FLYERS FIRST ROUND PREVIEW

Flyers Set to Go Against The Predators


Philadelphia,PA- A sub-par road trip (2-4-0) in the final block of the season, left the Flyers 4 points behind the Nashville Predators for the final home ice spot in the SE Conference. The Flyers are going to have to play better road hockey if they want to go deep in the post season. During the regular season, the Flyers were 17-22-2 on the road. That record averages out to just 4.5 points per block. On home ice, they compiled a 28-13-0 record.

The Flyers and Preds split the season series 3 up with each team winning twice on home ice. Here's a look at the games:

2/3/07 At Nashville

Predators 4, Flyers 2

The Flyers outshot the Preds 32-23, including a two period total of 25-17, but could not beat Nashville goalie Chris Mason (7/7 GRs). Alexander Radulov took the 1st star with 1G & 1A.


3/1/07 At Nashville

Predators 5, Flyers 1

From the Nashville Herald:

The Predators dominated this one from the start. 19 first period shots on goal by the Preds to 3 for the Flyers set the tone. By the end of the second period Philadelphia had managed just 6 shots on goal. A balanced scoring attack for Nashville saw goals from 5 different players. RJ Umberger scored Phillie's lone goal as Antero Niittymaki was overwhelmed in goal.

Chris Mason again was tough (3/3 GRs) & Ryan Smyth got the 1st star, 1G & 8 SOG.


3/1/07 At Philadelphia

Flyers 5, Predators 4 (SO)

Looking through the archives, here is the Philly Inquire's story reporting the game:

Down 4-0 after two periods of play, the Flyers explode for 4 in the third & win it in the shoot-out. This was one of those games where you can really feel the hockey action. I actually felt how flat the Flyers played for the first two periods.

The Flyers came out outshooting the Preds early, but the Preds scored two goals in the first, and weak goals at that. Adam Hall scored at 13:43 on an inside shot, dice roll of 2 (G-15) At 17:00, Ryan Smyth scored his 11th of the season on a weak outside shot, dice roll again of 2 (G-14).

In the 2nd period, Vern Fiddler tossed an outside shot towards the net, & beat J.S. Giguere (GR) at 11:21. The Preds then went on the PP and at 13:24, Ryan Smyth scored his 2nd of the game with an inside shot (GR).

Hitting the ice to boo's, the Flyers started on the PP, but were denied. But they finally got on the board at 4:21 when SLava Kozlov scored his 9th, and Mike Richards got his first point of the season in his debut after missing the first 20 games with a sports hernia. At 6:03, Kozlov raced in on a breakaway, GR rebound, Eric Cole picked it up & beat Tomas Vokoun on a G-16 split. The crowd on it's feet & chanting, the Flyers kept pressing, and at 7:49, Jeff O'Neill scored (G-11) from the inside. The scoring was capped off at 9:42 when Marc-Andre Bergeron beat Vokoun on a breakaway with a G-12 split.

The OT was uneventful & Gagne scored the lone- deciding goal in the shootout. Vokoun stopped 9/10 GRs.

5/5/07 At Nashville

Flyers 2, Predators 1

JS Giguere was brilliant in goal for the Flyers. It was a tough game, but the Flyers seemed in control most of the way. Philly held off Nashville's aggressive attack in the last few minutes for the win.

6/5/07 At Philadelphia

Predators 5, Flyers 2

The Predators came into Philadelphia & handed the Flyers their 2nd loss of the block. Justin Williams (who I think I may have originally acquired way back when I owned the Preds) scored 2 goals & Chris Mason was 6/6 GRs. The Preds took a 2-0 lead after 1 & it was a scoreless 2nd for 19:59 when Kim Johnsson was unable to breakaway & Adam Hall took an outside shot & beat J.S. Giguere (Dice roll 2, GR) to take all momentum into the dressing room. That momentum carried out onto the ice for the 3rd. Nashville won the opening faceoff & Legwand took off on a breakaway beating Giguere (DR: 3, G) at 0:31 to give them a 4-0 lead. Williams made it 5-0 at 8:34. Mark Recchi broke the shutout at 17:32, and thenDany Heatley added his team leading 34th of the year at 19:50.

The Preds outshot the Flyers 40-30, incluing 23 third period shots.

8/5/07 At Philadelphia

Flyers 2, Predators 1

5 home games & the Flyers have scored 2 goals in each, yet they have a 4-1 record! The one away game reported at this time, the Flyers won 3-2. Sitting at 5-1-0 for the block.

Ryan Smith got the Preds on the board at 9:08 taking advantage of a Danny Markov turnover & beating Giguere inside (GR).

Red Hot Jeff Carter (8G 10A in last 16 games) tied it up at 14:44 on a breakaway goal (GR). Dany Heatley (10G & 8A in last 16 games) scored the game winner on a PP at 13:47 of the 2nd.

Giguere once again was the star of the game with 32 saves (9/10 GRs), Chris Mason stopped 28 shots (4/6 GRs).