Subplots Abound As Lightning Come to Philly

On the table are a couple intriguing questions and plots surrounding tonight's Flyers-Lightning contest:

After dropping two easily winnable games in a row over the weekend, can the Flyers prevent this from becoming yet another frustrating losing streak?

So far, it's been six down, four up, three down, one and one, six up, then two down.

How will Rick Tocchet's return to the Delaware Valley play out now that he's the opposing head coach?

Tocchet, who was the Phoenix Coyotes' assistant coach upon his exposure in a gambling scandal in early 2006, hasn't been back to Philly since the last time the Yotes played here in 2003. He now presides over a mess of a Tampa Bay club still searching for an identity.

Will the Flyers ever be able to solve their half-decade-long string of frustration at home against Tampa Bay?

The Bolts have won eight of nine matchups here since the 2003-04 season, plus two of three in that playoff series we all still see in our nightmares.

How effective can Danny Briere be if and when he returns to the lineup, presumably sufficiently rested?

That remains to be seen. Putting him on what is in effect a third line with Andreas Nodl and Joffrey Lupul just because you don't want to break up the Gagne-Richards-Knuble pairing is an interesting gamble. On one hand, it gives #48 less ice time which may be good to test the groin. On the other hand, you're burying him on what is in effect a third line with two guys he has barely played alongside.