Game 36, Preview and Open Thread: What Do the Flyers Give Us For Christmas? Philadelphia Flyers at Tampa Bay Lightning
by Geoff Detweiler on Dec 23, 2009 6:30 PM EST
in 09-10 Game Threads
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PrintPhiladelphia Flyers at Tampa Bay Lightning, Dec 23, 2009 7:30 PM EST
#14 Philadelphia Flyers (15-18-2, 32 pts) at #11 Tampa Bay Lightning (13-14-9, 35 pts)
St. Pete Times Forum - 7:30 PM EST - Tampa, FL
TV: CSN Philly HD, Sun HD
Radio: 610 WIP (internet stream)
This is the open game thread.
Behind Enemy Lines: Raw Charge 
Flyers fans have a lot to wish for this Christmas. Tonight is the last chance the team has to grant those wishes before the holiday. Whether they come true or not, that's an entirely different story.
With Brian Boucher injured, the team will look to newly reacquired Michael Leighton in goal. If that thought scares you, you're not alone. However, he didn't look particularly bad in relief of Boucher on Monday. Hopefully Leighton can be "good enough".
While this entire week is a good chance for the Flyers to rebound, the Lightning are a particularly good candidate to beat. The team has fewer wins on the year than the Flyers - seriously, that's hard to do - but sits atop them in the standings thanks to their ability to take games into overtime. In their last 10 games, neither team has played well, but the Lightning are only one win better than the Flyers during that stretch - going 3-6-1.
Fortunately for Flyers fans, we will not see Antero Niittymaki tonight as Mike Smith will be in goal for the Lightning. Niittymaki has been clearly better than Smith all year, and has even been considered one of the top 10 players in the NHL as recently as last week. Hopefully the Flyers can take advantage.
When looking at the Lightning, you obviously know their top players are Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, and Steven Stamkos. But what you probably don't know is that former Penguin Ryan Malone is second on the team in goals and third on the team in points, ahead of Lecavalier.
Things aren't exactly going well for Tampa Bay, as Cassie from Raw Charge had a lot of criticism for the team's play even after a win on Monday.
Not a single Lightning player played well for the entire game, except for perhaps Tanguay. Everyone had their good and bad moments - and there was lot more bad than good, frankly - but it was enough to get them over the hump and into the win column. Winning doesn't have to be pretty, it just has to happen.
I'm sure it's no coincidence that the team beat the Islanders that game - even we beat them! - but that was the first time the Bolts had won two in a row all season. Let's not make it three in a row for them.
After the jump, starting lineups and questions to answer.
They were already mentioned above, but here are your starting goalies:
Forwards:
Hartnell-Carter-Briere
Gagne-Richards-Giroux
van Riemsdyk-Powe-Asham
Carcillo-Betts-Laperriere
Questions to Answer:
- The starting 18 are finally healthy. Can they begin forming chemistry, tonight?
- Does Michael Leighton play well enough to win tonight?
- Can the team score more than 1 goal?
- The never-ending question: Can the PP get it going?
Could tonight be the last night for Santa Sacks?? I can only hope. Join us here for the game thread.
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I’m feeling a win tonight, and then the age old question: can they do it the 2nd game in a row.
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Dec 23, 2009 6:44 PM EST reply actions
Trojan condom ads? Really, SBN?
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog. Makin' it look mean since 1967.
well if this team is going to **** its fans by underachieving, it mine as well be protected, right?
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Dec 23, 2009 6:50 PM EST up reply actions
…funny things is that the Flyers didn’t even score that one. Meszaros knocked it in.
by Mitchell Green on Dec 23, 2009 7:49 PM EST up reply actions
Around the Division:
Florida 1
NY Rangers 1
End 1st
Ottawa 1
Pittsburgh 1
End 1st
Toronto 0
NY Islanders 0
19:50 2nd
So we’re playing well and it’s a quiet open thread. Maybe that’s the key…
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog. Makin' it look mean since 1967.
Sloppy goal credited to Betts, nice pass from Gags to Richie for a PP goal. Otherwise, a little bit of pushing and shoving but that is about it…
by Mitchell Green on Dec 23, 2009 8:31 PM EST up reply actions
I was going to come in and perform the airing of grievances since it’s Festivus and all, but I’m happy with the performance in this one so far.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog. Makin' it look mean since 1967.
It would appear so…
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Dec 23, 2009 9:11 PM EST up reply actions
if Carter was hurt, would you miss him?
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Dec 23, 2009 9:11 PM EST up reply actions
Of course. If nothing else, he attracts attention. But if he’s on your team, you want him healthy.
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Dec 23, 2009 9:19 PM EST up reply actions
This fall under the “not playing a full 60 mins category”?
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Dec 23, 2009 9:03 PM EST reply actions
I say yes. That second period was bad.
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Dec 23, 2009 9:11 PM EST up reply actions
second period was very meh. bummer, This third period, for the most part, is the most important period of the season for the flyers.
Tampa has broadcasters? Who knew!
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Dec 23, 2009 9:14 PM EST reply actions
im guessing a different Bobby Taylor than the football one I know?
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Dec 23, 2009 9:23 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, Chief was the backup goalie in ’74 and ’75. Not too long after he retired he became the color announcer alongside Gene Hart. They were great together for a long time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUi0sY_gy1g
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog. Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Travis Hughes on Dec 23, 2009 9:27 PM EST up reply actions
showing my lack of age here
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Dec 23, 2009 9:28 PM EST up reply actions
hey, in baseball local coverages stop when the playoffs start. We should be lucky to at least get 2 rounds of Clement
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Dec 23, 2009 9:33 PM EST up reply actions
Is it just me: or is anyone dreading the Winter classic? the counter in the left hand column is a reminder that this team will be on national television soon enough
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Dec 23, 2009 9:25 PM EST reply actions
Great game, huh?
Technically, we have a chance to win!
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
That was a great pass by Bartulis to Powe right there.
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Dec 23, 2009 9:30 PM EST reply actions
Oh Prism! you were before my time!
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Dec 23, 2009 9:31 PM EST reply actions
They cannot breakout to save their lives.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
it’s painful to watch, kind of like a video stream that stops just when you think it’s buffered al the way
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Dec 23, 2009 9:39 PM EST up reply actions
Carter flattened from behind there.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
Hadda feeling it was gonna be a goal like that.
Hooray! Bartulis?
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog. Makin' it look mean since 1967.
Hot damn
This is what happens when you put people in front of the net
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Dec 23, 2009 9:40 PM EST reply actions
I swear, having our fourth line pot two goals and you still feel like they don’t deserve to win is a sad, sad feeling.
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Geoff Detweiler on Dec 23, 2009 9:40 PM EST reply actions
you know what’s a worse feeling?
Losing…again
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Dec 23, 2009 9:41 PM EST up reply actions
Not this game, They look like shit and are gonna pull out a win(hopefully). These are not the types of wins that help a team struggling this bad.
I’ve always felt as if a team is playing as bad as the Flyers do, they need something to build on. Building on a game you didn’t deserve to win is a lot better than building on a game you lost and deserved to lose
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Dec 23, 2009 9:45 PM EST up reply actions
Trying to take the weight of the world on his shoulders. Typical.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog. Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Travis Hughes on Dec 23, 2009 9:48 PM EST up reply actions
especially since the defenseman didn’t go down, but I don’t think the Stars on any team would pass to a player like Carcillo. that 1st line player has a better chance to score then the open 4th line player mentality, all teams do that, but yeah it would be nice, especially since Carcillo deserves more goals.
Well… uhh, it worked that time.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog. Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Travis Hughes on Dec 23, 2009 9:55 PM EST up reply actions
Booya.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Dec 23, 2009 9:56 PM EST up reply actions
lol
Was that a Laviolette goal by Richards?
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Dec 23, 2009 9:55 PM EST reply actions
Why was Betts not out there to get the hat trick?
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
Richards was.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog. Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Travis Hughes on Dec 23, 2009 9:59 PM EST up reply actions
Wow, only Gagne’s second.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
46 game win streak…..I can feel it
by Flyers and Terriers on Dec 23, 2009 10:00 PM EST reply actions
What's this?
A Flyers win? It’s a god-d*** Festivus miracle!
Is Betts just the lucky rabbits’ foot for this team?
The only really bad period for the Flyers was the second. Things were fairly even in the third until we broke the tie. I liked the way we played after that. It wasn’t a beautiful, 60-minute win, but they played well enough TO win, and that is important to note.
Simon Gagne is the fracking MAN. You know what’s best about him? He doesn’t sit there and think about what to do with the puck. If he needs to pass it, he passes it. If he can get a shot away, he does. And while he’s being groped by a Lightning defenseman in the neutral zone, he manages to turn and swat the puck into the empty net.
Leighton is big and can make initial stops. He has zero rebound control, though. Gagne saved a goal in the second, as did Pronger.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
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