The Flyers dropped their third straight game last night losing to the Capitals in Philly 3-5. Simon Gagne scored twice with Mike Knuble picking up the third. The Capitals have won both meetings between the teams this year.

While Antero Niittymaki kept the Flyers in the game against the Devils the previous night, against the Caps he was average stopping 28 of 32 shots. The Flyers play since the Fridge has come back to the Flyers has continues to decline. The energy was there for the Fridge’s first game, they seem to let off the gas a little against the Devils and a little more against the Capitals.

Kyle Calder who hasn’t produced like the Flyers have expected was minus -3 for the game.

Last season the Flyers suffered injury after injury but had a strong enough start of the season they were able to hang on to a playoff spot. This season the injuries for the Flyers are starting to mount and there is no room for sub par play if they want to make the playoffs.
Flyers missing the game include
Jeff Carter
Peter Forsberg
Sami Kapanen
Mike Rathje
Robert Esche
Denis Gauthier
Joni Pitkanen

Mike Richards and Geoff Sanderson both left the game in the second period each with abdominal injuries which could require surgery. Ben Eager also did not play the third period according to the NHL shift chart. With 2 forwards injured, why wouldn’t he play? I can only guess that it has to be injury related.

GM has been fired, coach has been fired. If these injuries continue as they did last year maybe they should take a hard look at the medical staff.

Ovechkin, Gagne and Muir were the three stars of the game.

Flyers next game is Tuesday at home versus the Rangers.

The Flyers suffered their 2 shutout of the season last night in New Jersey losing to the Devils 2-0. After having 5 days off to prepare for the Devils the Flyers could not capitalize on the extra time and looked rusty.

While the Devils did outplay the Flyers the one Flyer that really stood out was Niittymaki. The game could have easily been another blowout if Nitty didn’t have the solid game he did. Both goals came on second chances on the powerplay, really cant fault him for either. While the Devils were 2 for 4 on the power play, the Flyers went 0 for 6.

Sami Kapanen only played 3 shifts in the game leaving in the first period with a lower body injury. Its unknown if he would play against the Capitals tonight.

More bad news for the Flyers this time its Forsberg again. Peter Forsberg who missed the game will be out indefinitely until/if he can find a skate that will support his ankle. Which according to General Manager Paul Holmgren is at least 4 games, over a week.

Forsberg on the problem

“There is just way too much movement with the foot in the skate, it’s impossible to play. We have not found a solution. It’s hard to explain what’s going on. I put my foot in the boot and it twists in the boot. I have no balance whatsoever.
I wouldn’t do the team any good on the ice. I can’t turn, even for my own safety. I don’t think I’ll be back until it gets better or at least until I can keep my balance on the ice, and right now it’s not like that at all.
Right now, it’s impossible to say how long it’s going to take.”

While the R word hasn’t been mentioned yet it has to be thought about. If all the experts in the world cant find skates or come up with another solution for Forsbergs issue, then what else can he do except retire?

Forsberg spend 2 days in Arizona last week with an orthotics specialist, next week he will see an expert at Temple University on biomechanics.

It has been almost two weeks since my last update because of my schedule. I will have more free time in a few weeks to post more often.

The Flyers have won 3 of 5 games since Thanksgiving beating the Blue Jackets, Canadiens and Islanders. They lost to the Predators and to the Devils going to a shootout.

Former head coach Ken Hitchcock got his first start behind the bench with Columbus against the Flyers. Mike Richards finally scored his first goal this season which hopefully should get him going. The Flyers broke their record making 6 game home losing streak.

The lost to Nashville seem to be the straw that finally broke Mike Rathje’s back. Tied late in the game Rathje had a horrible turnover leading to a Predator goal. The fans at the Wachovia center let Rathje know of their displeasure with a loud round of boos. In the remaining minutes of the game anytime Rathje touched the puck the boos came down. I don’t blame the fans there one bit. Since the hip injury early last season Rathje’s play to be honest has sucked for a player making 3.5mill. I like many fans were hoping during the off season he could get the treatment he needed, well things hasn’t worked out. His play hasn’t improved and finally the Flyers will do something with Rathje to keep him off the ice (hopefully) until he is 100%.
I personally don’t have anything against the guy, he is a decent player and I can appreciate him playing through the pain. But the reality of the situation he is no better then having a rookie come up and get experience making the same mistakes. Just because dude can lace up and skate halfway doesn’t mean he should play, especially since his play has continue to hurt the Flyers. He shouldn’t play, period.

While the Flyers did lose to the Devils in the shootout (which I continue to hate) the game itself was just wow. Todd ‘the Fridge’ Fedoruk returned to the Flyers scoring on his first shot and also picked up an assist. The pace and effort of both teams was just great to watch. The Flyers with the exception of Nedved were banging, finishing checks and were playing all out. If the Flyers can play the rest of the season like that game there should be no issue of getting into the playoff run. Nedved who was sent down to the AHL has played decent when recalled, but by the looks of last game it appears he has forgotten the lesson he learned. When the entire team except him is checking, working the boards and showing the effort that is needed his floating becomes painfully obvious to anyone. If he wont put forth the effort on the boards and checking then send him back down and bring up a player that will pay the price needed to play in the NHL.

As much as I bash Hatcher and Rathje, Pitkanen seems to be bent on getting the same treatment. I honestly don’t know what is wrong with this guy. He missed a couple games with a sore left hip flexor, but I wonder if the injury is more serious then reported. Pitkanen has really been weak on the puck and continues to make mental mistakes. The Flyers can’t just give up on him; he is too young and has too much upside potential. I am not sure what the answer is although his play has been better when paired with fellow Finn Jussi Timonen. Both Timonen and Lars Jonsson have impressed me. If Picard wasn’t playing as well has he is I would figure Jonsson would still be up with the Flyers. Heck, bring in some more Finns on defense. The Finns we have can skate, move the puck and have some chemistry with each other. Communication is better with each other along with Niittymaki who is also Finnish.

Speaking of Nitty it seems he has really taken the #1 spot playing the last 7 straight games. Martin Houle is playing backup to Nitty while Esche is out recovering from adductor muscle surgery. Esche is out until late December.
Other injuries…
Jeff Carter is still out with a fractured left tibia and should be back within a few weeks.
Denis Gauthier is still out with a left shoulder injury and is still projected to come back in mid-January.
Geoff Sanderson has a mild groin strain and is listed day to day.
Peter Forsberg had the flu and missed the last game. The flu has been making its rounds with the Flyers lately.

Mike Knuble signed a two year extension to the Flyers at 2.8mill per year. For the Flyers this is a deal. Knuble has always been underrated. He was second in goals last year with the Flyers and third in points, the only player to play every game. He is second again this year in goals. He is easily worth another million.

A couple prospects were picked for Team Canada for the World Junior Championships, Steve Downie and Claude Giroux.

Former Flyer John LeClair was waived by the Pittsburgh Penguins and later brought back up hoping someone would claim him. I was in the group of fans that would like to see LeClair come back to Philadelphia, although he wouldn’t like the amount of icetime that I would want him to see. I would like to see him on some 2 or 3 squad power play and some 3rd or 4th line play with limited minutes. But that didn’t happen and he is stuck in Pittsburgh. I don’t see why he can’t play AHL hockey. He has played little over a season, what does Pittsburgh owe him? Sure he was a 50 goal scorer almost 10 years ago. If a player isn’t helping the team but can contribute to the AHL team of course he should be sent down, it doesn’t matter how much of a veteran he is. His skills set is diminished its part of life.

There has been a lot of talk about changing the schedule and I guess I will throw in my two cents. I think every team should play every other team twice, once home and once away. That would leave 24 games for conference and division play. If the team plays non-conference division teams once again that would leave 14 games to play conference teams to ‘build rivalries’. This still works out to at least 6 games between conference teams with 2 extra. So the Flyers would play ever team in the Western Conference twice, teams in the North East and South East divisions 3 times and Islanders, Devils, Rangers and Penguins 6 or 7 times. Seems logical to me.

Can someone tell me how with attendance down across the NHL that revenue is up? This will of course push the salary cap higher next year. Could it be that teams are raising ticket prices? That’s what the Flyers did. Ticket prices are at pre-lockout levels while team salary is something like 30 million less. Or could this be some fancy accounting that will burn the league down the road?

Can someone also tell me why in TSN’s power rankings released today the Flyers fall from 29th back to 30th? The Flyers that have won 3 out of their last 5 games, the team that has a better record in the last 10 games than 10 other teams in the league.

In December the Flyers are rising, and at this pace it isn’t out the question for the Flyers to be in the top 8 in the Eastern Conference by the New Year.

The Flyers have dropped 6 straight now losing last night to the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2. Randy Robitaille and Geoff Sanderson scored for the Flyers.

The power play remains beyond pathetic going 0 for 5. The Flyers did not get many if any shots on the power plays.

Rathje was worse then Pylon on defense again. Kyle Calder was minus -2. Geoff Sanderson, Mike Knuble and Randy Robitaille was plus +1.

Antero Niittymaki got the start in net again and was stellar even with giving up 3 goals.

Coach John Stevens

“I’m very frustrated with this. We should be able to come in here and know how we’re going to compete and let them react to us. Our forecheck was nonexistent until the third period.”

“I am having trouble understanding this, to be honest with you. We’ve got to play for 60 minutes.”

Glad I am not the only one that doesn’t understand the Flyers issues. They played a solid game against Buffalo and I thought maybe the Flyers have turned the corner. But then they come out flat the first 40 minutes of the game. Seven shots in the first period THREE shots in the second? What kind of crap is this?

The 4 of the 6 game losing during the streak have come from teams mid pack in the conference from 7th to 11th. Ed Snider has already said the team doesn’t compete. What else can he do? If this lack of play keeps up I expect (hope) he decides to visit the locker room after a loss and do some yelling and berating while throwing some equipment. Maybe that would help them realize the situation they are in.

Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Antero Niittymaki were the 3 stars.

Peter Forsberg, Jeff Carter, Denis Gauthier and Boyd Kane were out with injuries.

The Flyers pick up their first point in 5 games as they lose to the Sabres in Saturday night 5-4. Even with the lost I think the game could really be a turning point for the Flyers. The Flyers competed and came within 3 minutes of beating the Sabres, a team with only 1 regulation lost this season. The Flyers playing without Forsberg, Carter, Knuble and Gauthier. The energy and emotion the Flyers played with has been increasing the last few games and if they can sustain the intensity they played with saturday night they will win more games then they lose and get back on track.

Coach John Stevens

“I don’t know if we lost or just ran out of time. We felt if we play like that every night, we’re going to win a lot of hockey games. Is it something to build on? For me it is. That’s supposed to be the best team in the league. We stood up for each other. We showed affection for the group, and I saw effort in areas that had been lacking. I was proud of the team effort.”

3 fights in the game with Mike Richards vs. Nathan Paetsch, Ben Eager vs. Adam Mair and Triston Grant vs. Andrew Peters

Randy Robitaille scored twice for the Flyers, Alex ‘dont call me Captain’ Picard scored his first NHL goal with Petr Nedved picking up his 400th assist, R.J. Umberger also scored for the Flyers.

Simon Gagne and Randy Robitaille both picked up 10 minute gross misconduct penalties after the game for arguing the too many men on the ice call with 30 seconds left in the game. According to the rulebook, the gross misconduct cost Gagne and Robitaille a $200 fine and possible disciplinary action by the Commissioner of the League. The call was questionable overall the officiating in the game was what one comes to expect, meh.

Flyers only had one power play and scored on it which ties them with the Senators for last in the league. Flyers are 7th in the league on the penalty kill, they killed 3 out of 4 Sabres Powerplays.

Pylon led the Flyers in ice time with 28 minutes and was actually plus +1. It was the other pylon that made the mistakes costing the Flyers the game.

Antero Niittymaki got the start in goal and looked average. The outcome could have been different if he didn’t let in the softies. Of course the same could be said about Sabres goalie Martin Biron.

Randy Robitaille, Daniel Briere and R.J. Umberger were the three stars.

other news….

Marty Murray who was signed during the summer for his second stint with the Flyers was claimed off of waivers by the Los Angeles Kings. Murray never saw any action this year with the Flyers since he was sent down during preseason. Murray played 11 games for the Phantoms picking up 2 goals and 11 assists.

Flyers Chairman Ed Snider has said that interim General Manager Paul Holmgren will be GM for the rest of the season.

Ed Snider

“Paul has been working very hard and I felt that it was important at this time to provide him with some stability in his position which will help him with the tasks at hand.”

Denis Gauthier will be out 6 to 8 weeks with a shoulder injury. He will have surgery on his left shoulder on Tuesday to repair a torn labrum. Goat had surgery on his right shoulder over the summer break. Out until after Christmas.

Peter Forsberg out with the flu but listed as having an ankle sprain on the Flyers website will visit a foot specialist in Cleveland to fit Forsberg with a custom brace.

Monday night the Flyers head to Pittsburgh to start a 4 game road trip which they will face 3 teams from the Western Conference.

The Flyers have now dropped 4 straight losing to the New York Islanders last night in Philadelphia 3-1.

Simon Gagne scores the only Flyers goal on the power play with less then 3 minutes remaining in the game. Nedved picked up his first point of the year. For the Islanders Yashin scored twice and Park once picking up the game winner.

Antero Niittymaki took the loss in goal stopping 17 of 20 shots. DiPietro picked up the win for the Islanders stopping 32 of 33 shots.

Two fights in the game with Richards going with Asham and Eager going with Witt. It was good to see some emotion in the game, although they need to bring it right from the start instead of waiting until they are down 2-0.

The Pylon led the Flyers in ice time with 24:02 and his play actually did not hurt the Flyers, this time. Eager’s ice time was up to 9:28 and I was glad to see it. He needs more of it.

Coach John Stevens

We put a big push on in the third period, but why are we in this situation to begin with? That was the message for tonight, the push has to come in the start of the hockey game when we have 60 minutes to something about it.

That is an issue right now with the Flyers. They only bring the desperate play when down by a couple goals. Hey Flyers, if you don’t start winning NOW there won’t be a post season. The desperate play has to be there from the start of the game EVERY game, at least until they are back to .500.

Last season it took till January 19 for the Flyers to lose their 11th game, this year November 9, 70 days.

There has been a lot of talk about the Flyers making trades to help them out from rock bottom. Every game they lose the pressure to make a trade any trade grows. It might get to a point of making a trade a dumb trade just for the sake of shaking things up, thinking Bruins Joe Thorton type dumb trade. Which means no one is safe.

The Flyers play the Sabres in Philadelphia on Saturday, the west coast road trip next week can’t come soon enough.

The Flyers have looked quite bad on the ice this year, so how about looking at something better like Philly’s Hottest Flyers Fan. 93.3 WMMR is running the Philly’s Hottest Flyers Fan contest. Go vote for the Hottest Flyers Fan.

If I had to vote for just one and it would be tough I think I would have to go with Lisa P.