Philadelphia @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 4, 2019 ) Chicago 3, Philadelphia 4

The Philadelphia Flyers have yet to win a game in which they were designated as the road team, even though they opened the season with a 4-3 "neutral-site" victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in Prague, Czech Republic. The Flyers bid to complete a sweep of the Blackhawks for the second straight season on Thursday when they visit the Windy City.

Philadelphia followed up a demoralizing three-game skid in Western Canada with a 4-1 setback against Dallas on Saturday before erupting for a season-high goal total two nights later in a 6-2 victory versus Vegas. Travis Konecny, who collected two goals and an assist in the Flyers' 4-3 win over the Blackhawks on Oct. 4, joined Oskar Lindblom in tallying against the Golden Knights. Vegas answered Monday's setback with a 2-1 shootout victory over Chicago, which has mustered just 15 even-strength goals and three power-play tallies this season. "We've been in every game," Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton told the Chicago Tribune. "We're not at our top level. Power play hasn't really gotten going yet, even though we've had our moments where it looks good. The pucks haven't gone into the net."

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, NBCS Chicago

ABOUT THE FLYERS (3-3-1): Philadelphia coach Alain Vigneault has been so impressed by Konecny and Lindblom that he sent the promising duo out along with linemate Sean Couturier as a power-play unit versus Vegas. "I like what they've done as a line, both at five-on-five and on the power play. They've generated consistent puck pressure on the forecheck. They have protected the puck. And they have been putting pucks in the net for us," Vigneault said. Couturier carries a four-game point streak (one goal, three assists) into Thursday's tilt versus Chicago, against which he ravaged for three goals and two assists last season.

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (2-3-2): Chicago placed Connor Murphy (groin) on long-term injured reserve Wednesday and recalled fellow defenseman Dennis Gilbert from Rockford of the American Hockey League. "Obviously, that's a blow for us," Colliton said of losing Murphy, who is required to sit out at least 24 days and won't be eligible to return until Nov. 16 in Nashville. "It's an opportunity for other guys. We think we need to continue to build depth. That's what we're going to need. We can't just play with six or seven (defensemen) all year. You're going to need more than that." Slater Koekkoek, who had a minus-2 rating in the season opener against Philadelphia, is expected to draw into Murphy's spot in the lineup.

OVERTIME

1. Chicago RW Patrick Kane, who scored the 2010 Stanley Cup-clinching goal against Philadelphia, continued to torment the club with a goal and two assists in the season opener.

2. Flyers G Brian Elliott has been confirmed to start versus the Blackhawks, against whom he sports a 9-9-1 record with one shutout, a 2.27 goals-against average and .922 save percentage in 21 career appearances.

3. Chicago RW Alex DeBrincat, who scored against Philadelphia in Prague, has been held of the scoresheet in four of his last five games.

PREDICTION: Blackhawks 3, Flyers 1