#7 Philadelphia Flyers (36-28-5, 77 pts) at #12 Dallas Stars (30-26-13, 73 pts)
American Airlines Center – 8:30 PM ET – Dallas, TX
TV: CSN Philly HD, Fox Sports Southwest HD
Radio: 610 WIP, XM 239
This is the open game thread.
Get the Dallas perspective at Defending Big D
We’re going to keep this preview short and sweet, because there’s one key to this game and one key to this game only. He wears number 33 for the Philadelphia Flyers. His name is Brian Boucher. He’s your starting goaltender.
It’s his first start since the middle of December, so who knows how he’s going to play. Coming in out of the bullpen is a different situation and in most of those chances, Boucher has performed admirably. In fact, as a starter he’s done well too, but most people aren’t really looking at that.
They see his 4-12-2 record and automatically think the Flyers are doomed, but the fact of the matter is that Boucher was not even close to the reason the Flyers sucked through November and December. In fact, some may go as far as to say Boucher was the Flyers best player in that stretch.
In any event, this is a big night for Brian Boucher. The net is officially his now, and if the Flyers want to have any chance this season, he needs to own it. Let’s see some 2000-era Boosh out there tonight.
Last time the Flyers played in Dallas: March 13, 2007.
After the jump, lineups, questions and our in-game discussion.
Flyers Line Combinations
Gagne – Richards – Carcillo
Briere – Carter – Hartnell/Leino
van Riemsdyk – Giroux – Asham
Powe – Betts – Laperriere
Pronger – Carle
Timonen – Krajicek
Parent – Coburn
Hartnell is sick, might not play. Leino would replace.
Dallas Line Combinations
Morrow – Ribeiro – Segal
Ott – Richards -Eriksson
Neal – Benn – Lehtinen
Barch – Petersen – Sutherby
Grossman – Robidas
Daley – Skrastins
Niskanen – Woywitka
Yes, that Woywitka.
Starting Goaltenders
Questions to Answer
- Obvious question: how does Boucher play tonight?
- The Flyers dominated the Stars on home ice last time they met. Any continuation of that?
- Dallas is desperate. Seven points out, 12 games left. Do they appear to be packing it in or do they come out firing?
CSN, WIP. BOOSH. Join us for the discussion, and LET’S GO FLYERS!
