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Philly's power play problems Injuries to key players fueling Flyers' poor start
The Philadelphia Flyers' poor start is compounded by left wing John LeClair's scheduled back surgery, an operation that will sideline LeClair until December. Without LeClair and Mark Recchi, who missed some games with an apparent concussion, the Flyers' power play has stumbled. In their first five games, they gave up an incredible five short-handed goals. The Flyers gave up seven all of this past season. Defenseman Andy Delmore has been victimized by some blind passes as opposing penalty killers have pressured the Philadelphia points. At least the Flyers will have Recchi and history on their side. The right wing is expected to return Thursday, and the Flyers made it to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final after a franchise-worst 0-5-1 start a year ago.
Coyotes start fast againPerennial fast-starting Phoenix is at it again. The Coyotes were 18-7-3 by Dec. 6 a year ago and a ridiculous 17-3-3 by Dec. 12 in 1998. On his fourth team in less than 20 months, Joe Juneau is again vaguely looking like the player who scored 102-points as a rookie in Boston. His impact on the Coyotes' tepid power play has been substanial. Juneau works best down low, positioned along the half boards, setting up finishers Keith Tkachuk and Jeremy Roenick. The power play also suffered from a lack of a dangerous shooter at the point, but coach Bobby Francis has improved it by rotating winger Shane Doan up top.
Panther problems?Igor Larionov is centering the Florida Panthers first line, but for how long? Once the schedule heats up, Larionov, who turns 40 in December, won't be able to play 22 minutes a night with right wing Pavel Bure. Coach Terry Murray, who started with former center Rob Neidermayer on left wing with Larionov, flopped Neidermayer and 5-foot-8 second-line left wing Ray Whitney after two games, leaving Florida with the smallest No. 1 line in the NHL. More surprising, Murray also promoted tough guy Paul Laus, who has nine career goals, to right wing on the second line in place of disappointing Olli Jokinen. The Panthers clearly miss 26-goal man Mark Parrish, dealt to the Islanders for goalie Roberto Luongo. Sports Illustrated senior writer Michael Farber covers the NHL beat for the magazine and is a regular contributor to CNNSI.com.
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