Flyers-Thrashers: As Injuries Mount, Philly Aims for Victory

Geoff Paul by Contributor Written on January 08, 2008
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Since December 29th, the Philadelphia Flyers have been away from home.

They have won three of four games on the road, and overall this season have been better outside of Philadelphia than in the Wachovia Center.

Tonight they're in Atlanta, where the Thrasers are 6-4 in their last 10, and are coming off a 5-2 win against Buffalo.

Earlier this season, the Flyers beat the Thrashers in Philly 4-0.

The Flyers are short Joffrey Lupil because he has a mild concussion and spine contusion, and is out indefinitely. I hate to see him go down, being only 25. It would be a shame if this injury were to last, plaguing him throughout his career.

Sami Kapanen is still listed day-to-day after getting hit in the mouth by a puck last Saturday in Toronto. It would be helpful to have his speed against this fairly young Thrashers team, and I hate to see a long time Flyer go down.

Jason Smith is also day-to-day with his leg injury and I wouldn't count on him coming back tonight, but maybe on Thursday when the Flyers play the Rangers.

The good news is that Simon Gagne said yesterday that he would like to be back by Thursday. It has been about two and a half months since he has hit the ice, and is undoubtedly a great player.

Downie punched Jason Blake Saturday, and got a stern warning from Colin Cambel, the NHL's main disciplinary man. I saw the punch, and all that it looks like is Downie trying to get at Blake, but Blake trying to get right back at Downie. The same thing would have happened if Blake got his hands free, and Downie were tied up by the ref; it's just part of the game.

Hopefully the Flyers will continue winning and finish this road streak on a good note today in Atlanta and Thursday in New York. Right now Philadelphia is tied for eighth in the Eastern Conference, and has played the least amount of games (only St. Louis has played as many as they have) in the league.

The Flyers are 20-15-4, with 44 points.

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written on January 08, 2008 Sports

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