The Flyers have nothing to play for. The Rangers have everything to play for. Seems like the Rangers should be able to avoid getting bogged down in what's sure to be a fiery start to tomorrow's game at the Wachovia Center -- at the very least, Colton Orr will be greeted harshly for knocking out Todd Fedoruk the last time these two teams played -- and by fiery, I mean a game in which the Flyers will run around trying to hit anything that moves.
Brad Isbister is back in the lineup to take some of the punishment and take heat off linemates Jaromir Jagr and Michael Nylander. Jed Ortmeyer might be out after injuring his knee on Tuesday; if he is, the rest of the lines might look the way they did today: Petr Prucha-Matt Cullen-Brendan Shanahan, Sean Avery-Marty Straka-Ryan Callahan and Orr-Blair Betts-Ryan Hollweg.
The Flyers will surely start out by trying to goad every Ranger, but Orr, Avery and Hollweg in particular, into fights and the silly stuff. The magnitude of the game should be enough to hold them in check.
"It's a huge game for us. It's all about two points," Orr said -- he couldn't even be goaded into a juicy comment. "That's all we're thinking about."
"We've got to play like our lives are on the line," Avery said. "We don't have a choice."
Tom Renney was asked if Orr needs to be in the lineup to keep the Flyers from running around. "Colton's a must no matter who we're playing," Renney said. "He's an influential player for us now."
Fedor Tytuin didn't quite mix it up with a lot of body contact today, so he's definitely out tomorrow. Sunday against the Leafs "is a possibility, not a probability," Renney said.
Marcel Hossa took his first spin on the ice today, a small step on his road back after missing the last 11 games. He said he'll take an extended skate tomorrow while the team is in Philly.
OK, Steve has had his little break now. Back to your regularly programmed schedule.
Comments (4)
These are hardly the Broadstreet Bullies. The only way they can stay in any game is to slow the game down with checking; it's not "running around". They've dressed 51 different players this season. There hasn't been consistent play from any line or player for that matter. Sure, the Rangers are most likely going to win and I'll have to listen/read a whole lotta nonsense for an entire summer, but you know what?
A: The Rangers are going to have to earn those 2 points. This isn't away @ Columbus.
B: You have Sean Avery. And Orr. And Holweg. Your Messiah was one of the dirtiest players in history. Stop with the kavetching about dirty play and "running around"; your star player gets stick checked and *PRESTO*, the penalty box is open. It's like magic!
C: Many a draft pick and almost 24 million under the cap? **ring, ring** Hello, Daniel Briere? Hey, it's your pal Marty Biron!"
Enjoy the Flyers miserable season while you can...don't expect them in last next year.
Wow, Nick your a moron.
isnt funy how ranger haters have nothing better to do then talk msack about the rangers bc their own teams sucks even more
A moron that knows the difference between "you're" and "your" and can spellcheck. Maybe return with an argument? Counterpoint? Get out your crayons and a piece of construction paper, let's see what you can come up with.
As for "Ranger hating".....
I admitted you would win, correct? Did I say "Rangers suck" or something else boneheaded one would hear from an Islander fan? No.
Just stating a fact that you have pretty tough players on your team as well and your all time fave....here, I'll put it nicely, "had some grit to his game." That makes the truth all shiny and palatable for you. All NHL teams check and have guys that do the dirty work.
Again, if the games are played like last night now, imagine how much fun it'll be next season?
PS:....um, please take Derian Hatcher or Geoff Sanderson. C'mon, return to your old ways of buying high priced, aging has beens. Bobby Clarke drank your Kool-Aid with these two! In return, a bucket of pucks and a six pack of gatorade would suffice.