The weekend has started. What could be one of the greatest sporting weekends of all time in Philly. The Sixers opened their Wach campaign last night, the Flyers play at 1, the Eagles host the Giants tomorrow at 1 and oh... the Phillies and Yankees continue one of the most hyped World Series in recent memory with games at CBP tonight and tomorrow.
Oh, and Pearl Jam is closing the Spectrum forever tonight. Word on the street is, they'll play til 2 AM and be joined by no less than Bruce Springsteen and Elton John. It's going to be apeshit down at the sports complex today.
The tailgate for all three of today's events is already underway. First up on the docket is the Flyers-Hurricanes game.
I was planning to get some much needed fall cleanup and winterizing done in the yard today. Damned if it didn't rain too much to get that lawn cut. May need to catch the Flyers game instead...
Expected to be at least a Cup contender this season, the Flyers haven't looked like they're ready for that level of play. Fortunately, it's a long season, and there's virtually no chance this team misses the playoffs. So far, they have not, as we'd hoped, caught up to the Penguins, who actually look better than they were last season when they won it all. In the Atlantic Division, the Flyers are behind the Rangers and Devils too. In fact, they're tied with the Islanders.
It's been awhile since we've seen a complete game out of them, and John Stevens isn't happy, canceling a scheduled off day after the team blew a 2-0 lead to lose to the Capitals. After adding both leadership and talent in the off-season, it still seems like this team lacks an enduring identity of play.
Already without Simon Gagne, the Flyers also lost Danny Briere to a groin strain, at least temporarily. Not the injury you want to see with Briere though, not after last season. It's also a tough loss considering the Flyers recent inability to finish around the net. The shot totals are there, but the goals are lacking.
Some more lineup notes: Braydon Coburn (minus-9) and Kimmo Timonen (-10) have been broken up. Great news though! Blair Betts is set to return early from his sep'd shoulder. Before he got hurt, the Flyers were playing some amazing hockey. Since then, not so much. And if you think it had nothing to do with the presence of this fourth-liner, I disagree. Betts was doing great work on faceoffs—where the team's other centers continue to struggle—and he was killing penalties consistently, giving Richie more ice time at even strength. Without Gagne and Briere, the role players are that much more important.
It's Halloween—what better day for a win by the Orange & Black?
Original Story:
http://www.the700level.com/2009/10/an...
