Blogs > In The Room with Anthony SanFilippo

Daily Times beat writer Anthony J. SanFilippo takes you inside the locker rooms of the Philadelphia Flyers and the rest of the NHL.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

EMERY GETS THE NOD

So the answer to the mystery question of life for the Flyers this weekend is Ray Emery.

Emery gets the start in goal today against the Caps, and it makes sense.

Emery has been cleared to play for the last week, and he was a solid, if not spectacular goalie before getting injured.

HE played hurt for awhile, which skewed some of his numbers, but believe me, Emery was as sharp at the start of the season as Michael Leighton has been of late.

So, it's only fair that Emery get a chance to reclaim his spot as the No. 1 goalie.

Peter Laviolette was clearly riding Leighton until he lost, which happened Thursday in Toronto, however, don't expect Leighton to just fade into the abyss.

Unless Emery goes on an equally remarkable streak of 11 straight starts without a loss in regulation, it's likely Leighton will be back in net.

And if Emery struggles, be certain that Laviolette won't hesitate to go back to Leighton quickly.

Emery's start today signifies that the organization still considers him the No. 1 goalie, and rightfully so. He has done nothing wrong to deserve losing that spot.

But, it wouldn't be out of line to say that his grip on that spot is not nearly as firm as it was with Brian Boucher as his primary backup. If Emery stumbles, Leighton has proven he can carry the load and has the confidence not only in himself, but of his teammates and coaches as well.

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One little note: Radio broadcaster Tim Saunders has grade 5 laryngitis and can't be the play-by-play man for today's game. Instead, Chris Therien will do play-by-play. Should be a fun broadcast! Good luck Bundy!

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