UPDATE 11 AM
Michael Leighton will reportedly get the start in goal tonight for the Flyers, making his first appearance of the season.
MINI-PREVIEW 9:45 AM
Coming off one of their worst all-around performances of the season, the Flyers (22-9-5) will play the second road game of their stretch of nine away matches in 10 games when they travel to Los Angeles to take on Terry Murray's Kings (22-13-1). LA is coming off a 6-3 loss in Phoenix last night. Jonathan Quick, who had registered shutouts in two of his previous three starts, was chased from the net by the Coyotes after giving up 6 goals on 18 shots.
The Flyers failed to compete in either of their last two games. In order to get back on the winning track tonight, they will need to be better across the board-- skating intensity, forechecking, backchecking, special teams, even strength play -- than they were against either the Canucks or Panthers.
The Flyers may or may not have Kimmo Timonen (hip) in the lineup tonight. In addition, Nikolay Zherdev reportedly skated off early at practice yesterday and did not return. Jody Shelley is back on the NHL's suspended list, earning a two-game banishment for his sucker punch and match penalty on Tuesday night. The Flyers have recalled offensive-minded defenseman Erik Gustafsson from the Phantoms.
I will post lineups later today.
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Detroit Red Wings winger Patrick Eaves has been the biggest bargains in the NHL so far this season. Today's
Daily Drop at Versus.com looks at Eaves, who scored a hat trick last night in Dallas.
In conjunction with the World Junior Championships, Versus.com is also running an article I authored on
the top six already-drafted Euro prospects currently playing in Europe.
This week's
Across the Pond at NHL.com looks at how Team Finland has persevered at the WJC despite the concussion-related absence of Mikael Granlund from the tournament.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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