Game 44, Preview and Open Thread: Tampa Bay Lightning at Philadelphia Flyers
by Travis Hughes on Jan 9, 2010 4:21 PM EST
in 09-10 Game Threads
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PrintTampa Bay Lightning at Philadelphia Flyers, Jan 9, 2010 7:00 PM EST
The Tampa Bay Lightning come into town on the second half of a back to back. Well, kind of.
They suited up last night to play the New Jersey Devils and played about a period and a half, taking a 3-0 lead. But 44 seconds after Steven Stamkos made the game 3-0, the lights at Prudential Center went dark. With no announcement from the team, the crowd sat around wondering what was going on for two hours before the NHL finally determined that the game couldn't go on and that they'd have to postpone it.
So aside from the Devils doing a terrible job keeping fans on top of the situation, the Lightning are in a bit of a peculiar spot. On one hand, they're half way through one game, and they'll pick off where they left off in that game at a later date. According to the Bergen Record, the game will be completed tomorrow night at 6 PM. That means that in the middle of one game, Tampa will travel 90 miles south, play another game against the Flyers tonight, and then make the return trip to finish off Friday's game. Bizarre.
That brings us to tonight's contest. The Flyers are flying high (man, that's such a bad pun) after a 7-4 rout of the Penguins and they certainly seem like they're starting to turn a corner. When we look back on this season, we may be able to look at the Penguins win as a turning point of the season; the night where the team proved their turn around wasn't inflated by weak opposition.
But the current 6-1-1 run began in Tampa back on December 23, and with two strong wins in two games against the Lightning this season, they seem to be the perfect team to continue winning ways against. Don't be fooled by the 3-0 mark the Bolts put on New Jersey a night ago, too. Mike Smith was dazzling, stopping 20 shots in just over 30 minutes as the Devils out shot Tampa Bay 20-7.
After that work load, Smith will be on the bench tonight. Antero Niittymaki will be between the Tampa pipes. Niitty played in relief of Smith back on November 2 and played admirably after the Flyers put five pucks behind Smith. Tonight will be Niitty's first career start against the Flyers.
Opposing him will be Michael Leighton, making his billionth straight start. Ray Emery could have come back tonight but Peter Laviolette decided to be smart about the situation, instead sending him to the Phantoms for a conditioning stint. Leighton has been red hot of late, and even though he allowed four goals on Thursday night, he still was a major factor in the Philadelphia victory.
The Flyers offense is as hot as it's been all season and maybe even beyond. They've scored 17 goals in three games and they've chased the opposing goaltender in three of their last five games. Meanwhile, Vinny Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis have picked their seasons out of the doldrums and they're no red hot. Lecavalier has 13 points in his last 10 while St. Louis has 11 points in his last eight games.
Tampa can climb to within a point of the ninth-place Flyers with a victory tonight. Meanwhile, with a Flyers win and a Montreal loss to the Devils, the orange and black will be back in playoff position by the end of the night.
After the jump, questions to answer and our in-game open thread.
Questions To Answer
- Do the odd circumstances surrounding the Lightning tonight effect them at all?
- Can the Flyers potent offense keep it going? Can they chase another goaltender?
- The special teams were great against Pittsburgh. The Bolts aren't a good special teams club. Formula for success?
- What's the reaction like when Antero Niittymaki is introduced at the Wach?
- How many people are actually in the building tonight with the Eagles kicking off the playoffs just an hour after puck drop?
Tonight's game will be broadcast locally on CSN Philly in high definition. Listen with the local guys at 610 WIP, and as always, join us here for the conversation if you're not out watching the Birds light up the 'Boys. I'll be at the game tonight. Go Eagles, and LET'S GO FLYERS!
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I know I’m an awful, sinful person, but I would much rather the flyers win over the eagles. I love the birds but I’m a Flyers nut. Hope both can win.
by JpH89 on Jan 9, 2010 6:34 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Agreed but I’m a karma guy. I’d take the loss now for the win in the playoffs (that is assuming that we don’t need these two points for the playoffs).
by orangeandblack20 on Jan 9, 2010 6:50 PM EST up reply actions
Since Tampa Bay will still technically be in a game with the Devils at the opening faceoff….I like our chances
Go Flyers! Go Birds!
by Flyers and Terriers on Jan 9, 2010 6:49 PM EST reply actions
Anyone else hear or read the rumors of a possible Scott Hartnell trade to Calgary for Dion Phanuef? I doubt it would be just Hartnell but it was on ESPN.com’s rumor section. Could be true, could be total crap.
Sounds like crap to me, ESPN is taking cues from Eklund. Charging money to people read “rumors” that were made up by fans or in their own twisted mind. There’s no way in hell Calgary would give up Phanuef for just Hartnell.
Some think too much, then come too soon
I just curse the sun, so I can howl at the moon
The rumors aren’t true. At least that’s what I heard on the radio today.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog. Makin' it look mean since 1967.
by Travis Hughes on Jan 9, 2010 7:18 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yeah he’s way overrated, he had a great rookie season but he hasn’t really improved off it. I wouldn’t want him on the flyers.
by JpH89 on Jan 9, 2010 7:23 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Ohhhh it’s so good to be back, this is the first game I’ve gotten to watch in 2 weeks! (I actually missed you guys, too)
I apologize in advance for being completely off the wall today, I’ve been in Methodist hospital for 10 days and I’m still pretty doped up
by DragonGirl0583 on Jan 9, 2010 7:32 PM EST up reply actions
Flyers are a respectable organization again, thas been the past 10 days for ya.
by JpH89 on Jan 9, 2010 7:35 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Semi stache is a bad look. I’m guessing he’ll wait for the Olympic break to grow it back if he makes that choice.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 9, 2010 8:11 PM EST up reply actions
His record against the southeast division as whole was pretty ridiculous. I just double checked the stats, and he was 20-8-2 against the SE in his three seasons as a Flyer. If you subtract 06-07 and only count the last two seasons, it would be 17-1-1.
by DragonGirl0583 on Jan 9, 2010 8:26 PM EST up reply actions
Leighton has been unreal lately. I know I’ve only been able to listen to the last few games, but wow.
(Yes, I snuck a radio into the headache ward at the hospital, I was desperate!)
The nurses were impressed with my dedication, but I apparently wasn’t in a good mood when my IV drugs made me sleep through the classic… I don’t think I was very nice when I woke up.
by DragonGirl0583 on Jan 9, 2010 8:39 PM EST up reply actions
he has made really nice saves. I like that fact…so he is making Bosh and Em a little nervous and make the goalies play a little harder
I think its good, they should give Emery more time to rest. Be extra cautious just because you can with Leighton playing so good.
We should be riding Leighton as long as he stays hot, no reason to mess with what’s working. If that gives Emery & Boosh more time to heal, all the better.
by DragonGirl0583 on Jan 9, 2010 8:40 PM EST up reply actions
Toronto..i’ll trade you one delay of game penalty for one simon gagne goal….OK i know not worth it but come on they owe us.
hehe Gagne is overdue for shortie, period. I don’t care where it comes from
by DragonGirl0583 on Jan 9, 2010 8:53 PM EST up reply actions
Darn, JJ said the same thing just as I typed it
by DragonGirl0583 on Jan 9, 2010 9:02 PM EST up reply actions
Heh, my feed:
“This presentation brought to you by the Pennsylvania Lottery!”
Vexcast feeds fucking blow.
Neither one of Gagne’s penalties have looked like penalities to me, though
by DragonGirl0583 on Jan 9, 2010 9:29 PM EST up reply actions
There it is. Betts!
Some think too much, then come too soon
I just curse the sun, so I can howl at the moon
Do you play Emery next game? Emery faced 14 shots tonight and let 2 goals in. Not very convincing if you ask me.
I didn’t watch the game, so I don’t know how the goals were scored. It is possible they weren’t his fault and otherwise he was flawless, I’m just looking at the boxscore.
I read a small blurb that said he wasn’t exactly 100%,plus coming back from surgery, it may be a little bit before he’s ready. I would expect him to be on the bench when he comes back, and Leighton getting the start against Dallas on Tuesday. Gotta ease him back into it, and not throw him right back in there, it’ll just make things worse.
Some think too much, then come too soon
I just curse the sun, so I can howl at the moon
Thanks all around
Thanks to the Flyers for winning.
Thanks to the Lightning for NOT rescheduling. Flyers > Eagles.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
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