Leafs @ Flyers

[Louie]

he struggling Philadelphia Flyers look to catch up with the division leading New Jersey for first place in the Atlantic as they host the streaking Toronto Maple Leafs Thursday night.

The Flyers have burned the bank roll for their supporters of late, as they've gone a dismal 3-6 ATS in their last nine games overall. It doesnt get any better at home, as the Flyers are currently on a pathetic 1-5 ATS run in their last six games on home ice.

The 'under' has played the role of cash hog when the Flyers play at home this season. The 'under' has gone a money making 11-3 when Philadelphia play at First Union Arena.

Philadelphia have struggled on offense all season long as the team now ranks 22nd in team offense with a scoring average of 2.48 goals per game. Contributing to the dismal offense has been a sluggish power play which now ranks 26th in the league, clicking at pathetic 12.5% efficiency.

The numbers do get better on the other end of the ice as the Flyers currently rank 5th overall in defense with a team goals against average of 2.25 for the season.

With injured star John LeClair out of the lineup, Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock feels his team needs a new approach in the offensive zone, "We just want the attitude to change in some areas, so we're going to go out and change them," Hitchcock said earlier this week. "You can talk about scoring goals all you want, but the problem on the power play is we're light on the puck."

The hot Maple Leafs have been padding the bank roll of late with an incredible 8-2 ATS run in their last 10 games overall.

Goaltender Ed Belfour has been leading the charge of late for the Leafs and his teamates give him full credit for their recent success, "He has been unbelievable, the key to our success the past month," defenceman Ric Jackman said. "Everyone's playing hard for him and he's playing hard for us."

Toronto has been doing a fine job on specialty teams this season and currently rank fourth in the league on the penalty kill with 86.75% success rate.

Leafs forward Shane Corson is nursing a groin injury and will not play.


My Pick: Take the Under 5