Coyotes at Flyers
THE STORY: While many have wandered out of the desert
with less, Ilya Bryzgalov probably couldn't have asked for more. During
the summer, the Russian netminder willingly accepted a nine-year, $51
million deal to leave the Phoenix Coyotes in favor of the Philadelphia
Flyers. After a five-game winless streak left him admittedly "lost in
the woods," Bryzgalov has righted the ship by posting a 4-0-1 mark over
his last five contests. On Thursday, Bryzgalov is expected to be between
the pipes against the team he left behind when the Flyers host the
visiting Coyotes. So, how is he treating this contest? "Game No. 18 (on
Thursday),” Bryzgalov deadpanned. “No, it’s special, it’s my former
team. I have lots of friends. I can’t forget the time I played there. It
was good years. ... It is going to be a very special game, yeah.” While
Philadelphia has recorded points in its last seven games (5-0-2),
Phoenix hasn't been too shabby, either. The Coyotes improved to 7-1-2 in
their last 10 contests and 5-1-1 on the road after skating to a 3-2
shootout victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSAZ, CSP
ABOUT THE COYOTES (9-4-3): While Bryzgalov wasn't too
shy about not wanting to re-sign with Phoenix, Mike Smith has certainly
made himself at home in the desert. Smith has posted a 7-0-2 mark in his
last nine starts. Former Flyer Daymond Langkow has missed the team's
last three games because of a death in the family. It is not immediately
known if he'll return to the City of Brotherly Love for Thursday's
contest. Phoenix is 8-0-3 when scoring first this season.
ABOUT THE FLYERS (10-4-3): Claude Giroux has collected
five goals and six assists during the Flyers' seven-game stretch. He
secured his first multi-goal game of the season and fifth career when he
potted a pair in a 5-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday.
While Giroux's offensive contributions are expected, Max Talbot has
surprisingly added six goals already this season - just two
behind last year's total. "I don't want you guys to think I'm going to
score every game because then I'll put pressure on myself," Talbot
joked.
OVERTIME:
1. Phoenix is 4-0-1 in its last five meetings with Philadelphia, although the home team has won seven of the last 10 contests.
2. Flyers C Brayden Schenn practiced - albeit in limited fashion - on
Wednesday for the first time since sustaining a broken foot on Oct. 26.