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Flyers take on struggling 'Canes

Nov 5, 2013 - 4:01 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Winning streaks have been hard to come by this season for the Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes.

The Flyers look to win two straight for just the second time in 2013-14 as they visit a Hurricanes club on Tuesday night that is in the midst of its longest losing streak of the campaign.

Philadelphia dropped seven of its first eight before winning two in a row over the New York Rangers and Islanders on Oct. 24 and 26. Following a one-goal loss to Anaheim, the Flyers were blown out by the visiting Washington Capitals 7-0 on Friday, but rebounded with a great effort to beat New Jersey 1-0 the following night.

Ray Emery got the start and made 14 saves versus the Devils as the Flyers allowed a season low in shots.

Emery stepped in for his third start of the season after coming in to relieve Steve Mason in Friday's loss. Emery didn't finish the game though, tossed after accumulating 29 penalty minutes for fighting an unwilling Braden Holtby of Washington in the third period.

It was all business on Saturday, however, as the 31-year-old netminder recorded his 15th career shutout.

"We got the (crap) kicked out of us the last game," Flyers forward Jakub Voracek said. "Everyone has to dig in and put pressure on and try to do something and be ready to play."

Brayden Schenn's first-period goal was all the Flyers need to win despite getting held to a pair of goals or less for the 12th time in 13 games.

Philadelphia was without Vincent Lecavalier and Steve Downie due to injuries sustained in fights on Friday. Downie, in his first game since being acquired from Colorado, suffered a concussion and is out indefinitely, while Lecavalier is expected to return tonight after a one-game absence. He is slated to wear a half-shield, half-cage beginning tonight until he fully heals.

The Hurricanes have their own injury issues as they remain without their top- two goaltenders in Cam Ward and Anton Khudobin. Justin Peters has been tasked with filling the void and made 33 saves in a 5-1 loss to the Rangers on Saturday.

Andrej Sekera had Carolina's lone goal and it has been held to five goals over a five-game losing streak.

"We came out fine, playing the game plan we wanted to play," said Peters. "It seemed like once they got that first (goal) they got a little momentum going."

Carolina now opens a five-game homestand looking to halt its longest skid since dropping seven straight from April 1-11. This losing streak comes after the Hurricanes won two in a row for the first time this season.

One of the 'Canes four wins this season came against the Flyers on Oct. 6, a 2-1 home decision. It snapped Carolina's four-game series slide and it beat Philadelphia for just the third time in the past 18 meetings.

The Hurricanes also won at home over the Flyers for the second time in the previous 12 encounters.

Peters is expected to make his fifth straight start and is 0-2-0 with a 4.77 goals against average in three games (2 starts) versus the Flyers.

Emery, meanwhile, did not practice on Monday as he joined his former Chicago Blackhawks team to visit President Barack Obama and the White House to celebrate last season's championship.

That likely means that Steve Mason will start tonight for Philadelphia. He has won his first five career starts versus the Hurricanes before taking the loss on Oct. 6 despite 32 saves. He owns a career GAA of 1.84 versus Carolina.