Flyers Hurricanes Preview

Tonight at 7 the Flyers will host the Carolina Hurricanes.  After an ugly and disappointing 9-8 loss on Thursday night, the Flyers will be ready to get back out on the ice and prove to everyone that they know how to play defense.  While Thursday certainly was a disappointing display of defense, the Flyers showed that they know how to score.  The youngsters on this team got involved offensively and the stars of Danny Briere, JVR, and Claude Giroux all proved why they are so good.

For tonight's game the Flyers should have got to have a ton of confidence offensively.  Do what you did on Thursday and utilize your youth and speed.  

After losing three straight games, the Hurricanes shut out the Chicago Blackhawks last night by a final of 3-0.  They are sure to come in to tonight's matchup with a ton of confidence and the Flyers need to show them who's boss.

Overall the Flyers, who got off to such a great start, have struggled greatly in their last five games.  The Flyers allowed just 1 goal in their first two games, but in their last five have allowed 25 goals!  The offense is certainly doing its job, but now it's time for the defense, mainly Ilya Bryzgalov, to step up and keep the puck out of the net.

For tonight I hope head coach Peter Laviolette starts Bryzgalov.  The best thing to do with an athlete who's confidence is clearly shaken is to get him back out there and help him to regain his swagger.  This whole Flyers team needs to step up and rally around their goalie who clearly needs some support right now.  The Flyers can't get lazy in their own zone.  They have to be active in clearing the puck, and they can't let opponents get easy shots right in front of their own goal.  The winning goal on Thursday night came with 4 Flyers standing around and doing nothing.  Step up on defense and help out your goalie!

I think that the Flyers are just trying to put the pieces together and sooner or later they are going to find their stride.  Hopefully they put it all together tonight and can kick off a winning weekend in South Philadelphia.