Flyers 4, Lightning 2

(AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

Remind me to send Kevin Lowe and the Edmonton Oilers a thank-you card for the gift of Joffrey Lupul. Seriously, this kid is on fire. He scored his 10th goal in about nine games this afternoon, putting a penalty shot past Tampa Bay G Marc Denis and got two assists in the win over the Lightning down in Florida. The Flyers were outplayed pretty handedly in the first two periods, but got some timely goals by Mike Knuble and Scott Hartnell. This win puts the O&B back into the playoff mix with 40 points, five points behind the Rangers who face Toronto tonight in the game that Canadians will no doubt be forced to watch.

I remember people around here complaining when we picked up Lupul in the trade that sent Joni Pitkanen to Edmonton last year, but it turned out to be a sweet deal. As of today, Lupul has 13 goals, 17 assists, and 6 PP goals. Pitkanen, who just didn't seem to fit into the role the Flyers had hoped for, is sitting on 5 G, 4 A for 9 points on the year. Granted, Joni plays defense and obviously wouldn't have the same scoring stats as a winger unless he turns into Paul Coffey, but this is beginning to look like a move that will benefit the Flyers. Until Simon Gagne can fully recover from his concussion (what is it with this franchise and concussions??), we'll need a scoring threat from the wing. Lupul and Hartnell will do just nicely.

Today's game started a six-game road trip for the Flyers, which continues tomorrow in Miami against the Panthers. Still not sure what genius thought a hockey team in South Florida was a good idea, but then again, these are the same geniuses who still believe in the instigator rule and bigger nets. Anyhoo, the game tomorrow is a 5:00 start, so hopefully the Eagles' game will be over with and done by then.