DETROIT (Interstat) — The Detroit Red Wings will host the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday at Little Caesars Arena in an NHL matchup that offers both teams a chance to change the early direction of their season.

Philadelphia enters with a 0-8-0 record. The Flyers’ most recent game ended with a 3-2 shootout loss to Seattle. Trevor Zegras scored and finished with one goal, five shots on goal, four penalty minutes and one hit. Christian Dvorak also scored, while Travis Sanheim recorded an assist. Zegras has been among Philadelphia’s most active forwards in recent games. The Flyers have struggled to generate consistent offense and have allowed at least three goals in seven of their eight games.

Detroit enters with a 1-5-0 record. The Red Wings’ most recent game ended with a 5-4 overtime loss to New Jersey. Alex DeBrincat had two goals and one assist with six shots on goal and one hit. Emmitt Finnie and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard each added one goal and one assist with four shots on goal. DeBrincat has been Detroit’s leading offensive threat, including a two-goal, one-assist effort in the Red Wings’ lone win against Ottawa. His ability to create scoring chances from the wing will be a central focus for Philadelphia’s defense.

The Flyers will need a strong start on the road, where they have struggled this season. Philadelphia has dropped games at Boston, Ottawa, Tampa Bay and New Jersey. The Flyers have also lost at home to Carolina, Pittsburgh and Seattle, with the Seattle defeat coming in a shootout. Philadelphia’s penalty kill and goaltending will be tested by a Detroit team that has shown more offensive punch at times, though the Red Wings also have been hurt by defensive lapses.

Detroit will look to control play at home and avoid the slow starts that have contributed to its uneven record. The Red Wings have scored five goals in one game and three in another, but they have also been held to one goal or fewer in three contests. Little Caesars Arena could provide an energy boost, but Detroit must limit Philadelphia’s chances in transition and keep Zegras from finding open ice.

Philadelphia’s next stretch includes games against Ottawa, Colorado, Buffalo, Anaheim, Columbus, Washington, Utah, Minnesota, the New York Rangers and Calgary. Detroit’s upcoming slate includes San Jose, Seattle, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Chicago, St. Louis, Florida, Tampa Bay and Vegas. Both teams are looking to build momentum before the schedule tightens.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Detroit 1, Philadelphia 0, and Interstat’s ELO system gives Detroit a 51.9 percent probability to win.