Starting Goalie: Flyers eye ex-Flame in Calgary

Jackie Spiegel reports that Dan Vladař is expected to start for the Flyers tonight in Calgary, against his former club, the Flames.

The Flyers arrive at the Saddledome at 4-10-4, 30th in the NHL, with two straight losses behind them. The first question is who stands in the crease.

Spiegel noted that Vladař spent all of Saturday's practice in the starter's net, and that a start against the Flames would be his first against his old team.

Joseph Woll got the nod in New York on Thursday, a 2-3 loss, as we covered in Joseph Woll's start against the Rangers. Going back to Vladař fits the way this rotation has worked all season.

Vladař and Woll have each played 9 games, so nobody has run away with the job.

There will be no morning skate in Calgary today, with a long practice already in the books. Spiegel also passed along that coach Rick Tocchet will speak with the media at 4:45 p.m. ET.

Across the ice, Devin Cooley is the expected starter for the Flames. That is the expected starter, not an official confirmation, so the matchup could still shift.

Cooley has 7 games played this season, and Calgary has dropped two in a row, most recently a 3-5 loss to Anaheim on Friday. Two teams in a skid, two goalies fighting for the net.

Does Vladař in net change the Flyers' road problem?

On its own, no. The Flyers are 1-6-1 away from home and have allowed 61 goals, the kind of number no goalie erases by himself.

The team account framed tonight as the Flyers' final visit of the year to Calgary.

Tocchet can swap goalies all he wants, but a -22 goal differential says the leaks are bigger than one crease. Cam York sits at -9 through 10 games, and we looked at the blue line's role in Rick Tocchet's blue line reckoning in Calgary.

Vladař can only stop what gets through. Tocchet's media session this afternoon is the next chance for official word on who starts.

Quick hits

FLORIDA PANTHERSTom Wilson won't face supplemental discipline for his hit on Sandis Vilmanis, Elliotte Friedman reported this morning. Panthers fans will not love that one.

BOSTON BRUINSJim McBride just reported that Mikey Eyssimont is in the Bruins lineup against the Panthers today, fresh off an AHL hat trick. Hard to ignore that kind of push.

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETSBrian Hedger reports Denton Mateychuk left practice early after he was hit by a puck during a drill. Nothing more is known, so watch for an update.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFSThe Maple Leafs have recalled Cole McWard and sent Vinni Lettieri back to the Marlies ahead of tonight's game against the Devils, per Ozoon_CA. Rielly's wait goes on.

WINNIPEG JETSJosh Morrissey is not ready to return, so the Jets will host the Lightning tonight without him. That blue line stays thin for another night.