I tried to make some original hockey ones instead of just copy and pasting chuck norris jokes. Though i did some of that too

In case of a pending asteroid collision, the pentagons plan of attack is Chris Pronger's Elbows.
Chris Pronger is the reason why Waldo is hiding
Chris Pronger is the reason Cindy Crosby cant grow a beard
Chris Pronger is the real reason players are going to the KHL
Chris Pronger can divide by zero.
The owners heard that Chris Pronger was going to be made the head of the players union. They quickly signed a 20 year extension before selling their franchises

More photos » John Amis - AP

1 day ago: Philadelphia Flyers goalie Brian Boucher (33) reacts after allowing an Atlanta Thrashers goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday March 20, 2010, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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So, this is kind of weird. I must not have ever hit publish last night, because clearly my game recap never showed up. Anyway, with just a few hours until the back end of this home and home, we're in the awkward position of having to recap a game when the exact same teams will face off later today.

Last night, the Flyers defense was terrible. Braydon Coburn and Ryan Parent in particular. I saw a lot of anger on the Internets (not necessarily here) about Brian Boucher's play, but he was left out to dry literally all night long. It was pathetic. On offense, a few guys had really strong games -- Mike Richards, Simon Gagne. Overall, though, the effort just wasn't there. There's really not much to say.

Atlanta can taste the playoffs. They're just a point behind eighth place Boston after the win last night. They're desperate. As of this writing, Boston and New York are tied at 0-0, but if the Rangers win, Atlanta can jump into playoff positioning with a win tonight. The Flyers, meanwhile, are dangerously close to being leap-frogged by Ottawa and Montreal. A win is of utmost importance this evening, and it's going to take some god damned intensity for that to happen.

We'll have the game thread up about an hour before game time. Until then, check out the NCAA hockey bracket!

 
#5 Philadelphia Flyers (37-28-5, 79 pts) at #9 Atlanta Thrashers (30-29-11, 71 pts)
Phillips Arena - 7:00 PM ET - Atlanta, GA
TV: The Comcast Network HD, SportSouth
Radio: 610 WIP
This is the open game thread.
Get the Atlanta perspective at Bird Watchers Anonymous
 

Brief preview tonight because... well, it's nice outside and all that stuff.

In the fourth and final game of this road trip, the Flyers wrap up against a Thrashers team clinging on for dear life. Just three points out of the playoff picture, today's game and tomorrow's game with the Flyers in Philadelphia are potentially season defining for Atlanta. How can that be with more than 10 games left on the schedule?

Consider that the Thrashers are in ninth place, behind eighth place Boston, who they play on Tuesday night. If the Thrashers can take four points from the Flyers, they put themselves in prime position to leap over Boston on Tuesday night. A loss or two could seriously damage their postseason chances.

For the Flyers, it's essentially all for seeding now... believe it or not. Eight points in with about 10 games to play is a nice spot to hold, but the jockeying for positioning is clearly on. More important, however, is the need to enter the postseason on a strong note. The puck needs to keep going in the net from here on out and Brian Boucher has to be excellent in goal.

No lineup changes for the Flyers. After the jump, questions to answer and our in-game thread.

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More photos » Amy Gutierrez - AP

3 days ago: Philadelphia Flyers goalie Brian Boucher (33) and teammate Blair Betts (11) celebrate a 3-2 win over the Dallas Stars during an NHL hockey game, Thursday, March 18, 2010, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Amy Gutierrez)

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Today's daily discussion thread, complete with your daily dose of Flyers news and notes...

• Last night's NHL scores... Flyers 3, Stars 2 - PIT 3, BOS 0 - STL 4, NYR 3 - CAR 4, WSH 3 (OT) - ATL 6, OTT 3 - TOR 2, NJD 1 (SO) - BUF 6, TBL 2 - PHX 4, FLA 3 (SO) - NSH 5, MIN 0 - VAN 3, SJS 2 - CHI 3, LAK 0
• Recaps of last nights win over the Stars from BSH, NHL.com, the AP, CSN, the Daily News, the Inquirer, and Defending Big D.
• Boosh rocks. No link, just fact.
• Michael Leighton is out for likely the rest of the season. He spoke with the media on a conference call yesterday. [Flyers] [CSN Philly] [The 700 Level] [Frequent Flyers]
• The Flyers are third in Corsi percentage, no matter the period. [Behind The Net]
• The Flyers signed Colorado College captain Mike Testwuide to a two-year contract yesterday. [Colorado Springs Gazette] ...
• ... he's 'In A Relationship' with Cornell backup goaltender Mike Garman, despite also listing that's he's 'Interested In: Women.' [Ronnybrook]
• Speaking of college hockey, it's conference tournament finals weekend! Twenty teams, five conference titles. Semifinals tonight in the ECAC, WCHA, CCHA, Atlantic Hockey and Hockey East. [SB Nation]
• James Wisniewski was suspended eight games. Good. [Puck Daddy]
• Will Jacob De Serres be the guy the Brandon Wheat Kings turn to in the playoffs? [Luber's Lounge]

More photos » Amy Gutierrez - AP

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Welcome back Brian Boucher!  In his first start since December 21, 2009, Boucher came back strong, with plenty of great saves in this one.  He officially stopped 27 of 29, but there were more than a few great saves in there.  He was a little rusty, but that was expected.  All in all, a great game by Boucher.  Which makes us all wonder, why was this guy unable to get a single start in 3 months?

The Flyers won in Dallas for the first time since 1996, and it came as a result of two pretty ugly goals.  First, Simon Gagne plugged away in front, eventually poking one past Dallas netminder Kari Lehtonen.  Mike Richards tied the game up later on a nice breakaway, only to be followed up with Scott Hartnell having a puck go in off his pants.  That would prove to be the game winner.

Kimmo Timonen was unable to score a goal on his birthday, but he did lay a pretty wicked hit on Steve Ott in the third.  That alone is well worth checking out on the sidebar.

While it's hard to say tonight was a great 60 minute effort - there were a few too many mistakes - it's easy to say the team played well.  Now it's off to Atlanta in hopes of continuing this effort.

Jump for Updated Standings, Questions with Answers, and the Comment of the Night.

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#7 Philadelphia Flyers (36-28-5, 77 pts) at #12 Dallas Stars (30-26-13, 73 pts)
American Airlines Center - 8:30 PM ET - Dallas, TX
TV: CSN Philly HD, Fox Sports Southwest HD
Radio: 610 WIP, XM 239
This is the open game thread.
Get the Dallas perspective at Defending Big D
 

We're going to keep this preview short and sweet, because there's one key to this game and one key to this game only. He wears number 33 for the Philadelphia Flyers. His name is Brian Boucher. He's your starting goaltender.

It's his first start since the middle of December, so who knows how he's going to play. Coming in out of the bullpen is a different situation and in most of those chances, Boucher has performed admirably. In fact, as a starter he's done well too, but most people aren't really looking at that.

They see his 4-12-2 record and automatically think the Flyers are doomed, but the fact of the matter is that Boucher was not even close to the reason the Flyers sucked through November and December. In fact, some may go as far as to say Boucher was the Flyers best player in that stretch.

In any event, this is a big night for Brian Boucher. The net is officially his now, and if the Flyers want to have any chance this season, he needs to own it. Let's see some 2000-era Boosh out there tonight.

Last time the Flyers played in Dallas: March 13, 2007.

After the jump, lineups, questions and our in-game discussion.

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