The shots keep coming and coming and coming....

So now even the Washington Capitals are outshooting the Flyers. Prior to Friday's 4-3 Washington win at Wachovia, the Capitals were one of the few teams out there -- as in, like, three -- in the previous 20 games to actually be outshot by the production poor Flyers.

Of course, they preach quality over quantity, which is why they can brag about being 12-7-2.
Fair enough. But there has to be a reason for slow starts and the way they get outshot on a nightly basis, as these two things seem to be tied in.

While the Flyers continue to say that being outshot is a small matter not worthy of basing a critique on, eventually, that little matter is going to wear a good man down -- as in good man Marty Biron, the good but not great goalie.

If he's actually going to play 65 or so games this season, and coach John Stevens certainly seems willing to let him try -- the Flyers are going to have to cut Biron a break by cutting down on the number of shots coming from the other guys ... and stepping it up themselves.

Gagne in ... or is he?

There's no question how important Simon Gagne is to the Flyers' offensive attack. Although Danny Briere looked much more alive in Washington Friday night with newly returned Scottie Upshall by his side, the Flyers' power play is much more dangerous with Gagne playing it on the wing and Briere firing passes from around and behind the net.

Today, Gagne forgot all about the concussion symptoms which have dogged him for more than a week (since Florida's Jay Bouwmeester gave him a nice bump) and practiced in full with the Flyers in Voorhees.

Afterward he said he "felt good out there," and said if that happy feeling continues he'll be able to play against the Rangers on a Monday night in New York. But Flyers coach John Stevens is expressing caution, saying some guys that have "symptoms" -- nobody uses that C Word around here -- can be cleared and pass baseline tests like Gagne did, only to practice and have the symptoms return.

So essentially, if Gagne gets to New York tomorrow morning feeling the same way he did this morning, he'll probably play, but on limited shifts. Upshall, whose regular role is now as Jeff Carter's off wing across from Sami Kapanen, should be double shifted on occasion.