i don't think bryz's overall play prior to this current stretch of stellar play was as bad as has been discussed. he was great in his wins, and certainly bad at times in the losses. just inconsistent. that said, i can't recall a goalie making the leap that he's made during the course of a season. it's remarkable, and i certainly didn't believe it would happen this year. there is no question his teammates have full confidence in him and that makes a difference in their own play. allows them to be relaxed and not afraid to make mistakes. i honestly wouldn't care if bryz played all 7 games that are left. he is their guy. i'm thrilled we have a scorching hot goalie going into the playoffs, and he's a big reason why the flyers turned their post ASG slump around into the streak they're on right now.

at the end of the day, this team has 29301 rookies on it, and turned over half the roster, playing without their best dman and captain virtually all year. any damage they do in the playoffs is gravy. who knows. maybe there's a miracle in store for us this year? nobody in their right mind thought boston would win the cup last year.
- hammarby31

Yeah. All things considered this team has had a very solid season. Losing Pronger really sucked, only getting 13 games from him after last year is a tough pill to swallow. Team could have folded up shop when they found out he was done, but they have played well pretty much all year. Bryz has had 3 or 4 really terrible games that have skewed his overall numbers. Right now he's sub 2.50 gaa, and has boosted his save % up to a respectable .912. That up from .895.

mike milbury is a douche.

After leading their division briefly. They are hanging on to a playoff spot. They are in real danger of missing out with the way buffalo and Washington have played
- Just5

It's possible. Lots to be determined in the last 7-8 games.

It's possible. Lots to be determined in the last 7-8 games.
- PLindbergh31

the log jam at the bottom of the west is crazy.

mike milbury is a douche.
- hammarby31

And in other news, grass is green, the sky is blue, and the sun sets in the West.

Has an article been written on Chris Pronger and his possible return next season yet?

marty turco wearing #1 in canary yellow pads for the bruins is bizarre.

how do they not have that number retired? seems impossible.

And in other news, grass is green, the sky is blue, and the sun sets in the West.
- PLindbergh31

earth shattering revelation, i know.

the log jam at the bottom of the west is crazy.
- hammarby31

It's nuts. 7-11 seeds separated by 4 points. While Dallas currently sits in the # 3 seed only 4 points clear of a playoff spot as well. So that is 6 teams within 4 points of each other.

I hear you, but do you think it's more feasible winning 5-4 games vs. Pittsburgh, or 2-1 games against the Rangers? Either way you couldn't draw up a tougher first round opponent. Flyers will probably finish in the 102-104 range, and be rewarded with a first round opponent that will likely have the second best record in the NHL.
- PLindbergh31[/quote

Flyers have to show me they can beat the rangers. I might change my tune depending on this last game

Yeah. All things considered this team has had a very solid season. Losing Pronger really sucked, only getting 13 games from him after last year is a tough pill to swallow. Team could have folded up shop when they found out he was done, but they have played well pretty much all year. Bryz has had 3 or 4 really terrible games that have skewed his overall numbers. Right now he's sub 2.50 gaa, and has boosted his save % up to a respectable .912. That up from .895.
- PLindbergh31

those numbers ARE respectable. all that matters is how he's playing right now.

It's nuts. 7-11 seeds separated by 4 points. While Dallas currently sits in the # 3 seed only 4 points clear of a playoff spot as well. So that is 6 teams within 4 points of each other.
- PLindbergh31

i really hope LA misses.

Looking at the likely first round matchup, barring an oddity it's going to be the Penguins, or Rags. Flyers are 3-1 against Pittsburgh thus far, and 0-5 against the Rags as we all know. That being said, I would rather play the Rags.

Rags don't have anywhere near the firepower the Penguins have. Both Fluery and Lundqvist are having stellar seasons, so there really isn't a goaltender I would prefer facing. A bunch of the Flyers issues vs. the Rags this year has been allowing soft goals, at least one in every game, and sometimes more. Now that Bryzgalov has righted the ship, that doesn't appear to be a concern right now.

I really want no part of dealing with Malkin, and Crosby.
- PLindbergh31

While all you say is true ... I think I'd prefer the Pens to the Rangers.

First, because of our record against the two teams points to the fact that we have trouble matching up against NY (similarly, the B's). Some teams just seem to cause trouble for other teams.

Second, and maybe harder to quantify, the Flyers just seem to HATE the Pens more in my opinion. Pitt gets the blood boiling, and if there's one thing I'm sure of is that the Flyers PLAY better when they're a little on the edge, and have some hate/emotion in their game.

I say bring on the Pens.

Has an article been written on Chris Pronger and his possible return next season yet?
- roenick97

Not that I have seen. Howard Eskin, who is connected to someone in the Flyers Organization tweeted that Pronger is feeling better, and will see the specialist in Pittsburgh later this week, and possibly begin rehab soon.

Fantastic news.

i really hope LA misses.
- hammarby31

Me too. I don't think they will, although struggling big time to score goals, they are air tight defensively, and Quick is a Monster.

While all you say is true ... I think I'd prefer the Pens to the Rangers.

First, because of our record against the two teams points to the fact that we have trouble matching up against NY (similarly, the B's). Some teams just seem to cause trouble for other teams.

Second, and maybe harder to quantify, the Flyers just seem to HATE the Pens more in my opinion. Pitt gets the blood boiling, and if there's one thing I'm sure of is that the Flyers PLAY better when they're a little on the edge, and have some hate/emotion in their game.

I say bring on the Pens.

- FlyerGuy

we owe those (frank)ers some payback. it still makes me sick they won a cup after the flyers melted down in game 6.

those numbers ARE respectable. all that matters is how he's playing right now.
- hammarby31

Yup. His current numbers are pretty much in line with his career averages. It's been an uneven season for Bryz, but he's going to end up where he usually is. You know what the old saying is, guys usually duplicate the numbers on the back of their baseball card.

Me too. I don't think they will, although struggling big time to score goals, they are air tight defensively, and Quick is a Monster.
- PLindbergh31

i love quick. and they've been on a general tear since the frack acquisition.

Has an article been written on Chris Pronger and his possible return next season yet?
- roenick97

I was at the game last night when they announced he was in the building. For a few seconds a lot of the crowd wasn't paying attention ... or maybe it didn't hit home ... but after about a minute of applause it got REALLY loud and appreciative towards Prongs. There were a lot of good feelings in the building for #20.

While all you say is true ... I think I'd prefer the Pens to the Rangers.

First, because of our record against the two teams points to the fact that we have trouble matching up against NY (similarly, the B's). Some teams just seem to cause trouble for other teams.

Second, and maybe harder to quantify, the Flyers just seem to HATE the Pens more in my opinion. Pitt gets the blood boiling, and if there's one thing I'm sure of is that the Flyers PLAY better when they're a little on the edge, and have some hate/emotion in their game.

I say bring on the Pens.

- FlyerGuy

Fair points. And I understand this point of view. With the Rangers law of averages have to come into play at some point one would think. Flyers are due to start beating them.

we owe those (frank)ers some payback. it still makes me sick they won a cup after the flyers melted down in game 6.
- hammarby31

yep, payback would be sweet.

Fair points. And I understand this point of view. With the Rangers law of averages have to come into play at some point one would think. Flyers are due to start beating them.
- PLindbergh31

yeah, I hear ya. And obviously if Bryz had played as well earlier this year as he is now we'd probably already have a win or two against them.

Not that I have seen. Howard Eskin, who is connected to someone in the Flyers Organization tweeted that Pronger is feeling better, and will see the specialist in Pittsburgh later this week, and possibly begin rehab soon.

Fantastic news.
- PLindbergh31

I think it was Baicker that tweeted he left after the second period because he did not feel good.

yeah, I hear ya. And obviously if Bryz had played as well earlier this year as he is now we'd probably already have a win or two against them.
- FlyerGuy

Yup. Bobrovsky has started 3 of the 5 games against the Rangers this year. That is something to consider as well.

I think it was Baicker that tweeted he left after the second period because he did not feel good.

- MBFlyerfan

Damn. I didn't see that. That sucks.