GDT: Philadelphia Flyers Vs. New Jersey Devils @ 7pm EST - 2/10

GAME DAY PREVIEW
New Jersey Devils Vs. Philadelphia Flyers


TONIGHT'S MATCHUP
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Wachovia Center
Away TV: FOX NY
Home TV: COMCAST



New Jersey (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=njd)
http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/nhl/sml/trans/njd.gif (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=njd)
(28-14-10-1)

Vs.

Philadelphia (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=phi)
http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/nhl/sml/trans/phi.gif (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=phi)
(28-12-11-5)


PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- After making a pair of trades, the

Philadelphia Flyers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=phi) host the New Jersey Devils (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=njd) on Tuesday in a matchup of the top two teams in the Atlantic Division.

On Monday, the Flyers re-acquired goaltender Sean Burke (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=131) along with right wing Branko Radivojevic (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=2526) and the rights to left wing Ben Eager from the Phoenix Coyotes (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=pho) for center Mike Comrie (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=2137).

The deal for Burke came on the same day goaltender Jeff Hackett retired due to vertigo. Robert Esche has been sidelined since February 2 with a knee injury and rookie Antero Niittymaki (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=2646) has started the last two games for the Flyers.

Burke was 10-15-5 with a 2.81 goals-against average in 32 games with the Coyotes. He lost his last six decisions and saw his playing time diminished with the emergence of former Flyer Brian Boucher, who set a mondern-NHL record with five straight shutouts from December 31-January 9.

Philadelphia acquired Burke from Vancouver in March 1998 and he went 7-3-0 with a 2.56 GAA before posting a 3.60 GAA and sub-par .860 save percentage as the Flyers were eliminated in five games by Buffalo in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

Burke began his career with the Devils in 1988, going 10-1 and leading New Jersey to its first postseason appearance. He has

just two wins since December 5, when he made 27 saves in a 3-1 victory at New Jersey to improve to 4-7-4 lifetime vs. the Devils.

The Flyers, who won their last two games before the All-Star break, also sent defenseman Eric Weinrich (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=495) to St. Louis on Monday for a fifth-round pick in the 2004 draft.

Philadelphia won its last two games prior to the All-Star break and is one point ahead of Toronto for the lead in the Eastern Conference and five points in front of New Jersey.

On Thursday, Mark Recchi (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=11) had a goal and an assist and Niittymaki made 20 saves as Philadelphia cruised to a 5-1 win at Atlanta.

Recchi and John LeClair (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=756) each have eight-game points streaks,

with the Flyers going 6-1-1 during that span. Recchi has four goals and 12 assists during his streak while LeClair has five goals and eight assists.

Keith Primeau (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=538) and Jeremy Roenick (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=4) represented the Flyers in Sunday's All-Star Game but neither figured in the scoring as the Eastern Conference posted a 6-4 victory over the West.

The Devils had three All-Stars - goalie Martin Brodeur (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=686) and defensemen Scott Niedermayer (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=607) and Brain Rafalski. Niedermayer had an assist and a plus-3 rating and Brodeur stopped 10 of 11 shots in the first period. Rafalski replaced Devils captain Scott Stevens, who is sidelined with a concussion.

New Jersey had won consecutive games before Thursday's 4-0 loss

to the Vancouver Canucks (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=van). Brodeur allowed four goals on just 22 shots and the Devils were shut out for just the third time this season en route to their third loss in 11 games.

New Jersey was 0-for-2 on the power play and is scoreless in its last 15 chances with the man advantage.

The Devils are 2-0-1 against the Flyers this season, including a 2-0 victory here on December 13. They are 5-1-2 in the last eight meetings between the teams and unbeaten in their last four visits to Philadelphia (3-0-1).

<center>
</center> New Jersey Devils Vs. Philadelphia Flyers

<table width="420" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tbody><tr valign="top"><td bgcolor="#0b64a7" colspan="6" align="center" height="18">2003-2004 SEASON SERIES</td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#ccccc4"><td>DATE</td><td>LOC</td><td>RESULT</td><td>HI POINTS</td><td>HI GOALS</td><td> </td> <!-- <TD>WINNING GOALIE</td> --></tr> <tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td align="left">Oct. 30</td><td align="left">at Njd</td><td align="left">NJD 3 PHI 2 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=231030011) </td><td align="left">2 tied with 2</td><td align="left">Rupp (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=2143) 2</td><!--game.gameId = 231030011--> <!--gameAStats = [Lespn.sports.hockey.data.StatHockeyGoalieGame;@2f4 40a--> <!--gameBStats = [Lespn.sports.hockey.data.StatHockeyGoalieGame;@2ff 4a7--> <!--gameAStats[0] = espn.sports.hockey.data.StatHockeyGoalieImpl@56e03 7--> <!--gameBStats[0] = espn.sports.hockey.data.StatHockeyGoalieImpl@7c238 a--> <td> </td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td align="left">Dec. 12</td><td align="left">at Njd</td><td align="left">PHI 3 NJD 3 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=231212011) </td><td align="left">Kapanen (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=1326) 3</td><td align="left">6 tied with 1</td><!--game.gameId = 231212011--> <!--gameAStats = [Lespn.sports.hockey.data.StatHockeyGoalieGame;@25c 8a3--> <!--gameBStats = [Lespn.sports.hockey.data.StatHockeyGoalieGame;@3cb e49--> <!--gameAStats[0] = espn.sports.hockey.data.StatHockeyGoalieImpl@48f00 0--> <!--gameBStats[0] = espn.sports.hockey.data.StatHockeyGoalieImpl@2aa9a 4--> <td> </td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td align="left">Dec. 13</td><td align="left">at Phi</td><td align="left">NJD 2 PHI 0 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=231213015) </td><td align="left">6 tied with 1</td><td align="left">2 tied with 1</td><!--game.gameId = 231213015--> <!--gameAStats = [Lespn.sports.hockey.data.StatHockeyGoalieGame;@46d 0e0--> <!--gameBStats = [Lespn.sports.hockey.data.StatHockeyGoalieGame;@28d 95--> <!--gameAStats[0] = espn.sports.hockey.data.StatHockeyGoalieImpl@59b01 4--> <!--gameBStats[0] = espn.sports.hockey.data.StatHockeyGoalieImpl@2dd20 3--> <td> </td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td colspan="6"> </td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#ccccc4"><td>DATE</td><td>LOC</td><td>TIME</td><td>AWAY TV</td><td>HOME TV</td><td>NAT TV</td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td align="left">Feb. 10</td><td align="left">at Phi</td><td align="left">7:00 PM ET</td><td align="left">FOX NY</td><td align="left">COMCAST</td><td align="left"> </td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td align="left">Mar. 9</td><td align="left">at Njd</td><td align="left">7:30 PM ET</td><td align="left">COMCAST</td><td align="left">FOX NY</td><td align="left"> </td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#ffffff"><td align="left">Mar. 13</td><td align="left">at Phi</td><td align="left">3:00 PM ET</td><td align="left"> </td><td align="left"> </td><td align="left">ABC</td></tr> </tbody> </table>


<!--team head to head stats--> <!--divOff = [Lespn.sports.hockey.data.StatHockeyTeamSeason;@356 6f7--> <table width="420" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" border="0"> <tbody><tr><td colspan="5" align="center" bgcolor="#0b64a7" class="verw10">TEAM STATISTICAL COMPARISON</td></tr><tr valign="bottom"><td colspan="5" align="center" height="20" class="verb10">Key: http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/ncf/ncf_dark.gif New Jersey http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/ncf/ncf_light.gif Philadelphia</td></tr><tr valign="top"><td><table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" height="14" class="verb10"> Avg. Goals For</td></tr><tr><td valign="top"> </td><td class="verb10">http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/ncf/ncf_dark.gif 2.3 (22)</td></tr><tr><td>http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/mlb/playoffs2000/story_page/arrow.gif</td><td class="verb10">http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/ncf/ncf_light.gif 2.8 (6)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" height="14" class="verb10"> Avg. Goals Against</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/mlb/playoffs2000/story_page/arrow.gif</td><td class="verb10">http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/ncf/ncf_dark.gif 1.9 (1)</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td class="verb10">http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/ncf/ncf_light.gif 2.2 (4)</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td width="10"><spacer type="block" width="10"></td><td><table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" height="14" class="verb10"> Avg. Shots For</td></tr><tr><td valign="top"> </td><td class="verb10">http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/ncf/ncf_dark.gif 29.1 (10)</td></tr><tr><td>http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/mlb/playoffs2000/story_page/arrow.gif</td><td>http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/ncf/ncf_light.gif 31.1 (1)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" height="14" class="verb10"> Avg. Shots Against</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/mlb/playoffs2000/story_page/arrow.gif</td><td class="verb10">http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/ncf/ncf_dark.gif 24.4 (2)</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/ncf/ncf_light.gif 24.7 (3)</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td width="10"><spacer type="block" width="10"></td><td><table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" height="14" class="verb10"> Power Play Pct.</td></tr><tr><td valign="top"> </td><td class="verb10">http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/ncf/ncf_dark.gif 15.3 (18)</td></tr><tr><td>http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/mlb/playoffs2000/story_page/arrow.gif</td><td class="verb10">http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/ncf/ncf_light.gif 21.9 (3)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" height="14" class="verb10"> Penalty Kill Pct.</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/mlb/playoffs2000/story_page/arrow.gif</td><td class="verb10">http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/ncf/ncf_dark.gif 86.9 (2)</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td class="verb10">http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/ncf/ncf_light.gif 85.1 (10)</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody> </table>

<table cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" border="0" width="501"> <tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#0b64a7" height="18" align="left">TEAM</td><td bgcolor="#0b64a7" height="18" align="right">W</td><td bgcolor="#0b64a7" height="18" align="right">L</td><td bgcolor="#0b64a7" height="18" align="right">T</td><td bgcolor="#0b64a7" height="18" align="right">OTL</td><td bgcolor="#0b64a7" height="18" align="right">PTS</td><td bgcolor="#0b64a7" height="18" align="right">HOME</td><td bgcolor="#0b64a7" height="18" align="right">ROAD</td><td bgcolor="#0b64a7" height="18" align="right">EAST</td><td bgcolor="#0b64a7" height="18" align="right">WEST</td><td bgcolor="#0b64a7" height="18" align="right">DIV</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ecece4"><td align="left"> New Jersey</td><td align="right">28</td><td align="right">14</td><td align="right">10</td><td align="right">1</td><td align="right">67</td><td align="right">14-9-3-1</td><td align="right">14-5-7-0</td><td align="right">22-9-7-1</td><td align="right">6-5-3-0</td><td align="right">9-3-2-1 </td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#ecece4"><td align="left"> Philadelphia</td><td align="right">28</td><td align="right">12</td><td align="right">11</td><td align="right">5</td><td align="right">72</td><td align="right">16-5-2-3</td><td align="right">12-7-2-2</td><td align="right">23-10-8-2</td><td align="right">5-2-3-3</td><td align="right">7-4-3-0 </td></tr> </tbody> </table>
<table width="501" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tbody><tr valign="top"><td width="248"><table border="0" width="245" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="3" bgcolor="#0b64a7" class="verw10" align="center">NEW JERSEY
5 Game Log</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccccc4" align="right"><td align="left" class="verb10">Date</td><td class="verb10">Opp.</td><td class="verb10">Score</td></tr> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#ecece4"><td align="left" class="verb10">Feb. 5</td><td class="verb10">vs. Vancouver</td><td class="verb10">L 0-4 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=240205011)</td></tr> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#ecece4"><td align="left" class="verb10">Feb. 3</td><td class="verb10">vs. Ottawa</td><td class="verb10">W 2-1 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=240203011)</td></tr> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#ecece4"><td align="left" class="verb10">Jan. 31</td><td class="verb10">at St. Louis</td><td class="verb10">W 4-1 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=240131019)</td></tr> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#ecece4"><td align="left" class="verb10">Jan. 29</td><td class="verb10">at Detroit</td><td class="verb10">L 2-5 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=240129005)</td></tr> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#ecece4"><td align="left" class="verb10">Jan. 27</td><td class="verb10">at Columbus</td><td class="verb10">W 4-3 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=240127029)</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="verb10" align="center">COMPLETE SCHEDULE (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/teamsched?team=njd)</td></tr></tbody></table> </td> <td width="5"><spacer type="block" width="5"></td> <td width="248"> <table border="0" width="245" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="3" bgcolor="#0b64a7" class="verw10" align="center">PHILADELPHIA
5 Game Log</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccccc4" align="right"><td align="left" class="verb10">Date</td><td class="verb10">Opp.</td><td class="verb10">Score</td></tr> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#ecece4"><td align="left" class="verb10">Feb. 5</td><td class="verb10">at Atlanta</td><td class="verb10">W 5-1 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=240205028)</td></tr> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#ecece4"><td align="left" class="verb10">Feb. 4</td><td class="verb10">vs. Washington</td><td class="verb10">W 5-1 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=240204015)</td></tr> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#ecece4"><td align="left" class="verb10">Feb. 2</td><td class="verb10">vs. Tampa Bay</td><td class="verb10">L 1-2 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=240202015)</td></tr> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#ecece4"><td align="left" class="verb10">Jan. 31</td><td class="verb10">at Pittsburgh</td><td class="verb10">W 5-3 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=240131016)</td></tr> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#ecece4"><td align="left" class="verb10">Jan. 28</td><td class="verb10">at Florida</td><td class="verb10">T 3-3 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=240128026)</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="verb10" align="center">COMPLETE SCHEDULE (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/teamsched?team=phi)</td></tr></tbody></table> </td></tr></tbody> </table>
<table width="501" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tbody><tr valign="top"><td width="248"><table border="0" width="245" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="6" bgcolor="#0b64a7" class="verw10" align="center">NEW JERSEY STATISTICS</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccccc4" align="right"><td align="left" class="verb10">Forwards</td><td class="verb10">G</td><td class="verb10">A</td><td class="verb10">Pts</td><td class="verb10">+/-</td><td class="verb10">PIM</td></tr> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#ecece4"><td align="left" class="verb10">P. Elias (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=1389)</td><td class="verb10">20</td><td class="verb10">22</td><td class="verb10">42</td><td class="verb10">8</td><td class="verb10">16</td></tr> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#ecece4"><td align="left" class="verb10">S. Gomez (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=1844)</td><td class="verb10">5</td><td class="verb10">24</td><td class="verb10">29</td><td class="verb10">-4</td><td class="verb10">46</td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#ccccc4" align="right"><td align="left" class="verb10">Defensemen</td><td class="verb10">G</td><td class="verb10">A</td><td class="verb10">Pts</td><td class="verb10">+/-</td><td class="verb10">PIM</td></tr> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#ecece4"><td align="left" class="verb10">Niedermayer (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=607)</td><td class="verb10">8</td><td class="verb10">22</td><td class="verb10">30</td><td class="verb10">9</td><td class="verb10">30</td></tr> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#ecece4"><td align="left" class="verb10">Rafalski (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=1911)</td><td class="verb10">4</td><td class="verb10">23</td><td class="verb10">27</td><td class="verb10">-1</td><td class="verb10">14</td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#ccccc4" align="right"><td align="left" class="verb10">Goaltending</td><td class="verb10">W</td><td class="verb10">L</td><td class="verb10">T</td><td class="verb10">GAA</td><td class="verb10">SV%</td></tr> <!--p.playerId = 1222--> <!--p.playerId = 833--> <!--p.playerId = 108--> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#ecece4"><td align="left" class="verb10">M. Brodeur (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=686)</td><td class="verb10">25</td><td class="verb10">15</td><td class="verb10">9</td><td class="verb10">1.93</td><td class="verb10">.920</td></tr> <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff"><td align="center" class="verb10" colspan="6">COMPLETE STATISTICS (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/teamstats?team=njd)</td></tr></tbody></table> </td> <td width="5"><spacer type="block" width="5"></td> <td width="248"> <table border="0" width="245" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="6" bgcolor="#0b64a7" class="verw10" align="center">PHILADELPHIA STATISTICS</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#ccccc4" align="right"><td align="left" class="verb10">Forwards</td><td class="verb10">G</td><td class="verb10">A</td><td class="verb10">Pts</td><td class="verb10">+/-</td><td class="verb10">PIM</td></tr> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#ecece4"><td align="left" class="verb10">M. Recchi (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=11)</td><td class="verb10">20</td><td class="verb10">32</td><td class="verb10">52</td><td class="verb10">12</td><td class="verb10">30</td></tr> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#ecece4"><td align="left" class="verb10">J. Roenick (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=4)</td><td class="verb10">18</td><td class="verb10">24</td><td class="verb10">42</td><td class="verb10">1</td><td class="verb10">62</td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#ccccc4" align="right"><td align="left" class="verb10">Defensemen</td><td class="verb10">G</td><td class="verb10">A</td><td class="verb10">Pts</td><td class="verb10">+/-</td><td class="verb10">PIM</td></tr> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#ecece4"><td align="left" class="verb10">Johnsson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=1927)</td><td class="verb10">6</td><td class="verb10">19</td><td class="verb10">25</td><td class="verb10">9</td><td class="verb10">24</td></tr> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#ecece4"><td align="left" class="verb10">Pitkanen (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=3122)</td><td class="verb10">6</td><td class="verb10">13</td><td class="verb10">19</td><td class="verb10">15</td><td class="verb10">30</td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#ccccc4" align="right"><td align="left" class="verb10">Goaltending</td><td class="verb10">W</td><td class="verb10">L</td><td class="verb10">T</td><td class="verb10">GAA</td><td class="verb10">SV%</td></tr> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#ecece4"><td align="left" class="verb10">R. Esche (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=1865)</td><td class="verb10">16</td><td class="verb10">6</td><td class="verb10">5</td><td class="verb10">1.91</td><td class="verb10">.920</td></tr> <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff"><td align="center" class="verb10" colspan="6">COMPLETE STATISTICS (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/teamstats?team=phi)</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody> </table>

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nhl&id=1731510

"New Jersey's assuming they're going to catch us in the standings," Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock said. "We might have something to say about that."

Gotta say that your GDT's are looking better and better Unthinkable!

Hopefully with Esche out the devils can take advantage of the young netminder.

My prediction:

NJ - 4 (Elias 2, Gionta, Neids)
Phi - 2

http://www.nj.com/devils/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/107639731779190.xml

Rookie defenseman David Hale (left knee) did not skate and will not accompany the Devils to Philadelphia. He said he hopes to play tomorrow night against the Rangers.... Niedermayer, Rafalski and Brodeur did not practice.

http://www.nj.com/devils/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/107639731779190.xml

[/size][/font][/size][/font]
They had a short practice yesterday...both time-wise and ice-wise...
Maybe a half-hour they were all out on the ice and they had a drill where they moved both nets into one end of the ice and placed them facing each other across the rink's width. The team lined up along one blue line and when the whistle blew...five (or sometimes four) of them would skate around and try to score (though I couldn't really make sense of which goal they were trying to score on at times...mostly it was one goal and not the other though they were both being tended). Then Burns would blow the whistle and the lines would switch. I thought that maybe the league had mandated a smaller ice surface or something.
Friesen and Langenbrunner looked good. Ahonen was in net (one of the people I know there got his autograph) and I imagine Schwab was in the other net.
After that, some players stuck around and took shots at the empty nets. Rupp was working with one of the coaches on his shot.
I was only slightly disappointed not to see Skrlac at practice seeing as how Philadelphia is on the schedule tonight. I know I'm a pain in the arse about that...I just like seeing him (and some of the other Rats) get chances here and there to play.
}:-)>

I'm with Elias here. Like I said in the last GDT, these are really great. Informative and really cool looking. I'm sure it's appreciated, Unthinkable.

This game is HUGE...but I'll miss it. Now that I've got NHL Radio working, I miss pretty much every game because of my luck. I've got a bunch of biology work to do tonight and an english essay due thursday. So listening to the game is not an option unless I want to pull another all nighter.

...listening to the game is not an option unless I want to pull another all nighter.
Aw what the hell...you only live once.
(I ruined my academic career with that attitude, why not spread the wealth?)
<)-:**
Good luck in school...

I think this will be a really important game for Paul Martin.

I'll be watching to see how he handles the Philly forwards tonight. I think it'll give us a good idea whether or not Martin is ready for full time playoff action.

Tonight should be a spirited game, most of these guys have had 4 days off and I'm expecting a lot of banging.

I'm with Elias here. Like I said in the last GDT, these are really great. Informative and really cool looking. I'm sure it's appreciated, Unthinkable.

This game is HUGE...but I'll miss it. Now that I've got NHL Radio working, I miss pretty much every game because of my luck. I've got a bunch of biology work to do tonight and an english essay due thursday. So listening to the game is not an option unless I want to pull another all nighter.
I don't want to turn this into a Peli smoking thread again, but did you quit again? I'm back to a pack a day again. :shakehead

Rasmussen in the box right at the start of the action. 2 good saves for Brodeur already.

Simone Gagne with the first goal of the night. Friesen hit by Primeau - shaken up.

I think I speak for this entire board when I make like Lucy and say:

COLIN WHITE, YOU BLOCKHEAD.

2 penalties, 6 minutes, already one goal from it.

UGH.

I have no TV and no radio, does that mean it's 2-0 now?

I have no TV and no radio, does that mean it's 2-0 now?

It's not 2-0...yet.

Oh, Paul Martin took a penalty shortly after a Pitkanen penalty. Devils start the 2nd shorthanded in a 4-on-3 situation.

The Devils need to play more disciplined, take more control of the pace of the game, and make Niittymaki (Good name to type, Niittymaki) work.

Why is Burke not playing? I mean I imagine they got him to beat teams like the Devils, did he not make it to philly???

Working nights really sucks. :cry:

Why is Burke not playing? I mean I imagine they got him to beat teams like the Devils, did he not make it to philly???

Working nights really sucks. :cry:

Burke made it to Philly, but either he didn't make it fast enough or I guess Hitchcock decided Niittymaki played well in his past two games and that's good enough for a start tonight.

EDIT: The Maven made a very good point. NO BACK PASSES.

The Devils need to play more disciplined


Since the Christmas break, NJ has been taking a lot more penalties. They've been playing with fire for a while now (note the Detroit & Vancouver games). It's amazing the NJ PP is #2 in the NHL right now, considering the increased penalties and Stevens out.

Just as I read that, the ref's arm is up. Another penalty on the Devils. Scott Gomez with a slash (Nice acting, Primeau).

UGH.

He's playing well, that's for sure.

But the Devils need to keep up the pressure.

Flyers goal. gg :cry:

Edit: Nice deflection. No chance for Brodeur.

Jesus WTF is going on!?!?!

EDIT: The Maven made a very good point. NO BACK PASSES.

That's a good point. I never thought of that. Completle evolution of the game from the early days when you could pass the puck foward. No back passes would be very interesting. Or make it no bas passes except in the offensive zone.


wooo! Flyers score :D

Jesus WTF is going on!?!?!

It's called good old getting your *** kicked.


Flyers Penalty.

Niedermayer SCORES!!!

Not Earth shattering news, but LeClair just made White look bad. :(

Not Earth shattering news, but LeClair just made White look bad. :(
Yeah well somethings never change. :shakehead

Roenick is out of the game with a left handstring strain.

Yeah well somethings never change. :shakehead

I know eh. With Stevens out, White is getting more ice time and playing vs. forwards he can't contain. :(

Note: Just heard someone on NHL radio say, Flyers have changed from the aggressive fore-check to the 1 man in, 2-2 back.

:lol:

Rasmussen scores on his own net.

Recchi scores. 4-1 Flyers

Man..Brodeur just went solo there. GUYS...WAKE THE **** UP!!! :shakehead :madfire: :rant:

Well this isn't the score I was hoping to come home to....I'd even be happy with 2-1.

Friesen can't keep missing those opportunities where he skates it all the way in and then shoots it wide of the net.

Gomez almost had himself a goal and then Marshall hits the post.

Gionta has only played 8:53 tonight.

Elias has 1 shot on net.... :dunno:

Come on Burns. Stevenson has only played 8:15 .....


Gomez comes close....

Cross bar for Marshall.

Devils can't seem to convert any of the many rebounds produced by Niittymaki ....

When's the last time a forward other than Elias or Friesen scored? If we can't score we could repeat the Carolina series, giving up like 1.5 goals a game and losing the series.

When's the last time a forward other than Elias or Friesen scored? If we can't score we could repeat the Carolina series, giving up like 1.5 goals a game and losing the series.

lol...this team is toast if it cannot score or prevent goals.

Cross bar for Marshall.

Devils can't seem to convert any of the many rebounds produced by Niittymaki ....

One of Niittymaki's strengths is swallowing rebounds, but the Devils are putting so much traffic in front. This is the first game Niittymaki has seen a lot of shots from a great team in Jersey.

Frustrating. Simply frustrating.

Devils need to win tomorrow against NYR.

One of Niittymaki's strengths is swallowing rebounds, but the Devils are putting so much traffic in front. This is the first game Niittymaki has seen a lot of shots from a great team in Jersey.
He's been superb in all 3 games I've seen him play for the Flyers. Looks like you guys have excellent insurance behind Esche and Burke.

Frustrating. Simply frustrating.

Devils need to win tomorrow against NYR.
I'll be there........drunk as usual. :handclap:

He's been superb in all 3 games I've seen him play for the Flyers. Looks like you guys have excellent insurance behind Esche and Burke.

They Flyers have scored 14 goals in three games with him in net. It sure helps when you know you'll get goal support. ;)

They Flyers have scored 14 goals in three games with him in net. It sure helps when you know you'll get goal support. ;)
Very true, but he's only allowed like 3 goals in 3 games I think and appears to have great positioning and reflexes.

Very true, but he's only allowed like 3 goals in 3 games I think and appears to have great positioning and reflexes.

Agreed.

Gionta has only played 8:53 tonight.

Maybe he's sending a message to him, I'm sure Burns is pleased with Brian's hustle because it's always 100% but he's been kinda quiet with the 'O' lately. Actually can say that for alot of the team.

Maybe he's sending a message to him, I'm sure Burns is pleased with Brian's hustle because it's always 100% but he's been kinda quiet with the 'O' lately. Actually can say that for alot of the team.

Yeah, I wish Burns would send a message to White. Absolutely terrible..... :shakehead I don't bash players often, but White is still committing rookie mistakes.

Actually I should take that back, Gionta has got three goals in the last five games. Really can't understand why he didn't play more.

This was the worst I've ever seen the Devils play the Flyers. Stevens' absence was way too obvious. They really didn't look like the Devils at all.

This was the worst I've ever seen the Devils play the Flyers. Stevens' absence was way too obvious. They really didn't look like the Devils at all.

I have to credit Clarke and the Flyers. He has improved the team (offense, defense and now goaltending). I'm just glad it's 1 game (and it was a beating). :teach:

Flyers are only gonna get better, Radivo didn't play and Rico will be back eventually. Still no time-table on Stevens?

Flyers are only gonna get better, Radivo didn't play and Rico will be back eventually. Still no time-table on Stevens?

The lastest from h**p://www.nj.com/devils/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/107639731779190.xml

I'm doing a lot better, but I haven't really thought about (sitting out the rest of the season). There's always the possibility," Stevens said yesterday. "I'm just taking it slowly. I'm doing what Dr. (Karen) Johnston wants me to do."


:(

Maybe he's sending a message to him, I'm sure Burns is pleased with Brian's hustle because it's always 100% but he's been kinda quiet with the 'O' lately. Actually can say that for alot of the team.
Then the logical solution would be to bench the whole team.
Some might call that a bit drastic. But I can't fault Larionov or the lack of Skrlac for this loss.
I have no other answers...
**:-(>

Devils always play poorly the game before and after a holiday or break, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and now the All-Star break. I expect Brodeur to bounce back after a rough game as usual. Hale should be ready, rest Albelin. It would be nice to get Berglund back. Tough call whether to scratch Rasmussen for Larionov.

Disturbing stat shown on CSN, over the last 16 games Devils have given up 4 or more goals 8 times. They only did that 3 times all season before then. Stevens has missed 15 of 16 of those games. Brodeur's GAA has gone from 1.77 to 1.97 in those last 16 games. Sshh, don't tell Wings9.

Unless the Devils go on a major losing streak, I think Lou should stand pat until the trade deadline. Any move he makes before then will be an overpayment or tip his hand, barring a steal. Let other teams have their bidding wars, NJ/Burns system will work with whatever is leftover on D and at forward. Even if they finish 6th-8th, they can beat any team in a 7 game series on the road. The next four weeks will determine Stevens' status. Steve Coates mentioned in the Flyers post-game that even without the PCS, Stevens' body had shut down on him, because he has played more minutes over the last five years than any other player in the NHL, and that it had simply caught up with him. I think this break will do him good. If he can't come back, then Lou should look at picking up some hefty contracts for the post-season run. I don't know what the insurance, if any, on Stevens is, but he will have missed 29 games by the 3pm deadline on March 9(Flyers @ CAA will be 30 that evening), if he doesn't return sooner.

Ack, I just checked the standings and the Devs have dropped to 6th. They do have games in hand, (although not enough to catch the Flyers, 7 point gap with 3 games in hand), can I start getting worried yet? Can we please please please please please please get a goal scorer to play with Elias? Or maybe a depth defenceman so we don't have to dress Albelin, Brown, and Martin on the same night?

Or maybe a depth defenceman so we don't have to dress Albelin, Brown, and Martin on the same night?

Let's leave Albelin off this list. He was actually one of the better players tonight. Albelin was breaking up fast breaks against guys like LeClair. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for Brown and Martin.

The FLYERS were due to have a game like this against the Devils.

The FLYERS were due to have a game like this against the Devils.


So true....So many Devil fans are ready to trade the team when we lose to a rival...It was bound to happen..the Devils have dominated the Rangers and Flyers over the past 5-10 years.

So true....So many Devil fans are ready to trade the team when we lose to a rival...It was bound to happen..the Devils have dominated the Rangers and Flyers over the past 5-10 years.

Yes, you guys have owned us for close to 10 years now.

The Devils came out a little flat last night, I don't think it's alot to worry about. I DO think you guys miss Stevens alot.

I don't think this game was as lopsided as the score suggests. The flyers got 2 power play goals over stupid penalties, White with yet another bonehead play and then Gomez with the slash (nice acting by Primeau). They had one nice tip shot and then a goal in which our own player chipped it in. The Markov shot was a softie by Brodeur and one he wishes he can get back. The first half of the game it was all Flyers the second half it was all Devils. The difference was the better discipline of the Flyers and the bounces went the Flyers way. Gomez and Marshall hit the post in a span of 30 seconds. Another key factor was Philly manhandled our guys in front of the net which resulted in the Gagne goal. Philly still deserved to win but I don't think we got uor ***** beat. Excellant goaltending by Nittymaki by the way