I wish I could.
- Jsaquella

how can you forget A. Lomakin and Roussel to name a few...those great non playoff teams.

That line killed it yesterday. They did everything they were asked to do.. and did it well.. Loved to see it.
- jak521

Only last night it was Wellwood, Couturier, Rinaldo. I would like to drop Talbot down there to keep him fresh for the playoffs, because we are going to need what he brings...

Yea, maybe all Bryz needs is the team to play defense in front of him. I was really impressed by the way the forward picked up trailers, and cross ice passes, and kept the Washington forwards from entering th slot. All the Caps shots were from the outside or bad angles, and the forwards and D were picking the trash up out front. Now we just need to work on getting the puck out of the zone when there is a stong forecheck. I almost died watching Briere in the last minute fumble the puck away about 3 times on what should have been clears..
- RooNosHockey

He's always going to have those issues, but it def drives me crazy as well.

Good write up Bill. I myself loved the Stars second to the Flyers for a longtime. They won the cup while I was away on orders with the millitary. I saw regulation but had to go in the field with my unit a few hours later so my squad sergeant came looking for me and I missed the win. I just tell myself that was the tradeoff to see the Flyers win it one day!

Do you have anymore info on the injuries to Timonen and Meszaros or will we hear something today? I hope their injuries status are more of a rest nature. Who knows with the Flyers. Looks like my rabid defense of Bryzgalov is starting to pay off too

Edit: BTW THe Predators are quickly becoming my second favorite team
- JoeRussomanno

Haven't heard more about the injuries to Timonen and Meszaros. This time of year, injury info becomes even harder to come by (at least on the record). I have heard that Timonen has battled hip and lower back issues all year -- and last year as well -- plus he blocks a lot of shots and I'm sure he's played through bone bruises, etc. But I'm not sure of the exact nature of the problem that finally forced him out of the lineup.

Ditto Meszaros. He's had some upper-body stuff this season, but I don't know what's going on with the LBI that has him out now.

My favorite teams are still the mid 1980's teams. It was also the best era of NHL hockey, at least for entertainment purposes. High scoring and physical, it was the best of both worlds.
- Jsaquella

Yea and 3 teams won the cup in 10 years lol. Its amazing how bad ownership and Mike millburry can run dynasties into the ground

In his last 16 Bryz has a 2.08 GAA and .922 Save %.

Really looking forward to the Howe pieces, Bill.

Being of the same age, I was in my glory as a Flyers fan during the mid 1980's team's greatest days, and also when Howe was often the lone bright spot in the early 1990's, prior to the arrival of Eric Lindros.

That time frame helps me to appreciate your writing on the time even better.
- Jsaquella

I'm sure you'll fully get the magnitude of this, JS: In Howe's final three seasons in Philly -- and you know how bad those teams were -- the team had a combined 49-45-7 record when he was in the lineup, and he had a combined +43 rating in those 101 games.

When he was out of the lineup (140 times) over those three years, the Flyers were a combined 46-68-26. Beyond the huge winning percentage difference, they actually fewer games in 39 MORE tries.

I'm sure you'll fully get the magnitude of this, JS: In Howe's final three seasons in Philly -- and you know how bad those teams were -- the team had a combined 49-45-7 record when he was in the lineup, and he had a combined +43 rating in those 101 games.

When he was out of the lineup (140 times) over those three years, the Flyers were a combined 46-68-26. Beyond the huge winning percentage difference, they actually won MORE times in 39 fewer games.
- bmeltzer

How do you get a +43 on a loosing team?! A plus 43 on a winning team these days is nuts, I mean I understand the game was different and transitioning but that is an incredible stat. I mean at least you can understand how he got a +100,000 rating when he was pared with Brad (RIP) because he was on the 3rd best team from that decade.

My favorite teams are still the mid 1980's teams. It was also the best era of NHL hockey, at least for entertainment purposes. High scoring and physical, it was the best of both worlds.
- Jsaquella

Mine, too.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 3/5/12
- bmeltzer

wonderful to see the team make a 1 goal effort stand up. first time in over 4 years. also great to see another rookie/call-up make a difference. amazing that bryz got a shutout with all the failed clears and constant zone pressure the caps had for the majority of the game (the beginning of the 3rd is the only part the flyers controlled the play for any stretch).

as for howe - it bugs me that he works for the red wings. same thing with dave poulin. i saw a clip the other night of the skybox with poulin, burke, and some other front office guy cheering when the leafs scored (or won the game in OT) - and it just really irked me. both of those guys should be working here. they never won any cups as players, but i bet it would feel pretty good for them to be here when the flyers win their next one.

How do you get a +43 on a loosing team?! A plus 43 on a winning team these days is nuts, I mean I understand the game was different and transitioning but that is an incredible stat. I mean at least you can understand how he got a +100,000 rating when he was pared with Brad (RIP) because he was on the 3rd best team from that decade.
- flyers4487

Exactly. And this is even crazier: In the year when Howe was a +85 and McCrimmon was a +83, they were the ONLY plus-rated Flyers defensemen that season: Brad Marsh was even, Doug Crossman was -5, Thomas Eriksson was -12, Dave Richter was -2 and Daryl Stanley was -5.

That's why Keenan would routinely play Howe and McCrimmon 35 minutes a night, sometimes even 40.

Just wanted to say thanks.......the enemy of my enemy was my friend last night

as for howe - it bugs me that he works for the red wings. same thing with dave poulin. i saw a clip the other night of the skybox with poulin, burke, and some other front office guy cheering when the leafs scored (or won the game in OT) - and it just really irked me. both of those guys should be working here. they never won any cups as players, but i bet it would feel pretty good for them to be here when the flyers win their next one.
- hammarby31

Poulin, with his background (and recent between-jobs experience) in finance and investing would be a great NHL general manager, especially when you add in his encyclopedic hockey knowledge and tremendous ability to deal with the media because he's so gentlemanly and articulate.

The only thing that Poulin "lacks" as a potential NHL head GM candidate is that he's honest to a fault and, while highly competitive, does not have a ruthless bone in his body.

Wings could be without Howard, Lidstrom, Datsyuk and Kindl tomorrow.

Only last night it was Wellwood, Couturier, Rinaldo. I would like to drop Talbot down there to keep him fresh for the playoffs, because we are going to need what he brings...
- RooNosHockey

Tots read that wrong... I loved the all rook line last night!

Exactly. And this is even crazier: In the year when Howe was a +85 and McCrimmon was a +83, they were the ONLY plus-rated Flyers defensemen that season: Brad Marsh was even, Doug Crossman was -5, Thomas Eriksson was -12, Dave Richter was -2 and Daryl Stanley was -5.

That's why Keenan would routinely play Howe and McCrimmon 35 minutes a night, sometimes even 40.
- bmeltzer

What is even more amazing is that Howe was playing during the golden age of NHL forwards, I am trying to understand just how dominate Howe was as a d man (especially when parred with Brad) but I honestly dont really have anyone to compare too (I started really following hockey around 98-99 when I was 12.)

It is a utter travesty it took Howe this long to get into the hall....

Wings could be without Howard, Lidstrom, Datsyuk and Kindl tomorrow.
- bradleyc4

Recipe for disaster....

3 skaters who have never recorded a point in the lineup and the backup in net.

Just wanted to say thanks.......the enemy of my enemy was my friend last night
- TerrapinWill

You are now my enemy, as my 2nd team is the greatest team in all of Canada!!!!

GO JETS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What is even more amazing is that Howe was playing during the golden age of NHL forwards, I am trying to understand just how dominate Howe was as a d man (especially when parred with Brad) but I honestly dont really have anyone to compare too (I started really following hockey around 98-99 when I was 12.

It is a utter travesty it took Howe this long to get into the hall....
- flyers4487

Larry Robinson

Wings could be without Howard, Lidstrom, Datsyuk and Kindl tomorrow.
- bradleyc4

I think each of them has a case of Valley Fever from their last trip to Phoenix.

What is even more amazing is that Howe was playing during the golden age of NHL forwards, I am trying to understand just how dominate Howe was as a d man (especially when parred with Brad) but I honestly dont really have anyone to compare too (I started really following hockey around 98-99 when I was 12.

It is a utter travesty it took Howe this long to get into the hall....
- flyers4487

He also got robbed by that phony winger playing D Coffey of the Norris. Howe played the position as good if not better than anyone in those days.

how can you forget A. Lomakin and Roussel to name a few...those great non playoff teams.
- phi1671

Who

What is even more amazing is that Howe was playing during the golden age of NHL forwards, I am trying to understand just how dominate Howe was as a d man (especially when parred with Brad) but I honestly dont really have anyone to compare too (I started really following hockey around 98-99 when I was 12.)

It is a utter travesty it took Howe this long to get into the hall....
- flyers4487

I think the big problem was that you had guys like Coffee, Bourque, etc.. and that he (unfortunately) lived in his fathers shadow for a while.

Who
- JoeRussomanno

how about stephan beauregard

He also got robbed by that phony winger playing D Coffey of the Norris. Howe played the position as good if not better than anyone in those days.
- JoeRussomanno

I wish the norris wasn't just about points.... +/- should play a bigger role in that stat.