Flyers-Blues preview: Philly will try to contain surging St. Louis
What to watch for in the Flyers' matchup with the Blues.
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Blues (10-2-1) vs. Flyers (6-6-1)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday.
WHERE: Scottrade Center.
BROADCAST: TV, NBCSP; radio, 97.5 FM.
SOCIAL MEDIA COVERAGE: Twitter, @BroadStBull; @samdonnellon.
KEY PLAYERS: St. Louis has played without several key players who are injured, including Jay Bouwmeester, Patrik Berglund, and Robby Fabbri, so its start has been one of the NHL's surprise stories of the first month. With 21 points each, the Blues and Tampa Bay top the NHL.
The Blues are 5-0 at the Scotttrade Center, their best start on home ice since they won their first six in 2010-11. They will play four of their next five games at home.
St. Louis, whose lineup includes former Flyers Brayden Schenn and Scottie Upshall, has gotten a league-best 14 goals from its defensemen, and it ranks second in the NHL in goals-against average (2.31).
The Flyers will have their hands full trying to contain the line of Schenn (three goals, 11 points), speedy Jaden Schwartz (eight goals, 17 points) and Vladimir Tarasenko (six goals, 14 points).
Michal Neuvirth, 1-3 with a 2.30 GAA and .925 save percentage, is expected to make just his fifth start for the Flyers, who are coming off Wednesday's 3-0 loss in Chicago. St. Louis is well-rested because its last game was Monday's 4-2 win over Los Angeles.
Because of injuries, the Flyers might have four first-year defensemen in their lineup, including Will O'Neill, who will make his NHL debut if Radko Gudas can't play after getting injured in Wednesday's loss. O'Neill isn't considered a rookie because of his age (29).
The Flyers swarmed the net and had 35 shots but were blanked by Corey Crawford on Wednesday. It was the third time they have been shut out in 13 games.
High-scoring defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere and rookie center Nolan Patrick will miss the game because of apparent concussion-like symptoms.
HEAD TO HEAD: This is the first meeting between the teams this season; they will also play Jan. 6 at the Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers have a 87-42-20 record in the all-time series, but they lost both games to the Blues last season.
FLYERS' COMING GAMES:
Saturday: 7 p.m. vs. Colorado.
Nov. 9: 7 p.m. vs. Chicago.