Babcock sets the Oilers' crease for Flyers showdown

Mike Babcock confirmed this morning in Edmonton that Tristan Jarry starts for the Oilers tonight against the Flyers, according to Jack Michaels.

The Flyers walk into a tough building. Edmonton is 13-3-3 and sits third in the NHL, while Philadelphia is 27th at 5-10-5.

Michaels also relayed that Dach is returning to the Oilers' lineup tonight, and that Jarry is 7-0-1 in his last 8 against Philadelphia.

The Jarry call was not a surprise. Jason Gregor pointed to Devon Levi staying on the ice about 30 minutes longer than most of the team, taking extra shots, and read that as a sign Jarry would get the nod.

Gregor also laid out why the Oilers trust Jarry right now. Since October 1, he has a .923 save percentage and a 2.10 goals-against average, with two shutouts in seven starts.

Against the Flyers specifically, that 7-0-1 stretch is the number that jumps out. Philadelphia has had his number for a while, and tonight is another chance to try to change that.

Who goes in the Flyers' net in Edmonton?

That is still unknown. Philadelphia's starter was not known at publication time.

Daniel Vladar and Joseph Woll have each played 10 games this season, so there is no clear number one to point to. As we reported Monday, Joseph Woll was expected to start in Vancouver, and the Flyers came away with a 3-1 win.

Rick Tocchet has a real decision to make, and it carries weight. The Flyers have allowed 66 goals in 20 games, and they are 2-6-2 on the road.

Winning in Edmonton means the goalie has to steal one, whoever it is. Against a team that is 7-0-1 away from home and has Jarry in a groove, that is a lot to ask, and sticking with the hot hand is the only sensible play if Tocchet has one.

Matvei Michkov is still the Flyers' headline name this week, but tonight the focus is in the crease. Tocchet's choice should become clear around warmups.

Quick hits

OTTAWA SENATORSNick Cousins is out a week to 10 days after the Jakob Chychrun hit, Bruce Garrioch reported this morning. Not a long absence, but the Senators will miss him in the bottom six.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNINGAndrei Vasilevskiy looks like the starter tonight in Buffalo, according to beat writer EddieInTheYard at the optional skate. No real surprise in that.

DALLAS STARSRobert Tiffin reports there was no sign of Miro Heiskanen at Stars practice today, one day before the Jets come to town. Worth watching closely.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFSChris Tanev was moved to the third pair with Dakota Mermis at practice today, Jonas Siegel reports. That is a notable shift on the Leafs' blue line.

NEW YORK RANGERSJoonas Korpisalo was the first goalie off the ice at the Calgary morning skate, Mollie Walker noted. That is a strong signal he gets the start tonight.

This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.