UPDATED:

That's a MINUS 1 for the Flyers losing to the Caps in OT. They were expected to get 2 points; they got 1.

Now, I expect Ottawa to win. So if the Flyers lose, it's EVEN. If the Flyers win, it's PLUS 2.

Ask Rob Parent what he thinks of plus/minus ...

**

If you read my weekly "Flyers Report" in the Inquirer - lovingly referred to as "Plus/Minus" by former coach Ken Hitchcock _ you will notice that I had the Flyers rated +3 going into Wednesday's game at Carolina.

What that means is: at that point, they had 23 poinits - 3 points more than I felt they should have. My plus/minus is based on reality and perception. All mine, of course.

I didn't think the Flyers would go to Carolina and handle the Hurricanes like they did. So, under my plus/minus, had the Flyers lost that game, they would be EVEN. I expected them to lose, and they lost.

Now since the Flyers won, 6-3, and I expected them to lose, then they get a PLUS 2 for picking up 2 points. Which means right now, John Stevens' club has 25 point and is +5 in my books.

I expect the Flyers to win today's Black Friday matinee at the Wac even though it will mark the NHL debut of Bruce Boudreau.

Statistically, most new coaches get a "W" their first game behind the bench. There is always that extra push from the playrs.

So, if you go on percentages, the Caps should upset the Flyers. But I am bucking the trend and in my plus/minus, I expect Stevens' club to really bear down during this 2nd game of a 5-game stretch to close out the month. I expect the Flyers to grab these 2 points.

This should be an easier 2 points for the Flyers than tomorrow night: They play Ottawa in Ottawa.

I am in Pittsburgh here with my wife's family. I watched the Penguins come back twice to beat the Senators in the shootout last night, so I expect Ottawa to be rather angry when they face the Flyers.

The Flyers can't throw away points. They need to win today because I don't expect them to get a single point from the best team in the NHL right now - the Senators.

Of course, if the Flyers go to Ottawa and win ... well, that's another PLUS 2 on my Flyers Report. If they get a point via an overtime or shootout loss, then they will be PLUS 1. BTW: I don't expect Daniel Alfredsson to play (groin pull) and I am still taking the Sens for plus/minus.

Today's game, marks the quarter-pole of the season for the Flyers. They have done very well but there is large room for improvement in:

1) Better starts or 60-minute effort
2) Defensive zone coverage
3) More offense from several players
4) More consistent effort from Marty Biron on nights when he's not his best

Here's a link to today's Inquirer piece on the Flyers at the Quarter Pole:


http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20071123_Flyers_hit_quarter_in_stride.html

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