Lightning at Flyers
THE STORY: The Philadelphia Flyers clinched a playoff spot Saturday,
but there is plenty to play for in the final seven games. The Flyers
are five points behind the New York Rangers for the top spot in the
Eastern Conference and four back of the fourth-place Pittsburgh
Penguins. The Tampa Bay Lightning, nine points out of eighth place in
the East, have won two of three against the Flyers before the final
meeting on Monday.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCS, TSN2
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (34-33-7): Steven Stamkos broke out of a
mini-slump with two goals and an assist Saturday. He is tied with
Vincent Lecavalier for the franchise single-season record with 52 goals.
Tampa Bay plays six of its last eight on the road, where it is 11-19-5.
For much of the season, the Lightning’s power play has been much better
at home. But they were 2 for 22 on the recent seven-game homestand and
are 8 for 21 with the man advantage the last five road games. Goaltender
Dwayne Roloson made 34 saves in each of the last two games, winning two
in a row for the first time since Nov. 9.
ABOUT THE FLYERS (44-23-8):
Ilya Bryzgalov continues to turn his season around. The Russian has
allowed two or less goals in 11 consecutive starts - the first Flyers
goaltender to do that since Bernie Parent in 1974-75 - and is 13-3-1 in
his last 17 decisions. A confident Bryzgalov, along with one of the
league’s top offenses, will be tough to beat. Claude Giroux continues to
add to his career highs in goals (27) and points (86). Scott Hartnell
also has career highs in goals (35) and points (64). Defenseman Kimmo
Timonen has four points in four games and is one shy of 400 career
assists.
OVERTIME:
1. Teddy Purcell is one point away from becoming
the fourth undrafted player to reach 60 points in a season for the
Lightning, joining Martin St. Louis, Dino Ciccarelli and Dan Boyle.
2. The Flyers have killed 36 of 39 power plays in the last 14 games.
3. Stamkos has 11 multi-goal games this season.