Yesterday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs was a microcosm of the entire Flyers season. The Flyers played well for two periods, and when Danny Briere scored early in the 3rd period to make it 3-0, the game appeared to be over. At least, the Flyers played like it was over. The Maple Leafs came storming back, firing a barrage of shots and getting three goals to force overtime. Pavel Kubina scored the game winner in the final minute of overtime play.
It was another tough loss for the Flyers, who still can't find any consistency. After being near unstoppable in January and then awful in February, the team has played up and down from night to night. Last night they looked like a different team in the third period, as they played back on their heels and let Toronto dictate the play. While they were lucky to earn a point, you have to win games when you have a three goal lead. They blew a chance to move past the Bruins into the 7th seed, and allowed teams like the Maple Leafs to creep up closer to playoff contention.
On a positive note, Braydon Coburn has played extremely well lately. He had a sweet one-timer goal and tallied an assist on Scottie Upshall's goal in the first period. He played over 29 minutes in the game, and with the tremendous improvements he has made this season, he has proven he can be a top pairing defenseman.
The Flyers look to bounce back tonight in a rematch with the Maple Leafs at the Wachovia Center. Despite the terrible finish to yesterday's game, they will gladly take the three points in two games they would earn if they win tonight.
Injury Update:
Reinforcements are coming! The Flyers got some good news on the injury front, as Mike Richards and Joffrey Lupul are expected to return to the line-up for Saturday's game against the Bruins. Hopefully they can provide a spark to give the Flyers some momentum heading into the playoffs.
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