Game #12

The Flyers host the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight in the fourth game of their five game homestand. Tampa Bay comes in with a record of 5-7-0, in fifth place in the Southeast Division (13th in the Eastern Conference). The Flyers are 3-7-1, good for fifth place in the Atlantic Division (15th in the Eastern Conference). Philadelphia is coming off a shutout win over Chicago (3-0 on Monday night) and looking to build on that confidence. Curiously, coach John Stevens will be starting Antero Niittymaki in goal tonight despite the fact it was Robert Esche who backstopped the Flyers on Monday. Tampa is in the midst of a three-game losing streak and has to figure that the Flyers are just what the doctor ordered. The Lightning are unbeaten against the Flyers in their last nine games played (8-0-1) dating back to the end of the 2003 season. Forwards Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis are the team's top two scorers (12 and 10 points, respectively) and are tied for the team lead in goals with seven each. Defenseman Dan Boyle leads the team in assists with eight. Side Note: I'm starting to get a little worried over relationship Peter Forsberg has with the medical staff. In today's Courier-Post, Chuck Gormley writes: Forsberg returning? Flyers captain Peter Forsberg said the stability of his surgically reconstructed right foot -- not the club's general manager -- will determine whether he re-signs with the Flyers beyond this season. "I'll know my decision when my foot is 100 percent," Forsberg said. "It's a great organization and a great place to play. I like it here. We'll see what happens." Asked how his foot feels, Forsberg replied, "I want to see if it's 100 percent and if I can play at a level I want to be playing at." Asked again how his foot is feeling, Forsberg replied, "I don't think I'm playing as good as I want to play, and that's all I'm saying." For the record, Flyers athletic trainer Jim McCrossin said Forsberg's right foot is 100 percent, but added it might take another month or two before Forsberg is completely comfortable with it. This is after there was some "mis-communication" over whether or not Forsberg would be playing last week when he sprained his wrist. It's probably not much, but it seems worth mentioning given the medical staff's interaction with Eric Lindros. See: Game Notes See: Preview