If there’s one thing the NHL has plenty to offer, it’s parity. Just look at the standings this season to see how many teams stack up in the middle. The Flyers are among them, with 15 wins in their first 26 games, hovering between third place in the Metropolitan Division and the wildcard spots.
The Flyers have certainly had some tests already this season, but the biggest will come on Sunday afternoon. The Colorado Avalanche come to town with one of the best starts to a season in NHL history.
The Avalanche have played 28 games and have just two regulation losses, holding a 20-2-6 record and sitting atop the NHL with 46 points. A regulation loss to the Islanders on Thursday snapped a 17-game points streak, but the Avalanche responded with an overtime win over the Rangers on Saturday.
Game time is at 1 p.m.
Trevor Zegras maintained his point-per-game pace on Wednesday with a power-play goal against Buffalo. He moved into a tie for the team lead in goals with 10 and has 26 points to lead the way for the Flyers.
Nathan MacKinnon is off to a stellar start this season. He has points in 18 of his last 21 games, including 11 multi-point games in that time. MacKinnon also leads the league in goals and points.
Dan Vladar is expected to start for the Flyers. Vladar allowed five goals on 27 shots in a loss to the Penguins on Monday night, snapping a personal four-game winning streak.
Trent Miner is expected to start for the Avalanche. Miner has two appearances and one start this season. He stopped all 20 shots faced in relief on Oct. 23 against Carolina, but lost the game in a shootout. He allowed four goals on 24 shots in an overtime loss to the Devils on Oct. 26.
Projected Lineups
Lineup Notes
Flyers: Cam York left Wednesday’s game with an upper-body injury and is listed as day-to-day. He missed practice on both Thursday and Saturday and is not expected to play. If York is out, Nick Seeler would move into the spot next to Travis Sanheim. Noah Juulsen would come back into the lineup.
Avalanche: The Avalanche are expected to use the same lineup as Saturday’s game.
