Link Checks 2/10/2012

Here at The Checking Line - Flyers Edition, we will be giving away a hockey puck signed by legends Bernie Parent and Dave "The Hammer" Schultz.  To enter, all you need to do is purchase a $5 raffle ticket.  All the proceeds will be donated to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.  So, if you want a chance to own a valuable piece of Flyers' history while supporting a great cause, click here for more information.

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After losing three consecutive games, the Flyers snapped that streak last night with a 4-3 win vs the Leafs (TCLFlyers).  Brayden Schenn, who has hit his stride with the Flyers (CSNPhilly), got the game-winning goal.  Him along with Hartnell, who had a Gordie Howe hat trick (YouTube), lifted the Flyers to a victory (CSNPhilly).  The Flyers converted on most of their chances, unlike vs the Islanders on Tuesday.  However, the Leafs had many chances too, most coming when they were crashing the net.  The Flyers need physicality in front of their net (TCLFlyers) in order to cut down opposition’s chances.  Bobrovsky would appreciate the screens be moved away, too.  He will most likely start again Saturday vs the Rangers (Philly.com).

Although the defense struggled to clear bodies away from the crease, Andrej Meszaros pulled his game together (TCLFlyers).  He hasn’t had a consistent year at all, but looked very solid against the Leafs.  One guy who has played consistently just about the whole year is Sean Couturier.  Was he the ‘steal’ of the draft at the #8 pick (TCLFlyers)?

When talking about the Leafs and Flyers, JVR trade rumors will always be discussed.  Toronto has certain “do’s” and “don’ts” approaching the deadline (RLD Hockey), but will they make a move to acquire James van Riemsdyk?  Maybe not, because JVR isn’t likely to return for a while, due to lingering concussion symptoms (@BroadStBull).  Hopefully they still will be, because the Flyers do need a big-name defenseman to be contenders in the playoffs (SBNation Philly).

Timonen is a big-name defenseman, of course, as he was picked to go to the ASG this year.  Him and his teammates traveled in style to get to Ottawa for the game (The 700 Level).  Regardless, another physical defenseman is much needed.

A physical player in Laperriere was forced to hang up the skates due to injuries.  He has been keeping busy, though, by training for the L.A. Marathon (CSNPhilly).

The Rangers are still atop the Atlantic Division, and the Eastern Conference:

		GP	POINTS	WINS	LOSSES	OTL
1.		52	73	34	13	5
2.		54	69	31	16	7
3.		54	66	31	19	4
4.		54	65	30	19	5
5.		53	52	22	23	8

They gained two more points in a 4-3 OT win vs the Lightning last night (NHL.com).  Although the Rangers have been performing outstandingly, one of their top forwards is continuing to struggle (The Hockey Guys).

The Devils only gained one point in a shootout loss against the Blues (In Lou We Trust).

The Islanders were 4-2 losers vs the Canadiens (TCL Isles).  Surprisingly, after a year and 3 days - or 56 games - Scott Gomez scored a goal (TCL Habs) on Evgeni Nabokov, who shutout the Flyers two nights ago.

FLYERS' NEXT THREE OPPONENTS

vs NYR  Saturday 2/11

@ DET  Sunday 2/12

vs BUF  Thursday 2/16