FLYERS: Team Needs to Jump on Elliot Tonight

“Flyers G-Sergei Bobrovsky faces Ottawa’s G-Brian Elliot tonight. Elliot has lost NINE straight. Ouch.”
– Ryan Bright (@philabright)

…Ottawa has been a team in limbo this entire season. They came into the year with an outside chance to contend in what looked like – and has remained to be – a wide open Eastern Conference, but they just haven’t got it together. They have been struck by injuries in a big way, and they also haven’t gotten the goaltending they did en route to a 5th place finish last season.

Elliot has been injured on and off this season, and his losses surely haven’t encouraged any quick progression in his recoveries from injuries to getting back on the ice. It’s obvious Elliot will lack a ton of confidence mentally, and it’s important to continue to kick his psyche while it’s down. The Flyers need to get pucks on Elliot early tonight, and force him to come out of his net and make plays. Shoot from all angles, and be sure to give him the nightly Flyers dose of a healthy crashing of the net. That should spell good things for the Flyers tonight.

FLYERS: Leino Leads NHL Forwards in +/-

http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/psh/comments/leinos/ <–Click this link to view the Kukla's Korner article.

…What a steal Ville Leino was by General Manager Paul Homgren last season, when Homer snatched him from the grasp of the Detroit Red Wings for a below-average defenseman in Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, and a late draft pick.

Leino set Flyers playoff records during last Spring’s incredible run, and this year he’s picked up where he left off last season. Leino has become even more of a threat, serving as a third of one of the more dangerous lines in the league, as he and Scott Hartnell flank center Danny Briere. Hartnell’s crash-the-net mentality, coupled with Briere’s speed and scoring ability, have complemented the Finn very well, allowing him the ability to serve as the unit’s top playmaker. It is my hope, just like anyone else who has a rooting interest in the Flyers, that Leino is locked up for the near future as soon as possible by Homer.

FLYERS: Bobrovsky in Net vs. Sens

CSNPhilly.com’s Tim Panaccio is reporting that Peter Laviolette will turn to Sergei Bobrovsky for the second consecutive game, as the rookie Russian netminder will start tonight against the Ottawa Senators.

…Why not? Bob shut down one of the NHL’s more explosive offenses in Washington on Tuesday, and is closing in on his 20th win of the season. All year long, Lavvy has made a living riding the hot hand between Bob and Brian Boucher, and in Bobrovsky, Laviolette has the streakier goaltender at the moment.

FLYERS: Pronger Returns Tonight

http://bit.ly/foFcW4 <—Click this link to view Whyno's Story for Philly Sports Daily.

…Steve Whyno has quickly become known as one of the hardest working men on the Flyers’ beat, and was ALL OVER both Pronger’s return yesterday, as well as Danny Briere getting named as an All-Star Game replacement.

When it comes to Pronger, obviously this is incredible news for a Flyers team that’s won 2 straight. The old pairings that made the Orange and Black so successful should be reunited tonight, which HOPEFULLY will only spell out positive things for the Flyers both tonight, and moving forward. Pronger is a future HOFer, and the best defenseman the Flyers have. His return is a great, great thing.