Philadelphia Flyers: 10 Second Half Questions

The NHL has not reached the halfway point, but the Philadelphia Flyers’ extended Christmas break seems like an appropriate time to examine the rest of their season.

Things could not have gone much better for the Flyers through the first 35 games. However, there are several questions that need to be answered before the playoffs begin.

10. In Addition to Darroll Powe and Blair Betts, Who Will Be on the 4th line?

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 01: Daniel Carcillo #13 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against the Carolina Hurricanes on November 1, 2010 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Flyers defeat the Hurricanes 3-2. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty I

Jody Shelley has not been able to get back into the lineup since he was suspended for two games for a hit from behind on December 11. Dan Carcillo has taken his place and provides more energy and scoring but is not a “heavyweight” fighter.

Shelley will most likely be a healthy scratch until there is an injury or Carcillo does something to get himself back in Peter Laviolette’s doghouse.

9. Will Claude Giroux and/or Daniel Briere Score 40 goals?

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NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 22: Danny Briere #48 and Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers celebrate with their team after Giroux's goal in the second period against the New Jersey Devils in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NH

Both players picked up where they left off during last season’s playoff run. They each have 16 goals this season, which puts them on pace for 37 goals.

Briere has a tendency to miss some time due to injury and Giroux has played every game in the last two seasons, so Giroux would appear more likely to hit the mark.

8. Can the Flyers Keep Winning on the Road?

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FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 07: A B-52 from the 93rd Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Airforce Base, performs a flyover during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 7, 2010 in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Flyers have grabbed 23 of a possible 30 points on the road this year, which has been a huge key to their early season success.

However, they will be visitors in nine of their first 10 games after the Christmas break, which will allow this question to be answered fairly quickly.

7. Will James van Riemsdyk Continue To Improve?

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PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 08: James van Riemsdyk #21 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against San Jose Sharks on December 8, 2010 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sharks defeat the Flyers 5-4 in a shootout. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Ge

JVR has seven goals and a plus-seven plus/minus rating since being a healthy scratch for a few games in November. He has the talent to be a 30-goal scorer but he just needs to add some confidence and consistency.

Being on Jeff Carter’s line appears to be helping in both areas.

6. Can the Flyers Reduce the Number of Stick Penalties?

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TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 9: Phil Kessel #81 of the Toronto Maple Leafs gets a high-stick by Scott Hartnell #19 of the Philadelphia Flyers during game action at the Air Canada Centre December 9, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Abelimages/Gett

The Flyers lead the league in stick penalties but are tied for 10th place in all other minor penalties. 

Cutting down on stick infractions would go a long way toward reducing the number of times they are shorthanded each game. A "lifting the stick" safety tutorial may be in order.  

5. Will the Flyers’ Power Play Improve?

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PHILADELPHIA - JUNE 09: Scott Hartnell #19 of the Philadelphia Flyers celebrates after scoring a power play goal in the first period against Antti Niemi #31 of the Chicago Blackhawks in Game Six of the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Wachovia Center on

The Flyers are currently ranked in the league's bottom third on the power play, which is surprising since they are first in five-on-five play by a wide margin.

It is not time to panic since they are fourth in goals per game, but I’m sure this will be an area of concentration for Laviolette and his coaching staff the rest of the season.

4. Will Nikolay Zherdev Be Traded?

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PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 08: Nikolay Zherdev #93 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against San Jose Sharks on December 8, 2010 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sharks defeat the Flyers 5-4 in a shootout. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty

Zherdev has been a healthy scratch for a handful of games, but the Flyers do not have any apparent weaknesses that could be solved by trading him.

Zherdev's $2 million salary is not a hindrance at his current level of production, so they will most likely keep him as long as the team doesn't have any major injuries on defense.

3. Will Chris Pronger Return to His Old Form after His Surgery?

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PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 08: Chris Pronger #20 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against San Jose Sharks on December 8, 2010 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sharks defeat the Flyers 5-4 in a shootout. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty I

Speaking of injuries on defense, if Pronger’s foot surgery had to happen, then it came at a good time as the Flyers play only 15 games in the six weeks that he will likely be out of the lineup.

The last time Pronger missed that many games in a season was 2006-07 while playing for the Anaheim Ducks, and he had 59 points in 66 games. That was also the year the Ducks won the Stanley Cup.

2. Which Two Goaltenders Will Be on the Flyers Roster?

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 20: Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky #35 of the Philadelphia Flyers gives his teammate Goalie Brian Boucher #33 a tap with his stick as Bobrovsky was just removed from the game after giving up four goals in a period and a half and Bouc

I thought this was a battle between Brian Boucher and Michael Leighton for backup, but I would not be surprised to see Sergei Bobrovsky assigned to the minors if Boucher continues his solid play.

“Bob” would be better off starting games in the AHL than sitting on the bench in the NHL, and he could be called up if Boucher or Leighton struggle.

1. Will the Flyers Get the Top Seed in the Eastern Conference?

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PHILADELPHIA - JANUARY 24: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins battles for the puck against Mike Richards #18 of the Philadelphia Flyers on January 24, 2010 at Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Things can change in a hurry, but all of the teams chasing the Flyers and Penguins have noticeable shortcomings, so it will mostly likely come down to these two rivals.

The Flyers and Penguins play head-to-head twice in five-day period at the end of March, and that could be the deciding factor as to which team gets home ice advantage throughout the playoffs and which team gets fourth place in the conference.