And then in round 2 they face either boston or the rangers..... If they are 4 or 5th spot, you get 6 beating 3rd and you dont have to face the rangers til atleast the 3rd round.... and then maybe in the 1st round there is also an upset by the 7th or 8th and you get a better shot at not having to face either boston or the rangers....
- Jack-Meoff

Rather be in 6th with the worst team in the playoffs being my opponent. Rangers or Boston get banged around in a 7 game series 2nd round, Flyers come in with confidence

Spot on as usual Bill! I've been saying it all year and I think I might be turning blue now from doing so, but the Flyers' defensemen and their inability to get shots through from the point is hurting this team. The either get blocked and send the team the other way or miss the need and kill the offensive zone shift, with the forwards scrambling to get back into the play. I am also seeing a lot of individualism from certain players, which boggles my mind with how talented this team is. Giroux is my favorite player, but lately he is trying to force too many plays. Jagr must still think he's 25 and can deke in and out of 3 defensive players...too bad he's coughing up the puck by doing so. I have a hard time grasping how a team can fight tooth and nail to come back in 2 games(Winnipeg and Calgary), then put up 2 stinkers(Edmonton and San Jose). So many writers and fans blamed the Carter/Richards issue for the inconsistency, but now they are no longer here so where does the blame lie now? Bryz can't be blamed for the Edmonton and San Jose losses so that is a moot point...is it coaching? What say you?
- aantny88

I honestly think that a big contributor is the youth on the team. Its a good thing to have a young squad, but there are gonna be rough patches... and why wouldnt it be now that they have their trouble.. this is the toughest time of the year for the young guys. Also, by relying on youth to fill out the roster we have to hope that the vets and guys who have been there before can take it to the next level. Here are my most concerning stats...

Since 12/29/2011:

Briere(3 goals 20 games *all three in one game), Jagr (4 goals 21 games *2 in one game), G (6 goals 26 games), Reader (4 goals 26 games), Voracek (6 goals 25 games) and JvR (2 goals 11 games) have a combined 25 goals and 129 games... Putrid. Even more astounding (albeit adversely) is that the combo of Simmonds and Hartnell have 25 in 52 games.

Basically, Hartnells 13 and Simmonds 12 are the same amount as the rest of the top 9. Thats a huge problem.

The fact that Briere, Jagr and G have only combined for 13 goals since the new year is a huge problem.

The fact that Danny has had 2 or fewer shots on net in 8 of those games is a huge problem.

People have been all over Bryz this year because he is paid to be a top goalie... well where is the hate for Briere... the highest paid forward on the team?

Can't win if you don't score.

Bos, NYR and any other team would not have won that game last night.

Need to score to win.
- ggunky

You also aren't likely to win if you are playing from behind for 58+ minutes.

Rather be in 6th with the worst team in the playoffs being my opponent. Rangers or Boston get banged around in a 7 game series 2nd round, Flyers come in with confidence
- Scottie Upshall

First and last time I will ever agree with you....

First and last time I will ever agree with you....
- jak521

Rangers will finish 1st, Caps will finish 8th, Caps will win the series.
Book it.

Rangers will finish 1st, Caps will finish 8th, Caps will win the series.
Book it.
- Scottie Upshall

Yup.. knew I would never agree with you again..

Yup.. knew I would never agree with you again..
- jak521

The Rangers worst nightmare right now, is facing the Capitals in the first round.

Rather be in 6th with the worst team in the playoffs being my opponent. Rangers or Boston get banged around in a 7 game series 2nd round, Flyers come in with confidence
- Scottie Upshall

I would disagree.... I think you wanna put off facing the Rangers and Boston til as long as you can. Hope they get beat up or beat out of the playoffs by the time u face them. Plus in the playoffs its all about match-ups.... Who says that flyers will be able to beat the panthers.... not to mention they havn't been able to beat the jets all year except for barely pulling it out last game.... Or who says the capitals dont get hot the last month and go into the the playoffs on fire with all cylinders clicking and you have to face a hot vokoun and ovie..... the same team that started the season off on a tear and looked unbeatable....

San Jose did a good job to limit chances and again, the Flyers get shut out by a goalie that didn't have to do a lot of work to get the goose egg.

Bryzgalov played well, of course some idiots will blame him for the loss, but whatever. People that don't understand the sport need to have their scapegoats, so Bryz, Carle and whomever else will get heat.

I was a bit surprised that Briere was allowed to return after the boarding by Vlasic. Hopefully he won't develop concussion symptoms.

One thing I noticed, Bill, you have Brian Boyle in the blog, should be Dan.
- Jsaquella

Who on Earth would blame Bryz?

Who on Earth would blame Bryz?
- bradleyc4

You're new around here, aren't you cowboy?

Who on Earth would blame Bryz?
- bradleyc4

2be determined.. cough.. cough cough. cougghhhhh

You're new around here, aren't you cowboy?
- bodiva88

That's just a preposterous statement to say that some people will blame Bryz for the loss.

That's worse than scapegoating.

I'm in the middle of a digging a six-foot hole in the ground for his contract, and still stopped to acknowledge that he played a great game.

can't blame the goalie on this one, which I am really glad about.

I honestly think that a big contributor is the youth on the team. Its a good thing to have a young squad, but there are gonna be rough patches... and why wouldnt it be now that they have their trouble.. this is the toughest time of the year for the young guys. Also, by relying on youth to fill out the roster we have to hope that the vets and guys who have been there before can take it to the next level. Here are my most concerning stats...

Since 12/29/2011:

Briere(3 goals 20 games *all three in one game), Jagr (4 goals 21 games *2 in one game), G (6 goals 26 games), Reader (4 goals 26 games), Voracek (6 goals 25 games) and JvR (2 goals 11 games) have a combined 25 goals and 129 games... Putrid. Even more astounding (albeit adversely) is that the combo of Simmonds and Hartnell have 25 in 52 games.

Basically, Hartnells 13 and Simmonds 12 are the same amount as the rest of the top 9. Thats a huge problem.

The fact that Briere, Jagr and G have only combined for 13 goals since the new year is a huge problem.

The fact that Danny has had 2 or fewer shots on net in 8 of those games is a huge problem.

People have been all over Bryz this year because he is paid to be a top goalie... well where is the hate for Briere... the highest paid forward on the team?
- jak521

Agree on all those points! Very valid and disturbing trends. Briere seems to get a pass in this town due to his playoff performances, which are outstanding. Not saying it's justified but that is definitely the reason.

Who on Earth would blame Bryz?
- bradleyc4

Heh.

I honestly think that a big contributor is the youth on the team. Its a good thing to have a young squad, but there are gonna be rough patches... and why wouldnt it be now that they have their trouble.. this is the toughest time of the year for the young guys. Also, by relying on youth to fill out the roster we have to hope that the vets and guys who have been there before can take it to the next level. Here are my most concerning stats...

Since 12/29/2011:

Briere(3 goals 20 games *all three in one game), Jagr (4 goals 21 games *2 in one game), G (6 goals 26 games), Reader (4 goals 26 games), Voracek (6 goals 25 games) and JvR (2 goals 11 games) have a combined 25 goals and 129 games... Putrid. Even more astounding (albeit adversely) is that the combo of Simmonds and Hartnell have 25 in 52 games.

Basically, Hartnells 13 and Simmonds 12 are the same amount as the rest of the top 9. Thats a huge problem.

The fact that Briere, Jagr and G have only combined for 13 goals since the new year is a huge problem.

The fact that Danny has had 2 or fewer shots on net in 8 of those games is a huge problem.

People have been all over Bryz this year because he is paid to be a top goalie... well where is the hate for Briere... the highest paid forward on the team?
- jak521

I said if there was an amnesty clause added into the next CBA, that I would choose to unload Danny's contract.

That's not a glowingly positive remark.

I said if there was an amnesty clause added into the next CBA, that I would choose to unload Danny's contract.

That's not a glowingly positive remark.
- bradleyc4

This is true.. and you hate Bryz'.. so that adds more that comment

This is true.. and you hate Bryz'.. so that adds more that comment
- jak521

But I agree, Briere is having his worst season as a Flyer, and it's gone either largely unnoticed or gets some sort of free pass.

San Jose did a good job to limit chances and again, the Flyers get shut out by a goalie that didn't have to do a lot of work to get the goose egg.

Bryzgalov played well, of course some idiots will blame him for the loss, but whatever. People that don't understand the sport need to have their scapegoats, so Bryz, Carle and whomever else will get heat.

I was a bit surprised that Briere was allowed to return after the boarding by Vlasic. Hopefully he won't develop concussion symptoms.

One thing I noticed, Bill, you have Brian Boyle in the blog, should be Dan.
- Jsaquella

Mom, I found that twin brother you left at the hospital!

Shocked the dangerous hit on Briere wasn't called. Disgrace. i thought Coburn's hit was shin on shin to be honest but definitely was a trip. This crew absolutely allowed teams to clear players out. Other crews would call that stuff. Officiating is so inconsistent. Good to see Bryz play so well. Nice game in Edmonton, very good in the shootout against Calgary and last night. Let's hope this gets him rolling.

They let a TON of stuff go, on both sides. How they didn't at least stop play on Briere's hit...just no idea. The guy's had a concussion within the last couple months. My guess is they felt he was either embellishing or totally missed the play.
- Jsaquella

With the concussion issues, the Refs cannot make that sort of judgement call. It was a hard hit into the boards which left a player dazed and unable to get up. If they don't have enough sense to stop play for the players safety then they need their walking papers.

Spot on as usual Bill! I've been saying it all year and I think I might be turning blue now from doing so, but the Flyers' defensemen and their inability to get shots through from the point is hurting this team. The either get blocked and send the team the other way or miss the need and kill the offensive zone shift, with the forwards scrambling to get back into the play. I am also seeing a lot of individualism from certain players, which boggles my mind with how talented this team is. Giroux is my favorite player, but lately he is trying to force too many plays. Jagr must still think he's 25 and can deke in and out of 3 defensive players...too bad he's coughing up the puck by doing so. I have a hard time grasping how a team can fight tooth and nail to come back in 2 games(Winnipeg and Calgary), then put up 2 stinkers(Edmonton and San Jose). So many writers and fans blamed the Carter/Richards issue for the inconsistency, but now they are no longer here so where does the blame lie now? Bryz can't be blamed for the Edmonton and San Jose losses so that is a moot point...is it coaching? What say you?
- aantny88

True but those guys had other issues which carried over to their new teams. One just got traded again when he was put on a line to play with a superstar, so they were rightfully dealt.

- 2Real

Is that you in the picture with Recchi?

That's just a preposterous statement to say that some people will blame Bryz for the loss.

That's worse than scapegoating.

I'm in the middle of a digging a six-foot hole in the ground for his contract, and still stopped to acknowledge that he played a great game.
- bradleyc4

you don't think there are enough ridiculous fans out there who will blame him for the loss? Come on, you've been a fan long enough to know it happens

Shocked the dangerous hit on Briere wasn't called. Disgrace. i thought Coburn's hit was shin on shin to be honest but definitely was a trip. This crew absolutely allowed teams to clear players out. Other crews would call that stuff. Officiating is so inconsistent. Good to see Bryz play so well. Nice game in Edmonton, very good in the shootout against Calgary and last night. Let's hope this gets him rolling.
- nastyflyergirl

Hell even on the goal.. my first thought was that that is an interference (moving pick like ) call 70% of the time. The play where Bryz took the puck to the side/back should have been called interference on Thornton.. a few plays where Jagr had wrapped his arms around guys.. The only thing I can truly say I enjoyed was that they let it go both ways. I hate when one thing is a penalty for one team but not the other