Ah yes, this from the oilers fan employing the Penguins philosophy of sucking for a decade to acquire as many 1st as possible. What a joke..
- Hextall271

haha maybe you should try the same philosophy and draft a good goalie

Just one question.....How many time could the Flyers could have won the game with scoring less than 3 goals? There you go...you cant score 4 or more goals every game in playoff that s why your goalie has to be hot. Look at all the teams that are left in there......I ll name you the goalies.....Smith, Lunqvist, Brodeur, Quick and Holtby.............................What do they have in common? They can steal a game here and there even if the team in front of them are not playing great hockey. T hey give you a chance every night. Bryz well you saw it last night.....at least he got an assist i guess
- caredge

You don't win a lot of games scoring 1 goal either, regardless of how well your goalie is or isn't playing. You also don't score goals if you spend 70% of the game in your own zone spinning around in circles. While teams like the Rangers and Kings don't score a lot, and don't need to score a lot, they also don't get dominated in territorial play like the Flyers did in this series. The goalie can't do a whole lot about that.

But you knew this already because you've watched all the games. I forgot. Carry on then

Bill,

thanks for all your work thoughout the season and post season.

Congrats to the Devils, they were the better team.
- ggunky

Well said. Agreed on both points!

haha maybe you should try the same philosophy and draft a good goalie
- caredge

So now MAF is a good goalie? He was terrible in the first round. Stop giving New Brunswickers and Canadians a bad name by trolling. If you were a NJ fan I could see it, but please the Oilers aren't even in the conversation other than to talk about the lottery.

i said it last night and i will say it again today .... the flyers need a d-man to replace Pronger the writing is on the wall he probably wont play again and it is a huge loss... Kimmo has been a warrior for the flyers however he is getting older and his play later in the season is starting to show it....

if He would wave his NTC (and if he didn't he has earned that right) the return could be very good for the flyers.... also clearing his 6.33 mil cap hit frees up room to go after sutter or try and trade for a stud d-man

Great season by the young players on this team. I believe we finally have a goalie. This run and gun team needs a tweak to be able to compete with the rest of the teams in the playoff field. They wouldn't be able to beat any of them. There needs to be more emphasis on defensive responsibilities. I don't think Lava engrains that in them
- Just5

Is this goalie in your system?

Is this goalie in your system?
- Fakepartofme

you no being a leaf fan who hasnt made the playoffs since the lockout you should be the last person talking about other teams....cause the last thing you want is for people to start criticizing the leafs cause that would take pages and pages to point out everything wrong with the leafs

You don't win a lot of games scoring 1 goal either, regardless of how well your goalie is or isn't playing. You also don't score goals if you spend 70% of the game in your own zone spinning around in circles. While teams like the Rangers and Kings don't score a lot, and don't need to score a lot, they also don't get dominated in territorial play like the Flyers did in this series. The goalie can't do a whole lot about that.

But you knew this already because you've watched all the games. I forgot. Carry on then
- eayost

I am beyond furious on the team's meltdown in the second round. I can't believe the vets and Lavy allowed this. All I can say is the injuries must have been terrible to guys like Jagr etc.

One thing I will say, and this will be unpopular to the casual fan in Canada who only watches TSN highlights etc is that this was not all on Bryz. Horrendous gaffe by Bryz last night, and the worst part is that it now gives fodder to all the lazy writers and TSN analysts who see Philadelphia and say..their goaltending is terrible because that's been the convenient canned answer whenever the team lost.

Bryz played well in game 2..and he played decent in game 3 when the Devils were absolutely dominating. One thing in game 4, when we really needed a save from him to keep the lead, he didn't provide it, but he kept game 4 2-2 WAY longer than it should have been.

Simply, this looked like an emotionally and physically beaten down team. NJ deserved to win but it's NOT ALL ON THE GOALIE.

I am beyond furious on the team's meltdown in the second round. I can't believe the vets and Lavy allowed this. All I can say is the injuries must have been terrible to guys like Jagr etc.

One thing I will say, and this will be unpopular to the casual fan in Canada who only watches TSN highlights etc is that this was not all on Bryz. Horrendous gaffe by Bryz last night, and the worst part is that it now gives fodder to all the lazy writers and TSN analysts who see Philadelphia and say..their goaltending is terrible because that's been the convenient canned answer whenever the team lost.

Bryz played well in game 2..and he played decent in game 3 when the Devils were absolutely dominating. One thing in game 4, when we really needed a save from him to keep the lead, he didn't provide it, but he kept game 4 2-2 WAY longer than it should have been.

Simply, this looked like an emotionally and physically beaten down team. NJ deserved to win but it's NOT ALL ON THE GOALIE.
- Hextall271

being a fan from Canada ( and not a casual one) i have to agree TSN crucifies all Flyers goalies and has for years i agree with you Bryz wasnt spectacular but he played well enuff to keep us in this series ... he just got no suport... it still baffles me why the flyers never learned not to dump the puck behind the net Marty is one of the best goalies handling the puck ever why keep dumping it to him ...... soft dump to the corner instead of trying to whip it around i just dont get it

I am beyond furious on the team's meltdown in the second round. I can't believe the vets and Lavy allowed this. All I can say is the injuries must have been terrible to guys like Jagr etc.

One thing I will say, and this will be unpopular to the casual fan in Canada who only watches TSN highlights etc is that this was not all on Bryz. Horrendous gaffe by Bryz last night, and the worst part is that it now gives fodder to all the lazy writers and TSN analysts who see Philadelphia and say..their goaltending is terrible because that's been the convenient canned answer whenever the team lost.

Bryz played well in game 2..and he played decent in game 3 when the Devils were absolutely dominating. One thing in game 4, when we really needed a save from him to keep the lead, he didn't provide it, but he kept game 4 2-2 WAY longer than it should have been.

Simply, this looked like an emotionally and physically beaten down team. NJ deserved to win but it's NOT ALL ON THE GOALIE.
- Hextall271

I am not upset with most of the players this morning. The coaching staff leaves a lot to be desired IMO in this series.

I was of the mindset that this was never their year until the Pitt series planted a big seed of doubt in my mind. But alas they are out in the 2nd round which I think is a tremendous accomplishment. What we will all struggle with in the offseason is Prongers status. Very unclear and very frustrating. For him and his families sake I would hope he walks away from the game. The CBA issues are up there too. Some foggy areas

being a fan from Canada ( and not a casual one) i have to agree TSN crucifies all Flyers goalies and has for years i agree with you Bryz wasnt spectacular but he played well enuff to keep us in this series ... he just got no suport... it still baffles me why the flyers never learned not to dump the puck behind the net Marty is one of the best goalies handling the puck ever why keep dumping it to him ...... soft dump to the corner instead of trying to whip it around i just dont get it
- flyer186

No doubt that it was Bryz's fault on that goal, but what frustrates me is that it gives TSN the superficial National Enquirer headline of Goalie loses it for Flyers..Team still can't sort out goaltenders kinda thing when there was more to it.

About Marty..I would have dumped it softly into corners so that he couldn't play it yes, but also remember, the Flyers were continually hounded and when time and space are taken away, you don't get to decide as easily where to put it. The Team was stuck in neutral the whole series

Thanks for all of the great reads this year Bill. I look forward to you keeping us up to speed throughout the off season.

I am not upset with most of the players this morning. The coaching staff leaves a lot to be desired IMO in this series.

I was of the mindset that this was never their year until the Pitt series planted a big seed of doubt in my mind. But alas they are out in the 2nd round which I think is a tremendous accomplishment. What we will all struggle with in the offseason is Prongers status. Very unclear and very frustrating. For him and his families sake I would hope he walks away from the game. The CBA issues are up there too. Some foggy areas
- Just5

Yes. I love Jagr, but I think he's not coming back.. he seemed to hit a wall. Carle I suspect is gone. Pronger I'd say stays on LTIR like Lappy. Maybe trade for a Suter then sign him. our biggest weakness is on D. I'd also like to keep Bob as our backup if we can. The rookies have made progress and it was big for them to learn how to win, but also how to lose. They will be better for it.

I am not upset with most of the players this morning. The coaching staff leaves a lot to be desired IMO in this series.

I was of the mindset that this was never their year until the Pitt series planted a big seed of doubt in my mind. But alas they are out in the 2nd round which I think is a tremendous accomplishment. What we will all struggle with in the offseason is Prongers status. Very unclear and very frustrating. For him and his families sake I would hope he walks away from the game. The CBA issues are up there too. Some foggy areas
- Just5

Before the season I thought this team would barely make the playoffs... not saying I am happy with their effort, because the expectations increased. However, they ran into a veteran team with a lot of heart. I can't be miserable. This team has a lot going for them... and for all the idiots who want to rag on Bryz, well so be it. He made some huge saves to allow the Flyers to win the Pens series and made saves to keep them in this series. Contracts aside, it can't be easy going from Phoenix to Philly. He will be a lot better next year after a full summer of processing all that happened this year.

No doubt that it was Bryz's fault on that goal, but what frustrates me is that it gives TSN the superficial National Enquirer headline of Goalie loses it for Flyers..Team still can't sort out goaltenders kinda thing when there was more to it.

About Marty..I would have dumped it softly into corners so that he couldn't play it yes, but also remember, the Flyers were continually hounded and when time and space are taken away, you don't get to decide as easily where to put it. The Team was stuck in neutral the whole series
- Hextall271

it seems to me that the flyers entire physical game was stalled in the 2nd round they came out in the 1st last night and layed the body then they seem to back off ... yes there was a few good hits later in the game but.... and this is just my opinion... it seem they layed off the devils were more physical over the series they threw more hits and they beat the flyers at that own game... we beat Pittsburgh by hitting them every time they got the puck we took away space and time and made the Pens make bad decisions ... oh wait exactly what the Devils just did to the flyers...

it seems to me that the flyers entire physical game was stalled in the 2nd round they came out in the 1st last night and layed the body then they seem to back off ... yes there was a few good hits later in the game but.... and this is just my opinion... it seem they layed off the devils were more physical over the series they threw more hits and they beat the flyers at that own game... we beat Pittsburgh by hitting them every time they got the puck we took away space and time and made the Pens make bad decisions ... oh wait exactly what the Devils just did to the flyers...
- flyer186

The biggest reason for that was Brodeur. He handled and moved the puck so efficiently, that it was rare that the Flyers could get a forecheck going. The Flyers got on the Pens defense, and wore them down. They never got that opportunity in the Devils Series.

The biggest reason for that was Brodeur. He handled and moved the puck so efficiently, that it was rare that the Flyers could get a forecheck going. The Flyers got on the Pens defense, and wore them down. They never got that opportunity in the Devils Series.
- MJL

i agree 100% ...it comes back to the point i made earlier about dumping the puck....

now over all i was happy how this team played after trading away Richards and Carter... i think all of us were wondering how the team would play this year with such a huge shake up and over the season they played better than most of us would have suspected... the 1st rd was a classic and in my opinion the best series so far of the play offs ... the 2nd rd a bust but over all a good season... hopefully next year they can add the few pieces that they still clearly need and get that cup

I am beyond furious on the team's meltdown in the second round. I can't believe the vets and Lavy allowed this. All I can say is the injuries must have been terrible to guys like Jagr etc.

One thing I will say, and this will be unpopular to the casual fan in Canada who only watches TSN highlights etc is that this was not all on Bryz. Horrendous gaffe by Bryz last night, and the worst part is that it now gives fodder to all the lazy writers and TSN analysts who see Philadelphia and say..their goaltending is terrible because that's been the convenient canned answer whenever the team lost.

Bryz played well in game 2..and he played decent in game 3 when the Devils were absolutely dominating. One thing in game 4, when we really needed a save from him to keep the lead, he didn't provide it, but he kept game 4 2-2 WAY longer than it should have been.

Simply, this looked like an emotionally and physically beaten down team. NJ deserved to win but it's NOT ALL ON THE GOALIE.
- Hextall271

Ok that s better....when you say it s not all Goalie you do admitt that it is part goalie. I can live with that. But anyone that go and tell me that Bryz was good I will not agree.....! We can move on!

The biggest reason for that was Brodeur. He handled and moved the puck so efficiently, that it was rare that the Flyers could get a forecheck going. The Flyers got on the Pens defense, and wore them down. They never got that opportunity in the Devils Series.
- MJL

That was hug of course. For me the hitting had nothing to do with this series. Flyers made plenty of big hits. Flyers hit to try and intimidate or send a message. Devils hit to try and take the puck. How many times did the flyers pass from their end to a stationary flyer in the neutral zone? How many times did the flyers flip the puck hoping to spring a rush only to turn it over leading to a devils scoring chance. Lavas comments are worrisome saying that if they won game 3 in ot it would have been different. Maybe. But they were so badly outplayed and out coached I don't think if they won that game it changes the end result in this series

That was hug of course. For me the hitting had nothing to do with this series. Flyers made plenty of big hits. Flyers hit to try and intimidate or send a message. Devils hit to try and take the puck. How many times did the flyers pass from their end to a stationary flyer in the neutral zone? How many times did the flyers flip the puck hoping to spring a rush only to turn it over leading to a devils scoring chance. Lavas comments are worrisome saying that if they won game 3 in ot it would have been different. Maybe. But they were so badly outplayed and out coached I don't think if they won that game it changes the end result in this series
- Just5

Outplayed, definitely. Out coached, I don't agree at all.

It may not have changed the end result, but it certainly would of bettered the Flyers chances.

Question for you: Did you watch Game 2, 4 and (backbreaking second goal aside) 5 of the series? Because Bryzgalov gave the Flyers a chance to win all of those games -- with some massive defensive breakdowns in front of him in Games 2 and 4 in particular -- if the play around him would have picked up. I don't care who the Flyers' goalie was in this series. They wouldn't have won.
- bmeltzer

http://tsn.ca/blogs/bob_mckenzie/?id=395438

Bill

A really clear, rational summation...as always. Thanks for the continued great coverage.

I agree that there is a much better fealing about this team moving forward than after least year. There are some lingering questions. Will Pronger ever play again? Will Jagr/Carle/Voracek be back?

I know you do some great "theme" stories in the offseason, if you could do a Flyers connection to Finland and Sweden, for better or worse, that would be great.

Glad to see that you flyers fan are happy with Bryz in the net....what Khabibulin too?
- caredge

An .887 save %, and a 3.50 GAA is significantly worse than the goaltending carousel in last years playoffs. That being said a lot of it has to do with the dreadful defensive zone coverage this team displayed in the 11 playoff games. The Flyers losing the series to the Devils had nothing to do with Bryzgalov, as he was the Flyers best player in the series, but once again the Flyers were plagued by soft goals in nearly every playoff game this year with a few exceptions.

Ok that s better....when you say it s not all Goalie you do admitt that it is part goalie. I can live with that. But anyone that go and tell me that Bryz was good I will not agree.....! We can move on!
- caredge

Just shut the (frank) up, please.

Not even involved in this thread but reading through it has shown you're being a complete idiot and an ignorant troll.

The biggest reason for that was Brodeur. He handled and moved the puck so efficiently, that it was rare that the Flyers could get a forecheck going. The Flyers got on the Pens defense, and wore them down. They never got that opportunity in the Devils Series.
- MJL

Soft dump-ins to the corner or chip and chase would have kept Marty away from the puck. There was a total lack of adjusting on the Flyers part.

Hard wrap-arounds high of the glass could have prevented Marty from handling the puck.

I don't know if it was poor coaching or lack of focus on the players part, but that was the most fustrating part of this series. The Flyers lack of adjusting to Marty and playing the puck into the zone to keep the puck away from him.