FLYERS NEWS

After back to back embarrassing losses Peter Laviolette switched up the Flyer's top 2 lines to try to wake the team up tonight against the L.A Kings. Jeff Carter centered Andreas Nodl and Ville Leino, while Mike Richards teamed up with Danny Briere and James Van Reimsdyk. It worked offensively, as they exploded for 7 goals, including 2 on the power play, on just 28 shots. In all, Mike Richards had 2 goals and 2 assists, Danny Briere had a goal and an assist, Jeff Carter had a goal and an assist, James Van Reimsdyk had a goal and an assist, and Claude Giroux had 3 assists. They continued to struggle defensively though, and that's despite the season debut of Micheal Leighton who looked a little rusty in allowing 4 goals, 2 of them weak. The last 2 goals weren't really his fault though, just poor defense by the Orange and Black while protecting a lead.

The Flyers trailed early 1-0, before Richards setup Briere to tie it up. Down 2 -1 later in the period, the Flyers knotted it up again when Giroux setup Richards. Finally early in the 2nd Giroux and Scott Hartnell teamed up to put the Orange and Black ahead 3-2. A minute later Van Reimsdyk and Briere setup Richards again for a 4-2 lead. Later in the period after L.A had cut the lead to 4-3, Richards and Giroux setup Carter on the power play for a 5-3 lead. A few minutes later JVR scored another power play goal unassisted for a 6-3 lead. Still L.A fought back to cut the lead to 6-4 heading into the 3rd period. Halfway through the 3rd period Carter assisted Leino to make it 7-4 and that was finally too much for the Kings t0 overcome as Leighton shut them down the rest of the way.