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Flyers Gameday: 4/9/11 vs. Islanders

April 9, 2011, 2:13 AM ET [ Comments]
Bill Meltzer
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • RSSArchiveCONTACT
UPDATE 2 PM EDT

Sergei Bobrovsky is in goal tonight, opposed by Rick DiPietro.

Following are the Flyers 2010-11 team award winners to be announced tonight.

Bobby Clarke Trophy (MVP) and Gene Hart Award (Fan club best rapport with fans award): Claude Giroux
Barry Ashbee Trophy (Best Defenseman): Andrej Meszaros
Pelle Lindbergh Award (Most Improved): Andreas Nodl
Yanick Dupre Award (Good Guy/ Best with media): Brian Boucher
Toyota Cup (Most 3-Star selection points): Danny Briere


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MINI-PREVIEW 12:45 AM EDT

It has come to this for the Flyers (46-23-11). If the club can snap its current five-game losing streak in the final game of the regular season against the New York Islanders (30-38-13), they will win the Atlantic Division and lock in the second seed in the Eastern Conference no matter what the Penguins or Bruins do this weekend.

If, however, the Flyers stumble yet again, they will fall to fourth seed and play Tampa Bay in the first round of the playoffs if the Penguins defeat Atlanta tomorrow. If both the Flyers and Penguins lose, Boston could take the second seed with the Flyers finishing third if the Bruins win both of their remaining games (vs. Ottawa tonight and at New Jersey tomorrow) or take three points and earn the second seed via tiebreaker.

Even amidst the Flyers' struggles down the stretch, the club beat the Islanders on the road on March 26. Philadelphia has won all five games in the season series this year --with three of the wins by one-goal margins, including one in OT -- and has won 20 of their last 21 games overall against the Islanders. Philadelphia brings a 12-game home winning streak against the Islanders into the game.

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Today's Daily Drop at Versus.com updates my previous HB look at the Flyers' problems protecting leads. Last night, of course, the Flyers took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission and led 3-2 midway through the third period but couldn't nail down the game.

After ranking near the top of the NHL in winning percentage when scoring first, leading after one and leading after two periods before the All-Star break, Philly's winning percentage has tumbled to 20th in the NHL (.673) when scoring first, 17th overall (.735) when leading after one period, and 18th overall (.860) when leading after two periods.

Meanwhile, Philly ranks 27th in the NHL (.045 winning percentage with just one win and five OT/SO losses) when trailing after two.

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In Sunday's Meltzer's Musings, I will comment both on the Flyers' final game of the regular season and the selections for the team award winners. I will devote several days next week to previewing different aspects of the Flyers' first-round playoff series.
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