Flyers try to continue road success; Schenn sidelined
(UPDATED after the morning skate at 12:30 p.m.)
Flyers try to continue road success; Schenn sidelined
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
(UPDATED after the morning skate at 12:30 p.m.)
BUFFALO _ The Flyers, the kings of the road, play in Buffalo Wednesday tonight and try to continue their success away from the Wells Fargo Center.
The Flyers have an NHL-best 9-3-1 road record, including a 3-2 win in Buffalo on Nov. 2.
In that game, the Flyers scored three goals in the first 6:23 and chased goalie Ryan Miller. It was the second-shortest appearance of his stellar career.
Miller missed nine games because of a concussion before returning and leading the Sabres to a 3-2 win in Nashville on Saturday.
In his last nine home starts vs. the Flyers, Miller is 2-6-1 with a 3.15 GAA. Go figure.
Winger James van Riemsdyk will return to the lineup, but center Brayden Schenn will be sidelined by what the team called an upper-body injury. Schenn was sidelined recently by a broken foot that he has been rehabbing.
The Flyers said they were "hopeful" Schenn could play Thursday against the visiting Penguins.
Flyers coach Peter Laviolette surprisingly is giving goalie Ilya Bryzgalov his third straight start, even though the Flyers also play on Thursday.
Laviolette said the fact Bryzgalov has had three days betwen starts factored in his decision.
"And he's coming off a couple wins, so we'll put him back in," Laviolette said.
Bryzgalov started back-to-back games over the weekend, beating Anaheim (4-3 in overtime) and Phoenix (4-2).
With Riemsdyk returning to the lineup after a four-game absence because of an injury, the Flyers' lines are expected to look like this on Wednesday:
* Giroux centering Hartnell and Jagr.
* Briere centering JVR and Simmonds.
* Talbot centering Read and Voracek.
* Couturier centering Harry Z and Rinaldo.
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Former Flyer Ville Leino, in his first season with Buffalo, has just two goals and seven assists in 26 games.
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On Twitter, legendary Flyers goalie Bernie Parent announced that, because of so many inquiries from fans, he has decided to play in the Winter Classic alumni game on Dec. 31 at Citizens Bank Park.
The "Ber-nie, Ber-nie, Ber-nie!" chants will be deafening.
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Laviolette said he wasn't concerned about the Flyers looking past the Sabres and ahead to the Penguins.
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The Penguins announced that, as a precaution, Sidney Crosby will not play against Flyers and will miss at least two games. Crosby collided with teammate Chris Kunitz on Monday.
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The Flyers are in the early stages of a stretch in which they play 11 of 14 games on the road. After hosting Tampa Bay on Saturday night, they play seven of their next eight on the road.
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I talked Flyers with Matt Leon on KYW NewsRadio today. Here, courtesy of KYW, is the link to the conversation: http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2011/12/07/flyers-in-buffalo-looking-for-3rd-straight-win/
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Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter@BroadStBull.
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Going to be a good game just can't let Miller steal thisgame we need to pound the pucksat him and make him move all over the place. Out work Buffalo for 60 mintues and take the 2 points and go home. LETS GO FLYERS— srcdaddy1216
Comment removed.- On another matter, haven't seen anything yet from the league about Matt Beleskey being suspended for his boarding hit against Sean Couturier, in which he proceeded to push Couturier's head against the glass after the hit. Did I miss news of his suspension? Or is this another example of Shanahan's get tough policy not applying to players who commit dangerous hits against the Flyers, such as Beleskey and Chara?— fentonhardy
- @fentonhardy: Couldn't agree more. If Rinaldo would have done it it would have been 20 games.— ragecage22
- Remind me never to stand near Schenn in a lightning storm - the guy just can't catch a break.— 1980
- From what I read on TSN earlier in the week, there have been a number of incidents league-wide concerning disparities in disciplinary action.— uncle meat
- Schenn is a bust, dump him now!!— sanfrand
- Brayden Schenn. Potentially great. Potentially, Pat Falloon.— Hexy4GM
- Saving Schenn for the Pens.— Romus
Our 3rd line is QUALITY!
Talbot, Reid and Voracek are skilled players (well beyond that of 3rd line talent in this league) that are sure to get goals against the 3rd players of other teams. Depth, and a balanced scoring attack (across all lines), will be a big help all season!- Shenn and Simmonds are busts, what a waste— no_shootouts
- dont be dumb... give schenn a chance. Simmonds brings a lot of heart to the flyers. the scoring is there.— sendhelp
How do you figure that Simmonds is a bust? Facts please?- Simmonds is not a bust. He is simply a plugger who plays on the 3rd line and chips in 15 goals a year. He is a solid player...just not worth the price tag they paid for him. Schenn has a long way to go, and the clock is ticking on him. He will be a serviceable pro, but at 3.1 million a season, he better start producing soon!!— Hexy4GM
