Montreal @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 19, 2019 ) Montreal 3, Philadelphia 1

The Philadelphia Flyers are intent on changing the narrative after registering their lowest home point total in 25 years last season. Off to a sterling 5-1-1 start when considered the host team, the Flyers aim to conclude their three-game homestand with a victory on Thursday when the Montreal Canadiens pay a visit to the City of Brotherly Love.

Sean Couturier extended his point and assist streaks to four games after joining captain Claude Giroux in scoring a goal and setting up another in Philadelphia's 4-1 victory over Carolina on Tuesday. Couturier has six points (two goals, four assists) in that span while Giroux has four in his last two contests for the Flyers, who have rode a sizzling 5-2-1 stretch to their best 14-game start since 2014-15. Montreal posted its fourth win in five outings by handing bitter rival Boston its second regulation loss of the season with a 5-4 decision on Tuesday. Brendan Gallagher (team-leading seven goals), who is on pace to improve upon his back-to-back 30-plus-goal seasons, erupted for four goals and an assist in three meetings with Philadelphia in 2018-19.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN2, RDS (Montreal), NBCS Philadelphia

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (8-5-2): Jesperi Kotkaniemi said he's ready to return to game action after participating in his first full practice on Wednesday since being placed on injured reserve with an ailing groin. "Today on the ice I was feeling good," the 19-year-old Finn said. "From my side, I think I should be ready to go." Coach Claude Julien told reporters that Kotkaniemi was making the trip to Philadelphia, although a conversation with trainers was in order before giving him the green light to play.

ABOUT THE FLYERS (7-5-2): Carsen Twarynski was shuffled to the third line while Michael Raffl joined the fourth on Tuesday, but coach Alain Vigneault told reporters that the Austrian shouldn't view the move as a demotion. "I just didn't feel we were getting what I needed from our fourth line, especially when we're playing four games in six nights," Vigneault said. "I talked to Raffy about it, I told him I was looking for balance, I want to be able to play four lines right now and I think this gives us a better chance to do that." With that said, Philadelphia sent fourth-line center German Rubtsov to Lehigh Valley on Wednesday and recalled fellow forward Mikhail Vorobyev from the American Hockey League team.

OVERTIME

1. Philadelphia's special teams have been dominant at home this season, going 10-for-29 on the power play while thwarting 21-of-24 short-handed situations.

2. Canadiens Ds Shea Weber and Jeff Petry as well as F Nate Thompson are expected to play versus the Flyers despite taking part in therapy days in lieu of practice on Wednesday.

3. Philadelphia has scored the first goal in six of its seven home games this season.

PREDICTION: Canadiens 3, Flyers 2