This team is reminding me of Chicago in 2010. The depth is alot for any team to handle.

In a 7 game series the depth of this club puts alot of stress on the opposing squad.

They have 4 lines that roll one oafter the next. They have a good, young supporting cast. They have depth on defense.

The goalie doesn't always look great but make the timely saves and doesn't allow the backbreaking goal.
- ggunky

I endorse this assesment! In addition to your trademark game-day posts

The Rangers are an awfully good team, too.

They may not possess the high-end offensive talent of the Flyers; but all four lines can score, their defense is tireless and fearless, outstanding leadership and they have the best goaltender in the world.
- bradleyc4

They are a team where the sum is better than the individual parts. They aren't unlike the Devils teams from 94-00. Not a trapping team per say, but a team that limits the oppositions scoring attempts, with an all-world goalie to erase nearly every mistake. Their offense does struggle a fair amount, midway through the game vs. Washington they had 5 shots on goal. That's pathetic anyway you slice it.

This team is reminding me of Chicago in 2010. The depth is alot for any team to handle.

In a 7 game series the depth of this club puts alot of stress on the opposing squad.

They have 4 lines that roll one oafter the next. They have a good, young supporting cast. They have depth on defense.

The goalie doesn't always look great but make the timely saves and doesn't allow the backbreaking goal.
- ggunky

I think the third pairing is much more reliable than the 2010 team, but that team had Pronger. Getting Meszaros back would be a nice boost.

I endorse this assesment! In addition to your trademark game-day posts
- JoeRussomanno

I battle at getting the game-day posts out in a timely matter on the weekends.

Sleeping in always seems to get the better of me.

They are a team where the sum is better than the individual parts. They aren't unlike the Devils teams from 94-00. Not a trapping team per say, but a team that limits the oppositions scoring attempts, with an all-world goalie to erase nearly every mistake. Their offense does struggle a fair amount, midway through the game vs. Washington they had 5 shots on goal. That's pathetic anyway you slice it.
- PLindbergh31

sooner or later their luck on the injury front has to turn with all those blocked shots. The Flyers already lost two I think. Yesterday when Hartnell got stung on a block shot I was so pissed. Thank the maker he came back.

If I recall the Devils gave a breakaway up with about 1:50 left in the game to JvR but Brodeur stoned him to keep the game tied. That save on JvR was much more difficult then the goal Bryz let in.

I'm not hating on Bryzgalov because he won the game and kept his team in the game in that first period. That Sykora goal in my mind was terrible and could of been a killer. If he makes the basic save we dont even need to head to overtime.

I know that Brodeur lost the game in OT but he still made a handful of ridiculous saves for the Devils.
- stveshdy

JvR hit Brodeur in the chest with his shot on the breakaway. Brodeur played a damned good game. Nobody was stopping Giroux's blast. The Briere breakaway goal was the result of a really nice move by Danny on the deke. He made a really good save right before JvR's goal and he was screened on the OT winner.

The Sykora goal was bad, there's zero question about it. Sykora did made a nice look off, but ultimately the goalie needs to stop that. It is what it is. We can sit here and go over should'ves, would'ves and could'ves all day....but the bottom line is they got the win in a game where they didn't play particularly well.

They had a ton of turnovers, didn't play at all well for the first 20+ minutes and even late in the game when they were clearly the better team, they struggled at times with puck control. They still won.

I'd be more worried if I was Jersey, because the Flyers played their worst game since game 4 against the Pens and still won.

I battle at getting the game-day posts out in a timely matter on the weekends.

Sleeping in always seems to get the better of me.


- ggunky

Good things come those who wait

sooner or later their luck on the injury front has to turn with all those blocked shots. The Flyers already lost two I think. Yesterday when Hartnell got stung on a block shot I was so pissed. Thank the maker he came back.
- JoeRussomanno

Well Dubinsky was on crutches after game 1, and Boyle is still concussed. They are starting to get dinged up some. Point well taken though, they have been extremely lucky with regards to injuries all year.

I think the third pairing is much more reliable than the 2010 team, but that team had Pronger. Getting Meszaros back would be a nice boost.
- PLindbergh31

This is a trend that is working in opposite of the Flyers clubs I have watched in the playoffs.

The Flyers always suffer injuries in the playoffs and usually to key players!

To have JVR come back. To have Grossmann come back. To know that Mezzy is on track to come back for round 3, if-when the Flyers get there.

I like this trend much better then what we are use to!

This is a trend that is working in opposite of the Flyers clubs have have watched in the playoffs.

The Flyers always suffer injuries in the playoffs and usually to key players!

To have JVR come back. To have Grossmann come back. To know that Mezzy is on track to come back for round 3, if-when the Flyers get there.

I like this trend much better then what we are use to!
- ggunky

Here here! Hopefully they can continue to remain healthy.

JvR hit Brodeur in the chest with his shot on the breakaway. Brodeur played a damned good game. Nobody was stopping Giroux's blast. The Briere breakaway goal was the result of a really nice move by Danny on the deke. He made a really good save right before JvR's goal and he was screened on the OT winner.

The Sykora goal was bad, there's zero question about it. Sykora did made a nice look off, but ultimately the goalie needs to stop that. It is what it is. We can sit here and go over should'ves, would'ves and could'ves all day....but the bottom line is they got the win in a game where they didn't play particularly well.

They had a ton of turnovers, didn't play at all well for the first 20+ minutes and even late in the game when they were clearly the better team, they struggled at times with puck control. They still won.

I'd be more worried if I was Jersey, because the Flyers played their worst game since game 4 against the Pens and still won.
- Jsaquella

There was a point in the 3rd period yesterday where I said to my Buddy "they (the Flyers) look like a machine out there!"

They were just overwhelming the Devils. The Flyers just kept coming at them in waves and the Devils struggled to just get it out of their own zone.

I know it was only the first game vs. NJD, but I REALLY miss the hatred of losing to the Penguins, and the intensity and offensive threat of the Pens. My biggest worry was if Bryz would allow a bad goal in OT.

I know it was only the first game vs. NJD, but I REALLY miss the hatred of losing to the Penguins, and the intensity and offensive threat of the Pens. My biggest worry was if Bryz would allow a bad goal in OT.
- danham92

ya game 1 of the pens series was way, way more physical than yesterday

but i think the hatred will grow

JvR hit Brodeur in the chest with his shot on the breakaway. Brodeur played a damned good game. Nobody was stopping Giroux's blast. The Briere breakaway goal was the result of a really nice move by Danny on the deke. He made a really good save right before JvR's goal and he was screened on the OT winner.

The Sykora goal was bad, there's zero question about it. Sykora did made a nice look off, but ultimately the goalie needs to stop that. It is what it is. We can sit here and go over should'ves, would'ves and could'ves all day....but the bottom line is they got the win in a game where they didn't play particularly well.

They had a ton of turnovers, didn't play at all well for the first 20+ minutes and even late in the game when they were clearly the better team, they struggled at times with puck control. They still won.

I'd be more worried if I was Jersey, because the Flyers played their worst game since game 4 against the Pens and still won.
- Jsaquella

Agreed - and NJ played one of their best. There grade would be A- and ours would be either C+ or B-

Thats the one im going to go to, tickets are pretty reasonable up there.

The atmosphere was fantastic yesterday at the game, it was only the 2nd playoff game I have ever been too (the first being the 10-3 blowout last week :/ ) but I have noticed there are hardly any opposing fans, I saw maybe 2 devils fans...
- flyers4487

I am going up for Game 3. I hope the enviroment will be safe for bright orange jerseys in and outside the building

I know it was only the first game vs. NJD, but I REALLY miss the hatred of losing to the Penguins, and the intensity and offensive threat of the Pens. My biggest worry was if Bryz would allow a bad goal in OT.
- danham92

agreed but as it turned out, he saved the game in OT

Agreed - and NJ played one of their best. There grade would be A- and ours would be either C+ or B-
- flyersfan51

I'd say the Devils ran out of gas yesterday by the third period, and were significantly outplayed over the final 44 minutes of the game. Can't call that even close to their A game. They can do a lot better than that.

I'd call the Flyers' performance yesterday a B or B- .... they had most what they needed working at different junctures but not at the same time, and there was that awful 1st period (but Bryzgalov kept them in the game during that phase).

ya game 1 of the pens series was way, way more physical than yesterday

but i think the hatred will grow
- Crimsoninja

If we can win game 2, I think NJ has to start to become more aggressive. I noticed how CLarkson wanted no part of Simmonds. They probably saw how the Flyers fed off the fights etc in the Pens series and just wanted to let sleeping dogs lie. If we still win, they are going to have to switch it up.

anyone going to the game on Thursday?

I'd say the Devils ran out of gas yesterday by the third period, and were significantly outplayed over the final 44 minutes of the game. Can't call that even close to their A game. They can do a lot better than that.

I'd call the Flyers' performance yesterday a B or B- .... they had most what they needed working at different junctures but not at the same time, and there was that awful 1st period (but Bryzgalov kept them in the game during that phase).
- bmeltzer

now with them playing every other...that might be the theme...this is where the rest will help the Flyers

I didn't like the way he played the Zajac goal, either. Coverage was the biggest issue but Bryzgalov was a little too casual in the way he played the second goal. A former NHL goalie who was in the pressbox was livid about it, saying he'd chew Bryz's butt out over it if he were his goalie coach. You can't let your mind drift in a playoff game.
- bmeltzer

I guess that you're not going to tell us who that "former NHL goalie" was???

I guess that you're not going to tell us who that "former NHL goalie" was???
- leon neon

I bet the piece of used chewing gum on the street in front of my house it was Bernie.

The Sykora goal was bad, there's zero question about it. Sykora did made a nice look off, but ultimately the goalie needs to stop that. It is what it is. We can sit here and go over should'ves, would'ves and could'ves all day....but the bottom line is they got the win in a game where they didn't play particularly well.

- Jsaquella

I think Bryz thought that Sykora's shot was going to be a lot harder. It's tough to block a soft shot when anticipating a harder one. It appeared that he flinched - bringing his blocker up a bit and his stick came off the ice enough for the puck to slide through. Sure he should have blocked it... But, it happens.

Good things come those who wait
- JoeRussomanno

So about that amnesty clause on Briere..(...cough)

Good blog, Bill...thanks.

In my opinion, Bryz played well in the first. He didn't have much of a chance on the 1st goal and he made some big saves, especially on the first shot he saw...that was real tough for being a minute in or so. That said, he messed up on the 2nd goal (after skating around the net, bumping into it and never getting set) and gave up a pathetically weak goal late in the 3rd when his team was up by 1 in the 2nd round of the playoffs. That's inexcusable. The argument that he didn't give up more goals in the first therefore he should be excused for the 2nd & 3rd goals he did give up is a fallacy. Bryz has given up a weak goal every single playoff game except game 6 against the Pens...or 1 game out of 7. That's called playing with fire.

JVR looked dangerous, and that's got to have the Devils worried.

Jagr looked slow and out of it, in my opinion...maybe his porkchops were weighing him down?

Schenn had another good hit; Talbot and Wellwood had some good chances; Voracek keeps getting better, Timonen is the man and Coburn has stepped up his game. And what can you say about Briere and Giroux except they are both clutch playoff performers.