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Flyers-Sharks preview: Both teams have defensemen who can get offensive

One of the more intriguing items in the Flyers-Sharks matchup Tuesday: the high-scoring potential of both defenses.

Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere and the Flyers will face San Jose in their home opener Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere and the Flyers will face San Jose in their home opener Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.Read moreYONG KIM

San Jose's 4-0 loss Monday to the Islanders aside, the Sharks figure to present an unusual problem for opponents this season: Defensemen who can get offensive.

Specifically, Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns.

"I think it's huge on the backcheck to stay above them; you can't get beat up ice by them," said center Sean Couturier, the Flyers' best defensive forward. "They're good skaters, and you have to pay attention to where they're at all the time when you're out there with them."

The Flyers (1-1) will host San Jose (1-2) in their home opener at 7:30 Tuesday night.

Couturer said "the best defense is offense. If we control the play and the puck most of the game, it'll be hard for them to jump in the rush and create chances."

On the flip side, San Jose has to pay extra attention to the Flyers' Shayne Gostisbehere and Ivan Provorov, who are also two of the league's most dangerous scorers among defensemen.

The Flyers will be playing their first game without injured left winger James van Riemsdyk, who will be replaced by Jordan Weal.

Goalie matchup

Brian Elliott is expected to face San Jose's Aaron Dell, who would make his first appearance of the season, in goal. Martin Jones (3.03 GAA, .859 save percentage) played the Sharks' first three games, including Monday's matinee in Brooklyn.

The 33-year-old Elliott (3.03 GAA, .898) has made 14 appearances against San Jose in his career, compiling a 7-4-1 record (two no-decisions), 2.60 GAA, and .919 save percentage. Dell, 29, has been lights-out in three career outings vs. the Flyers (2-0-1, 1.00, .962).

Look for goalie Cal Pickard to make his Flyers debut Wednesday in Ottawa.

Shark attack

San Jose is 9-0-1 in its last 10 games at the Wells Fargo Center.

Special teams

The Flyers are 1 for 7 on the power play (14.3 percent, 17th in NHL) and 6 for 7 on the penalty kill (11th, 85.7 percent).

San Jose's power play is 0 for 10 (tied for last in the NHL), and its penalty kill has been successful on just nine of 12 attempts (19th, 75 percent).

Home openers

The Flyers are 28-16-6 in home openers, including last year's 8-2 romp past Washington, the eventual Stanley Cup champion.

This in their first opener with a fuzzy, 7-foot mascot roaming the stands.

Breakaways

Evander Kane leads the Sharks with two goals. … San Jose has just five goals in its first three games. … The teams split their two matchups last season, with each winning on the road. … Claude Giroux has eight goals in 15 career games against San Jose. … Jake Voracek, who will go back to the top line Tuesday, needs six assists to pass John LeClair for 12th on the Flyers' all-time list. … In five-on-five play, the Flyers have outscored their opponents, 6-3. San Jose has been outscored, 6-3, in those situations.