We’re playing the Thrashers again. Can we beat ‘em this time, please?

In recent years, the Flyers have absolutely demolished the Thrashers on the scoreboard and in the standings. Earlier this season, November 28th, to be exact, the Flyers fell to the Thrashers, 1-0. It was their fifth loss in six games, and just so happened to be one game prior to the removal of then coach, John Stevens. Shortly after the meeting against Atlanta, the Flyers fell into their losing skid. As of late, the Flyers are playing better hockey, as are the Thrashers. The Flyers offense was inexistent the last time these two teams met. They were also shut out by the Vancouver Canucks the following game.

Atlanta comes into tonight’s match-up 5-3-2 in their last ten games. Along with that, they’re dealing with trade rumors swirling around their star player, Ilya Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk comes into tonight’s game being one of the NHL’s leading scorers. He’s sporting 30 goals – 10 of them being power play marks. Expect to see Chris Pronger and Kimmo Timonen matched up against Kovalchuk for the majority of tonight’s game.

Ray Emery will once again be the starting goalie tonight for the Flyers. It’s safe to say that he’s returned to the spot of “number one”.

Three Keys to Victory:

• Special Teams: Peter Laviolette worked the Flyers special teams this week more than I have ever seen any coach do so. He worked them to a point where guys were skating around with half stick blades. Will we see the return of our once lethal power play and penalty kill tonight, or will our special teams struggles continue?
• Ray Emery is still a key: Is he really back, or have the last few games just been fluky? Emery will need to prove himself tonight against a weaker team to be considered “back” and “consistent” in my book.
• Wake up, offense: The offense took some time off against the Penguins, but taking the night off tonight isn’t acceptable. Neither is losing to the Thrashers twice in one season.

Let’s Go Flyers!

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