PREVIEW 9:30 AM EST
In their next to last game of the 2011 calendar year, the Flyers (21-9-4) head to Tampa Bay to take on the Lightning (14-17-3). The game starts at 7:30 PM and will be broadcast locally on CSN Philly.
Tonight's game is the third of four meetings between the clubs this season. On Nov. 9, Tampa trapped its way to a 2-1 victory on home ice. On Dec. 10, the Flyers overcame a 1-0 deficit to storm back and claim a 5-2 win. However, the game was overshadowed by the concussion Claude Giroux suffered when he was accidentally kneed in the head by teammate Wayne Simmonds late in the second period.
The Flyers, who have won just one of their last four games after starting December with a seven-game winning streak, have an all-time record of 22-15-1-1 in road games played in Tampa. The Bolts took three of four games in last year's season series but the Flyers took the final game in Tampa, claiming a 4-3 overtime victory.
If the season ended today, Tampa Bay would miss the playoffs. After posting 103 points last season and reaching the Eastern Conference Final, the club has slumped to 13th place in the Eastern Conference to date this season. Heading into this game, Tampa has lost its last two games and dropped seven of its last 10. However, Tampa has fared much better at home (8-5-0) than on the road this season and the Christmas mini-break has given the team a much-needed opportunity to regroup.
Danny Briere (ring finger, hand) and Brayden Schenn (concussion) participated fully in practice yesterday for the Flyers. Sean Couturier (head injury) skated with the team but has not yet been cleared for contact.
PROJECTED LINEUPS (subject to change)
FLYERS
Hartnell - Giroux - Jagr
JVR - Briere - Simmonds
Read - Talbot - Voracek
Zolnierczyk - Schenn - Rinaldo
Timonen - Coburn
Carle - Bourdon
Lilja - Meszaros
Bryzgalov
[Bobrovsky]
LIGHTNING
Malone - Stamkos - Tyrell
Downie - Moore - St. Louis
Pyatt - LeCavalier - Purcell
Wyman- Jones - Hall
Hedman - Brewer
Kubina - Clark
Gervais - Bergeron
Roloson
[Garon]
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