Tonight, hockey returns to the Wachovia Center. Fresh off a great 2-0-0 start, the boys are home to take on the Washington Capitals in what is sure to be a barn burner. From reading every other writer’s take on the undefeated start, it’s safe to say that the Flyers enter tonight’s game full of confidence and excitment. That will be needed as they take on another team that looks to follow in Philly’s desire to finish 82-0. The atmosphere tonight should be electric and the noise level thunderous. This is the first time Pronger, Razor, Rabbit and Betts play a game that means something on home ice. The tough first week of the season continues tonight, and this game looks to be the best the NHL has to offer in the early season. Washington is loaded offensivly, led by Russian Jesus, Alex Ovechkin. The dude is single handily going to will this team to the ECF this year, and already looks to be a shoe-in for the Rocket Richard. With the Redskins shitting the kitchen, and the Bullets still called the Wizards, the Caps are the only lucrative franchise the city has, and its bandwagon is already at full capacity. For good reason, because the team has already scored 10 in 2 games. That is fun hockey to watch, and their rotund owner must be giggling all the way to the bank. Besides AO, the team is getting solid play from Brooks Laich, Alex “Who wants my” Semin and lovable ex-Flyer, Mike Knuble. My guess is that Caps coach Bruce Boudreau starts Knubles line tonight, and he’ll get a solid round of applause for his time spent in Philly. Aside from those jerks, Nicklas Backstrom is another guy we have to watch tonight, a genuine playmaker that is always feeding AO for the easy goal. The Caps powerplay is downright scary, and almost as sexy as the Flyers. That is the matchup that will decide the game tonight. If we can hold them off the scoreboard at 5-on-5 and not surrender too much on the PK, then we’ll take this one. It’ll be hard and Lappy/Betts will need to be as solid as ever tonight. Look for Kimmo to shadow AO on the ice, and hopefully for that douche Mike Green to meet Chris Pronger on the sideboards. In all seriousness, is Mike Green the douchiest hockey player in history? I feel like the guy was born to bounce at a Seaside Heights bar. Have you seen his website? If the Webby Awards had a category for “lamest attempt at looking like a model/hockey player” Greenie would win hands down. Everbody loves his offensive contribution, but he’s still a defensive liability. I can’t wait for Danny Breeze to burn him for tonights opening goal to set the Wach off. For the Flyers, as I touched on before, the PK has to continue to be stellar. The Caps rush like no other and everyone will need to backcheck tonight to keep them from establishing any rhythm. I look to see who responds to the home crowd the most, and my money is on the Birddog. Hartnell loves getting greasy ones at home, and I’d love to see him pot one tonight. The defense and goalie, which have been soo good, need to keep the mojo going. The way they’ve been shutting down any rush or set up has been so impressive, and tonight will be the reason that the Flyers win. Simon Gagne, Claude Giroux, Mika Pyrola…tonight is the night you torch that clown Joey Theodore. This game might end 6-4, 5-3, or even 18-0, all in the favor of the Flyers. Even though I’m not allowed by law, let me play doctor. I’m diagnosing the entire Caps team with the Philadelphia Flu tonight. The homecrowd is going to shake the tv sets of the Deleware Valley. Nobody beats us on home ice this year, not even Stalin. The battle for the East gets even wilder tonight. Strap in and let’s keep the train moving to the ‘3-0’ station. Let’s Go Flyers
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