UPDATE 11:15 AM ET

Brian Boucher will start in goal tonight. Also, Blair Betts will play tonight.


****

PREVIEW 10:30 AM ET

The Tampa Bay Lightning are a club that the Flyers have historically struggled against, regardless of the Bolts' record. That wasn't the case last season, as the Flyers swept the four game season series, outscoring the Lightning by a 22-7 margin in the process. But the Lightning appear to be a much improved club this season and, with former Flyers star Simon Gagne slated to make his return to Philadelphia, should have plenty of incentive for tonight's game.

The Flyers last played on Monday, blowing an early 2-0 lead against Colorado but found a way to win, 4-2, on a late tally by Jeff Carter (two goals in game) and an empty netter by Darroll Powe. Claude Giroux (SHG) had the other Flyers goal. Tampa is coming off a 4-3 overtime win in Montreal last night. Ryan Malone scored the winner in the extra frame. Steven Stamkos (PPG), Brett Clark (PPG) and longtime Flyer-killer Martin St. Louis had the other tallies for the Bolts, who peppered Carey Price with 48 shots on the night.

After playing poor first periods in their first two games of the season, the Flyers came out roaring in the home opener against Colorado. They will need another strong start tonight. One area the Flyers need improvement is on the powerplay.

Blair Betts (knee) missed practice yesterday and is a game-time decision for tonight. If he's unable to go, Darroll Powe will center the fourth line and Andreas Nodl will get his first start of the season, playing right wing. Peter Laviolette has not yet named his starting goalie for the game but it seems as though it'll be Brian Boucher. For Tampa, veteran defenseman Mattias Ohlund (knee) is not expected to play.


Potential starting lineups (based on last game and subject to change)

FLYERS

Carcillo/JVR - Richards - Carter
Hartnell - Briere - Leino
JVR/Carcillo - Giroux - Zherdev
Shelley - Betts - Powe

Carle - Pronger
Coburn - Timonen
Meszaros - O'Donnell

Boucher/Bobrovsky


LIGHTNING

St. Louis - Stamkos - Downie
Gagne - LeCavalier - Malone
Bergenheim - Moore - Purcell
Hall - Thompson - Purcell

Hedman - Jones
Kubina - Clark
Lundin - Vernace

Ellis
[Smith]

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