Knuble Returns; Tonight's Lineup
Mike Knuble returns to the Wachovia Center tonight... this time as a member of the Washington Capitals, plus tonight's lineup for the home opener.
Knuble Returns; Tonight's Lineup
Mike Knuble is in rare company.
Tonight, Knuble will become one of the few players in Flyers history to skate in the Flyers’ final game of the season at the Wachovia Center as a member of the team and then play in the first game of the next season in that building as a member of the visiting team.
It must be a strange feeling.
“Like anyone who has played for another team,” Knuble told the Washington Post yesterday, “it's weird to go to the other end of the hallway. A lot of stuff will be the same, like between-whistle music and the anthem singer. It's all the stuff you're used to. I'll probably see some familiar faces. There will be probably be some people giving you grief and some people who will thank you for your time.”
Undoubtedly, many will thank him for his time spent here. Knuble had his most productive and consistent seasons as a Flyer, posting 221 points in 310 games.
You can get a look at him on the Caps’ second power play unit.
“I'm looking forward to trying to get a win there,” he went on to say. “I had a lot of good years there. It's one of those games you'll remember for a while. So I guess I'm glad we're getting it out of the way early.”
The Flyers will be ready for him. As Scott Hartnell told Frequent Flyers: “We’re going to hit him every chance we get.”
Nothing like a warm welcome back.
You can read more about what Knuble told Tarik El-Bashir of the the Washington Post here and here. He was a true class act during his time here in Philly.
Here are some other things to watch for tonight:
Who will match up with Alex Ovechkin? How will the Flyers try to shut him down – overly physical play or constant shadowing? How does he impact the result?
- Does that leave Washington’s Mike Green alone at the point?
- How will Ray Emery perform in his first home start? Chris Pronger?
- Does James van Riemsdyk show any signs of drop-off in his play now that he is 3 games into his NHL career?
- How good is Washington? Can they legitimately challenge for the Stanley Cup?
- How does the Flyers’ so-far stellar penalty kill handle the Caps’ lethal power play?
- Do the Capitals have enough in net to really vie for a title?
Those are just a few things to keep in mind.
As promised, here is tonight’s lineup:
Lines are subject to change but Flyers coach John Stevens said that they would “more than likely” not.
Forwards:
Hartnell-Carter-Briere
Pyorala-Richards-Gagne
Van Riemsdyk-Giroux-Powe
Carcillo-Betts-Laperriere
Defense:
Pronger-Carle
Timonen-Coburn
Parent-Syvret
Starting goalie:
Emery
Scratched: Cote, Asham . (Both healthy)
Remember: Tonight’s game is on Versus. Because of a contract dispute, DirecTV is not carrying Versus and the game will not be available there. It is only available on Comcast, Verizon FiOS or the DISH Network. If you don’t have those providers, check out your local bar or restaurant.
Follow me on Twitter.com/DNFlyers for updates throughout the game.
"It is only available on Comcast or the DISH Network. " AND FiOS!!!! Awesome to see such a good match up so early in the season. Decent early test for both teams. And it appears that Varlamov will start in net tonight for the Caps. Was hoping for Jose....— knight- Can't wait to see Ovechkin crying when Pronger/Coburn staple him to the glass all night.— yougottabelieve26
- Gotta remember that although FiOS is just starting in Philly, it's in many of the counties surrounding Philly and South Jersey. This week will be a good test to how Stanley Cup ready the Flyers are and how far they have to go until April.— yardbyrd
- Wait Knuble will become "one of the few players in Flyers history to skate in the Flyers’ final game of the season at the Wachovia Center as a member of the team and then play in the first game of the next season in that building as a member of the visiting team." Who are the others? Isn't he really the only one? Just sayin. Game is also available on Direct Tv for free— banned4nothing
- knubes is a classy guy for sure, loved him in orange & black.... time to put ovie's head thru the glass tonite. crowd should be electric tonite.— drumminge6
- why the hell would JVR show a drop off just because it is his 3rd game? Stupid "thing to watch for"...— imageshaper
- FIOS...FIOS...c'mon you idiots...Comcast sucks...FIOS has taken over and you Comcast bots just go obediently along...oh right you guys have a gag order from Comcast not to even utter FIOS right?
- If the Flyers can pressure the Capitals defense like they did to the Devils, they can win. The Cpas defense is not especially good, but their forward group is deadly. The Flyers also need to stay out of the box. Having a game not reffed by Chris Lee might help that.— JSaq
- banned4nothing, what you mean game on directv for free? you have any more details? im out in CA and of course have to have directtv to get the hockey package, and of course am getting screwed on this comcast - versus - directtv fight. stupid all around. why is asham not playing? anybody got any news on that?— SD doug
Comment removed.- Ovechkin and then Crosby? I think Emery and Pronger will have a tougher time tonight because, you know, the Pens are paper Champions who are loved by the league. Can't wait to count the Flyers penalties on Thursday night. Washingotn is the true test, the Pens suck!!!— dr.elektrika
- Sorry about the omission. I don't have FiOS so I often forget. My apologies to everyone.— Frank Seravalli
- Sorry about the omission. I don't have FiOS so I often forget. My apologies to everyone.— Frank Seravalli
- gunther i couldnt agree with you more...anyway knuble was a great guy when he was here. it was ashame to see him walk away especially to a team that has turned into a little bit of a rival over the past couple yrs..and no offense but anyone who thinks ovechkin wont get up after bein hit is just plain stupid..the guy has major skill and can hit right back..when he gets hit tonight you can be sure he will hit back...cant wait to see where the flyers stand with a cup contender in these next two games— PhillySports23
- You included Fios. It will not be on In Demand. I am in VA so I will be watching on Versus with all of the Washington Bandwagoners who have jumped off of the Skins bandwagon, because they suck, and the Nationals bandwagon, beause they really suck. Hopefully the Caps will too.
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- good man frank..apology accepted...Go Flyers!
- Frank - Adjustment needed in your Lines/Pairings - On Carter's line, Gagne plays LW and Pyorala plays RW. Carle plays LD and partner Pronger plays RD. Yes, Timonen plays LD (and Coburn RD), but for tonight, as some beat writers reported, Timonen will be moved to RD to match-up against LW Ovechkin. On the 3rd pairing, Syvret plays LD and Parent RD.— PhillyTeams
- Either way this should be a fun game.— Bex
- Frank - Adjustments needed for your Lines/Pairings. On Carter's line, Gagne plays LW and Pyorala plays RW. Pronger plays RD and his partner Carle plays LD. As you show, Timonen plays LD and his partner Coburn plays RD. But for tonight's game only, as reported, Timonen will be moved to RD so that both he and Pronger can be at RD to match-up against LW Ovechkin. On the 3rd pairing, Syvret plays LD and Parent plays RD.— PhillyTeams
- Watching the game now--Coburn really has been playing poorly since the end of last season. He looks like the second coming of Randy Jones right now.— MaC130
