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Niitymaki makes first start for Flyers vs. Lightning

Oct 25, 2007 - 1:41 PM Philadelphia (6-2-0) at Tampa Bay (4-3-0) 7:30 pm EDT

TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia Flyers hope their early-season success can rub off on backup goaltender Antero Niitymaki.

Niitymaki makes his first start of the season as the Flyers visit the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday.

Niitymaki has been regulated to backup duty after going 9-29-9 with a 3.38 goal-against average last season and losing his last six starts.

The nine-year veteran's struggles caused the Flyers to trade for Martin Biron in the offseason, and so far the deal has worked out beautifully. Biron has started every game, posting a 1.57 GAA while helping Philadelphia to its best start since in five years.

With Biron in net, Philadelphia is off to its best start since the 2002-03 campaign in which it started 9-1-2.

Now, Niitymaki gets a chance to redeem himself, as well as help the Flyers rebound after having their five-game winning streak snapped in a 4-3 loss to Florida on Wednesday.

However, history is not on his side. He is 0-3-0 with a 4.37 GAA against the Lightning.

In addition to that, the Flyers have their work cut out for them as Tampa Bay is unbeaten in four home games this season, and has won 11 of the last 12 meetings between the clubs.

Johan Holmqvist will be back in net after backup Marc Denis allowed four goals in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to Washington. Holmqvist, who has a 2.61 GAA in three starts this season, is 2-1-0 with a 2.97 GAA in three career starts against Philadelphia.