• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Flyers try to get back on track against visiting Leafs

Oct 24, 2011 - 2:50 PM (Sports Network) - The Philadelphia Flyers will try to salvage the final test of a three-game homestand when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight at the Wells Fargo Center.

The Flyers were 4-0-1 through the first five games of the season, but have been dealt consecutive regulation losses on home ice and surrendered a total of nine goals in the two setbacks. Philadelphia was slammed by Washington, 5-2, to open the homestand on Thursday and was dealt a 4-2 loss by St. Louis on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs are off to a strong 5-1-1 start and rebounded nicely from a blowout loss against Boston when they beat rival Montreal in overtime on Saturday. The win over the Canadiens did come at a cost, however, as James Reimer -- Toronto's No. 1 goaltender -- was forced to leave the game with an unspecified injury.

The Flyers were doomed by a slow start against the Blues on Saturday, allowing a goal at 1:48 of the first and then falling behind 2-0 midway through the first period. St. Louis netminder Brian Elliott then made 16 of his 34 saves in the third period to help the Blues preserve the 4-2 win in Philly.

"We've got to have better starts," said Flyers defenseman and team captain Chris Pronger. "We have to play for sixty minutes for us to be successful."

Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 21-of-25 shots for Philadelphia, which trimmed its deficit to 3-2 when Matt Carle netted a power-play goal with 6:46 remaining in the third. But Matt D'Agostini scored with the man-advantage 66 seconds later to restore St. Louis' two-goal lead.

The loss was Philadelphia's third straight on home ice and is just 1-2-1 in the City of Brotherly Love this season. The Flyers will head to Montreal for their next game on Wednesday before returning to Philly for a two games against Winnipeg and Carolina.

After beginning the year with a 4-0-1 mark on a five-game homestand, the Maple Leafs were pounded, 6-2, in Boston this past Thursday. Toronto fared better in its second road game on Saturday, outlasting the Canadiens, 5-4, in an overtime battle at the Bell Centre.

Mikhail Grabovski tied the game late in regulation and won it 1:23 into OT for the Maple Leafs. Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf each had a goal and an assist for Toronto and David Steckel also lit the lamp.

Reimer stopped 9-of-10 shots in the first period before leaving the game with an undisclosed injury. Jonas Gustavsson turned aside 15-of-18 shots in relief.

Just 1:15 into the game, Reimer stopped a shot from the point. Brian Gionta came flying across the crease and bumped into Reimer, who lost his mask on the play. Gionta was sent to the penalty box for goaltender interference.

Reimer was able to stay in the game for the rest of the first period, but Gustavsson took over at the start of the second. Maple Leafs head coach Ron Wilson did not seem overly concerned about Reimer's injury in his remarks following Saturday's game.

"He got an elbow in the head and felt whiplash like effects," Wilson said. "He could've finished the game but it's early in the season and we didn't want to risk it. He should be OK and we will see how he feels tomorrow."

Reimer is not expected to play in tonight's game and he may not even be available as the backup to Gustavsson. Forward Tyler Bozak is questionable after missing the Montreal game with a bruised foot. Bozak suffered the injury blocking a shot in Thursday's loss at Boston and was a late scratch on Saturday.

The Flyers notched three wins in four matchups against the Maple Leafs last season and Philly has taken five of six, seven of nine and eight out of 11 overall in this series. Toronto has lost six of its last eight in Philadelphia.