Leino’s heroics get Flyers past Stars in SO; playoff berth clinched

It didn’t come down to the final regular-season game this year, but Ville Leino’s goal in the sixth round of the shootout enabled the Philadelphia Flyers to clinch a playoff berth with a 3-2 victory over the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center. Leino made fellow Finn and Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen look like a fool, moving the puck slightly to the right as the Dallas netminder dove for a poke- check. With a wide-open net in front of him, the second-year player calmly slid the disc home to end the contest. Jeff Carter and Mike Richards scored in regulation …

Flyers @ Stars Preview

Game 71: Philadelphia Flyers @ Dallas Stars, 8:00 pm, CSN. Flyers’ Records Overall Record: 43-19-8 Away Record: 22-9-4 Record vs. Stars: 1-0-0 Away Record vs. Stars: 0-0-0 Stars’ Records Overall Record: 38-25-8 Home Record: 20-11-6 Record vs. Flyers: 0-1-0 Record vs. Stars: 0-0-0 The Numbers Flyers’ Winning % vs. Stars: 1.00, 1-0-0 (4th) Flyers’ Point % vs. Stars: 1.00, 2/2 pts (4th) Flyers’ Losing % vs. Stars: .000, 0/1 games (24th) Flyers’ Goals/Game vs. Stars: 3.00, 3 goals/1 game (19th) Stars’ Goals/Game vs. Flyers: 1.00, 1 goal/1 game (27th) Flyers’ Shots/Game vs. Stars: 32, 32 shots/1 game (15th) Stars’ Shots/Game …

Thrashers beat Flyers again, this time in SO

While it didn’t leave a bad taste in the mouth like Saturday night’s third-period collapse in Philadelphia, the result wasn’t any more satisfying. Blake Wheeler netted the decider in the third round of the shootout, as the Atlanta Thrashers took a 4-3 decision over the Philadelphia Flyers at Philips Arena on Thursday night. Rob Schremp tallied to start the second round, but it was Wheeler’s odd score which eventually ended the contest after a Danny Briere miss. Wheeler skated in from an angle just to the right of center ice, then lost control of the puck as he neared the crease. …

Flyers @ Thrashers Preview

Game 70: Philadelphia Flyers @ Atlanta Thrashers, 7:00 pm, CSN Flyers’ Records Overall Record: 43-19-7 Away Record: 22-9-3 Record vs. Thrashers: 1-0-1 Away Record vs. Thrashers: 1-0-0 Thrashers’ Records Overall Record: 29-29-12 Home Record: 15-14-7 Record vs. Flyers: 1-1-0 Home Record vs. Flyers: 1-0-0 The Numbers Flyers’ Winning % vs. Thrashers: .500, 1/2 games (19th) Flyers’ Point % vs. Thrashers: .750, 3/4 pts (16th) Flyers’ Losing % vs. Thrashers: .500, 1/2 games (10th) Flyers’ Goals/Game vs. Thrashers: 4.50, 9 goals/ 2 games (3rd) Thrashers’ Goals/Game vs. Flyers: 3.50, 7 goals/ 2 games (6th) Flyers’ Shots/Game vs. Thrashers: 30 shots, 60 …

Forged Dialogues: Scott Hartnell

Scott Hartnell took the time out of his hectic schedule to sit down with Flyers Faithful and opened up about his personal and professional life for our Forged Dialogues series. We thank him for his time and look forward to talking to other players in the near future. FF: Hello, Scott. Thank you for joining us at Flyers Faithful headquarters, atop One Liberty Place (where we currently live as squatters), to answer a few questions. SH: No problem, Marsello. I’m always willing to make time for a blogger. FF: Thanks. It’s Mar-chel-lo. SH: Mark Shello. FF: Mar-chel-lo. SH: Marsh-el-lo. FF: Listen, …

Atlantic Watch: 3/9-3/16

It’s difficult to believe the Flyers had a rough week when they obtained five out of the possible six points this week, but an injury to Chris Pronger has caused some concern inside the Philly locker room. Tuesday Pronger had surgery to insert a small screw into his right hand to help repair a fracture. The surgery will sideline the big man for three to four weeks, which coincidentally will be around the beginning of the playoffs. Needing to find ways to win without the veteran blue liner, Philly went 2-0-1 in their first three games without Pronger. If it …

Carter’s Pair Carry Flyers To 3-2 Win Over Florida

For the second time in eight days, a pair of goals from Jeff Carter gave the Flyers the boost they needed to win as a trip to Florida resulted in a 3-2 win over the Panthers. Carter’s pair within an eleven minute span in the second period along with a first period goal from Scott Hartnell gave the Flyers a win after a terrible loss on Saturday. The Flyers’ win improves their record to 43-19-7.   The Flyers didn’t start the game as they planned as the Panthers had a very strong first shift. However, the Flyers did produce the …

RICE & MICE: Five for fighting and 6-8 weeks with a high ankle sprain

First overall selection in the 2010 entry draft and Edmonton Oilers’ star rookie, Taylor Hall, saw his season come to an end much earlier than the rest of his NHL counterparts. It isn’t over because of a dismal season that saw the Oilers miss the playoffs. Hall is out for the remainder of the season with a high ankle sprain. He wasn’t battling along the boards or crashing the net when he was injured. Hall was injured while falling awkwardly in a fight with the Blue Jackets’ Derek Dorsett. Reactions to Hall’s injury have ranged from applauding the young talent …

Pronger to have hand surgery on Tuesday

Courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that D Chris Pronger will undergo surgery on Tuesday, March 15 to repair a fracture in his right hand, according to general manager Paul Holmgren. “Chris had a CT scan on his right hand on Sunday and a small fracture was discovered,” Holmgren said.  “Our doctors believe surgery is the best route to take with the injury. Surgery will be done Tuesday morning in Cleveland by Dr. Tom Graham. Chris will be able to return to play in 3-4 weeks.” Pronger has appeared in 50 games for the Flyers this …