Four in a Row with Nittymaki

Now THAT is the kind of game I have been pining for from the Flyers. Great 6-2 win tonight over the hated Rangers. The most important thing about this win is the fact that it's within the division and gives the Flyguys some breathing room over the New York teams.

Things admittedly did not start well tonight. Philly found itself in a 2-0 early, thanks to a couple of Ryan Hollweg (?) goals. Statistically, though, the Flyers are one of the best 2nd period teams in hockey, and they backed it up with three goals to take a 3-2 lead heading into the 3rd. After three more in the third to cushion the lead, there was no doubt who the better team was on the ice. I'm so giddy from this one that I'm going to sing the praises of some individual efforts.

- SCOTT HARTNELL! A hat trick? Didn't see it coming. Not the prettiest goals, but he did a great job of making it happen out there.
- SIMON GAGNE! Sure, his goal wasn't very important, but it was cool to see him get one in his first game back. This should be a sign of things to come.
- ANTERO NITTYMAKI! I see a goalie controversy in the works. Nitty is 4-0-0 in his last four starts. His GAA in that time is 1.25. He made 39 saves tonight. If John Stevens was smart, he would ride out this hot streak and see how far it takes him.
- SPECIAL TEAMS! It's usually the difference in games, and tonight it was. Flyers were 3/7 on the power play and were perfect on the penalty kill. That's beautiful.

- 22-15-4, 48 points, 3rd in Atlantic, 5 points behind New Jersey. Devils beat up on Carolina tonight, 5-1. The Penguins are second at 52 points and beat the Lightning tonight 4-1.

- Devils are 7-3 in their last 10 and the Penguins are 9-1. The Flyers just can't seem to gain ground on these guys.

- Next up: Boston (at home!) on Saturday.

-ajd