Oskars Bartulis News

Usually it takes time for a rookie to make an impression on his NHL bosses. For Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Oskars Bartulis, it took just 10 games.

Nicklas Backstrom posted a goal and four assists as the Washington Capitals thoroughly embarrassed the Flyers, 8-2, at Wachovia Center, in the first game for new Philadelphia head coach Peter Laviolette.

James van Riemsdyk has answered all the questions. Back at Flyers training camp in September, some wondered about the 20-year-old winger's competitiveness, given his decision to play college hockey for two years.

In the middle of perhaps the rockiest road in his 4-year tenure as Flyers coach, John Stevens is staying on course.

The Philadelphia Flyers announced on Wednesday that defenseman Oskars Bartulis was signed to a three-year contract extension.

That didn't take long, did it? Oskars Bartulis has only been in the National Hockey League for 23 days but has already earned his first contract extension.

The Flyers' already long injury list grew when right winger Ian Laperriere and center Jared Ross suffered first-period injuries in the 4-2 loss to Buffalo yesterday.

No Flyers forward puts his body in front of vulcanized rubber more often than Ian Laperriere.

The Colorado Avalanche have discovered two-goal leads aren't enough to get a win, so they grabbed a three-goal edge against Philadelphia on Monday night.

The Flyers did not have much time to bask in the satisfaction of their streak-busting 3-2 win over the New Jersey Devils on Monday night.

The Shark Tank has been a House of Horrors for the Flyers . Last night, Dany Heatley - skating with the NHL 's top scoring line with partners in crime Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton - bit the Flyers with a hat trick to give the Sharks a convincing 6-3 victory at HP Pavilion.

It would be easy to look at the Flyers' five-game win streak, in which they have outscored opponents by a 24-7 margin, and assume the offense has carried the team to a tie for third place in the Atlantic Division.

Flyers coach John Stevens, who guards his goalie decision like it's a state secret, has decided to give Brian Boucher his second straight of the season tonight in Los Angeles.

The last time the Flyers faced the Ottawa Senators, the evil, uncontrollable side of Dan Carcillo reared its ugly head.

The Flyers ' offense, among the NHL 's best this season, looked sluggish for 40 minutes last night before awakening in an electric third period.

Ray Emery's first start against his former team was an uneventful affair, as he stopped 22 shots to lead Philadelphia past Ottawa, 5-1, at Wachovia Center.

Known as an in-your-face player, Pronger may be in your face in other ways soon.

Could history be in the making in the Atlantic Division? Since the NHL re-aligned its divisional format in 1998, no division has placed all five teams in the playoffs.

A No. 1 power play doesn't guarantee success in the NHL, but it sure can't hurt.

Ray Emery's real "O-Day" won't happen until Jan. 3, but this week might be a good way to break things in slowly.