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Main Event: Gratton vs. Lindros
Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m. Saturday Here's the mismatch of the week: an almost certain blowout in the Flyers' favor. This is Tampa Bay's first visit to Broad Street with the Eastern Conference's worst record. Yet whatever mincemeat the Flyers make of Tampa Bay, it will be served Au Gratton. This is Tampa Bay's first visit to Philadelpia since they traded Chris Gratton in December to the Lightning. Now, the Lightning are touting the 6-4, 218-pound Gratton as an essential force in their rebuilding process, just as they did during his first go-round with the team from 1993-94 to 1996-97. Yet Gratton, a center who displays solid skills but little production, has not done much to legitimize such expectations. Since returning to the Lightning, he has only one goal in 16 games. Here's a chance for Gratton to save face in front of his old team. The same goes for defenseman Petr Svoboda, the former popular Flyer defenseman who was also traded to the Lightning last month. It was Gratton's signing with the Flyers before last season, and receiving a $9 million bonus, that helped set the stage for Eric Lindros to become the $8.5 million man that he is. Lindros certainly seems to be earning that this year. He's the early favorite in a still wide-open race for the Hart Trophy. On Saturday, Lightning coach Jacques Demers will probably have to use Gratton, and his good size, against Lindros; Tampa Bay's top center, Darcy Tucker is too small to contain the Big E and rookie Vincent Lecavalier doesn't need to be turned inside out. It looks like Lindros could have his way unless Gratton puts his body on the line: This will be a juxtaposition worth watching. There has been added emotion between these teams ever since Philly spanked the Lightning in the '96 playoffs, winning four games to two and outscoring Tampa Bay 26-13. Saturday's matchup should go to Philly too, but there'll certainly be some intrigue Au Gratton.
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