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Archive for December, 2008

Gameday: Flyers host Ottawa in last home game of 08

23 Dec, 2008 No Comment Category: Game Day

Ottawa Senators (12-14-5, 29 pts) at Philadelphia Flyers (18-8-7, 43 pts)
Wachovia Center - 7 PM EST - Philadelphia, PA
TV: CSN Philly HD, Sportsnet East HD
Radio: 610 WIP, XM 207
Check Here for Internet Streams
Behind Enemy Lines: Sens Army

What To Watch For: Ottawa sucks on the road, just 3-8-2 on the year. The Flyers on the other hand can make it 12 straight games without a loss at the Wachovia Center tonight with a win. We’re the third highest scoring team in the league, while Ottawa is second from the bottom in scoring. They don’t allow too many goals though, just 83 so far this season, and that’s due mostly to good goaltending from Alex Auld.

Scouting the Enemy: With all the trouble scoring, the Senators have split up the line up Alfredsson - Heatley - Spezza that was so lethal last season. A little comparison: the Flyers have six players with at least 10 goals; Ottawa has just two. They’ve fallen hard after finishing just behind the Flyers with 94 points last season. Despite a recent “guarantee” from owner Eugene Melnyk, don’t expect this Senators team to make the postseason this year.

Regardless of the problems in Ottawa, though, don’t expect the Flyers to go easy, especially considering the Sens beat the Flyers on November 6. As Kimmo Timonen said today, “It’s not Christmas for us yet, we still have one game to go, so we have to be ready to go.”

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Upshall injury kills the offense

23 Dec, 2008 No Comment Category: General Flyers News, Injury Report, Transactions

The Flyers announced today that Scottie Upshall is going to miss 10 to 14 days with a shoulder injury. Awesome. We’re already down a forward with the absence of Glen Metropolit, and we don’t know exactly when he’s going to return.

With Upshall out and three bruisers taking roster spots, the forward lines look pretty damn bad. Of course, the top two units of Gagne-Richards-Knuble and Lupul-Carter-Hartnell are doing just fine (Carts was named the NHL’s second star of the week, in fact), but the rest of the lineup doesn’t shape up too well.

The bottom three forward lines, before the injuries:

Upshall - Metropolit - Asham
Cote - Powe - Nodl

Asham had his best game as a Flyer against Montreal. He was all over the ice and he had good chemistry with his linemates in the offensive zone, scoring a goal on a nice set up from Upshall and almost scoring on a shot that deflected and broke the glass behind the net. That line was probably the Flyers best in Montreal, but how quickly two games can change things, as Asham has lost both of his linemates to the injury bug.

My guess at the bottom two forward lines, after the injuries:

Nodl - Kalinski - Asham
Cote - Powe - Gratton

Ouch. The Cote line isn’t all that bad for an energy line. I love the element Darroll Powe brings to the lineup. He’s quick and always physical, and he’s even had a few scoring chances. Gratton really brings nothing to the table, though. I do not understand why he’s on the team, barring injuries. His role is filled by two other guys. He isn’t needed.

Let’s compare those third lines though. Nodl has just three points — all assists — in 24 NHL games. He had chances with the big club, but his lack of a quality line partner and his limited minutes just shattered his confidence, and he was ultimately sent down last Friday in favor of Gratton. Well, he’s back, and maybe his confidence will be up and he can grab that first goal, but I wouldn’t count on too much production from the young man.

Jon Kalinski has played seven games with the Flyers this season and he’s yet to register a point. In fact, in 23 games with the Phantoms he’s only got seven points. Why is this guy with the team again? Isn’t Claude Giroux lighting up the AHL? Don’t wanna bring him up this early in his career? Fair enough, where’s Jared Ross?

We’ve got two lines of all-stars and two lines of AHLers. Great.

Why don’t we vote for our all-stars?

22 Dec, 2008 No Comment Category: General Flyers News

Because how is it that the Philadelphia Flyers are fourth in attendance and yet have just one player (Kimmo Timonen) among the leaders in the East? – Yahoo!’s Puck Daddy, asking why we don’t stuff the ballot boxes like Pens and Habs fans.

It’s probably because we realize the all-star game and it’s voting are a complete joke and we’d rather spend our Saturday nights meeting girls instead of sitting in front of a computer hitting the same button 500 times.

Gameday: Up the Turnpike to Newark

21 Dec, 2008 1 Comment Category: Game Day

Philadelphia Flyers (18-8-6, 42 pts) at New Jersey Devils (18-9-3, 39 pts
Wachovia Center - 1 PM EST - Philadelphia, PA
TV: CSN Philly HD, MSG Plus HD
Radio: 610 WIP, XM 208
Check Here for Internet Streams
Behind Enemy Lines: In Lou We Trust

Quick preview as the game is starting right now.

Scouting the Enemy: Like the Flyers, the Devils are rolling along rather nicely, and the big thing is that they are doing it without Marty Brodeur. The Devils have lost only once in regulation this month, a 4-2 loss to the Sabres last week. The Flyers are 2-0-1 against Jersey this season. The NJ penalty kill is 23rd in the league, so can the Flyers excellent power play take advantage? Jersey is led offensively by Zach Parise and Patrik Elias, but if they can shut those two down, they effectively shut down the Devil attack.

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Fight Card: Three bouts from Saturday

21 Dec, 2008 1 Comment Category: Fight Card, Game Day

Cote versus Brashear I: Decisive win Brashear.

Cote versus Brashear II: Don’t fight Brashear anymore.

Gratton versus Bradley: Nice job, Josh. And that Washington color guy is an idiot at the end. A penalty because he threw his glove in the air? Please, you moron.

Also, in the last minute of the game Aaron Asham tried to go with Brashear and he complied, but as they were backing up and preparing for the fight, the refs stepped in and halted the proceedings. I’ve never seen that happen before and hope I never see it again… let them fight, assholes.

The Morning After: Flyers squeak out close one

21 Dec, 2008 1 Comment Category: Game Day, The Morning After

B&P’s Take: Wow. I’m absolutely beat tired tonight, so here are some quotes from today that I think sum up the game quite nicely. But seriously, one of the most entertaining regular season games I can remember.

“Niitty won us that game. They could have had four or five or six goals in the first period. Niitty stood tall and gave us the momentum.” – Jeff Carter

“I scouted the [Capitals versus] Blues game on Thursday and all they were talking about was this game on Saturday. We ended their season last year and there was a lot of motivation for them. They felt like we stole something from them and they wanted to make amends. We knew Washington was going to be a good team and we knew they were a team in the East that we’d have to contend with and these were two points we had to have today.” — John Stevens

“I expected them to have a lot of shots in the first, just maybe not 25. … I think it was good for me after the Montreal game to get a lot of saves early.” – Antero Niittymaki

“It felt good to reward [Niittymaki] with a couple goals.” — Joffrey Lupul

“When a goalie plays that well, it gives you a chance to regroup.We weren’t very good in the first period, but we got a little better in the second and a lot better in the third.” – John Stevens

“The third period we just kind of took over. I think the third goal Carter scored just killed them.” — Antero Niittymaki

“What goes around comes around — and it will.” – Bruce Boudreau on the Flyers having scorers on the ice at the end of the game.

Note to the coach: it’s the NHL. You wanna avoid embarrasment? Don’t let ‘em score 7.

…today’s first period was, perhaps, the best period of Caps hockey this season (not sure I agree), but the team “just had nothing to show for it.” Twenty-five SOG in the first, tying a club record for most shots in a period. Even Milan Jurcina was bombing shots from the point. And Antero Niittymaki stopped all of them.

I knew then that the game was over. — The Red Skat e, a Caps blog

Riley Cote deserves credit for fighting Donald Brashear twice, but man is he no match for the big man. Ugly. Asham deserves credit for wanting to go with Brash too, but after they dropped the gloves and were prepping to start, the refs stepped in. I’ve never seen that before. Bizarre, and ridiculous. It’s times like that I miss the old NHL.

B&P’s Three Stars:

1. Antero Niittymaki: 47 saves. 25 in the first period. Best game as a Flyer?

2. Jeff Carter: Yeah, I know what you’re thinking… Hartnell got the hat trick and Carter only potted two. But Carter’s were at a more important point in the game, and Jeff also slammed Ovechkin to the ice in the corner.

3. Scott Hartnell: Second hat trick in five games. So now we know why Penguins fans hate him so much.

Honorable Mention. Joffrey Lupul: As a member of that line and the scorer of the first Flyer goal (a beauty, I might add), he deserves some recognition.

Questions With Answers: I asked five questions in the gameday post. Here they are, reprinted, with their answers. All credit for this idea goes to Hockey Wilderness.

1. Can the Flyers leave the nasty Montreal loss in the past? What’s a Montreal?

2. Does John Stevens split up the pairing of Matt Carle and Braydon Coburn, since it failed so miserably on Thursday night and hasn’t performed well at any time this season when it’s been used? It started the game, but as Bill Meltzer wrote in his postgame:

Stevens frequently sent out Braydon Coburn with Kimmo Timonen as the game moved along. Timonen moved from the left side (where he plays when paired with Ossi Vaananen) over to the right. Stevens indicated that he did it because the pairing had so much success against Ovechkin’s line in the playoffs last year.

3. How will Brent Johnson, with terrible career numbers against the Flyers, perform in goal for Washington? Johnson was horrible, and at the start of the third period he was replaced by Jose Theodore.

4. Will all of this unexpected extra work take a toll on Antero Niittymaki? Apparently not. This might be a more suitable question tomorrow, though.

5. How much will the absence of Alexander Semin hurt the Caps? It didn’t seem to hurt them much as I doubt Semin would’ve been able to beat the Great Wall of Finland either.

6. Can they contain AO and Nicklas Backstrom like they did to Crosby and Malkin a week ago? Contain? Not so much. But Niittymaki did have AO’s number. He had 12 shots, and Nitty made a couple huge saves, including a beautiful glove hand stop in the first. Ovechkin seemed to look to the skies for an answer after every failed shot attempt.

Despite the gigantic win, the Flyers didn’t play all that solid of a game. Sure, Hartnell-Carter-Lupul dominated, but the first period was really unacceptable and the team hung Niittymaki out to dry. He can’t play that way every game, and while the third period was really strong (maybe the best period all year), the Flyers need to get better at the full 60 minute efforts. My favorite quote of them all, when Stevens was asked if he’s coaching the best team in the league right now:

“I think we’ve got a lot of work to do to make that claim to be honest with you. There are teams that had a lot better starts than we did, but we certainly like the direction of our team… We have the potential to be one of the best teams in the league, but we have a lot of work to do to be able to stake that claim.”

A blowout win against a very good opponent and there’s still not complete satisfaction… the sign of a focused hockey team.

But of course we’re not complaining with a 7-1 win.

Devils tomorrow afternoon. Go Flyers.

Gameday: Playoff rematch as Caps visit town

20 Dec, 2008 5 Comments Category: Game Day

Washington Capitals (20-10-3, 43 pts) at Philadelphia Flyers (17-8-6, 40 pts)
Wachovia Center - 1 PM EST - Philadelphia, PA
TV: CSN Philly HD, CSN Mid-Atlantic
Radio: 610 WIP, XM 207
Check Here for Internet Streams
Behind Enemy Lines: Japers’ Rink | On Frozen Blog | Capitals Kremlin

“We know them pretty well. Their core group is completely the same as the core group they had last year. As is ours. I don’t think there’s a lot of like on either side. I’m looking forward to it because it’s always a great atmosphere, a good hockey atmosphere in Philly. You always get 20,000 screaming so and so’s there. And Philly is playing so good right now, that it’s going to be a great challenge for us.”
– Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau

What to Watch For: The Capitals really don’t like us. I mean, besides beating them in the playoffs last year, I don’t really get why. Is it bitterness? Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t sense much ill will on the Flyers side toward the DC boys. As a fan, the whole “HEY lets jump on top of each other like Brad Lidge just struck out Eric Hinske because we scored a goal!” is a bit ridiculous, but it’s not enough to hate them over. In fact, I’d go as far as saying I like the Capitals. Ovechkin is the most dynamic player in the game and they’ve got the most bitchin’ jerseys in the NHL.

Again, maybe it’s just me, but I sense no true rivalry here. I guess for Caps fans who are in such a shitty division, where the closest team is Carolina (no fun), you kind of have to mooch off of other rivalries. If you were to ask a Caps fan who they’re biggest rival is, I’m sure they’d probably say Pittsburgh, but they have the whole Crosby v AO thing… a valid reason for Pittsburghers to hate them (be jealous?) back.

But still, the Capitals website claims that Flyers/Caps is a rivalry.

We have zero reason to dislike the Capitals, so if this is a rivalry, it’s pretty one sided.

Scouting the Enemy: The Capitals are going to win the Southeast if they lose the rest of their games probably, but still they are proof that good teams can play in terrible divisions. In fact, some think they are a Cup contender, including me. Like the Flyers, they’ve been hot lately, winners of five straight. They are coming off of a 4-2 win over St. Louis on Thursday night. Three of the games on this five game stretch they have going were against pretty weak teams — St. Louis, Ottawa, and the Islanders — but five wins in a row is never anything to frown at.

While Washington is an astounding 13-1-1 inside the beltway, they are just 7-9-2 on the road, however they’ve won the last four regular season games in South Philly.

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Gratton called up; Nodl sent down; goalie update

19 Dec, 2008 No Comment Category: On The Farm, Transactions

Aaron Asham proved to us last night that he’s a bit more than an enforcer. Every once in a while, he’ll show off the offensive skills, which gives him a steady hand up on fellow tough guy Josh Gratton.

Apparently though, the Flyers felt that Asham could use his counterpart as they recalled Gratton from the Phantoms. He fills a roster spot voided by Andreas Nodl, who was sent down due to his lack of production. It’s a smart move to send the young guy down, since he’s gotten oodles of (Nodls) chances to score and hasn’t been able to bury one, which could hurt a rookies’ confidence. Let him relax in the AHL, destroy the competition, and then come back and give it another go.

Also, Scott Munroe was sent back to the Phantoms to play tonight’s game, which the good guys won 5-2 (seven straight wins!). He will be called back up in time to back up Antero Niittymaki tomorrow afternoon at the Center. Again, it’s like beating a dead horse, but we’re going to miss the convenience of the Phantoms when they’re forced to move elsewhere next year.

Niittymaki could start both back-to-back games this weekend, but Stevens has yet to make a decision. Marty Biron is still out with a lingering flu bug and his time of return is still unknown.

Panaccio: Gratton to Pick on Those His Own Size - CSNPhilly.com

Other quick notes: We’re in the midst of Philly versus DC weekend as the Sixers took on the Wizards tonight, the Flyers face the Caps tomorrow, and the Eagles play the Redskins on Sunday. Philly is 1-0 so far thanks to the Sixers 109-103 win. Let’s get the sweep.

Around the Atlantic, 12.19.2008

19 Dec, 2008 No Comment Category: Around The League

Ryan Whitney is getting ready for a return on the blueline. He’s in Wilkes-Barre right now on a conditioning stint and could return to the Penguins lineup Monday or Tuesday. Whitney has been out all season with a foot injury. Marc-Andre Fleury also returned in net the Pens on Thursday, leading them to a 6-3 victory [PensBurgh]. The Penguins were able to hang steady in the standings without some key players, and the returns of both Fleury and Whitney are going to really bolster their team. Sucks.
The Pens also re-signed Max Talbot to a contract extension that expires in 2011. [penguins.nhl.com]
They named their new arena CONSOL Energy Center. Capital letters necessary. Yuck. [From The Rink]

Isles defenseman Brendan Witt is a stand-up guy. He’s pissed off about the situation on the Island, and goes as far as criticiting coach Scott Gordon’s defensive system, but he doesn’t want out. “I don’t want to be traded. I want to fix the problem.” [NYI Point Blank with a sticktap to Lighthouse Hockey]

The Rangers lost out on the Mats Sundin sweepstakes yesterday when he signed with the Canucks [Rangers Report]. It’s assumed that they simply couldn’t clear enough cap space to make room for Mats, and GM Glen Sather has been quoted as saying that he didn’t want to break up his team [XM 204].

Coach Brent Sutter has given Scott Clemmensen a vote of confidence during Martin Brodeur’s absence, and the guy has deserved it. He’s start 10 of the last 11 games over Kevin Weekes and tonight against Ottawa he starts his third straight [Fire & Ice].
Devils fans have a Mike Richards-like crush on Zach Parise [In Lou We Trust].