The Broad Street Blog

Briere recorded six points (three goals, three assists) as the Flyers (38-28-10, 86 points) posted three consecutive victories and climbed to seventh place in the Eastern Conference. Briere notched one assist in a 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers Mar. 18, tallied two goals in a 4-3 shootout win over the New York Rangers Mar. 21 and notched one goal and two assists in a 4-1 victory over the New York Islanders Mar. 23. Briere ranks second on the Flyers in scoring with 68 points (29 goals, 39 assists) in 75 games.

The Flyers may have the second ranked Power Play in the NHL, but in the past few games it has been very ineffective. Tonight, it looked to be back in form. 3 of the 4 Flyers goals came on the Power Play.

First up for the Flyers were the New York Rangers last night. New York decided to go with backup goaltender Stephen Valiquette, who has been lights out against the Flyers this year. It was a raucous atmosphere at the Wachovia Center even before the game started. The game was a sell out, and there were plenty of Rangers fans in attendance.

Coming into this afternoon’s game, the Flyers were one point behind the Boston Bruins who were in the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference. The Flyers’ hold on the 8 spot was a tedious one, with the Buffalo Sabres surging and only 2 points behind. A win in regulation would have moved the Flyers up to seventh place and given them some breathing room.

In a ten minute period in the first period, the Flyers gave up 3 consecutive goals to the Sabres. During the first 15 minutes of the game, they let Buffalo dictate the game. However, after the third Sabres’ goal, the Flyers decided to start playing.

During tonight’s game, every time Danny Briere would touch the puck, the crowd in Montreal would boo.