PREVIEW (7 AM)

Heading into tonight's opening game in Carolina, the Philadelphia Flyers are just 3-7-4 in all-time road openers. In 16 home openers dating back to their days as the Hartford Whalers, the Carolina Hurricanes are 5-5-6.

After practice in Voorhees yesterday, Flyers coach John Stevens would not discuss line combinations for tonight's game. If the team lines up the same way it practiced yesterday, forwards Arron Asham and Riley Cote as well as call-up defenseman Marc-Andre Bourdon will be the healthy scratches. Defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen (hip) and backup goaltender Brian Boucher (groin) are starting the season on IR.

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUP

Hartnell - Carter - Briere
Gagne - Richards - Pyorala
JVR - Giroux - Powe
Carcillo - Betts - Laperriere

Pronger - Carle
Timonen - Coburn
Parent - Syvret

Emery
[Backlund]

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In my Daily Drop column at Versus.com, I will be taking a look today at whether it's preferable for NHL teams to start the season at home or on the road. Yesterday after practice, John Stevens came down on the side of starting on the road (of course, he has a vested interest in arguing that side of the debate).

"I think it's easier to keep the game simple and not get too caught up in things," he said. "Besides, if you can win [an opener] on the road, you can win anywhere."

Last season overall, the Flyers were a good road club, posting a 20-14-7 mark away from the Wachovia Center.

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You can order Pelle Lindbergh: Behind the White Mask online at Barnes & Noble, via Amazon or through Middle Atlantic Press.

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