Gameday: Homestand continues versus Sabres
by Travis Hughes on Mar 10, 2009 6:27 PM EDT
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Buffalo Sabres (33-26-7, 73 points) #4 Philadelphia Flyers (35-19-10, 80 pts)
Wachovia Center - 7:00 PM EST - Philadelphia, PA
TV: Versus HD
Radio: 610 WIP, XM 206
This is the open game thread.
Behind Enemy Lines: Die By The Blade
Tonight, we revisit a tale of two teams looking for their identities. We have the home team, the Philadelphia Flyers, who have alternated wins and losses in every game on the schedule this month. They've won big, like Saturday's 4-1 effort against Nashville, and they've lost big, like Thursday's 5-1 drubbing by Calgary. They've had great goaltending, terrible goaltending, potent offense, and stagnant offense. We're not really sure who these Flyers are right now, besides the fact they're showing symptoms of bi-polar disease.
The Sabres are experiencing a bit of the same, although the reasons for their struggles are a bit easier to pick out. They've won big over Phoenix and Montreal, but they've also lost to lowly Ottawa and the Islanders in their last five. Since losing goaltender Ryan Miller to an ankle injury, they've fallen out of playoff position and now sit just three points out of the final playoff spot.
Tonight, the teams faceoff for the third time this season, the second in a row at Wachovia Center. It should be interesting to see which teams show up.
Between the Pipes: One thing is for sure in this matchup though: the Flyers have the upper hand. Martin Biron has been red hot against Buffalo, his former team, this season. He's played both games, with his most recent performance a 38 save effort on February 19. And that was the worse of the two. He made 40 saves to get the shutout in Buffalo back in November. Marty has been on lately as well, going 5-2-0 with a 2.09 GAA since Valentines Day.
With Miller out, Patrick Lalime is filling in. He'll likely start his seventh straight game tonight for the Sabres. Lalime has not seen the Flyers since 2004, when he was a member of the Ottawa Senators. If you remember correctly, he saw that night end after Robert Esche's fist collided with his face a few times (okay, so not really, but they did fight) during that ridiculous melee in a 5-2 Flyer win.
Injury Report: Mike Richards didn't practice yesterday but skated today and will play. Danny Briere is looking to return on Thursday night against Washington, but will not take the ice tonight. Thomas Vanek is in the lineup for Buffalo but coach Lindy Ruff does not believe he is 100 percent. He's still getting top ice time, though.
Questions To Answer
- So, uh, that Carcillo-Giroux-Asham line actually lasted the whole game on Saturday. What's the encore like?
- Does Biron continue his magic against his old team?
- Which Sabres team shows up tonight?
- Which Flyers team shows up tonight?
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Shit… I HATE versus. I’d rather watch Dumb (MaGuire) and Dumber (Milburry) on NBC
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 10, 2009 7:03 PM EDT reply actions
Even then, I’d rather listen to the Sabres announcers than these schmucks. But my main gripe is that they always go to commercial without even announcing why the whistle blew. “There’s a penalty call. We’ll tell you all about it when we come back.” At least effing wait 5 seconds to tell me who is going to the box, let alone what team is going on the power play.
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 10, 2009 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Versus has cut in and out for me like five times since 6:50. Anybody else having similar problems?
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
Ugh, what a cheap goal.
Taking a look at it, but it was ugly either way. It looked like Afinogenov could’ve kicked it, but they’re gonna call it a goal.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
Just an unlucky, ugly bounce for us.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
Randy Jones giveaway
That’s one on his first shift
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 10, 2009 7:15 PM EDT reply actions
You’ll run out of beer.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
by Travis Hughes on Mar 10, 2009 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Giroux gave up the puck, didn’t give up, and went and got it right back.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
Yeah, had a rough couple of days. I’m gearing up something kind of exciting though around here so keep your eyes peeled.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
by Travis Hughes on Mar 10, 2009 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Anybody else surprised by Montreal’s firing their coach? They are tied for 5th in the East. Seems like a dumb move. The new coach energy only lasts a few games usually.
I’m not. They underperformed last playoffs, and they went on a huge slide this year. They don’t want another let down.
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 10, 2009 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions
The only reason I was surprised was the timing. It probably should have been done three weeks sooner if it was going to happen.
by Zachary Zielonka on Mar 10, 2009 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions
That is why I was surprised. Seems a little late.
by chillicothe20 on Mar 10, 2009 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, it’s definitely odd. Completely a play out of the Devils playbook. A risky move, no doubt.
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by Travis Hughes on Mar 10, 2009 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions
If it works, its genius. If not, Gainey is out just as quickly
by Zachary Zielonka on Mar 10, 2009 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I honestly doubt it will work. But we’ll see.
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Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
by Travis Hughes on Mar 10, 2009 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions
It wouldnt surprise me if they missed the playoffs now.
by chillicothe20 on Mar 10, 2009 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I cannot stand Joe Beninati.
The audio on the Flyers website is actually ahead of the Versus feed. I paused it for a second and got it to sync up pretty well. Worth a try…
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The Penguins “are looking at possibly home ice” in the playoffs… Oh, Versus.
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 10, 2009 7:40 PM EDT reply actions
I’m surprised Beninati is doing this game since there’s a Caps game tonight.
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So much better, isn’t it?
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by Travis Hughes on Mar 10, 2009 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Not synced very well. Radio about half a second faster, but I love hearing our Philly announcers.
by chillicothe20 on Mar 10, 2009 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Chris Therien really surprised me. I like him a lot better in the booth than on the ice.
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 10, 2009 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions
SCORE!
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Random
I seriously can’t stand the slug logo and am wondering if it has grown on people, or if they simply just accept it. Personally, I hope Buffalonians are still pissed and want it gone. Their Winter Classic are so much better
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 10, 2009 7:47 PM EDT reply actions
I’m with you there. Notice how I use the old one in the preview when we play them.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
by Travis Hughes on Mar 10, 2009 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I just still find it weird how both Buffalo teams’ logos depict their city name rather than, like, swords and phone bills.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Mar 10, 2009 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions
From a friend originally from the Buffalo area
and still a Sabres fan, she hates it. She loves the old one, and mocks the slugs endlessly.
"I'm a man, and I can change, if I have to, I guess..."
Good news for us is that they are phasing it out and bringing the original crest back as the primary logo for the 40th anniversary season.
The Sabres have quietly phased the slug out this season with their home jerseys, playing in the alternates at home and breaking out the slug only a few times. Currently, there is no away version of the original crest.
by Zachary Zielonka on Mar 10, 2009 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions
They wore the white one in Buffalo during the Classic… They have it, they just aren’t using it this year.
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 10, 2009 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions
As far as we know, they cannot have a road alternate therefore the use of the white slug. But again, they will break out the white one in the 2010-11 season
by Zachary Zielonka on Mar 10, 2009 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions
All this logo talk...
What are some of everyone’s favorite logos? I have always liked the Sharks (shark with stick in its mouth). While I have nothing against the Wild personally, the sunset/forest logo is pretty weak. Wild could have been any fierce animal, maybe even a bigfoot, and they went with a sunset?
by chillicothe20 on Mar 10, 2009 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Best logo probably has to be the Hurricanes new alternate logo or the Flames logo.
by Zachary Zielonka on Mar 10, 2009 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Clearly biased, but I’ve always loved our logo.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
by Travis Hughes on Mar 10, 2009 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions
The logo sucks, but I think the design of their jerseys is absolutely awesome. Have they had a version of those jerseys with the original logo?
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
by Travis Hughes on Mar 10, 2009 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions
The original crest alternate looks fairly similar to the blue slug jersey minus the piping on the bottom. I think they used the same color with both jerseys
by Zachary Zielonka on Mar 10, 2009 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions
wow...
could Giroux put that pass in any better place?
"I'm a man, and I can change, if I have to, I guess..."
only in the goal, but it would have been a shot.
by chillicothe20 on Mar 10, 2009 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ve put passes in the net before… I just didn’t admit they were actually passes.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
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by Travis Hughes on Mar 10, 2009 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions
So far Giroux gets The Hat from me….any other nominees?
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haha, great post. The Hat could become something of legend.
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by Travis Hughes on Mar 10, 2009 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Live at least. Replay looked painful. Carcillo got clocked in the face.
by chillicothe20 on Mar 10, 2009 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I heard the crowd and then I looked up and saw Briere. I was like “well somethings wrong here.”
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
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by Travis Hughes on Mar 10, 2009 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Doesn't surprise me
probably took them 8 hours to work on that Briere segment, and they weren’t going to stop it for ANYTHING…
"I'm a man, and I can change, if I have to, I guess..."
Too busy showing Danny hurting himself “last March” (It was 5 days ago)
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 10, 2009 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Are you kidding? I didn’t hear it, I’ve got the radio on.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
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by Travis Hughes on Mar 10, 2009 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I believe Carcillo’s exact words there were “F*ck you you F*ck.”
Who needs to use a third word when you can do so much with just those two?
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Yeah, that’s my motto.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
by Travis Hughes on Mar 10, 2009 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Look at Giroux’s backcheck! Buffalo nullifies the icing, but Giroux bumps him off the puck, and moves up with it. If only Randy Jones had that work ethic. Or ability
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 10, 2009 8:11 PM EDT reply actions
Penguins tie it at 1-1
Devils and Flames 1-1
NYI 1 TOR 1
Nashville 1, Washington 0
Montreal 1, Edmonton 0
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Damnit, Kiprusoff.
We could use a big night out of the Alberta squads tonight.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Mar 10, 2009 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I dont think Florida scored…
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by Ben Rothenberg on Mar 10, 2009 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Weird, I got like 5 updates on Twitter saying it was 1-1.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
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by Travis Hughes on Mar 10, 2009 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, you’re right. My (Twitter’s) bad.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
by Travis Hughes on Mar 10, 2009 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I really wish they would tie it and go ahead. The Pens win one game and all ESPN can talk about is how now they’re going to the playoffs and even have a shot at the division.
Well, to be fair they’ve won six straight.. lol.
They’re far from a lock for the playoffs though. We’re not even a lock.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
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by Travis Hughes on Mar 10, 2009 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions
We’re a lock for home ice as I see it.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Mar 10, 2009 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Nothing is a lock. We’re only 3 points up on home ice, four points up on not even being in the playoffs.
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 10, 2009 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions
If Giroux gets the hat, Lupul gets the adult diaper. He’s been real bad.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Mar 10, 2009 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Randy Jones errant/impatient play leads to change of possession (Not quite turnover number 3)
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 10, 2009 8:28 PM EDT reply actions
Randy Jones fails to clear, then almost takes hooking penalty.
(Yes, I’ve decided to take note of every Randy Jones fuckup this game, and I’m sure I’ve missed a couple)
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 10, 2009 8:32 PM EDT reply actions
Can this possibly be his actual hair? Looks like a Trump scalp photoshopped on
http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/player/Ryan-Parent?statsId=3795
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Haha, that’s awful. Either way, glad to see he got rid of it.
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 10, 2009 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Giroux just broke up two passes on that shift.
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 10, 2009 8:40 PM EDT reply actions
So, I was in Ireland when Guenin played and am wondering how he did. Is he a St. Jacques? A John Slaney? or does he have NHL potential? Just wondering because with Sbisa, Coburn, Parent, and Carle, the Flyers have a pretty solid group going forward. And that’s not counting Kimmo’s 3 or 4 more years (He turns 34 next week)
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 10, 2009 8:48 PM EDT reply actions
That’s a real nice goal.
Good things happen when Daniel Briere speaks.
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Definitely a face for radio though
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by Travis Hughes on Mar 10, 2009 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Still don’t like the trade really, but I’m getting to like Carcillo for sure.
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Giroux can easily be a star in this league. I’m looking forward to the Giroux decade
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 10, 2009 9:00 PM EDT reply actions
And just like that, Montreal AND NJ score.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Mar 10, 2009 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions
jinx
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
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by Travis Hughes on Mar 10, 2009 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions
SCORE
3-1!
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
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Hey, a power play goal again. Keep it up.
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Florida AND Edmonton get their third goals.
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Perfect feed from Lupul.
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Let’s run this baby up.
Carter really wants the hat.
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Sorry, The Hat*
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by Ben Rothenberg on Mar 10, 2009 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think any of those were Lalime’s fault at all.
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Ha, what can I say, adult diapers are a great motivational tool.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Mar 10, 2009 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not even sure who I want to win that Pittsburgh/Florida game. They’re tied. I guess Florida so the Penguins get off that win streak.
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I want no part of Pittsburgh getting the 5 seed.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Mar 10, 2009 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions
What if we get the 3 seed?
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by Travis Hughes on Mar 10, 2009 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I think we’re a lot more likely to get #2 than #3. If we pass NJ we certainly pass Washington.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Mar 10, 2009 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Ha, as long as he gets coincidentals, I like this Carcillo crap.
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I’m still loving how we have all the games in hand.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
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That is nice, except we only have one game on Jersey now. That makes getting the division hard, but home ice easier.
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 10, 2009 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Boston and Washington have both been really struggling lately.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
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by Travis Hughes on Mar 10, 2009 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Sharks too, though they are up on the Wild tonight.
by chillicothe20 on Mar 10, 2009 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Biron is quietly having a pretty darn good game.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
That way Carter tucked his mouth guard into his glove while he’s on the bench, that’s absolutely disgusting.
Despite that, the hat is totally his.
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I do that too… the few times I ever play without a cage, of course.
But yeah, it’s a convenient spot for it, lol
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
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by Travis Hughes on Mar 10, 2009 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions
There’s the fluke goal to make up for Buffalo’s.
5-1!
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Right off the P.
Hartnell wants The Hat.
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He was trying for the Harts-Lupul Shoulder bump
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 10, 2009 9:29 PM EDT reply actions
Wow, Stevens is the second longest tenured coast in the East.
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Unbelievable.
Second to Ruff, no?
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
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by Travis Hughes on Mar 10, 2009 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Hell of a fight.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
by Travis Hughes on Mar 10, 2009 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Ut oh!
….
haha
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
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Marty is officially out of The Hat consideration.
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If PIT and FLA go to OT…
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I’m guessing it’s assigned by Stevens? Don’t really know though…
The Hat has many mysteries.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Mar 10, 2009 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions
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