Well Flyers fans, we've made it.  Tonight, for the first time since the Penguins stole our souls, we get to see real Flyers hockey.  All the hype of the off season is over, and the questions from preseason are answered.  So much has changed since last season.  We all know about the new faces and the old ones that are long gone.  Where the team was confident in its ability last year, this team now knows it's stocked, and will have the swagger to prove it.  I don't want to bore you with another "look-who's-new-we're-good-except-for-the-goalie-question-mark" post that every mutherflippin' person who writes about hockey has been saying for over 2 months now.  The time of nervous wondering and anticipation is over.  It's now time to shed those thoughts and go skate your ass off every night to get 2 points.

We begin this season down in Carolina against a tough, playoff-caliber team in the Canes.  Although a lay-up game against the Isles would be nice for the first game, it'll be great to see such a battle in the very first 60 minutes of the season.  Cam Ward got paid, they stole Andrew Alberts, and oh yeah, perennial all-star Eric Staal skates in tobacco country.  I didn't even mention Rod the Bod.  Brind'Amour is starting his 800th season and is out to prove something after a sluggish 2008 campaign.  I don't like the sound of "determined Rod Brind'Amour" anymore than you do...

I like how the Canes are put together, and tonight's game will be a grinding affair.  It feels like a Lappy special tonight, and I'd love to see him get a greasy assist and punch Kostopoulos right in the kisser.  I may be going out on a limb, but I think the Canes are taking the Southeast this year, and the games against them will be some of the best all season.  They play in a shit division and will be right in the mix the whole way against the Washington Commies.  They have a lot of grinders on their squad, mixed in with some finesse and an above average blue line. Add in the most underrated goalie in the league and you have a very dangerous team.  The Flyers match up well against the Canes, and it will be a matter of puck possession tonight.  Apparently the RBC Center is the loudest barn out there, but 2 first period snipes by a rejuvenated Danny Breeze will squash their 7th man right away. 

For the Flyers, it'll be our first real look at the complete team.  I'll be watching Giroux, JVR, Pronger, Lappy, Carcillo and Danny Breeze.  Will the new lines work?  Does Carter start the year on a tear?  How many bad penalties do we take?  How does Rabbit do in his first game?  Who does Carcillo bite?  How sweet will Richie's first goal be? Does Kimmo hug Mika? Does Hartnell muck it up?  How does the D play?  Does Emery continue his sharp play from the preseason?  Will I be drunk before the puck even drops?  How many chicken fingers does Riley Cote eat in the owners box?  All this and more will be answered, and I cannot wait! 

This team reminds me of the 1993 Phillies.  Take that whichever way you want, but one thing is for sure, this will be the most exciting team in Philly, and in hockey, to watch all season.  (And yes, Riley Cote is most certainly our John Kruk...and JVR is totally Kevin Stocker).  The team is comprised of so much skill and character, it'll be a blast following them all season as they go for the Cup.  I cannot wait for tonight.  It's Friday, and hockey is back.  No more vengeance now, or hungry for more bullshit.  Just give me 60 minutes of hard nosed hockey and with this level of skill, we'll have a chance to win every night.  Oh, and if it wouldn't hurt....150 Claude Giroux goals too.  So as you're reading this, on this chilly autumn day, counting down the minutes until your next coffee break... just know that in a few hours, after you punch out, grab some grub and open the first cold one...know that we're all back.  Back where we belong.  Cheering on the best team in all of sports.  The season begins tonight.  Let's Go Flyers.

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