AJC > Sports > Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > November > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThrashers, 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.
Comments
By Jason
November 15, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this
This team just seems to have our number, no matter the circumstances. Two years ago, we had our best season, won the division, and still couldn’t beat the Flyers, who were one one the worst teams in the league.
I hope it changes tomorrow. Who’s in goal you think? I am leaning towards Pavs, mainly because they’ve never seen him.
By kracker
November 15, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this
Looks like radio only, as neither team is televising the game, as best I can tell. Kamal, rest your voice!
I’d like to catch the Flyers in disarray and get the two big points, set a new franchise winning streak record and get that Philly monkey off our back. Maybe they start Niitymaki and we beat him, too. Although with Kari not making the trip they may go with Biron.
The Flyers, though, will be looking to get a much needed win so get to them early, please, Thrashers.
By Get tThe Puck Out
November 15, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this
You’re right Jason, they have had our number, but i think the confidence level has vastly improved since the Versus debacle. Looks like the Flyers are where the Thrashers was the last time they met.Hope they come out THRASHIN. Just wish the dadgum game was on sportssouth. It feels like it’s been a month since they were on tv. GO THRASHERS!!!!
By Mike Knobler
November 15, 2008 7:22 PM | Link to this
My guess is Hedberg. He’s playing great, and he had a day of rest.
By nfieldr
November 15, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this
According to both the CI schedule and the Flyers’ web page, there will be a Flyers-feed telecast.
By Tom
November 15, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
Keep Lehtonen out of site of Nittimaki. The sight of Kari brings out the best in that guy.
By kracker
November 15, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
Oh, YES, it is on CI. I was looking at the wrong time of day tomorrow…duh. Great!
By Kaat
November 15, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
LOL@Tom. Yes, please keep Kari as far from his buddy as possible!!
By Sara
November 15, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this
Something to keep in mind is this will be a back-to-back game for Philly. They played tonight in Montreal, so they will have to travel back. Coupled with the fact this is an afternoon game, they should be tired - or at least not extremely well-rested. That’s a bonus the Thrash need to take advantage of. Philly won their game tonight 2-1, so at least they won’t be as desperate. I caught parts of the game (I was pretty much flipping around between all the games tonight). It was a good battle for them and they looked pretty good actually - really clogged up the neutral zone. Les Habs had to resort to dump and chase just to get into the zone. Biron was in goal so I imagine we’ll see Nittymaki although that should be a given anyway since he plays us so well.
The guys should be motivated to put up a good showing against this team. And while Hedberg has been playing well, I still wonder if we might not see Pavs. He was told he would be brought up to play, not just sit on the bench so this might be a good time to give him a start. And as Jason pointed out, they’ve never seen him before so it might be a good change up. Either way though I feel good about whomever we put in goal.
By stendec
November 15, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this
Hi Mike. I would really like to see next game. Know if it is being streamed somewhere? Thanks a bunch. Peace. Hate missing any games.
By Brad
November 16, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this
For those of you wondering about a live feed, you MIGHT want to try www.hockeywebcasts.com; they stream a random set of live NHL games every night. I’m not saying it will be a selected streamed on that site but since it’s a televised game in Philly it may be streamed live on the Internet on that site.
By stendec
November 16, 2008 1:22 AM | Link to this
Thanks for tip Brad. Peace. Go Thrashers!
By Stan Drulie
November 16, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this
If anyone is interested… the Midway bar in East Atlanta recently got the hockey package and we will have a group watching tonite… Great selection of beer and food and two high-def tv’s behind the bar.. good times.
By Mike Knobler
November 16, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
It definitely is Hedberg tonight. The Flyers didn’t skate this morning after having played Saturday night. John Anderson says it’s key when facing a team that played the night before to be sharp early, as the opponent is likely to be good in the first five minutes.
The TV coverage picks up again for Thursday and Saturday’s home games, but there’s no Atlanta coverage for the game in Toronto Nov. 25. (Center Ice will have that one, though.) Washington on Nov. 26 is on SportSouth.
By Brendan
November 16, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
Allright, so Moose it is. He’s got to have another good game to improve his numbers, after a disastrous start.
Let’s get Philly while they’re ripe for the picking. And set that new franchise record at six wins.