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Meltzer's Musings: 1/11/12

January 11, 2012, 7:25 AM ET [1034 Comments]
Bill Meltzer
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • RSSArchiveCONTACT
While it was hardly a riveting game for much of the night, the Flyers needed the sort of workmanlike effort they displayed in grinding out a 2-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes last night. It was good to see the team slam the door with a one-goal lead in the final period.

On a night where the Claude Giroux line -- for the third straight game -- was held off the scoreboard, the Flyers got goals from rookies Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier. They also got a fine game in goal from Sergei Bobrovsky, once again leaving Peter Laviolette with a decision to make as to whom to start in the next game (Thursday @ Islanders).

Schenn now has points (2 G, 1 A) in three of the last four games, and would have points in four straight if Ottawa Senators goalie had not committed highway robbery on a seemingly wide-open chance on the doorstep in Sunday's game. I really think that Schenn has only just begun a run of strong offensive play because he has regained his confidence and has plenty of energy in the tank at a time when most opponents are hitting the midseason lull.

Couturier, meanwhile, now has goals in two straight games. The more he plays, the more it becomes evident that the team's 2011 first-round pick is the real deal.

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The 2011-12 season hit its statistical midpoint for the Flyers after last night's game. The club is on pace for 108 points, which is remarkable on numerous fronts.

Let's put it this way: If someone told you when training camp started that Philly would have 54 points at the midway mark -- without the benefit of a single shootout win -- would you have taken it? I certainly would, and would have thought pretty much everything would have gone right and the club would have stayed healthy to get there.

Now, what if someone said that Chris Pronger would be limited to 13 games for the entire season? What if they told you that Ilya Bryzgalov would have a goals against average over 3.00 and save percentage under .890? I would have said that 54 points would be almost impossible under those circumstances.

How about if someone told you that the Flyers would rank in the league's top three in goals per game, and would have eight forwards on pace for 20-plus goals? Oh, and what if they added that highly touted rookie Schenn would have just two goals at the midpoint and Jakub Voracek would be on pace for only 12 tallies?

That's why hockey is played on ice and not on paper. The game is not just about statistics and the outcomes often confound expectations. The Flyers have a lot of work to do between now and April to be legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. But it's hard not to tip your hat to Peter Laviolette and his team for what they've accomplished overall so far.

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This week's installment of Across the Pond at NHL.com takes a look at now-former Flyers goaltender Johan Backlund.

The organization recently lent the 30-year-old Swede to Finnish team Kärpät Oulu for the rest of the 2011-12 season. Backlund has been plagued by hip problems the last two years, and the physical problems cost him a shot at the Flyers' backup job. He has only appeared into two games (one apiece in the AHL and ECHL) this season.

The article should be posted late this morning or early in the afternoon. I will update the blog with the direct link and Tweet a notification when it goes live on NHL.com.

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