Flyers Team Report

INSIDE SHOTS

Speaking publicly for the first time since he was relieved of his coaching duties, former Flyers coach John Stevens said Monday he was “surprised” by general manager Paul Holmgren’s decision to fire him but refrained from throwing darts at his close friend and former boss.

“The important thing you have to understand is what Homer had to do was very hard, but I think his intentions are pure,” Stevens said. “In his heart he is doing what he thinks he has to do to win.”

In parts of four seasons as the Flyers’ coach, Stevens compiled a record of 120-109-34. Under his direction the Flyers went from having the worst record in the NHL in 2006-07 to playing for the Eastern Conference championship one year later.

Known for his calm demeanor and analytical mind, Stevens drew criticism last spring when the Flyers played poorly at the start of the playoffs and were eliminated by the Penguins in the first round.

That criticism heightened when the Flyers lost six of seven games from Nov. 20 through Dec. 3, falling to 12th in the Eastern Conference standings and prompting Holmgren to offer the job to Peter Laviolette while Stevens was conducting his final practice Friday morning.

“Was I surprised? Yes,” Stevens said. “But now that I pull back, obviously the team has stumbled lately. You can sit back and analyze it any way you want. Part of the job description as a coach is to get your team to perform.”

Canadiens 3, Flyers 1:   The Flyers dropped their fifth straight, fell to 1-8 in their last nine and are 0-2 under new coach Peter Laviolette. It’s not exactly encouraging news for a team that will still be in search of its offense when it plays host to the Islanders Tuesday night.

Danny Briere(notes) provided the game’s first goal, but it proved to be all the offense the Flyers could muster against Habs goaltender Carey Price(notes). The Flyers have scored just five goals in their five-game losing streak while allowing 19.

Despite facing a season-low 13 shots, Flyers backup Brian Boucher(notes) allowed three goals. Laviolette said he liked the Flyers’ energy in the first period, in which they held Montreal to just one shot. But he did not like the Flyers’ energy in the third, when they failed to mount much of a comeback.

NOTES, QUOTES

• The Flyers have lost 14 of their last 17 regular-season games against the Canadiens, including 10 of the last 11. They did, however, beat them in five games in the 2008 playoffs.

• The Flyers’ power play is 0-for-19 during their five-game losing streak, and their penalty killers have allowed 17 goals in the last 13 games.

• The 28 total shots by the Flyers and Canadiens set a club record for fewest by both teams. The previous mark was 29 set Dec. 11, 1990 against the Capitals. The last time the Flyers allowed 13 shots was at Washington on Jan 25, 2004.

• The Flyers lost 34-of-59 face-offs against the Habs.

Quote To Note:   “I’m not going to lie to you, I’m going to miss it here. My family has grown up here, my kids (sons John and Nolan) have grown up here. The passion of the Philadelphia sports fan is unbelievable. The atmosphere for our home games is something I’m going to dearly miss.”—Former Flyers coach John Stevens.

ROSTER REPORT

Goaltenders:   Ray Emery(notes), Brian Boucher.

Defensemen:   Matt Carle(notes), Chris Pronger(notes), Braydon Coburn(notes), Kimmo Timonen(notes), Ryan Parent(notes), Oskars Bartulis(notes).

First Line:   Scott Hartnell(notes), Mike Richards(notes), Claude Giroux(notes).

Second Line:   James van Riemsdyk(notes), Jeff Carter(notes), Danny Briere.

Third Line:   Ian Laperriere(notes), Mika Pyorala(notes), Arron Asham(notes).

Fourth Line:   Riley Cote(notes), Jon Kalinski(notes), Andreas Nodl(notes).

Player Notes:  

• LW Dan Carcillo sat out the first game of a four-game suspension for sucker-punching Capitals forward Matt Bradley(notes) on Saturday night, and was replaced in the lineup by LW Riley Cote. Cote promptly got into a scrap with heavyweight Georges Laraque(notes). Cote held his own against Laraque, fighting him to a draw.

• G Ray Emery sat out Monday night’s game but is expected to be in goal Tuesday against the Islanders. He is 0-4-0 in his last five starts with a 5.36 GAA and .814 save percentage.

• G Brian Boucher has allowed six goals on 26 shots over his last two appearances.

• D Chris Pronger has no points and is minus-five in the last eight games.

• RW Danny Briere is tied with C Mike Richards for the team lead with 11 goals, but he is a team-worst minus-7. D Braydon Coburn (minus-5) and D Kimmo Timonen (minus-4) are next, while D Matt Carle is a team-best plus-13.

• C Jeff Carter has scored in just one of his last 11 games.

• LW James van Riemsdyk is on a nine-game goal drought.

Medical Watch:  

• LW Simon Gagne(notes) (hernia) will miss 1-to-2 weeks.

• C Blair Betts(notes) (dislocated right shoulder) is out for two weeks.

• LW Darroll Powe(notes) (hand/wrist) will miss two weeks.