FLYERS HOPE TO CONTINUE SURGE

A 7-3-0 Block 3 Leaves Them 4 Points Out

PHILADELPHIA- Dany Heatley & J.S. Giguere led the Flyers to 7-3-0 record for the Block, improving to 19-11-0. Combine that with the Division & Conference leading Buffalo Sabres 4-5-1 record, the Flyers gained 5 pts & are currently in 2nd place in the East Division & lead 3rd place New Jersey by 3 points. The block also saw the Flyers go 4-0 against their divisional opponents, including a 6-4 victory over the Sabres in Buffalo.

The Flyers scored 41 goals and allowed 31. Dany Heatley led the attack with 8 goals & 8 assists, while J.S. Giguere went 6-0 for the block. Marc-Andre Bergeron also continued to produce on both sides of the red line. For the 2nd block in a row, he had double digits in points, scoring 3 goals and adding 10 assists while adding a +9 to his team leading +14.

Seeing his first action of the season in block 3 was center Mike Richards, who made an impact immediately getting 2 assists in his first game & ending the block with 5 goals & 5 assists, +4. While adding a goal and an assist on the PP, Richards proved valuable in the PK, scoring 1 SHG & succeeded 86% (24/28) on the skating. It will be interesting to see how he develops.

The Flyers will only be playing 2 divisional games this block, a home & home series with the New York Rangers. The Flyers hope to continue their success against them, currently 4-0 and outscoring them 18-6. The big test for the Flyers will be playing 3 games against other division leaders, home & home with the Florida Panthers, and hosting the Detroit Red Wings.

GAGNE TO STAY AT HOME

Simon Gagne (14-18-32) will not be with team on the Block 4 road trip. Slava Kozlov (11-18-29) will move up to Gagne's spot on the #1 line while Rookie Ryan Potulny (2-1-3) will move up to see some 3rd line time on the left wing with R.J. Umberger (9-5-14) & Jeff O'Niell (3-8-11).

Also out injured for 10 games is defenseman Danny Markov (1-6-7, +9). He will be replaced in the lineup by Brett Hedican.