This is the first nationally broadcasted game this year for the Flyers as they face the Penguins in Philadelphia at 2pm eastern today. The Penguins have won all 5 meetings so far this year last winning 8-4 on December 13.
The Flyers are coming off a 4-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday. The Flyers are on a 5 game losing streak and have not won at home since November 24.
The Penguins are coming off a 5-2 loss to the Florida Panthers on Wednesday. The Penguins are also on a 3 game losing streak.
Antero Niittymaki will get the start in goal even with a record that includes 12 straight losses. With the pickup of Leighton and the continued play of Nitty one could easily speculate that Esche will be gone before the end of the season. I suspect the Flyers want to get something in return from him instead of just letting him walk at the end of the season.
Injuries for the Flyers include Mike Rathje, Mike Richards, Geoff Sanderson and Denis Gauthier. Both Richards and Sanderson should be ready sometime next week.
For the Penguins Josef Melichar, Nils Ekman, Eric Cairns and Mark Eaton are listed as injured.