FLYERS LOOK FOR IMPROVEMENT

PHILLY NEEDS STRONG GOALTENDING DOWN THE STRETCH

Philadelphia, PA- The Flyers have been struggling the last 2 blocks, coming in at 9-11-0. They bounced back in Block 5 going 6-4-0, from their dismal 3-7-0 Block 4. While doing so, they fell in the Conference Standings where they currently sit in the 5th seed with 56 points (28-22-0) but only 4 points seperate them from 8th seed Tampa Bay, and 8 points from the 9th place Pittsburgh Penguins. But looking at teams above them, The Flyers trail 4th place Nashville by 2 points & 3rd place New Jersey by 3.

If the Flyers are going to rise up & seperate themselves from the lower half, they are going to need strong goaltending, in particular, back up goaltending from Antero Niittymaki (pictured). J.S. Giguere is being plagued by a groin injury and team doctors have told management that he must limit himself to only 23 more games, which means Niittymaki will be starting at least 9 games.

Niittymaki has been playing a bit better of late, but most likely he will get the most of his work at home where he is 5-2-0, 2.69 GA & .906 SV% with 2 shutouts. On the road he is a completely different goalie, 2-9-0, 4.48 GA & .864 SV%.

Giguere has been in the top 10 in many goalie categories this season such as wins (21) GAA (2.49) & SV% (.915). On the road, his 8-6-0 record is ok, but his stats are good. In 14 games, he has given up 5 goals once, and 4 goals 5 times, keeping the opposition under 4 goals 8 times, so he keeps his team in the game. Overall on the road he has a 2.77 GAA & .908 SV%.

So, look for Nitty to wear his black jersey more than the white one down the stretch.