Flyers edge Devils

Big win for the Flyers last night -- 2-1 over the Devils. This puts them -- once again -- just two points behind the Rangers for the division lead and the coveted first-round home ice advantage. Coincidentally, the Flyers will be in Madison Square Garden tonight to play the Rangers. I only got to catch bits and pieces of the third period last night, but from what I saw and what is being reported, Antero Niittymaki played what amounts to a statement game. Hopefully, Ken Hitchcock and the rest of the coaching staff were paying attention. A tap of the stick to Flyers left winger Simon Gagne who collected his 40th goal of the season last night. His previous best in a season was 33 goals in 2001-2002. Other news: The Los Angeles Kings have fired head coach Andy Murray and replaced him with John Torchetti on an interim basis. The Kings, once on top of the Pacific Division, have now slid all the way down to a tie with Edmonton for eighth in the western Conference standings.