VOORHEES, N.J. -- Scott Hartnell is sidelined with a foot injury.
Wayne Simmonds has been out with a concussion, though he’s expected back Saturday against Carolina.
Jaromir Jagr, well, he’s playing in Dallas.
There’s three reasons why the Flyers' goal production is so awful this season with just a puny 25 goals in 11 games. Their goal differential is minus-5.
There’s more to it than that, too.
Max Talbot had a career year in 2011-12 with personal highs in goal scoring (19) and points (34).
In a shortened 48-game season, no one is expecting any player in the NHL to match their previous totals.
Yet, in Talbot’s case, it’s hard to score when you’re not getting shots.
Unless your Tommy Sestito -- two shots, two goals in the same game. There are only so many Sestito’s in the world.
Anyway, Talbot has just 10 shots through 11 games. In six of them, he had just one shot. That's not going to get it done. He has just three assists this season.
“My shooting percentage was higher last year,” Talbot said.
His line and role were different, as well. He played with Jakub Voracek much of the season with a different winger on the other side.
Right now, he’s with Brayden Schenn and Voracek in a mostly checking role.
“There’s no real reason,” Talbot said. “I just got to work harder in front of the net and get some shots and rebounds.”
He doesn’t think it has anything to do with making a conscious effort to shoot more. In reality, he is shooting slightly less than last season when he averaged 1.4 shots a game. He probably would have more shots and more scoring chances in a different role.
“Before I had 19 goals, I had 13 [in Pittsburgh],” Talbot said. “That’s not why the Flyers signed me -- to score some goals.”
Indeed, when Talbot returned to Pittsburgh last season, Pens coach Dan Bylsma kidded him about becoming a goal scorer once he left the Penguins.
The thing is, the Flyers need more goals. Talbot is a guy capable of delivering even though his role is that of a defensive centerman and wing, not to mention an outstanding penalty killer.
“There’s no reason for this. I’m going to put my head down and keep working,” he said.
Coach Peter Laviolette has Talbot’s back.
“He’s used in a little bit different role this year,” Laviolette said. “He’s more on a straight checking line. Right now we need Max at center. The role might be a little different for him.
“That’s not to say he’s not getting chances or opportunities, but I think he’s done a nice job for us. He provides a lot of energy.”
Does he need to shoot more?
“I answered this a few days ago and I want to make sure it is not misconstrued this time,” Laviolette replied. “Max is having a good year. Offensively, there is room for improvement from all of our guys.
“We’re not scoring enough in general. The power play can be a little more effective, though it seems to have found some goals the last four or five games. Five-on-five, I think we’re getting better.
“We’re down in the offensive zone. There is sustained zone time that looks more like our identity and attack. But there’s probably a lot of players who fit in the category you’re putting Max in that they probably want to contribute more.”