Flyers Need To Capitalize on Caps' Injuries

The injury bug strikes every NHL team during the season. For the Washington Capitals, this is not the time they needed their star player to go down with a groin injury.

Alex Ovechkin along with defenseman Mike Green are both doubtful for tomorrow's tilt with the Philadelphia Flyers according to several Flyers beat writers via twitter. It is a pivotal game amongst the elite of the Eastern Conference.

The Flyers have a two point edge currently over the Caps. Additionally, the orange and black have two games in hand.

It's certainly odd that the Capitals are choosing to address Ovechkin's injury at this point in time. Reportedly, Ovechkin has been battling a nagging undisclosed injury (reports have indicated it's a groin issue) for a couple of months now. Why did he compete in the All-Star festivities or why was he not held out when the team was still struggling mightily in January?

Sure, one could argue that Ovechkin felt more pressure to show up to the ASG as a NHL poster-child with Sidney Crosby already being absent. Regardless, Ovechkin's health should matter the most and if he did not tell the Caps until after then there is not much they could have done about it so it is certainly a double edged sword.

It just seems baffling that this decision comes when the Caps have won 13 of their last 16 and have an opportunity to clinch home ice throughout the playoffs if they continue to play the way they have and the Flyers tail off enough.

Regardless, the Flyers cannot have pity for the Caps as they are dealing with injuries of their own, and must take full advantage of this situation. Ovechkin has killed the Flyers over his career. He has 20 goals and 15 assists, for 35 total points in 22 games, a remarkable total to say the least.

With Ovechkin out, the Flyers now have to key on players such as Brooks Laich, former Flyer Mike Knuble, and Nick Backstrom. Laich and Knuble are two admirable, blue collar players who will drive to the net and scrap for their goals, but are capable of scoring skill goals as well. Backstrom on the other hand can finesse his way through any space and either distribute the puck or take it upon himself to score.

Sergei Bobrovsky and Michael Neuvirth are expected to start in goal for both teams so it will be a battle of young, up and coming goaltenders. The game is on VS tomorrow which makes it even more compelling as a national audience will be looking in. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7:30 p.m.

Pronger Injured, Flyers Must Rally

View my video blog post here.

Media Overreacting

The media is overreacting to the fact that Chris Pronger is scratched for tonight's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Pronger has an "upper body injury" according to Flyers GM Paul Holmgren. He was seen skating hard for 30 minutes after the morning skate today. That's when the media's controversy alarms went ballistic.

Just because Pronger is still probably suffering from the sore wrist injury he sustained blocking a shot a week ago, does not mean he is in the dog house because he is skating hard after practice. That's why it is an upper body injury, it does not stop him from pushing himself rather than glide around taking it easy.

In terms of tonight's game, I'm not surprised like some writer's were that Brian Boucher is getting the call tonight in net. According to Sam Carchidi of the Inky, Boush is 2-0 with a 1.50 GAA, and .935 save percentage. It will be interesting to see how Pronger's replacement, Nick Boynton, molds in with the defense to see if he can find a stable partner.

Flyers/Oilers Preview

Some readers of this blog may remember when both the Flyers and Oilers used to be dominant. The Oilers built their dynasty in the late 1980's with Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, and Grant Fuhr were in the primes of their careers. The two teams had an epic Stanley Cup Final in 1987 that saw the Oil win in seven games. Despite the defeat, rookie goaltender Ron Hextall won the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP.

Twenty four years later, the Oilers are at the rock bottom level of falling from grace. Since losing in Game 7 of the SC Final in 2006, their name and 15th place have been associated repeatedly.

The Flyers meanwhile, had their worst season in franchise history in 2006, but are now back in the top of the standings, still searching for the Holy Grail of sports trophies for the first time since 1975.

The orange and black are in the midst of their worst losing streak of the season which currently stands at four. To add insult to injury, the Flyers looked like they were playing pond hockey at Madison Square Garden yesterday, as they were shutout 7-0 by the New York Rangers.

Fans are hoping playing a team like the Oilers will get the Flyers back on track. While I'm inclined to agree this will be no easy task. The Oilers are a young, rebuilding team with players that have openly admitted they are not just trying to improve themselves. They are going out every night, going to compete, and trying to win for their own pride.

Head coach Peter Laviolette gave the team off today. Laviolette hinted at possibly pushing the team too hard in a tough stretch of the season. While this is justifiable, I could not agree more with GM Paul Holmgren's response to the matter.

"The players better not think they can use that as excuse," he said.

Expect Bob to be the starter tomorrow night. Brian Boucher did not look sharp against a team he has had tremendous success against in the past, but he did not have much help either. Puck drops at 7 p.m. tomorrow.