Tampa Bay Lightning -.5 +105
[ Unit and a half play ]
I could fill up this posting forum on why I love this game tonight.
First of all the Flyers come off a tough 5-2 loss last night to a Shark’s team that simply showed too much speed, (especially in the first period) for them to keep up. If the Sharks had too much speed wait till Philly faces the Lightning who will live up to their name. You know Tampa Bay had this game on T.V. and were taking notes. Not only does Tampa Bay pass with precision and expertise but their own team speed has become a weapon in itself. The style of play they dictate requires endurance by their opponent and after last nights effort by the Flyers and a trip to Florida after you have to wonder how much they have in the tank.
Forget what I said in last night’s post about Sean Burke having a new lease on life. Whatever resurrection he experienced in his first two games since the trade was put back onto life support last night. It’s very questionable if he’ll get the nod again tonight. If not look for Antero Niittymaki who in his three starts has looked sharp and only allowed one goal in each game. Still he’s not a unknown commodity and he’ll have a tough match in either John Grahame, (who shut out Philly in his only start against them last year), or Nikolai Khabibulin, (who has already beaten the Flyers three times this year).
As I just mentioned Tampa Bay has beaten Philadelphia in all three meetings this year, twice in Philly and 6-1 at St. Pete on 1/3. They also have only allowed 2 goals in their last two meetings.
Philadelphia plays today without their team leader Jeremy Roenick and Keith Primeau. When the Flyers lost Primeau a month ago their offense went into the tank scoring just nine goals in 7 games. Oh yeah, they went winless in those 7 games as well, (0-5-2).
If you’ve seen this team play this year you have to believe and look for another big statement game in front of yet another packed house at St. Pete Times Forum.
Rx to Date.........16-8-1
NHL single units…….58-41-4 +16.42
Unit and a half plays….4-0-0 +6.525
NHL total to Date……62-41-4 +22.945
[ Unit and a half play ]
I could fill up this posting forum on why I love this game tonight.
First of all the Flyers come off a tough 5-2 loss last night to a Shark’s team that simply showed too much speed, (especially in the first period) for them to keep up. If the Sharks had too much speed wait till Philly faces the Lightning who will live up to their name. You know Tampa Bay had this game on T.V. and were taking notes. Not only does Tampa Bay pass with precision and expertise but their own team speed has become a weapon in itself. The style of play they dictate requires endurance by their opponent and after last nights effort by the Flyers and a trip to Florida after you have to wonder how much they have in the tank.
Forget what I said in last night’s post about Sean Burke having a new lease on life. Whatever resurrection he experienced in his first two games since the trade was put back onto life support last night. It’s very questionable if he’ll get the nod again tonight. If not look for Antero Niittymaki who in his three starts has looked sharp and only allowed one goal in each game. Still he’s not a unknown commodity and he’ll have a tough match in either John Grahame, (who shut out Philly in his only start against them last year), or Nikolai Khabibulin, (who has already beaten the Flyers three times this year).
As I just mentioned Tampa Bay has beaten Philadelphia in all three meetings this year, twice in Philly and 6-1 at St. Pete on 1/3. They also have only allowed 2 goals in their last two meetings.
Philadelphia plays today without their team leader Jeremy Roenick and Keith Primeau. When the Flyers lost Primeau a month ago their offense went into the tank scoring just nine goals in 7 games. Oh yeah, they went winless in those 7 games as well, (0-5-2).
If you’ve seen this team play this year you have to believe and look for another big statement game in front of yet another packed house at St. Pete Times Forum.
Rx to Date.........16-8-1
NHL single units…….58-41-4 +16.42
Unit and a half plays….4-0-0 +6.525
NHL total to Date……62-41-4 +22.945
