Frank Seravalli: Richards steps up, but will the Flyers?

There was no word from the Flyers last night as to who will replace Dan Carcillo in the lineup. Peter Laviolette could opt to go with seven defensemen or use Riley Cote. Stefan Legein told the Daily News that he had not been called up. Legein, 21, has seven goals in 17 games with the Phantoms since the trade with Columbus . . . Simon Gagne hopes to return to contact drills this week . . . Darroll Powe and Blair Betts (shoulder injuries) are still weeks away.

By the numbers

 

2: Number of goals scored by the Flyers in the last three games. Also the number of power-play goals scored by the Flyers in their last eight games.

6-7-4: The Flyers' record in debuts under a new head coach. Edmonton's Ted Green had the worst start for a head coach in NHL history, a 9-2 drubbing by Calgary on Oct. 4, 1991.

12-5-1: The Flyers' record just 20 days ago.

22nd: NHL rank for the Flyers' penalty kill. Four power-play goals against on Saturday didn't help. They started November ranked fifth in the NHL.

The week ahead

 

at Montreal

Tonight, 7:30

Much like in Philadelphia, it has been a subpar season for the Canadiens in Montreal. There is little hope in this year's "Drive for 25" Stanley Cups. Still, Montreal is one point ahead of the Flyers in the Eastern Conference standings. The Habs picked up a big win on Friday night, 5-1, over Boston, but lost their last four before that. Tomas Plekanec (26 points) and Mike Cammalleri (25 points) have flourished under new head coach Jacques Martin.

vs. New York Islanders

Tomorrow, 7 o'clock

In a claw-it-out 2-1 win on Thanksgiving eve, the Flyers saw just how tough a team the Islanders are this season. After playing the doormat of the Atlantic Division for the last few years, New York is 11-11-7 and two points ahead of the Flyers. Matt Moulson is one to watch. He scored a hat trick in Atlanta last week and leads the Isles with 22 points.

vs. Ottawa

Thursday, 7 o'clock

The Flyers beat up on the Senators, 5-1, last month in Ray Emery's first game against his former team. Will Emery get the start again on Thursday? Ottawa just wrapped up a five-game road trip out West. Before last night's game in Anaheim, the Senators had lost four games in a row.

vs. New Jersey

Saturday, 7 o'clock

You could certainly make an argument for the Devils being one of the hottest teams in the NHL right now. New Jersey is 6-3-1 in its last 10 and has 39 points in 27 games. The Devils are just two points behind the Penguins for first in the Atlantic with three games in hand. Marty Brodeur has an incredible 2.20 GAA and .920 save percentage.