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Flyers Gameday: 1/16/08 vs. Habs |
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The Flyers got off to another poor start tonight. Philly got outplayed in the first period, but was arguably the better team over the second half of the game. Canadiens rookie goaltender Carey Price was outstanding in goal.
For the second time in as many weeks, referee Dave Jackson figured prominently in a questionable disallowed Scott Hartnell goal. Just as important, the Flyers had been able to capitalize on a lengthy 5-on-3 powerplay in the third period -- in which Roman Hamrlik was playing without a stick for a significant stretch of time -- the referee's ruling would not have mattered as much.
Of course, all that matters is the fact the Flyers have now lost six in a row and, within the span of a week have gone from battling for the top spot in the east to fighting for their playoff lives.
Notes:
* The Flyers suffered another potentially devastating injury when Joffrey Lupul left the game in the first period with what is being called a high ankle sprain.
* Antero Niittymäki played a very solid game in goal. He had some good luck in the first period but did a terrific job in giving his team a chance to win.
* Jeff Carter (2 goals in his last 16 games) is back in other one his stretches where he seems unable to shoot the puck into the ocean. Tonight, he was unable to finish some glorious chances against Price, and missed the net or got blocked five times.
* Lasse Kukkonen played a whale of a game tonight, especially on the PK. He and Randy Jones have shown good chemistry every time they've been put together.
However, there's a good chance Kukkonen will back on the scratch list tomorrow night if both Derian Hatcher and Braydon Coburn are back in the lineup. With the major exception of the third period gaffe against Tampa that led to Tampa's fifth goal of the game, Kukkonen has played two solid games in a row.
* Ryan Parent looked less jittery tonight and showed off the combination of mobility and positional smarts that makes him a top defensive prospect. Jim Vandermeer also played a solid game tonight.
* Steve Downie was buzzing around in many of his shifts and, as in the Tampa game, was one of the Flyers' most consistently effective forwards.
***
The reeling Flyers (30-22-2-3, 65 points) travel to Montreal tonight for the front end of a home-and-home set with a Montreal Canadiens team (30-19-5-4, 69 points) that has dominated them in recent years.
Montreal has won both games played this season (5-2 in Montreal back on Nov. 1 and 4-1 at the Wachovia Center on Dec. 13). In the last 10 meetings, the Flyers are just 2-7-1 against the Habs.
The Canadiens have typically feasted off Flyers turnovers, while defenseman Mike Komisarek has utterly shut down the Flyers' top line whenever they've played.
The Flyers have made a major line change heading into tonight. Danny Briere has been shifted from center to right wing and will play on Mike Richards' line. Meanwhile R.J. Umberger will shift from left wing to center. Scottie Upshall is back in the lineup, while Derian Hatcher and Braydon Coburn will each be out at least one more game.
Postgame commentary to follow.
Lines and scratches
Hartnell - Richards- Briere
Upshall - Carter- Lupul
Kapanen - Umberger - Knuble
Cote - Dowd - Downie
Timonen - Vandermeer
Smith - Parent
Kukkonen- Jones
Niittymäki
[Biron]
Scratches: Gagne (concussion), Coburn (ruptered artery), Hatcher (fluid drained in knee), Fitzpatrick (IR, sports hernia), Rathje (LTI).
*****
Special reminder: For those of you in the Philadelphia/NJ area, FlyersBuzz TV hosted by
Eklund and Julie makes its broadcast debut tonight on CN8 at 11:30 pm.
Tonight's broadcast features Marty Biron and Mike Richards with segments starring Bill Clement and Keith Jones.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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