The Philadelphia Flyers will try for back-to-back wins when
they host the Tampa Bay Lightning for tonight's battle at Wachovia Center.
The Flyers posted a blowout victory over visiting Carolina on Saturday
afternoon to earn just their third win in eight games. Philadelphia hasn't won
consecutive outings since beating Boston and Florida on October 22 and 24,
respectively.
Philly picked up its most lopsided win of the season on Saturday, as the
Flyers breezed to a 6-1 victory over the Hurricanes at Wachovia Center. David
Laliberte was the unlikely hero for the Flyers as he notched a goal and an
assist in his NHL debut.
Laliberte was recalled from the AHL on Friday to replace the injured Daniel
Briere, and he registered his first career goal early in the first period
before adding an assist in the second. Laliberte is expected to be in the
lineup again today as Briere is doubtful with a strained groin.
Braydon Coburn contributed two goals, while Scott Hartnell and Matt Carle each
had a goal and two assists in the win. James van Riemsdyk added a goal and an
assist for the Flyers, who finished October at 6-4-1.
"That was huge for us, establishing ourselves offensively," Carle said. "It
was good for our team confidence."
Ray Emery beat the Hurricanes for the second time this season by making 39
saves.
Philadelphia defenseman Ryan Parent is questionable for today's game with a
lower-body injury. Parent returned from a four-game absence to play on
Saturday, but was unable to finish the game after aggravating the injury.
The Flyers are 4-2-1 as the host this year and are completing a brief two-game
homestand today. Philly will play its next game on the road this Friday in
Buffalo before returning to the City of Brotherly Love for a four-game
homestand.
Tampa Bay comes into today's test having dropped two of three and four of its
last six games. The Lightning have earned points in two straight, however, as
they beat Ottawa on Thursday before getting dealt a shootout loss Saturday
against New Jersey.
The loss against the Devils capped a four-game homestand for the Lightning,
who are kicking off a four-game road trip today. David Clarkson scored the
lone goal in the shootout phase to lift New Jersey to a 2-1 victory at St.
Pete Times Forum.
After Vincent Lecavalier opened the fourth round with an unsuccessful
backhander, Clarkson closed out the contest by sliding a backhand past
Lightning goaltender Antero Niittymaki.
Steven Stamkos picked up the lone score for the Lightning, while Niittymaki
took the loss despite keeping his club in the game with 37 stops.
"They're known for their defensive prowess," Stamkos noted. "We gave them a
little bit more to handle in the third period, by then it was too late to gain
any momentum and we didn't make the most of our chances."
The Lightning have yet to win on the road this season with an 0-3-1 record as
the guest. Tampa will also visit Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal during this
swing.
This is the first of four meetings between Philly and Tampa this season. The
clubs split the season series a year ago and the Lightning have taken 15 of
the last 20 encounters overall. The Bolts have dropped two of three at the
Wachovia Center, but have still won nine out of 11 on the road in the series.
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