Movin' On Up

Yes, one win can catapult you to bigger and better things if you're in the new NHL. Our Flyguys did just that today, with a 4-2 victory over Tampa Bay. We're out of the basement and tied for second in the division just like that.

I could get used to this "finish strong" mentality the team has suddenly adopted after blowing lead after lead for the last two weeks. A 2-1 lead entering the third made me a bit nervous, especially on the road, but you gotta love the aggressiveness right out of the locker room. Two quick goals (one with an extra attacker because of a delayed penalty - way to take advantage) eased the tension pretty fast.

We were fortunate to be in that position though; we looked like the lesser of the two teams in the first two periods. The Lightning seemed quicker and hungrier, but that peculiar John Tortorella timeout seemed to spark something for the Flyers (Keith Jones made note of it in the broadcast).

And of course, another solid performance by Joffrey Lupul, the most underrated off-season acquisition on the team. Yet another multi-point output. Hard to believe his season +/- is right around even. It seems like only good things happen when he's on the ice.

18-14-4, 40 points, T-2 in the Atlantic. Five points behind the stinkin' Devils, tied with Pittsburgh and the Rangers. Back in action tomorrow on the road against the Florida Panthers. And wouldn't ya know it, but the win moves us from 9th in the conference to 6th. Let's ride this winning streak through the weekend before we're off for four days.

-ajd