Flyers' Giroux to face Rangers tonight

Captain Claude Giroux will play in his first preseason game Tuesday night when the Flyers host the New York Rangers.

Giroux has not played because of a lower-body injury.

"I'm fine and ready to go," Giroux said after Tuesday's morning practice in Voorhees. "I want to make sure I'm ready to play against Boston (in the season opener Oct. 8), and for me to play this game tonight it's going to make me a better player for that game."

Coach Craig Berube said he also expected Giroux to play Thursday at Washington.

At practice Tuesday, Giroux skated without any issues.

The Flyers (2-3-1), who dropped a 6-3 decision to the Rangers (2-1) in Madison Square Garden on Monday, will use mostly regulars tonight.

"Right now we're just trying to get the team together, trying to get the team in the same system," Giroux said. "I think it's more important with these games in preseason, you work on your game; you work on how you want your team to look like here. An identity."

Based on the morning skate, here is the expected lineup for tonight:

** Giroux centering Brayden Schenn and Jake Voracek.

** Sean Couturier centering Matt Read and Wayne Simmonds.

** Vinny Lecavalier centering Michael Raffl and R.J. Umberger.

** Pierre-Edouard Bellemare centering Zac Rinaldo and Jason Akeson.

DEFENSE

Mark Streit and Nick Grossmann; Luke Schenn and Michael Del Zotto; and Sam Morin and Braydon Coburn.

Ray Emery is expected to be in goal.

Roster battle. If the Flyers carry only 13 forwards, it appears that Blair Jones, Bellemare and Akeson are battling for the final two spots. Scott Laughton, Chris VandeVelde and Zack Stortini and will probably be sent to the Phantoms.

If the Flyers decide to start the season with 14 forwards and 23 players, Jones, Bellemare and Akeson all figure to make the team.

Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.