Leafs put home unbeaten streak on line against Flyers
Toronto, Ontario (Sports Network) - The Toronto Maple Leafs try to extend their home unbeaten streak to 14 tonight when they welcome the Philadelphia Flyers to Air Canada Centre.
Toronto is 12-0-1 in its last 13 home matches, dating back to a 2-1 loss to Detroit on November 16. The run marks the longest of its kind for the Leafs since 1970-71 when they didn't lose at Maple Leaf Gardens for 14 straight. The franchise record for a home unbeaten streak is 18, last set during the 1953-54 season.
The Maple Leafs have won three-in-a-row overall, including Saturday's 3-2 overtime decision in Montreal. Nik Antropov provided the heroics 56 seconds into the extra session. Travis Green and Robert Reichel also scored, while Trevor Kidd finished with 28 saves before leaving in the third with a groin injury.
Rookie goaltender Mikael Tellqvist took over in his first-ever NHL appearance and stopped 9-of-10 shots. The Leafs were without All-Star Ed Belfour, who is nursing back spasms and very doubtful for tonight. There's a good chance that Tellqvist will get his first NHL start against the Flyers, as Kidd is questionable to even dress.
Elsewhere on the injury front, winger Alexander Mogilny is questionable due to a foot injury that has sidelined him for two games.
Toronto will visit Buffalo on Friday.
Philadelphia, which has won nine of its last 10 overall, posted a 4-2 win over the host New York Rangers on Sunday for its third straight triumph. Michal Handzus scored the go-ahead goal late in the third period as the Flyers bounced back from a 2-0 deficit. Keith Primeau, with two goals, and Simon Gagne also tallied, while Roman Cechmanek turned aside 31 shots.
Handzus netted his 14th goal of the season, and extended his points streak to six games (4g, 4a). Carrying in a five-game personal run will be winger Donald Brashear (1g, 4a), who assisted on the winning marker.
During their 10-game spurt to start 2003, the Flyers have scored 35 goals, while allowing 21. They've managed five power-play tallies in 31 attempts over that span, and have successfully quelled 31 of 33 penalty killing situations.
Philadelphia, which leads the Atlantic Division by one over New Jersey with 61 points, has won its last five road games. The Flyers will host the New York Islanders on Friday.
Toronto is 2-1 against Philly this season, and 3-2-1 in the last six meetings. The Flyers are 0-1-1 in their last two trips to Air Canada Centre.
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