NHL On Tap: Undefeated Flyers in Tampa for Lightning home opener

Flyers flying in Tampa Bay

I can’t say I predicted the Philadelphia Flyers would start the John Tortorella era 2-0-0, and yet here we are. Beginning with a 5-2 win over the New Jersey Devils and a 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, they are now in a nationally televised game against defending Eastern Conference champions Tampa Bay Lightning Amalie Arena (Nov PM ET; ESPN, SN NOW). It should be a test for every team, with Lightning 1-2-0 and the opening game at home. I’m certainly not saying the Flyers will continue to play like this – they started 2-0-1 last season before finishing second to bottom in the East – but I’m curious if they can continue as they started, especially against a Lightning caliber team. How Far Will the Torts Effect Go? — Amalie Benjamin, staff writer

Predators hope for first victory in North America

The Nashville Predators got off to a promising start with two wins in as many games against the San Jose Sharks, but that was in Prague at the 2022 NHL Global Series and before the rest of the NHL started playing. The Predators haven’t had nearly as much fun since returning to the States. The Dallas Stars burned them twice, 4-1 in Nashville on Thursday and 5-1 in Dallas on Saturday. The Predators are better than that and need to get back on track when the Los Angeles Kings head to Bridgestone Arena (9:30 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN NOW). Perhaps the Kings (2-2-0) will arrive with some tired legs after going into overtime on Monday and defeating the Detroit Red Wings 5-4, but not before they extended their 2-1, 3- 2 and 4-3 gave away. Also, Kings up front Alex Jafallo (five points; two goals, three assists in four games) was placed on injured reserve with a lower body injury sustained in the third period and it’s a big loss. The good news for the Predators is that they ended a 0v15 slump in power play earlier in the season Nino Niederreiter scored the second in Dallas at 18:20. The Kings should be feeling good offensively, however, having scored 12 goals in their last two games after scoring four in their first two. The Predators need a win and the Kings are looking to stay hot in a matchup of teams pushing to make the Western Conference’s Stanley Cup playoffs. — Dan Rosen, senior writer

Battle of the unbeaten in the Pacific Division

It’s a small selection of games, but the Vegas Golden Knights (3-0-0) and Calgary Flames (2-0-0) top the Pacific Division. One will continue his unbeaten streak at Scotiabank Saddledome (9 p.m. ET; SNW, ATTSN-RM, ESPN+, SN NOW). Every team went into the season with questions. For Vegas could goalkeeper Logan Thompson take over for Robin Lehner, who is out after his hip surgery in August? For Calgary, the best off-season acquisitions would be forwards Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri and defender MacKenzie Weegarhelp mitigate the loss of forwards Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk? Well, Thompson is 2-0-0 with 1.50 goals against average, 0.947 percent save percentage and one shutout in two starts. Kadri has three points (one goal, two assists), Weegar has two assists and Huberdeau has one assist, each in two games. It’s off to a strong start for Vegas and Calgary, both as a team and individually. — Tracey Myers, staff writer

games on Tuesday

Anaheim Ducks at the New Jersey Devils (7 p.m. ET; MSG, BSSC, ESPN+, SN NOW)

The Ducks (1-2-0), who will play their second straight set after a 6-4 loss to the New York Rangers, have conceded 13 goals in their last two games and 17 in three at the start of the season. The Devils (0-2-0) have given up 10 goals in their first two games, 5-2 losses to the Flyers and Red Wings.

Boston Bruins at Ottawa Senators (7 p.m. ET; TSN5, RDS, NESN, ESPN+, SN NOW)

The Bruins (3-0-0) resisted a late Florida Panthers push to earn a 5-3 win at TD Garden on Monday. Boston has scored at least five goals in all three games. The Senators (0-2-0) have three goals in two games. They scored first against the Buffalo Sabers and Toronto Maple Leafs but were outplayed 7-1 after the first period.

Vancouver Canucks at Columbus Blue Jackets (7 p.m. ET; BSOH, SNP, ESPN+, SN NOW)

The Canucks (0-3-0) missed a chance at their first win by conceding four goals in the third period of a 6-4 loss at the Washington Capitals on Monday. Vancouver coach Bruce Boudreau is still aiming for his 600th NHL win. The Blue Jackets (0-3-0) seek their first win. They have five goals in losses to the Carolina Hurricanes (4-1), Lightning (5-2) and St. Louis Blues (5-2).

Philadelphia Flyers at Tampa Bay Lightning (7:00 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN NOW)

Tortorella, who led the Lightning to the 2004 Stanley Cup, may become the second Flyers coach to win each of his first three games (Paul Holmgren, 4-0-0 in 1988-89). He didn’t win his first three games coaching four other NHL teams (Lightning, Rangers, Canucks, Blue Jackets). The Lightning (1-2-0) allowed 45 shots in a 6-2 loss at the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. Steven Stamko has a goal in every game and may become the second Lightning player to score in each of their first four games of a season (Nikita Kutscherowseven games 2017-18).

San Jose Sharks at New York Islanders (7:30 p.m. ET; MSGSN, NBCSCA, ESPN+, SN NOW)

The Islanders (1-1-0) are hoping their forwards can match the offense they had when their defensemen scored five goals in Saturday’s 7-1 win over the Ducks. New York is 9-9 on penalties. The Sharks (0-4-0) are looking for their first win under coach David Quinn and are embarking on a four-game road trip. They have scored six goals in four games.

Buffalo Sabers at Edmonton Oilers (9 p.m. ET; SN360, MSG-B, ESPN+, SN NOW)

Connor McDavid (four goals, one assist) and Leon Draisaitl (one goal, four assists) had five points in each of the Oilers’ first two games. McDavid was selected as the NHL Second Star for the week ended October 16. defender Rasmus Dahlin scored in each of his first two games and averaged 25:03 (1-1-0) ice time for the Sabers.

Vegas Golden Knights at Calgary Flames (9 p.m. ET; SNW, ATTSN-RM, ESPN+, SN NOW)

The Golden Knights’ Bruce Cassidy is one of four undefeated coaches (Tortorella; Jim Montgomery, Bruins; Pete DeBoer, Stars) in their debut season with a team. The Flames start an eight-game homestand and won’t play away with the Islanders until Nov. 7. They were 25-9-7 at Scotiabank Saddledome in 2021-22.

Los Angeles Kings at Nashville Predators (9:30 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN NOW)

Drew Doughty of kings (#2 selection) and Roman Josi the Predators (No. 38) in the top four in the 2008 NHL draft for goals, assists and points among defensemen. Nashville captain Josi is second with 140 goals, lagging Eric Karlson (No. 15) the Sharks (154) and fourth on points (543 in 764 games). Doughty is third with 569 points in 1,018 games, behind Karlsson (663) and John Carlson (No. 27) of the Capitals (595). Nashville is down 900 wins since joining the NHL and became the first of the five teams that started the game since 1998-99 to reach that milestone.