i don't think they played well at all. they were outworked all over the ice, and were extremely sloppy in their own end. 2 very fortunate deflections allowed them to get that point. and bryz's solid play.

they did manage to stay out of the box and that's a good thing. a few more pp's and they likely end up with nothing.
- hammarby31

I don't think they played a great game either. They didn't generate enough pressure overall offensively. The Flyers had how many deflection go in their own net this Season. When you get the puck to the net, and you go to the net, good things happen. The deflections weren't accidents. They had some puck management issues as I said earlier. But they battled back and got a point against a team that hasn't lost all year with a two goal lead.

briere's been excellent in the playoffs, and i think we're all hanging our hats on that past track record. if i had to pick a guy who steps up in crunch time over mr. october-march, i'll pick the former. it's just getting harder and harder to believe as the games tick down to 0 that briere will come alive.
- hammarby31

I give him the benefit of the doubt. In my opinion he has earned that.

briere's been excellent in the playoffs, and i think we're all hanging our hats on that past track record. if i had to pick a guy who steps up in crunch time over mr. october-march, i'll pick the former. it's just getting harder and harder to believe as the games tick down to 0 that briere will come alive.
- hammarby31

Until he doesnt play well in the playoffs its hard to think he wont.

In the midst of Briere bashing I have myself have lost sight of this. (I guess the holiday uh festivities do that). FOr the life of me I can't understand how a group of professional athletes comes out flat time after time in these situations. That is the biggest problem with this team—flat starts.
- JoeRussomanno

when this becomes a trend, people are often quick to target the coach, and i'm sure i've done that myself in the past. at the end of the day, the players are responsible for what they do once they climb over the boards. lava can't play for them. they have to find it within themselves. had they played their asses off and lost a good game today, i'd feel better about it than what actually happened.

What incentive was Bryzgalov giving you to believe in him, earlier this year? He was absolutely horrendous at times. Is he a good goaltender or not? The same arguments you used to back Bryzgalov can be used to back Briere. The same was said about Briere previously. It's way, way premature to call it a career decline.

Briere has 96 playoff points since the lockout.
- MJL

Bryzgalov was making big saves even in bad games. Furthermore like I said his struggles were not completely all his fault. This is evidenced by management not going out and finding another goalie at the deadline instead they went and got help on the back end which I preached all year compounded the problem for him. Sure Bryzgalov had bad games, but not 20 or so in a row. His sucess of late isn't all on him either, he's getting the help he didn't have. Despite a poor outing today the help was still tangible. They didn't give the Bruin shooters all the time and space to pick a spot and fire away constantly.

Breire just isn't making the plays by going to the dirty areas nor is he any help defensively. He just doesn't have it and all signs point towards a player on the decline. Bryzgalov wasnt the only player I defended and Briere isn't the only player I attacked. The last two I abandoned have been sighted in LA but it's yet to be determined if they were even in fact the same two guys we once saw here

I don't think they played a great game either. They didn't generate enough pressure overall offensively. The Flyers had how many deflection go in their own net this Season. When you get the puck to the net, and the you go to the net, good things happen. The deflections weren't accidents. They had some puck management issues as I said earlier. But they battled back and got a point against that hasn't lost all year with a two goal lead.
- MJL

do you think their effort was more a result of their own doing or more the bruins imposing their will?

the deflections weren't accidents, but that the pucked actually ended up in the net was very fortunate. puck movement on the pp was terrible, and very experienced guys like jagr turning the puck over in the neutral zone time and again instead of making the smart play. defensive zone puck movement was the worst part of their game today, imo.

Until he doesnt play well in the playoffs its hard to think he wont.
- stveshdy

that's a good point of view to take. i'm not there yet.

I give him the benefit of the doubt. In my opinion he has earned that.
- MJL

that's fair.

that's a good point of view to take. i'm not there yet.
- hammarby31

Come aboard. Plenty of seats available.

Blues clinch playoff spot and Hitchcock getting coach of the year.

Bryzgalov was making big saves even in bad games. Furthermore like I said his struggles were not completely all his fault. This is evidenced by management not going out and finding another goalie at the deadline instead they went and got help on the back end which I preached all year compounded the problem for him. Sure Bryzgalov had bad games, but not 20 or so in a row. His sucess of late isn't all on him either, he's getting the help he didn't have. Despite a poor outing today the help was still tangible. They didn't give the Bruin shooters all the time and space to pick a spot and fire away constantly.


- JoeRussomanno

Bryzgalov was giving up goals repeatedly on routine shots that should've been easy saves. If Pronger hadn't have gotten hurt, would they have traded for two veteran defenseman? Bryzgalov played poorly for months. For the majority of the Season. He is peaking at the right time. Which Briere still has a chance to do.

Breire just isn't making the plays by going to the dirty areas nor is he any help defensively. He just doesn't have it and all signs point towards a player on the decline. Bryzgalov wasnt the only player I defended and Briere isn't the only player I attacked. The last two I abandoned have been sighted in LA but it's yet to be determined if they were even in fact the same two guys we once saw here
- JoeRussomanno

I see a player that is struggling, not a player on the decline. Richards and Carter have zero to do with this.

do you think their effort was more a result of their own doing or more the bruins imposing their will?

the deflections weren't accidents, but that the pucked actually ended up in the net was very fortunate. puck movement on the pp was terrible, and very experienced guys like jagr turning the puck over in the neutral zone time and again instead of making the smart play. defensive zone puck movement was the worst part of their game today, imo.
- hammarby31

A combination. I didn't see as good of an effort from the Flyers as they can bring, especially in the first period. Like I said, puck management was an issue, which encompasses what you mention.

Until he doesnt play well in the playoffs its hard to think he wont.
- stveshdy

Again, I have to reiterate, when he played big in the playoffs he was playing good in the regular season. This year that is clearly not the case and leads me to doubt he will play up to par in the playoffs.

Any updates on Talbot or Lilja?
- Jsaquella

Manning was scratched tonight and is said to be on his way to Philly. So I'd think that means there's at least a chance Lilja is out tomorrow and Kubina is not ready to come back.

Blues clinch playoff spot and Hitchcock getting coach of the year.
- Flyers Time

Hitch has done an excellent job for St.Louis. Hopefully his Blues will make it to the cup against our Flyers.

Again, I have to reiterate, when he played big in the playoffs he was playing good in the regular season. This year that is clearly not the case and leads me to doubt he will play up to par in the playoffs.
- JoeRussomanno

When the Flyers went to the SCF (09-10) Briere only had 53 points that season. I wouldnt call that an outstanding year.

I'm not concerned until he doesnt produce in the playoffs.

Bryzgalov was giving up goals repeatedly on routine shots that should've been easy saves. If Pronger hadn't have gotten hurt, would they have traded for two veteran defenseman? Bryzgalov played poorly for months. For the majority of the Season. He is peaking at the right time. Which Briere still has a chance to do.



I see a player that is struggling, not a player on the decline. Richards and Carter have zero to do with this.
- MJL

You're exagerating on Bryzgalov and Richards and Carter have as much to do with my evaluation of Briere more so than the goalie. Comparing Briere to Bryzgalov is apples and oranges.

If you say he's struggling that's fine but tell me this: when does struggling become decline? As far as I'm concerned a one dimensional player like Briere can hit decline fast and hard.

When the Flyers went to the SCF (09-10) Briere only had 53 points that season. I wouldnt call that an outstanding year.

I'm not concerned until he doesnt produce in the playoffs.
- stveshdy

Actually that 53 points is a lot better than what we are getting now from him. If that was the case i'd be happy. Did he go two whole months that year where he only had 1 empty net goal? I don't think so. His play this year has dropped off big time and is undeniable. IF you want to believe he will turn it on in the playoffs be my guest but I see the vultures circling.

Actually that 53 points is a lot better than what we are getting now from him. If that was the case i'd be happy. Did he go two whole months that year where he only had 1 empty net goal? I don't think so. His play this year has dropped off big time and is undeniable. IF you want to believe he will turn it on in the playoffs be my guest but I see the vultures circling.
- JoeRussomanno

Listen you have the right to your opinion. Briere had 53 points in 09-10 and 68 points in 10-11. Is he going to be the Briere from 06-08 probably not. Is he on a decline? Maybe. All im trying to say is he has been successful in the playoffs since the lockout ended and its hard for me to just say he won't be good this year bc of his regular season stats.

Briere has been clutch/money in the playoffs.

Listen you have the right to your opinion. Briere had 53 points in 09-10 and 68 points in 10-11. Is he going to be the Briere from 06-08 probably not. Is he on a decline? Maybe. All im trying to say is he has been successful in the playoffs since the lockout ended and its hard for me to just say he won't be good this year bc of his regular season stats.

Briere has been clutch/money in the playoffs.
- stveshdy

That's nice and there's plenty of players who are clutch in the playoffs that contribute consistently during the regular season for that kind of money.

Listen you have the right to your opinion. Briere had 53 points in 09-10 and 68 points in 10-11. Is he going to be the Briere from 06-08 probably not. Is he on a decline? Maybe. All im trying to say is he has been successful in the playoffs since the lockout ended and its hard for me to just say he won't be good this year bc of his regular season stats.

Briere has been clutch/money in the playoffs.
- stveshdy

I will wait til the playoffs, You can say the same about JVR..Should we write JVR off b/c of his poor play? I say this should die until a later date. This convo seems to go around in circles. I am looking forward to the Pens game tomorrow.

I will wait til the playoffs, You can say the same about JVR..Should we write JVR off b/c of his poor play? I say this should die until a later date. This convo seems to go around in circles. I am looking forward to the Pens game tomorrow.
- bigmookalookie

No you can't say the same about JVR. First he's still young and he's clearly bothered by injury. Besides JVR has missed like almost all season and still is only 3 goals behind Briere.

No you can't say the same about JVR. First he's still young and he's clearly bothered by injury. Besides JVR has missed like almost all season and still is only 3 goals behind Briere.
- JoeRussomanno

Nope I have made mind up you can say the same about JVR , some were also ready to set sail on JVR as well. Just saying

BOOM STP up in this mother(frank)a

Nope I have made mind up you can say the same about JVR , some were also ready to set sail on JVR as well. Just saying
- bigmookalookie

JVR and Briere are two completely different situations.