Flyers to start Bobrovsky in season opener

Hockey season is here and the Flyers look poised to fight their way back to the Stanley Cup Finals. This year, however, they may need to ride a different goaltender to get that far in the playoffs.

In a surprising move, the Flyers have announced that rookie goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky will get the start in net tonight against the Penguins. With Michael Leighton out, Bobrovksy made the team after an impressive preseason showing and was thought to be the backup to Brian Boucher. Apparently, the Flyers liked what they saw enough to stick with the hot preseason hand and give him the start in the first game that mattered.

Given the always tenuous Flyers goaltending situation, if Bobrovsky can get off to a hot start, there is no reason why he can't take over as the permanent starter in net. While I suspect the Flyers are starting him tonight is just a "heat check", meaning they are just rolling with him until he cools off, he can still make the most of his opportunity and force the Flyers to stick with him.

In other Flyers news, Chris Pronger isn't ready to play yet, so he is scratched for the season opener. Oskars Bartulis will take his place in the lineup. Go Flyers!