Flyers goalie Alex Lyon might make NHL debut Thursday

Goalie Michal Neuvirth is slated to get the start Wednesday in Washington, the first of back-to-back games for the Flyers.

And Thursday's starter in New Jersey?

Well, based on hints dropped by coach Dave Hakstol on Tuesday, if Brian Elliott is not ready to return from a lower-body injury, it looks as though Alex Lyon will make his NHL debut against the Devils.

Lyon says he's ready.

"I'm very confident. I've been playing really well in Allentown," said Lyon after being recalled from the AHL's Phantoms and practicing with the Flyers on Tuesday in Voorhees. "I'm not going to change the approach. I'm just going to keep the same recipe and have patience and trust in that."

Lyon, 25, a Minnesota native who was signed as a free agent in 2016 after starring at Yale, struggled earlier in the season but has played well since returning to Lehigh Valley after spending 20 days (and not playing) with the Flyers,

"It's just all about confidence," said Lyon, who has a 2.90 goals-against average and .910 save percentage in 23 games with the Phantoms this season. "I've said it before, but I think every goalie in the AHL and NHL has similar tools; it's just that mentality and that confidence" that make the difference. "Everything's been going really well since I was here last. I just have to focus on the process and make the best of it."

Lyon acknowledged it will be special when he makes his NHL debut, but he said "the most healthy way to do it is to treat every day the same. Treat every game, every practice like you're trying to stop every single puck that comes at you. If you do that, the rest will take care of itself."

Lyon said it was good to see goalie Anthony Stolarz able to skate in Voorhees before the Flyers' practice Tuesday. Stolarz, 24, underwent surgery on each knee in the off-season.

"More than anything, I'm just happy for him," Lyon said.  "It's tough on the psyche when you don't get out there for nine months. I think he's probably in good spirits, and that's what makes me happy."

The Flyers are 2-0 against the Capitals this season. Washington is 18-6-4 against the rest of the Eastern Conference…The Flyers are 16-7-1 in December and January; the Caps are 15-4-4 in that span….In five-on-five play, the Flyers have outscored their opponents, 85-76, while Washington has a 96-84 advantage….The Capitals are 28-1-2 when they score at least three goals.