Flyers still lean on Michkov and Zegras ahead of Calgary

The Flyers head to Calgary on Sunday at 4-10-4, and Matvei Michkov and Trevor Zegras are carrying an offense with very little behind them.

Philadelphia sits 30th in the NHL with 12 points and has lost two straight, the latest a 2-3 loss at the Rangers on Thursday night. The question wasn't new before that game. The Zegras and Michkov production concerns before the Rangers game were already on the table, and nothing changed in New York.

The team numbers explain the mood. The Flyers have scored 39 goals and allowed 61, a -22 differential that matches the standings.

Michkov owns the goal column almost by himself. He has 10 goals and 13 points in 18 games, and 5 of those goals have come on the power play. He's also a -11, which tells you how much trouble the team has had when he's on the ice at even strength.

Zegras leads the team with 14 points, built on 4 goals and 10 assists. Six of those assists have come on the power play, so the man advantage runs through him and Michkov.

Then the drop. Travis Konecny has 5 points in 8 games, and Owen Tippett has 2 points in 12. Those are two of the forwards Philadelphia counts on for top-six scoring, and the production isn't close to what the lineup needs.

Where the next Flyers goals will come from

The supporting cast is thin. Noah Cates and Tyson Foerster each have 5 points through 18 and 17 games, and Foerster's 3 goals include 1 short-handed.

Porter Martone, with 8 points and 2 power-play goals, is the most productive of the group. His test at the Rangers on Thursday showed how much the Flyers need him to keep growing into a bigger role.

Rick Tocchet can keep the same forward groups and hope the finishers wake up. That's a bad plan for a team at 1-6-1 on the road, where goals have been scarce all season.

Calgary isn't a team to run from. The Flames are 7-9-1, have lost two straight after a 5-3 loss to Anaheim on Friday, and have allowed 60 goals. If Konecny, Tippett or Foerster don't score Sunday, the Flyers will be back to counting on the same two names, and the standings show where that leads.

Quick hits

CAROLINA HURRICANESWalt Ruff reports Rod Brind'Amour says Alexander Nikishin is slated to make his season debut tonight when the Hurricanes host the Blackhawks. Fresh legs for a team that wants a lift.

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKSConnor Bedard skated between Tyler Bertuzzi and Roman Kantserov at morning skate ahead of tonight's game in Carolina. Kantserov getting a look next to Bedard is worth watching.

DALLAS STARSThe NHL's status report lists Miro Heiskanen as doubtful tonight against the Sharks. That's a big hole on the blue line if he can't go.

WASHINGTON CAPITALSSammi Silber reports Logan Thompson starts in goal today against the Panthers, with no other lineup changes. Washington is sticking with what it has.

ST. LOUIS BLUESLou Korac reports Joel Hofer starts in goal for the Blues today in Nashville, with Mason McTavish a game-time decision. His status is the one to track before puck drop.