PREVIEW (9:45 AM)

Two struggling teams will face off tonight in Tampa when the Flyers (15-18-2) take on the Lightning (13-14-9). Unlike the Flyers, Tampa has seemed to get its ship righted by winning its last two games. Philly has slid backwards in its last two games after encouraging efforts in two of its three previous outings.

Regardless of the teams' respective records, the Flyers often struggle to beat Tampa, especially on the road. Right now, the Flyers are regularly getting outplayed in virtually every facet of the game, and are back to square one in terms of trying to establish positives to build from one period and one match to the next. Simply put, you aren't going to win many games when you can't put the puck in the net, can't kill penalties, can't stay out of the box, can't win battles on the boards and can't string together back-to-back good shifts let alone three solid periods.

As of this writing, head coach Peter Laviolette had not yet announced whether Michael Leighton will get the start in goal tonight or if Johan Backlund will make his NHL debut. I would suspect he'll go with Leighton, but have no idea how he's actually leaning. Also, the Flyers are expecting Darroll Powe to return to the lineup tonight. The club has missed his forechecking tenacity and speed.

Flyers lineup (subject to change)

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

Coburn - Pronger
Carle - Timonen
Bartulis - Parent

Leighton/Backlund

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