Game #15

With the Flyers mired in three-game losing streak, the New York Islanders come to town also in a funk having lost their last two games. The Flyers' scoring woes continue -- 28 goals in 14 games, 29th in the league -- particularly on the power play. The Flyers have just seven power play goals on the season, and have not converted on their last 24 power play opportunities. This dearth of goals is the reason coach John Stevens broke out the "shooter tutor" during practice yesterday. . . . Stevens ended practice yesterday by tying a vinyl sheet over the bottom two-thirds of the net, a gizmo they called a "shooter tutor" that can often be seen during youth-league practices but rarely at professional ones. In fact, despite all the other coaches who have graced the Flyers' bench over the last 15 years (Paul Holmgren, Bill Dineen, Terry Simpson, Terry Murray, Wayne Cashman, Roger Neilson, Craig Ramsay, Bill Barber, Ken Hitchcock), no one could recall ever seeing one across the front of the net. Then again, there has not been a start this bad in Flyers history. They have won three of their 14 games so far and have allowed 56 goals. Not surprisingly, they have spent much of their season playing from behind. And missing the net. For the Islanders, goalie Rick DiPietro -- he of the 15-year contract -- will probably return to the net for tonight's game. DiPietro is 1-6 with a 3.18 goals-against average in seven starts against the Flyers. While this may seem like a good matchup for the Flyers, keep in mind that the Capitals had not won in their last 15 trips to Philadelphia, yet managed to win 5-2 on Saturday. The Islanders come into tonight's game at 6-6-2 (4th, Atlantic Division; 12th, Eastern Conference). Roster Moves Petr Nedved cleared waivers yesterday and was added to the team's roster for tonight's game. It's not clear who his linemates will be, but it's believed he will play on one of the penalty killing units. (Given how well he's played in the PK role, this is a solid move.) Joining Nedved from the Phantoms will be defenseman Martin Grenier along with forwards Ryan Potulny and Matt Ellison. Forsberg's present and future Peter Forsberg has stated time and again that he will not discuss his future with the team until his foot feels 100%. To that end, he spent part of yesterday in Charlotte, NC, visiting with surgeon Robert Anderson. Peter Forsberg missed practice on Wednesday after flying to North Carolina for a routine check up on his foot according to Paul Holmgren. “Peter is in North Carolina to see the doctor just as a follow-up [to his foot surgery],” said Holmgren. Holmgren also said Forsberg is still looking for the perfect fit in his skate boot. “Harry [Bricker] (Flyers’ assistant equipment manager) is actually with him too. He took some skates down just to look at his foot when it’s in the skate. You are all aware of the problems he’s had with the numbers of skates he’s tried and trying to get the perfect fit, so hopefully we can get that squared away.” As I mentioned before, this is starting to get worrisome. The Flyers' trainer has proclaimed Forsberg to be 100% healthy, while Forsberg himself is saying he isn't. So, the team's best player is disagreeing with the medical staff about his condition. Hmm, sound familiar? See: Game Notes See: Preview