Carter country
Jeff Carter's performance last night against the Phoenix Coyotes was superstar caliber. As the game went along, he got more and more dominant, to the point that he had shifts that there reminiscent of vintage Eric Lindros (minus the freight train bodychecks).
The last time I saw a Flyers player single-handedly take over a game in such dominant fashion was when Peter Forsberg lifted Philadelphia over the Buffalo Sabres in Game 4 of their 2006 playoff series.
Carter downplays the notion that he's blossoming into stardom this year, giving the stock answers about getting "lucky bounces" and the recipient of good passes from teammates. But there's more to it than that, of course. Carter came to camp in tremendous shape and he's reaping the rewards in combination with his natural skill.
He had a very strong run in the second half of last season after Mike Richards went down, but Carter has been more consistent as a two-way player and less prone to cold streaks. In past seasons, the three-game offensive mini-slump Carter endured earlier this month may very well have stretched to eight, 10 or a dozen games. This time, he got back to basics (going to the net, not trying to pick corners) and responded with five goals in the last five games.
Carter does not have the benefit of regularly playing with strong playmakers in 5-on-5 situations. The center creates many of his own chances, and has such a quick release and natural movement on his wrist shot that as long as he gets the puck on net, he has a chance to score. He's been getting a higher percentage of his shots on goal so far this season, and that has definitely helped as well.
It's time to start mentioning Jeff Carter in any discussion of Flyers' players who deserve serious consideration for a spot in the NHL All-Star Game. He's not on the ballot (as a non- Montreal Canadiens player, that's a moot point anyway) but if he keeps on playing the way he has all season, it would be a crime to leave him off as a reserve.
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Lupul watch
Joffrey Lupul scored a breathtaking goal last weekend to win the game against Atlanta and played much more physically in the first three games after being temporarily demoted to the fourth line by head coach John Stevens.
In the two games since, he's slowly but steadily started to fall back into the pattern that got him sent to the fourth line. When he doesn't use his size and strength to set up his skill game, he isn't effective.
It's no coincidence last night that Lupul is pointless in the last two games. Last night, he had no hits and took an unnecessary hooking penalty.
John Stevens noticed. Lupul's ice time was cut to 12:10 last night, his second lowest total of the season. That was in part due to the fact that the Flyers spent a lot of time killing penalties. But it also a reflection of the fact that there were many other wingers in the lineup who were outworking Lupul.
It will be up to Lupul to elevate his all-around game on Monday night, because the ice time every player craves won't just be handed to him.
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Flyers Farm Report
* Claude Giroux is now in an offensive groove for the Phantoms. Yesterday, he continued his scoring streak by tallying the overtime game winner (his ninth goal of the season) and adding and assist in the Phantoms' 4-3 overtime win against Binghamton. Patrick Maroon (1 G, 1 A) also continued his recent hot streak, while Danny Syvret (1 PPG, 1 A) tallied his fifth of the season and Michael Ratchuk scored his first of the season (PPG).
J-S Aubin turned back 40 of 43 shots for the win, but Binghamton erased an early 3-0 deficit with a three-goal outburst in the second period. One of the Sens goals came on a penalty shot.
The Phantoms are back in action today, playing the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at 4 PM EST.
* Marc-Andre Bourdon scored the game-winning goal in overtime of Rouyn-Noranda's 2-1 overtime victory over Baie-Comeau yesterday afternoon. The defenseman now has nine goals (eight powerplay) and 23 points in 22 games. The clubs will meet again today. The game will once again be available via
free webcast. Opening faceoff is at 4 PM EST.
* Kevin Marshall and the Quebec Remparts will be action today against Rimouski. This game is also available via
free webcast with a starting time of 4 PM EST.
* UNH got off to a 4-1 lead against Providence yesterday and then held on to win, 4-3, after getting outshot 18-3 in the third period. James vanRiemsdyk assisted on New Hampshire's second goal, setting up Mike Sislo early second period goal.
* Denis Bodrov's new Atlant Moscow team is in action today but he's not in the lineup. Meanwhile, the HC Lada general manager
ripped into the defenseman, telling Russia's Sports Daily that the player's performance had taken a nose-dive after his good start and saying that Bodrov was a bad influence on his brother, Evgeni (a forward for HC Lada).
I'm not sure what this is all about, but Denis Bodrov had been playing over 19 minutes per game and was only minus-3 for a club that is in 19th place in a 24-team circuit and generates precious little offense every game.
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Flyers retro third jersey
You can pre-order the new 'retro' Flyers third jersey
here.
Contact Bill at
[email protected]
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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