Flyers at Panthers
THE STORY: The Florida Panthers are off to their best
15-game start in 15 years. Although Florida's 8-4-3 mark isn't as
impressive as its record in the 1996-97 campaign (10-1 with four ties),
there is a positive buzz generating in the Sunshine State. So, what's
the secret? Well, for starters, first-year coach Kevin Dineen has openly
credited his offensive-minded defensemen for contributing to the team's
success. "We’ve been very conscientious of having five-man units,”
Dineen said. “Whether you’re defending or on offense, there are five
guys out there and you have to take advantage of all of them. We have
some skill guys on the back end. Right now, things are falling for
them." Jason Garrison has secured a career-high six goals, fellow
defenseman Brian Campbell has notched a team-high 14 assists and Dmitry
Kulikov is riding a career-high assist streak of five games. The
suddenly potent Panthers will look to secure points in their seventh
straight game (3-0-3) when they host the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday. Philadelphia has posted a 3-0-2 mark in its last five
contests.
TV: 5 p.m. ET, TCN, FSFL
ABOUT THE FLYERS (8-4-3): Philadelphia had people
talking after its last game - but mainly for its stall tactic against
the Tampa Bay Lightning's vaunted 1-3-1 defensive scheme. The
high-scoring Flyers mustered a season-low 15 shots and dropped a 2-1
overtime decision on Wednesday. Ilya Bryzgalov seems to have found
himself after being "lost in the woods" following a 9-8 loss to the
Winnipeg Jets. The prized offseason acquisition, who has permitted just
seven goals in his last four contests, is 2-0-1 in his career versus the
Panthers.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (8-4-3): Kris Versteeg netted his
first career hat trick as Florida collected its second straight win with
a 5-2 triumph over the Jets on Thursday. On Sunday, Versteeg will face
his former team. Acquired last season to help the Flyers' end their
Stanley Cup drought, Versteeg failed to produce - mustering just one
goal in 11 playoff games. This season, Versteeg leads the team with
eight goals and 17 points.
OVERTIME:
1. Philadelphia's Scott Hartnell has scored all six of his goals this season during an eight-game stretch.
2. Florida's Scottie Upshall has been ruled out of Sunday's contest. The
former Flyer is nursing an undisclosed injury, which he suffered during
the first period of Thursday's game.