#6 Philadelphia Flyers (37-30-5, 79 pts) at #5 Ottawa Senators (38-30-5, 81 pts)
Scotiabank Place - 7:30 PM ET - Kanata, ON
TV: CSN Philly HD, RDS HD
Radio: 610 WIP, XM 239
This is the open game thread.
Get the Ottawa perspective at Silver Seven
 

The last time the Flyers played the Senators, they were coming off a disappointing loss to the Bruins in the Winter Classic.  That game saw Michael Leighton chased less than 10 minutes into an eventual 7-4 loss.  Before the game, everyone on the Flyers spoke of not falling into a "trap" game as the result of all the hype surrounding the Winter Classic.

After losing Jeff Carter for about a month, the Flyers are once again talking about playing urgent hockey.  That sound you hear was the collective giggling of all Flyers fans - "hey, look, the team is saying the same thing again!"  Whatever.  The inconsistent Flyers are now faced with a big game, without the best goal scorer (or their top two goalies).

With that, it will be interesting to see how the team responds.  They have a history of whining like babies not showing up to the next game after a close friend is suddenly not beside them:  the Scottie Upshall trade and the John Stevens firing, just to name two.  Needless to say, tonight's game could go either way.

Hopefully, the team can respond positively.  Things are on their side, since Ottawa is playing the second game of a back-to-back.  Silver Seven has named four reasons tonight could be looking good for the Senators, but none are especially convincing - breaking their 5 game losing streak is reason #1.

After the jump, projected lines, expected starting goalies, and Questions to Answer.

Flyers Line Combinations

Gagne - Richards - Carcillo
Hartnell - Giroux - Briere
van Riemsdyk - Powe - Asham
Leino - Betts - Laperriere

Pronger - Carle
Timonen - Coburn
Parent - Bartulis

Leino in, playing with Betts and Lappy?  Ugh.

Senators Line Combinations

Regin - Spezza - Alfredsson
Foligno - Fisher - Kovalev
Smith - Cullen - Winchester
Ruutu - Kelly - Neil

Phillips - Volchenkov
Sutton - Karlsson
Campoli - Carkner

Questions to Answer:

1. Most importantly, which team shows up to play: Emotionally fragile pouters, or determined and confident professionals?
2. Does Claude Giroux take advantage of his promotion to second-line center?
3. How long does Ville Leino play with Betts and Laperriere?
4. How does Brian Boucher play?

Join us here for the game, don't forget to check out the new Broad Street Hockey Store, and feel free to criticize Coach Laviolette's decision to put Leino with Betts and Lappy.