensive woes when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday.
Phoenix has scored four goals in its previous three contests and is averaging 2.14 goals a game - 28th in the NHL. The Coyotes have netted only 15 goals this campaign and managed to score six times in its last three home contests.
In an effort to reverse that trend, Gretzky has decided to shuffle his offensive lines.
Weve been pretty satisfied with our attention to defensive detail, especially with such a young group, Gretzky said. I just think we need to find some combinations (to score more). Were just trying to create some offense, which we desperately need.
Captain Shane Doan, rookie Mikkel Boedker and Peter Mueller are the teams only players with multiple goals, and Gretzky has elected to divide the trio among his top three lines.
Pittsburgh also has struggled to score, ranking 23rd in the NHL with an average of 2.4 goals per game. The Penguins have netted a total of three tallies in their last two contests - both road losses.