Uniondale, L.I - This is the place Al Arbour and Bill Torrey built. Nassau Coliseum, the third oldest arena left in the NHL.
I don't usually put overriding significance on specific games, but today in this awful, old and ugly rink, plus tomorrow in historic Madison Square Garden, the Flyers will play two HUGE games against the Islanders and Rangers.
9-10-1.
That's the only figure you need to know, the only one to fathom for the weekend. You see, that's the Flyers record against Atlantic Division opponents. You wanna know why this club was unable to gain separation from everyone else in the division, even when it was winning last month?
It's because the Flyers have played brutal hockey against within their own division. If John Stevens' club is going to make the playoffs this season - I'm not ready to say they're over the hump and in, yet _ they need to sweep these two divisional games this weekend, then defeat the Islanders again next weekend in Philly.
Only 2 points separate the Flyers and Isles. Sixteen of the Flyers' remaining 18 games are against teams with .500 or better records. Twelve are against Atlantic Division foes. The Flyers need to do better than merely win half of those games. They need to get points in nine, if you ask me.
It starts today.
Inquirer reporter Mike Jensen is the college basketball columnist for the Inquirer. Each year, he gives a special insight into the tournament.
Inquirer reporter Jeff McLane is the beat writer for Temple. He will pick the tournament.
Inquirer reporter Tom Fitzgerald will blog about Hillary Clinton's Pa. visits March 10 &11.
Inquirer reporter Larry Eichel will post updates on Bill Clinton's March 7 visit to Media.
Inquirer reporter Tim Panaccio will write about National Hockey League trade talk. 
Inquirer reporter David Aldridge will live-blog the week before the NBA's trade deadline. 
Peter Mucha began this blog, before moving on to other writing duties.
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