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Saturday, November 15, 2008
Thrashers, Flyers going different directions
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A lot has changed since Oct. 28, the last time the Thrashers played the Philadelphia Flyers. That 7-0 loss wasn’t the bottom of Atlanta’s streak of five regulation losses, but it was close. Now, the Thrashers have figured out how to win and it’s the Flyers (two points behind at 5-6-4) who are struggling. They’re bickering, too.
Joffrey Lupul, who scored a couple of goals against the Thrashers, stopped scoring and was dropped to the fourth line.
“He’s a scoring player and when you don’t score consistently I think it starts to wear on your mind,” Flyers coach John Stevens told reporters. “He plays well when he does the little things well. When he does that he gets more confidence and he helps the team.
“I don’t think he’s been doing it to the level he’s capable of. He’s been a streaky scorer to this point. He got goals early and has been inconsistent [since]. I see him as a guy who can help our team in a lot of other ways besides on the score sheet.”
Lupul was not impressed by that explanation.
“I can make better plays with the puck. I can be stronger in the offensive zone. I can be stronger in my own end. But, I need the opportunity to do it,” he told reporters.
“Maybe that’s why I’m confused when he says he wants me to have the puck more. Right now, in a fourth line role, you chip the puck in and try to play in their end. Any offense you get is a bonus.”
Danny Briere is out again, this time with a groin pull.
Scott Hartnell is in the doghouse, so much that he was benched the entire third period of Tuesday’s game.
“He yelled at me a couple times for not moving my feet,” Hartnell told reporters. “I just hope he holds everyone accountable, it doesn’t matter what number they’re wearing on their back.”
The Thrashers, meanwhile, seem a lot happier. Their biggest problem is injuries. Neither Kari Lehtonen (back) nor Mathieu Schneider (hip flexor) made the trip to Philadelphia, though Schneider did skate before practice on Saturday.
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