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Late Night Hockey: Flyers Vs. Canucks

This Disney On Ice-induced road trip isn't going so well, eh? Two losses and three banged up players have put a quick halt to the Flyers' December hot streak. Tonight at 10, they'll face the Canucks up in BC, where Mats Sundin is now not scheduled to make his debut with the team, as previously reported. It's been awhile since he played, but one less impact player is always good news.

Earlier today, Matt Carle and Kimmo Timonen were declared game-time decisions. If they don't skate tonight, it's still an encouraging sign that they're not going to be sidelined for long. There's a big drop-off from these guys to the Kukkonens and Albertses of the world. Update: Kimmo and Carle will play.

At the other end of the ice, the offense needs to come out fired up after taking a rare shutout (to a weak team no less) on Sunday. Statistically speaking, the Flyers should be ready for a breakout game after scoring just one goal in the last six periods. Yesterday's day off should help as well. BC's been good to the Flyers though; in October 2007, they waxed the Canucks by an 8-2 count.

Opposing Players to Watch: The Canucks offense is led by Daniel Sedin, who has 17 goals and 37 points. His twin brother Henrik, who was taken one pick behind Daniel with the third pick of the 1999 draft, has 32 points on 27 assists.

We may also be seeing the curtain call for a current Flyer or two. With Danny Briere due back soon (possibly this weekend), the team will have to make a few roster moves to accommodate his salary. The names we're hearing would be missed by fans, but someone's likely to be waived or traded very soon.

Elsewhere: Team USA is currently beating Kazakhstan 8-0 in World Junior Championship play. Make that 9-0....

Posted by Matt P in Flyers | Permalink

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UPDATE: Kimmo and Carle are in the line up tonight.

(Per JJ on CSN)

Posted by: MikeY | Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 10:03 PM

76ers
0-3 on the current road trip

Flyers
0-2 on the current road trip

Fuck Disney.

Posted by: T.J. | Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 10:05 PM

15 seconds in and we lose Gagne and Richards gets his ass kicked..ughhh

Posted by: T.J. | Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 10:09 PM

Wow, 15 seconds in the game a huge hit, and Richie jumps all over the guy.

The right choice was made for captain for this team.

Hold on to your hats guys, this one could get ugly.

Posted by: MikeY | Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 10:11 PM

Those non-calls better go both ways.

Posted by: Matt P. | Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 10:12 PM

CARTER!!!

Posted by: Matt P. | Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 10:13 PM

B-e-a-utiful!

Posted by: MikeY | Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 10:13 PM

Carter to save the day

Posted by: T.J. | Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 10:14 PM

all carter does is score goals

Posted by: slowski | Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 10:14 PM

...and forecheck
...and kill penalties
...and wins faceoffs
...and he has like 8 assists too.

Posted by: MikeY | Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 10:16 PM

This is looking like it could be the Jeff Carter show again tonight...he just almost set up Lupul and then on the next rush, hit the post.

Posted by: MikeY | Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 10:19 PM

Does Huey Lewis play for Kazakhstan's junior national squad?

Posted by: T.J. | Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 10:19 PM

Well, Gagne is out for the rest of the game...upper body injury. Could be anything from a concussion to a rib contusion to a broken finger...I hate how the NHL discloses injuries.

Posted by: MikeY | Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 10:22 PM

"There's a big drop-off from these guys to the Kukkonens and Albertses of the world."

...are they like the Flanderises?

Posted by: MikeY | Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 10:24 PM

If Gags is out for awhile, that should put the trade talks on hold.

Tryin' to look on the bright side.

Posted by: Matt P. | Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 10:25 PM

It looks like Giroux took Gagne's place on the 1st line...he's had a nice game so far.

Posted by: MikeY | Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 10:29 PM

Ah, balls...

Posted by: MikeY | Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 10:32 PM

Yeah, Scotty Hartnell!