vs.

The Detroit Red Wings visit the Philadelphia Flyers in the latest edition of the LCS: Guide to Hockey Game of the Week.

The last time Detroit paid a visit to the Corestates Center in Philadelphia, the Wings won the first two games of the four they swept to earn the Stanley Cup Championship last June.

The Detroit Red Wings are currently in a three-game slump, following losses to San Jose, Los Angeles and Boston. Amazingly, it is Detroit's longest losing steak since a four-game tumble back in October, 1993.

The Red Wings have a safe grip on third place overall in the Western Conference, owning a 34-18-13 record good for 81 points. Detroit's biggest change since these teams last met in January, is of course the return of Sergei Fedorov. Fedorov did notch two assists in a 6-3 loss to Boston Tuesday, but has only one goal and those two assists in six games since his return.

After Tuesday home-ice setback to the Bruins, Detroit hosts the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday, before traveling to Philadelphia for Saturday's matinee with the Flyers.

The Philadelphia Flyers have finally realized their club from last year was insufficient to win the Stanley Cup. GM Bobby Clarke last week traded Garth "Mile-High Shoulder Pads" Snow to Vancouver in exchange for Sean Burke. Finally, Clarke recognized the Flyers had to improve their goaltending.

In a stranger and more bizarre move, the Flyers announced Monday, they had a new head coach. Wayne Cashman, who had led the Flyers to a 32-20-9 record for 73 points, third overall in the Eastern Conference, had suddenly been demoted to assistant coach.

Why was he hired in the first place? Where did Boudaboom disappear to? Questions to ponder... The new front man, Roger Neilson, has about 20 games to get familiar with his squad before the first round of the playoffs arrive.

Neilson's Flyers tied New Jersey 2-2 Tuesday in his debut. Thursday they play host to Vancouver, before hosting Detroit Saturday afternoon.

The Red Wings and Flyers have battled 112 times prior to this week's contest. Philadelphia holds a 48-43-21 all-time record against Detroit.

This is the second of two meetings between the Red Wings and Flyers this season. In the first contest, on 1/24/98, Detroit defeated the Flyers by a score of 1-0. Brendan Shanahan notched the lone goal of the game with 3:12 left in the third period.

Detroit went undefeated last year against the Flyers, 1-0-1 in the regular season, and 4-0-0 in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Regular season dates and results: 1/22/97 - DETROIT 2, Philadelphia 2; 1/25/97 - Detroit 4, PHILADELPHIA 1.

Stanley Cup dates and results: 5/31/97 - Detroit 4, PHILADELPHIA 2; 6/3/97 - Detroit 4, PHILADELPHIA 2; 6/5/97 - DETROIT 6, Philadelphia 1; 6/7/97 - DETROIT 2, Philadelphia 1.

Game Prediction

Prognosticator says: Detroit 4, Philadelphia 2

Although Detroit may be in a three-game tailspin, their ship is sailing in steady waters. Philadelphia, on the other hand, is still unstable after recent changes. Although not a Mike Keenan-style overhaul of 90 percent of the roster, the Flyers have made changes in two very important positions: head coach and in goal. Add that to the fact that Eric Lindros is still foggy and sidelined from meeting the shoulder of Darius Kasparaitis.

The Flyers are confused and overmatched for this contest against Detroit and the all-time winningest head coach, Scotty Bowman. Detroit will continue their recent mastery over Philadelphia.

Record So Far...

Last week the St. Louis Blues pasted the Montreal Canadiens by a 4-0 mark. The correct prediction upped your prognosticator's record on the season to 7-8-3.

Other Quality Games This Week

St. Louis at Colorado, Wednesday, March 11: #4 visits #2 in a Western Conference showdown.
Washington at Ottawa, Saturday, March 14: Battle of the Capital's important as Ottawa looks to climb into playoff position.
New Jersey at Montreal, Saturday, March 14: Natives Brodeur and Lemaire invade Montreal.

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