Flyers at Maple Leafs preview

FLYERS (10-10-2) at MAPLE LEAFS (15-8-0)
7 p.m. ET; NHLN, CBC, SN1, NBCSP, NHL.TV

Van Riemsdyk, who signed a five-year contract with the Flyers on July 1, spent the past six seasons with the Maple Leafs, scoring 294 points (154 goals 140 assists) in 413 games. He has four points (one goal, three assists) in six games with Philadelphia this season.
The Flyers defeated the New York Rangers 4-0 on Friday. Philadelphia is 1-3-1 in its past five games.
Garret Sparks will start in goal for the Maple Leafs, who were defeated by the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-2 on Friday. Toronto will try to avoid losing three straight games in regulation for the first time this season.

Players to watch

Flyers forward Sean Couturier had two goals and an assist against the Rangers and has six points (three goals, three assists) during a three-game point streak.
Maple Leafs forward Kasperi Kapanen has scored in each of his past two games and has three points (two goals, one assist) during a three-game point streak.

They said it

"Certainly when the schedule comes out you take a peek at that and see that just because of everything, because of all the time there. I really loved my time there. It's something you're definitely looking forward to and, to be honest, I'm looking forward to getting past it to help with the moving-on process." -- Flyers forward James van Riemsdyk on his return to Toronto
"He was one of the best professional guys I know. He prepares better than anyone in the League. Great friend to me; I train in his gym in the summers. I'm happy for him, he's in a spot where he likes and feels comfortable." -- Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner on van Riemsdyk

Flyers projected lineup

Claude Giroux -- Sean Couturier -- Travis Konecny
Dale Weise -- Nolan Patrick -- Jakub Voracek
James van Riemsdyk -- Jordan Weal -- Wayne Simmonds
Oskar Lindblom -- Scott Laughton -- Tyrell Goulbourne
Ivan Provorov -- Robert Hagg
Shayne Gostisbehere -- Christian Folin
Travis Sanheim -- Radko Gudas
Calvin Pickard
Anthony Stolarz
Scratched: Jori Lehtera, Andrew MacDonald,Alex Lyon
Injured:Michael Raffl (lower body), Michal Neuvirth (undisclosed), Brian Elliott (lower body)

Maple Leafs projected lineup

Zach Hyman -- John Tavares -- Mitchell Marner
Patrick Marleau -- Nazem Kadri -- Kasperi Kapanen
Andreas Johnsson -- Par Lindholm -- Connor Brown
Tyler Ennis -- Frederik Gauthier -- Josh Leivo
Morgan Rielly -- Ron Hainsey
Jake Gardiner -- Nikita Zaitsev
Travis Dermott -- Igor Ozhiganov
Garret Sparks
Frederik Andersen
Scratched: Martin Marincin, Justin Holl
Injured: Auston Matthews (shoulder)

Status report

The Flyers recalled Stolarz from Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League… Philadelphia did not hold a morning skate ... Matthews, who last played on Oct. 27, participated in an optional skate but will not play.

Stat pack

Konecny has six points (three goals, three assists) during a three-game point streak… Giroux has six points (one goal, five assists) during a three-game point streak… Marner has been held without a point in each of his past two games after nine points (one goal, eight assists) during a five-game point streak.