Yesterday was a frustrating night at the office for the Flyers in their 5-1 loss to Tampa Bay. Philly dominated the territorial possession for much of the game but were done in by a combination of strong goaltending from Tampa's Mathieu Garon, mediocre goaltending from Ilya Bryzgalov, several costly coverage breakdowns and 22 blocked shot attempts.
As in the Rangers game, it was the second period that cost the Flyers a chance to win this game, as the teams went to the first intermission tied (in this case 1-1) and then Philly found itself staring at a multiple goal deficit (in this case 4-1) by the end of the middle stanza. The Flyers have now lost four of their last five games, and have given up the game's first goal in all five.
Despite Tampa scoring first, the Flyers really played a strong road period in the opening stanza. They controlled the play for virtually the entire period, and the Claude Giroux line created no fewer than a half-dozen prime scoring chances. But it wasn't until late in the period when Giroux intentionally created a carom off the end boards, recovered the puck and set up an opportunity for a wide open Scott Hartnell that the Flyers broke through for their only goal of the period (or game).
The Flyers' power play was symbolic of their frustrations last night. Time of possession was no problem, as the Flyers were set up in the offensive zone for much of their man advantages. But getting shots on net proved to be difficult-- either due to blocks, missed nets or simple flubs (example: for as many good things as Jaromir Jagr has done this season, he has shanked a lot of one timers or fumbled away seemingly wide open shots). It was not until Philly's fourth power play of the game that they finally got a shot on goal.
Last night's game was a brutal one for Philly's all-rookie fourth line of the returning Brayden Schenn centering Harry Zolnierczyk and Zac Rinaldo. The unit was minus-two in less than 10 minutes of ice time. Meanwhile, Braydon Coburn ended up out on the ice for all four of Tampa's even-strength goals.
The Flyers also need to get more secondary scoring to help out the Giroux line. Wayne Simmonds had been hot of late, but Jakub Voracek (after a lengthy stretch of strong play) has not been noticeable during the team's recent skid. The physical problems that James van Riemsdyk has been having seem to be affecting his game. Matt Read is now nine games removed from his last goal and is pointless in four of the last five.
Danny Briere, who battled through finger and hand issues to play last night, generated seven shots on goal. But Briere has just one point (the tying goal late in the Colorado game) to show for his last five games after a stretch of two goals and eight points in the previous six games.
As for Bryzgalov, the goaltender needs to start coming up with more saves. None of last night's goals could be truly deemed soft -- there was a deflection off a faceoff, a rebound off an initially screened shot, two goals where someone was wide open on the doorstep and a meaningless late goal high to the long side. Nevertheless, it is his responsibility to come up with a few momentum saves to keep his team close.
If it were just last night's game, I'd give Bryz a pass. Games where a goalie seems very little action and then suddenly faces a tester or two are often tougher than ones where he's bombarded with rubber but all but a few are unscreened shots from the perimeter.
But it wasn't just last night. Bryzgalov has had far too many games like that this season where he doesn't come up with a single clutch save. His goals against average has crept above 3.00 and his save percentage has dropped to the bottom five in the NHL (third lowest among goalies who have made 20 or more starts). That is just flat out unacceptable.
Going forward, the Flyers need Bryzgalov to get in synch on a much more consistent basis. For now, however, Sergei Bobrovsky is the better of the two Philadelphia goaltenders. I would expect Bob to be in goal tomorrow night in Pittsburgh. If he does well against the Penguins, he could even earn the start in the Winter Classic.
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This week's installment of
Across the Pond at NHL.com takes a look at annual Spengler Cup tournament in Davos, Switzerland.
One of these years, I would love to go to Switzerland to see the tournament and experience the party-like atmosphere in person. It is a grueling tourney for the players, as the winning team and runner up in the four team field end up playing four games in four days and five games within six days.
Former Flyers defenseman Ryan Parent is playing for Team Canada, which is coached by Marc Crawford. Marty Turco is the starting goalie for the Canadians.
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Thank you to everyone who entered!
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