Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!!

Facing a possible 2-0 hole against the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Final, Flyers coach Peter Laviolette will be making some line-up changes headed into game two.

First move is one of necessity. Ryan Parent will be sitting for fellow rookie Oskars Bartulis. Parent has had a rough ride in the postseason, from getting abused by opposing wingers, to injuring teammate Brian Boucher in the second round against the Boston Bruins.

Bartulis is one of a couple of options, the other being Danny Syvret. Bartulis gets the call, not only because he played in the first two games of the post season against the Devils, but also because he has good size and is a solid defender. Syvret is a smallish player, who has a reputation as being somewhat weak in his own end.

Regardless, Bartulis is unlikely to see a great deal of ice time. Parent saw just 41 Hellish seconds of ice time in game one, where he lost his stick, blew coverage and did little but get in the way of the other defenders on a Chicago goal.

The second change is the return of Daniel Carcillo to the Flyer line-up.

Carcillo was relegated to the sidelines when forwards Jeff Carter and Ian Laperriere returned from injuries in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals. With Carcillo coming back, rookie James van Riemsdyk will find himself out of the line-up.

van Riemsdyk has struggled with bringing a top level effort for every game, and since he’s not a regular penalty killer or powerplay guy, he’s the one likely to sit instead of Darroll Powe or Arron Asham.

Carcillo will provide jump and physicality...he also needs to play smart to be effective for Philadelphia

Carcillo and van Riemsdyk have both scored some big playoff goals this spring. Carcillo’s OT winner in game three of the first round seemed to drive a dagger in the hearts of the Devils. van Riemsdyk scored the Flyers first goal in their game seven comeback against Boston.

The key for tonight is to get the team defense back to the level it had been at for most of the playoffs. Carcillo, for all his faults, is a better two way forward than van Riemsdyk is right now. Bartulis has to be more solid than Parent, who not only seems to many observers to be playing hurt, but is also suffering from a case of shattered confidence.

Goaltender Michael Leighton also needs a bounce back game. He was pedestrian at best in game one, but he did get hung out to dry. If he struggles in game two, Brian Boucher will probably be in net for game three-and he doesn’t look to be 100% after injuring both knees.

Memorial Day

Many thanks and remembrances go out to all those who paid the ultimate price in defending my country, the United States of America. Today should include some time set aside to remember those who served and died our nation in times of war and conflict. Regardless of your political affiliation, these brave men and women died to defend our rights. Please, never forget them and their sacrifices.