Avalanche report

Pat Rooney, Special to the Rocky

Published December 7, 2007 at 12:45 a.m.

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Photo by Michael Dwyer / Associated Press

Boston's Patrice Bergeron lies motionless after a hit from Philadelphia's Randy Jones in October. Jones is one of five Flyers suspended this season because of questionable hits to the head.

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Clampdown

Avalanche players might want to buckle their chin straps a little tighter.

The Philadelphia Flyers visit the Pepsi Center tonight for the first time in almost four years on the heels of the team's public reprimand by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman for an excessive numbers of hits to the heads of opposing players.

Five Flyers players have been suspended since the preseason for such hits, and Bettman warned the club the next infraction could result in the suspension of coaches or front office personnel in addition to a team fine.

"When it happens over and over again, the league has to take a look at it and clamp down on it," Avalanche wing Ryan Smyth said.

"Obviously, that's what (the league's) take on it is. As far as us as players, we just want to go out and play and win. And they are our next task. They are playing physical, and that is their type of game."

Reshuffled again

Avalanche coach Joel Quenneville said Tuesday that goaltending has not led to his team's recent inconsistencies.

Quenneville did not change his tune Thursday despite the four goals allowed by Peter Budaj in the club's third-period meltdown at Columbus on Wednesday. Jose Theodore is scheduled to start tonight against the Flyers.

"Our goaltending was good early on (at Columbus)," Quenneville said. "Right now, we're at a stage where we're comfortable that it will get better and be a big part of our team."

Sakic update

Captain Joe Sakic did not practice and is expected to miss his fourth consecutive game because of a groin injury.

No timetable has been set for his return and he will be re-evaluated during the weekend.

"He knows his body well, and he'll know when it's time," Quenneville said.

Flyers at Avalanche

* When: 7 tonight.

* Where: Pepsi Center.

* TV/radio: Altitude; KKFN-AM (950).

* Leading scorers

Philadelphia (15-9-1) G A Pts.

C Mike Richards 14 17 31

C Daniel Briere 12 18 30

RW Joffrey Lupul 6 11 17

RW Mike Knuble 8 8 16

C Jeff Carter 9 6 15

Coach:

John Stevens

Colorado (14-12-1) G A Pts.

C Paul Stastny 11 22 33

C Joe Sakic 7 15 22

LW Ryan Smyth 8 12 20

RW Milan Hejduk 9 10 19

LW Wojtek Wolski 9 9 18

Coach:

Joel Quenneville * Injuries: Philadelphia - LW Simon Gagne (concussion) and D Mike Rathje (illness) are out. Colorado - D Jordan Leopold (wrist), D Kurt Sauer (neck) and Sakic (groin) are out.

* Sidelight: Philadelphia backup goaltender Antero Niittymaki on Wednesday made his first start that was not part of a set of games on consecutive nights and responded with 28 saves to help the Flyers' first victory at Minnesota's Xcel Center.

* Notes: Because of the league's unbalanced schedule, this is the Flyers' first appearance at the Pepsi Center since Dec. 27, 2003. The teams did not face each other last season. . . . The Avalanche has not suffered a regulation loss against Philadelphia in the teams' past four meetings. . . . Stastny has posted two points in five of the past seven games. . . . Hejduk has tallied seven points (three goals, four assists) during a five-game scoring streak. . . . After going without a point in six of seven games, Smyth has posted three points in two of the past three games. . . . Philadelphia owns one of the best road marks in the league at 9-6. . . . The Flyers have won their past four road games, including a 3-1 win Wednesday.

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