So the wait wasn’t quite as long as it was last summer, but it certainly didn’t feel short either. Finally, it’s over, and the Flyers will be back on the ice tonight for meaningful hockey when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first game of the 2013-14 NHL season. God, it’s nice to talk about an NHL season that spans two years, isn’t it?
Toronto Maple Leafs (1-0-0, 2 pts) at Philadelphia Flyers (0-0-0, 0 pts)
7:30 p.m. | Wells Fargo Center | South Philadelphia
TV: CSN Philly, TSN | Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Live stream: No free stream, NHL GameCenter
Get the Toronto perspective at Pension Plan Puppets
I’m a little surprised by the news, but Steve Mason will get the start in the opener tonight. Â It doesn’t really matter in the big scope — Emery will get his fair share of the starts as well — but the opening night start is symbolic in a lot of ways, and Mason getting it shows just how much the Flyers are hoping he can turn his career around here in Philadelphia. He’s clearly the inferior goalie on the roster, but he’s starting anyway.
We’ll be rooting for Mason, but he has a lot to prove.
We don’t quite know what the roster will look like tonight, but well…. we might not like it. The Daily News reports that Scott Laughton will be scratched in favor of Jay Rosehill – yes, that Jay Rosehill. The Leafs fought a lot last night so instead of putting talent on the ice against guys who can’t play hockey, the Flyers are also just going to put somebody on the ice who can’t play hockey.
If this happens, it’s f*ckin’ absurd. There’s really no other way to put it.
Toronto is the best team in hockey (lol), coming off of a 4-3 win against the Canadiens last night. James Reimer started for the Leafs last night so we should expect to see Jonathan Bernier tonight in Philly. Their top line is extremely scary, and that second line is pretty solid as well, so I’m most intrigued to see what Peter Laviolette does with his defensive pairings in response.
We’ll be live on BSH Radio after the game tonight, taking calls and talking Flyers. Be sure to join us.
Questions to Answer
1. What does the defense look like in the opener?
2. How does Steve Mason look?
3. Claude Giroux scores eight goals, yes?
