Game #9

Hyperbole aside, this is a completely different era for the Flyers. While it may not necessarily wind up as the Holmgren-Stevens era, I think we can all agree that it's definitely the post-Clarke era. The early word from the Flyers is that new coach John Stevens runs a looser ship than Ken Hitchcock and stresses fundamentals a little more. (This is probably prudent considering how much younger the team is now.) Also given extra attention in practice has been the power play -- which the Flyers have been successful on four times in 55 opportunities. Antero Niittymaki will be in goal, while 24-year-old rookie defenseman Lars Jonsson should see his first game action tonight (there's no word yet on who he will be paired with). Captain Peter Forsberg will be a game-time decision, though his coach seems to think he'll be in the lineup. The Flyers -- yet again -- will be shuffling the lines. Tonight's combinations are believed to be Peter Forsberg (if he plays) centering Simon Gagne and rookie Stefan Ruzicka, Mike Knuble with Jeff Carter and Randy Robitaille, Mike Richards centering Kyle Calder and Sami Kapanen, and R.J. Umberger centering Triston Grant and Geoff Sanderson As for Atlanta, they come into tonight's game in second place overall in the Eastern Conference -- first in the Southeast Division -- with 16 points in 10 games. Tonight is their second game in two nights, having lost 5-4 in overtime in Carolina last night. The Thrashers are firing on all cylinders right now, with right wing Marian Hossa leading the league in scoring (15 points). The dynamic duo of Hossa and left wing Ilya Kovalchuk have combined for 16 goals and 29 points in 10 games. (Compare that to the Flyers who have scored a total of 15 goals.) See: Game Notes See: Preview Side Note: Tonight is Breast Cancer Awareness Night, with various activites going on throughout the game: Fans will be encouraged to wear pink to the game to show support for the cause. Those that wear a pink item to the game may enter to win a pink Flyers “Official Reebok Women’s Fashion Jersey” signed by Knuble. Fans may also have their nails painted pink that evening (courtesy of Sheartique in Ridley Park, PA) in the Flyers “beauty salon” in the Hall of Fame Room for only $5. Funds raised through the sale of exclusive items at the Flyers Charities table, such as pink ribbon pins, pink Flyers hats and pink Flyers drawstring bags, along with all proceeds from Flyers “beauty salon” services, will go to the Flyers Charities to support women’s health initiatives. Also, in the Hall of Fame room that evening, fans can receive information and free samples from Lindi Skin, a line of skin-care products for patients going through chemotherapy and radiation, created by Lindy Snider, daughter of Flyers Chairman Ed Snider.