Games 70 and 71: Flyers at Maple Leafs and Vice Versa

Like the Montreal home and home, I'm doing this all as one. It's easier.

Philadelphia Flyers: 35-26-8, 78 points
Toronto Maple Leafs: 30-30-10, 70 points

Martin Biron v. Vesa Toskala

A few weeks ago, it looked like these games might be irrelevant in the playoff race, but all of a sudden, this home and home is very important. Tonight in Toronto, the Flyers/Leafs rivalry will be renewed as these two teams fight for the playoffs in the last two meetings of the season. The Flyers are trying to catch the Bruins and Rangers in front of them, while the Leafs are trying to catch the Flyers and make the playoffs.

Martin Biron will get the start in the first game, but it's definitely possible that Niittymaki starts in Philadelphia tomorrow.

Toronto has made a very nice turnaround since the last meeting on January 5th. Back then, things were not going well north of the border. They were really struggling, talking about high draft picks and trading key players such as Mats Sundin. After the trade deadline, things have been different. Since the deadline came and went and the trade rumors stopped, the Leafs are 3-2-1 and 6-3-1 in their last 10. They're still 13th in the conference, but things are definitely better than they were at this time last month. Two guys that were involved in a lot of rumors in particular were Mats Sundin and Tomas Kaberle. They were both asked to waive their no trade clauses and said no. Now, Sundin has 7 goals and 14 points in the last 8 games and Kaberle has 12 points in the last 12.

This may not be considered a rivalry like Leafs/Senators or Red Wings/Avalanche, but it's always a lot of fun when these two teams meet. Last meeting, big hits were being thrown all around the ice, and that unfortunately included Hatcher accidentally injuring Joffrey Lupul. The most memorable moment may have been when Steve Downie socked Jason Blake while being held back by an official. Blake absolutely deserved it after the ridiculous comments he made about Downie in September, even though it kind of was a cheap shot. John Stevens has talked to Downie about this, and he understands that this feud cannot carry over and cause him to make a mistake in the next two games.

Bill Meltzer posts scratches.