Monday, April 15, 2013

Pre-game: Flyers vs. Montreal Canadiens



The Flyers’ schedule is packed this week; tonight they kick off their first of four games in a span of six days, as well as back to back games. Tonight the Flyers face off against the Montreal Canadiens for the third and final time this season. A week and a half ago the Flyers put down the Canadiens 5-3. During that last matchup the Flyers had Zac Rinaldo to bring the heat on the ice but tonight he is still out with an injury. A welcomed addition to the top line tonight will be Simon Gange, who will be trying out for Scott Hartnell’s spot next to Claude Giroux.  Veteran forward Danny Briere who returned Saturday was hoping to have put some boost in the Flyers offense, he will return to the line up again tonight. In net tonight will be Ilya Bryzgalov; although the world is hard on Bryzgalov for a failed season, he gets a strong vote of confidence.  Bryzgalov is a great goaltender, he has had amazing saves this season, he has played without much of a defense and not making play offs does not rest of his shoulders alone.
Currently the Flyers are on a losing streak; they have not made any power play goals during that streak and have struggled to make one goal per game. This team has no wind left in their sails and with barely the glimmer of anything to play for it is a gamble at how this inconsistent team will perform.  The Habs are fast; the Flyers will have a race on their hands as they try to keep up with the Canadiens tonight.  Kimmon Timonen has to be the leader on the Blue line, Claude Giroux must lead up front and Briere has to come through with some creativity tonight. The Habs have the rest of the season to play for; they are one point behind the Bruins for first place in the Northeast Division and the second seed in the Eastern Conference.  The Flyers are past the point of miracles, which was the hope last week; tonight they have to win puck battles, close lanes and dominate the ice before the Canadiens take control.

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