Antero Niittymaki - remember him? - will be in goal tonight when the Flyers play host to the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Bruins.
Niittymaki will be making his first start since a 4-1 loss to the New York Rangers two weeks ago. Marty Biron has made the last six starts and reestablished himself as the club's No. 1 goaltender.
"To Nitty's credit, I think his attitude has been tremendous," coach John Stevens said before last night's game against the Islanders. "He wants to get on the ice. He went out a half-hour early yesterday with Reggie [Lemelin, the goaltender coach] and he got some specific goalie drills in for him. . . . I think Nitty got the extra work he needs to stay sharp, and I expect him to come in and play very well."
In two games (one in relief) against the Bruins this season, Niittymaki is 2-0 with a 1.17 goals-against average and a staggering .957 save percentage.
Scoring drought
Though the Daniel Carcillo-Mike Richards-Joffrey Lupul line failed to score in its first four games, the players are not concerned. Frequently matched against opponents' No. 1 lines, they were a combined minus-2 before last night.
"I actually think we're playing fairly well," Lupul said before the game. "We haven't had the results, scoring-wise, but I know I've had a lot of chances and Richie's had some chances, too. We're going against other teams' top lines and obviously we'd like to have more results, but I think that'll come."
Entering last night, Lupul had one goal in his last nine games. He has gone from playing with Jeff Carter, a player who shoots the puck at every opportunity, to being alongside the pass-first Richards.
"On this line, I'm more of a shooter, and Richie's made some really good passes that I haven't been able to bury," Lupul said.
Breakaways
Before last night, the Flyers were 28-6-6 when they scored first, and 12-17-4 when opponents scored first.. . . Since their 0-3-3 start, the Flyers were 40-20-7 before last night. . . .
Niittymaki will be making his first start since a 4-1 loss to the New York Rangers two weeks ago. Marty Biron has made the last six starts and reestablished himself as the club's No. 1 goaltender.
"To Nitty's credit, I think his attitude has been tremendous," coach John Stevens said before last night's game against the Islanders. "He wants to get on the ice. He went out a half-hour early yesterday with Reggie [Lemelin, the goaltender coach] and he got some specific goalie drills in for him. . . . I think Nitty got the extra work he needs to stay sharp, and I expect him to come in and play very well."
In two games (one in relief) against the Bruins this season, Niittymaki is 2-0 with a 1.17 goals-against average and a staggering .957 save percentage.
Scoring drought
Though the Daniel Carcillo-Mike Richards-Joffrey Lupul line failed to score in its first four games, the players are not concerned. Frequently matched against opponents' No. 1 lines, they were a combined minus-2 before last night.
"I actually think we're playing fairly well," Lupul said before the game. "We haven't had the results, scoring-wise, but I know I've had a lot of chances and Richie's had some chances, too. We're going against other teams' top lines and obviously we'd like to have more results, but I think that'll come."
Entering last night, Lupul had one goal in his last nine games. He has gone from playing with Jeff Carter, a player who shoots the puck at every opportunity, to being alongside the pass-first Richards.
"On this line, I'm more of a shooter, and Richie's made some really good passes that I haven't been able to bury," Lupul said.
Breakaways
Before last night, the Flyers were 28-6-6 when they scored first, and 12-17-4 when opponents scored first.. . . Since their 0-3-3 start, the Flyers were 40-20-7 before last night. . . .
