Week in review (because I'm lazy)...

The Flyers came back home from their six-game road trip with a record of 5-1, the only loss being at New Jersey. Since the Toronto game (more on them later), the boys posted a win in Atlanta, finally got one against the Rangers in New York by a score of 6-2, and lost 4-3 in OT at home yesterday against Boston. Antero Nittymaki started every single game this week, prompting a bit of debate as to whether or not we had a goaltender controversy brewing. Now, goalie controversies are as common in Philly as potholes, but I don't think there's anything to this. For starters, we needed the wins badly, and you might as well go with the hot goalie while you can. Plus, this gives Marty Biron a bit of a rest, though he was complaining to the Daily News that he didn't like sitting on the bench. And who can blame him? He was brought in to be the No. 1 and he wants to be the No. 1. I kinda like the fact that he doesn't like sitting out - it gives him a bit of fire going into today's tilt in Washington...

The Class 2 felony on skates, a.k.a Steve Downie, has himself four points (2 G 2, A) in the last two games, as well as a bit of drama to go with it (I know, shocking!!). During a scrum with Toronto's Jason Blake, Downie reached out after the two were separated and landed a punch right to Blake's eye, causing it to swell and blacken. The Toronto fans called for Downie to be arrested, TSN wanted a ten-game suspension, and former GM Bob Clarke told everyone to shut up about it. Here's the deal - what Downie did was stupid. He has to know by now that his actions will lead to more time missed and possibly team punishment as well. This is when you miss a guy like Keith Primeau on the team. Prims would have pulled him aside and told him to cool it down, but we don't have that leadership on the team anymore. THAT BEING SAID, it's a hockey fight. There are punches thrown after the refs step in all the time. If Downie had hit Blake on the shoulder or somewhere else in the face that didn't bruise up, this is a non-story. I personally think Toronto blew this way out of proportion to take some of the attention away from the fact that their season is pretty much done. Say what you want to about our style of play, at least the Flyers are trying to win...

Looking at the Eastern Conference standings, the O&B find themselves in sixth position with 49 points. Only ten points separate 4th-placed Pittsburgh (53 pts.) and 12th-placed Florida (43 pts.), so every point is huge. Fortunately, the Flyers are getting guys back from injury, especially Simon Gagne, who scored a PP goal against New York in his first game back. If he can get back to form and reconnect with Danny Briere, this team has the potential to go on a good run in the second half. And now there's rumor that Peter Forsberg is looking to come back. Nice...

GAME UPDATE - Flyers lead Washington 2-1 with two Mike Knuble goals. The newest multi-millionaire Alexander Ovechkin (welcome to the club, son!!!) has been held scoreless so far. Must be that fat wallet slowing him down...

UPDATE - Flyers beat the Capitals 6-4 in DC today. Knuble scored twice, Jim Dowd, RJ Umberger, Kimmo Timonen, and Mike Richards all got a goal apiece, and Marty Biron stopped 28 shots to get the win. And yes, Ovechkin scored. Next up, Florida at home on Wednesday.