Flyers 7, Thrashers 0

(Photo/AP)

Now here's an interesting theory proposed by none other than my own mother: since Sarah Palin, the self-proclaimed "hockey mom" who wants to be vice president, dropped the puck for the Kings-Blues game last Friday, the Flyers have won three straight games. The Blues, however, lost their starting goalie when he slipped on the red carpet she walked out on and ended up losing to L.A. 4-0. Apparently, the Palin Curse is not only real, it's transferable. Huh.

Tonight marked the 11th time in a row the Flyers have taken Atlanta's lunch money, this time walking away with a 7-0 win. It appears that the Flyers have finally broken out of their early season slump and found a way to get past their defensive struggles, which is always encouraging. Joffrey Lupul, Mike Knuble and Simon Gagne each netted two goals tonight, with Glenn Metropolit scoring the all-important seventh goal for the extra point. Antero Nittymaki got the shutout for his first win of the year, my man Mike Richards got me a couple of assists for my fantasy team, and to top it off, I think it's snowing outside. Good times.

Luca Sbisa, who seems to get better with every game, is now certain to remain with the team after the ten-game cutoff period for rookies. It's very rare that the Flyers play someone like Sbisa a lot in their first year, but then again we haven't had a defenseman this young this good in quite some time. I know a lot has to do with the injuries to Randy Jones and Derian Hatcher, but if Sbisa can put in a solid first season, the sky's the limit for him.

Speaking of the sky, a big thumbs down to Mother Nature for spoiling what could have been the greatest street party in the Western Hemisphere since Germany surrendered. I'm telling you, last night felt like Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, and your 21st birthday all rolled into one. Everything was in place for the Phillies: a raucous home crowd, the ace pitcher on the mound, Tampa Bay reeling from the 10-2 whupping last night, and an entire city already planning the parade. Which, in retrospect, was the problem. Let this be a lesson, kids. Never plan the parade before the game is played. I have a feeling this rain delay was mostly the work of the baseball gods punishing us for looking too far ahead and believing that the Series was over. And I'll admit, I had planned on calling in sick the rest of the week (no need since my entire office cleared out around 3:00 on Monday). So, on behalf of Philly fans, I apologize and promise never to do that again. At least until the Flyers are up 3-1 in the Cup. Then all bets are off.

Flyers are back in action on Thursday to face the Islanders, then host the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday.