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Flyers Wrapup: 11-13-08 vs. Penguins

November 13, 2008, 11:39 AM ET [ Comments]
Bill Meltzer
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Wrapup 11:30 PM)

The Flyers can't be too disappointed about taking a point out of Pittsburgh after falling behind 3-0, but their inability to close out games and their penchant for self-inflicted wounds remains a concern. The Flyers need to take better care of the puck, especially when they're playing the Penguins.

Evgeni Malkin's goal and Sidney Crosby first tally tonight were pure goal scorers goals, and it looked like the Flyers were dead in the water early in the second period. One thing the Flyers have done very well this season, however, is to wake up when they're behind in a game.

Simon Gagne played like the go-to player the Flyers need him to be, scoring two huge shorthanded goals (on the flip side, is there anyone who didn't know that Gagne was going to try the same forehand to backhand move that he tries every single time he's in a shootout?). It was also good to see Joffrey Lupul and Jeff Carter get back on the scoreboard.

Meanwhile, Martin Biron, who so often struggles in shootouts, did everything he could to pull the club through. The Flyers got a bit unlucky in the shootout, as Mike Richards was absolutely robbed and Kimmo Timonen had Dany Sabourin beaten but hit the post, before Alex Goligoski made a tremendous move to beat Biron on what proved to be the winner. Scott Hartnell's final attempt was flat out ugly looking.


News and views:

* According to reports, Paul Holmgren was in Minnesota tonight, scouting the Wild-Coyotes game in person.

* With Ossi Vaananen reinjuring his surgically-repaired finger tonight, the Flyers could find themselves down to five defenseman if Lasse Kukkonen is claimed off waivers.

* Braydon Coburn was outstanding in the game, elevating his level of play. New acquistion Matt Carle had a very uneven game.

* Late in the game, the Flyers had a key defensive zone draw, sending out two centers. The faceoff was a right circle draw, so I understand why Jeff Carter took the draw against Sidney Crosby (losing it cleanly). However, with Carter being generally poor on draws and Mike Richards coming in strong of late in that department (and going 15-for-22 tonight), I would rather have taken my chances with Richards as the primary option.


Update (1:35 PM)

The Flyers have placed Lasse Kukkonen on waivers. He can continue to play with the club while on waivers.

The move is not a surprise. Kukkonen was caught in a numbers game, and the Flyers are dangerously close to the salary cap.

The Finnish defenseman was quietly unhappy in a reserve role and did not play particularly well in his limited time this season. He did a good job for the club last year when given a chance.

***

Preview (11:15 AM)

The Flyers (5-6-3) face a gut-check game tonight as they travel to the Igloo to take on the Penguins (9-4-2). Philadelphia has made some progress in recent games, but will need to put it all together to win in a building where they've struggled in recent years. The last time the clubs met, the Flyers got a strong game in goal from Antero Niittymäki but wound up losing in the waning seconds of overtime.

According to Flyers GM Paul Holmgren, the Flyers will not call up a forward tonight to step into the lineup in place of the injured Daniel Briere (groin). Darrol Powe (concussion) is still not ready to get back into the lineup. As a result, the Flyers will dress seven defenseman tonight (probably spotting Lasse Kukkonen some shifts as a forward, while double-shifting the three healthy centers).

It's likely John Stevens will shorten his bench at some point tonight, anyway, but with three games in four nights, it may be tough to go with only three lines tonight.

For the Flyers to win tonight, they're going to need most of the following to fall in place:

* Physical play. The Penguins are still shorthanded on the blueline, and can be forechecked into making mistakes.

* Discipline. It's never easy to balance physical play, emotion and discipline but the Flyers will need to walk that fine line. Even without Sergei Gonchar and Ryan Whitney adding a key dimension on the point during powerplays, the Flyers can't afford to spend much time in the box.

* Fast start. The Flyers have only won one game this year when allowing the first goal of the game. They haven't given up on games when falling behind (in fact, they've played some of their best hockey when playing catch up), but chasing the game is a formula for losing.

* Team defense. The Flyers have played better team defense over the last few games, but containing Tampa -- which still looks like a one-line offense -- and the punchless Islanders isn't the same thing as going up against the Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal lines.

* Nothing soft. Martin Biron is coming off a strong game against the Islanders. He's been a little inconsistent this season, however, and he will need to make all the routine saves tonight, and pick off a couple of a tough ones as well.

* Scoring depth. With Danny Briere out of the lineup and only four non-ENG goals scored in the last three games, the Flyers need to start getting an array of players contributing again. Jeff Carter is pointless in his last three games -- that needs to come to an end tonight. Joffrey Lupul needs to build off the physical play he exhibited in the Islanders game, and get back on the score sheet. Scott Hartnell needs to respond tonight, one game after being benched. A goal from the defense might come in handy as well.

* Braydon Coburn. Coburn has been inconsistent this season, and has not yet built upon the game he displayed last season. The Flyers will need a monster effort from him tonight, along with Kimmo Timonen and Matt Carle. Ossi Väänänen (broken finger) will return tonight after missing several games.

* 60-minute effort. "Sixty minute effort" is a cliche, but the Flyers really haven't strung three consecutive strong periods together since the back end of the home-and-home with the Devils and the easy win over Atlanta. The Penguins are coming off an emotional comeback win against the Red Wings, and even if the Flyers get off to a strong start tonight, they'll need to follow it in the second and third periods.

FLYERS LINES AND SCRATCHES

Gagne - Metropolit - Knuble
Nödl - Richards - Lupul
Hartnell - Carter - Upshall
Gratton/Kukkonen - (Various) - Asham

Coburn - Timonen
Sbisa - Carle
Alberts/Kukkonen - Väänänen

Biron
[Niittymäki]

Scratches: Briere (groin), Cote (oblique muscle), Powe (concussion), Jones (IR, hip), Parent (IR, shoulder), Hatcher (LTIR, knee)
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