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Flyers Gameday: 12-26-08 vs. Chicago |
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(Preview 11:30 AM EST)
The Flyers (19-8-7) begin a grueling portion of the regular season tonight as they embark on a six-game road, starting with a meeting against the red-hot Chicago Blackhawks (18-6-7). The Hawks have a tremendous young nucleus and come into this game riding a seven-game winning streak. However, Chicago had been idle since December 20, and having such a long layoff can be more detrimental than helpful.
Chicago only has two players with double-digit goals on the season -- the magnificently skilled Patrick Kane and ex-Flyer Patrick Sharp -- but they spread around the attack. Seven players have 20 or more points, and the Hawks as a team have been dominant in even strength situations and the powerplay has been nearly as good as the Flyers'. Kane enters this game riding a three-game goal-scoring streak and has six points in the last four games.
The Flyers, of course, have been on fire offensively of late. Even when they've fallen behind in games early, they've roared back and found ways to win.
The play of Jeff Carter (10 G, 18 PTS, 5 PPG) over the last 11 games has been the most dominating stretch by a Flyers center since the pre-Thanksgiving portion of Peter Forsberg's 2005-06 season. Beyond that, you have to go back to the prime of Eric Lindros. It hasn't just been goal-scoring either. Carter's entire game has been lifted to another level, and he's using both his power and his finesse.
Tonight's game starts at 8:30 PM Eastern time and will air locally on CN8. Martin Biron will return to the net for the Flyers.
FLYERS LINES (Subject to change)
Gagne - Richards - Knuble
Hartnell - Carter - Lupul
Nodl - Metropolit - Asham
Cote - Powe - Gratton
Timonen - Vaananen
Coburn - Carle
Sbisa/Alberts - Jones
Biron
[Niittymaki]
Contact Bill at
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Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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