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

Bob M is usually on the money, but he's off base here. As Bill said, Flyers wouldn't have won this series with Patrick Roy circa 1986.

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.
- PLindbergh31

You can't lay singular blame on Ilya Bryzgalov for Philadelphia's loss to the New Jersey Devils, but by the same token, he was brought in to be the answer in net for the Flyers, and he was anything but.

In the clinching game, all three Devils' goals against Bryzgalov weren't great. The first one was a flutter ball, the second one was an absolute gift, and the third one, he may have been screened a little bit. At the end of the day, he didn't get the job done.

You don't want to equate everything to money but this is a guy who actually pulled down $15 million in signing bonus and salary this year. His cap hit is only $5.67 million for the Flyers but he's got a nine-year deal at $51 million, or if you take away the somewhat bogus years at the end, a seven-year deal for $47.5 million.

The Flyers had to know when they got him that he didn't have a playoff track record. He'd never won a playoff series before this year. He got through the first round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, but it was almost in spite of himself along with the fact Marc-Andre Fleury didn't play very well.

He's now played 22 career playoff games and in 14 of those, he's had a sub-.900 save percentage. That's not nearly good enough. Good luck with that contract and good luck with Bryzgalov, Philadelphia because there is no playoff track record there.

Bob M is usually on the money, but he's off base here. As Bill said, Flyers wouldn't have won this series with Patrick Roy circa 1986.
- PLindbergh31

Every goal last night was soft. He cost them the game and series

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.
- PLindbergh31

This team does not play defense nearly as well with their key guys out.

Maybe if they can ice a healthy top 6 on defense next season they'd be alright, if Pronger can return it would be a big boost.

You can't lay singular blame on Ilya Bryzgalov for Philadelphia's loss to the New Jersey Devils, but by the same token, he was brought in to be the answer in net for the Flyers, and he was anything but.

In the clinching game, all three Devils' goals against Bryzgalov weren't great. The first one was a flutter ball, the second one was an absolute gift, and the third one, he may have been screened a little bit. At the end of the day, he didn't get the job done.

You don't want to equate everything to money but this is a guy who actually pulled down $15 million in signing bonus and salary this year. His cap hit is only $5.67 million for the Flyers but he's got a nine-year deal at $51 million, or if you take away the somewhat bogus years at the end, a seven-year deal for $47.5 million.

The Flyers had to know when they got him that he didn't have a playoff track record. He'd never won a playoff series before this year. He got through the first round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, but it was almost in spite of himself along with the fact Marc-Andre Fleury didn't play very well.

He's now played 22 career playoff games and in 14 of those, he's had a sub-.900 save percentage. That's not nearly good enough. Good luck with that contract and good luck with Bryzgalov, Philadelphia because there is no playoff track record there.
- BingoLady

overall a disappointing first season for Bryzgalov, anyone denying it is simply not be objective, that being said one year doesn't make this a bad contract. He will have ample opportunity to improve his play. He needs more support in front of him as well.

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.
- MJL

The Flyers were out-coached. The lack of adjustments were clear from game 2 - 5.

They didn't change their approach on dumping the puck into the offensive zone.

I always enjoy seeing other people who root for other teams come on this message board to add to the conversation. It makes for good banter...

Bryz didn't lose the series and Marty didn't win the series.
It was collective won/loss by both teams.
We can post to page 50 about why the Devils won and why the Flyers lost, in the end the winning team scored more goals then the losing team. In every playoffs whatever team can capitalize on the other teams mistakes wins games. Along with taking advantage of the the breaks that are given in each game.

To come out and blame one player in a team sport is crazy.

The Flyers have plenty of things to work on this offseason along with plenty of positives to look back on...this goes with every team that has been eliminated and didn't make the playoffs.

Have a good one everyone. I will not be rooting for any other team in the playoffs. Time to take a step back and enjoy the nice weather...

Bill, always a pleasure reading your blogs.

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.
- wbon22

Will do. I did the All-Province, All-Nation teams last summer and might revisit it this summer again.

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.
- wbon22

I don't think there can be a question that voracek will be back. Jagr should be gone. Carle might have just put himself back in the flyers price range. I thought coburn was far and away the best blue liner in the series. I don't know how Carle can command more than him

Every goal last night was soft. He cost them the game and series
- BingoLady

You are entitled to your opinion. I disagree with you.

This team does not play defense nearly as well with their key guys out.

Maybe if they can ice a healthy top 6 on defense next season they'd be alright, if Pronger can return it would be a big boost.
- TommyDeVito

Pronger is done

The one player that i thought would be your biggest weakness going into the series was actually your strongest and that is Bryz.
Sure he made some boneheaded mistakes with his atrocious puck handling but for the most part he kept you guys in just about every game.

I really want to say good series to the Flyers but i can't; just not a good showing by you guys. Outplayed, outcoached, outclassed call it what you want but i call it a Devils beatdown.

Thanks for playing Philly see ya next year.

You can't lay singular blame on Ilya Bryzgalov for Philadelphia's loss to the New Jersey Devils, but by the same token, he was brought in to be the answer in net for the Flyers, and he was anything but.

In the clinching game, all three Devils' goals against Bryzgalov weren't great. The first one was a flutter ball, the second one was an absolute gift, and the third one, he may have been screened a little bit. At the end of the day, he didn't get the job done.

You don't want to equate everything to money but this is a guy who actually pulled down $15 million in signing bonus and salary this year. His cap hit is only $5.67 million for the Flyers but he's got a nine-year deal at $51 million, or if you take away the somewhat bogus years at the end, a seven-year deal for $47.5 million.

The Flyers had to know when they got him that he didn't have a playoff track record. He'd never won a playoff series before this year. He got through the first round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, but it was almost in spite of himself along with the fact Marc-Andre Fleury didn't play very well.

He's now played 22 career playoff games and in 14 of those, he's had a sub-.900 save percentage. That's not nearly good enough. Good luck with that contract and good luck with Bryzgalov, Philadelphia because there is no playoff track record there.
- BingoLady

The first one was deflected.



I will not blame Bryz for not stopping a deflected puck.

Alls I gotta say is....OUCH.

This team does not play defense nearly as well with their key guys out.

Maybe if they can ice a healthy top 6 on defense next season they'd be alright, if Pronger can return it would be a big boost.
- TommyDeVito

Pronger isn't coming back, that is a pipe dream. Holmgren has a ton to do to fix the blueline. There is no one close to being a # 1 top pairing guy on this roster.

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.
- PLindbergh31

I'm really starting to believe that the first round series against Pittsburgh took a lot out of them. Even with the seven days off. That first round matchup was like an ECF series. No excuses though because you have to come back next round and get the job done and they didn't.

Oh man.

With that said, you guys better be rooting for Flyers West.

Flyers have a bright bright future in front of them! Look at the age of some of their best young players, good times ahead for sure!

Schenn - age 20
Couturier - age 19
Giroux - age 24
Simmonds - age 23
Voracek - age 23
van Riemsdyk - age 23
Read - age 25
Coburn - age 27
Meszaros - age 26

I'm really starting to believe that the first round series against Pittsburgh took a lot out of them. Even with the seven days off. That first round matchup was like an ECF series. No excuses though because you have to come back next round and get the job done and they didn't.
- stveshdy

yes didn't NJ go 7?

The one player that i thought would be your biggest weakness going into the series was actually your strongest and that is Bryz.
Sure he made some boneheaded mistakes with his atrocious puck handling but for the most part he kept you guys in just about every game.

I really want to say good series to the Flyers but i can't; just not a good showing by you guys. Outplayed, outcoached, outclassed call it what you want but i call it a Devils beatdown.

Thanks for playing Philly see ya next year.
- FAZOOL

Not going to argue with you because your right imo. Have no choice but to take it. Congrats on your win.

The one player that i thought would be your biggest weakness going into the series was actually your strongest and that is Bryz.Sure he made some boneheaded mistakes with his atrocious puck handling but for the most part he kept you guys in just about every game.

I really want to say good series to the Flyers but i can't; just not a good showing by you guys. Outplayed, outcoached, outclassed call it what you want but i call it a Devils beatdown.

Thanks for playing Philly see ya next year.
- FAZOOL

I can say the EXACT same thing about your team actually, with Brodeur. He played solid all things considered which was really surprising for me cause I honestly thought he'd literally die half way through the series...

Props to Marty

The Flyers were out-coached. The lack of adjustments were clear from game 2 - 5.

They didn't change their approach on dumping the puck into the offensive zone.
- ggunky

We watched the same exact games in games 2-5. Zero adjustments, zero execution. Players and coaches share the blame.

Oh man.

With that said, you guys better be rooting for Flyers West.
- StayTunedMTC

The harvesting of sorrow will be at record levels if Richards and Carter lift Lord Stanley and bring it back to Philly for a parade.

yes didn't NJ go 7?
- BingoLady

Yes they did. They also played the Panthers in round one. The Flyers played Pitts the favored to win the cup. That series had so much emotion and energy it just seemed like the guys couldn't get the engine rev'd back up. Just a thought.

A bigger concern moving forward is the inability to beat team that forecheck hard and defend well.

Regardless of the opinions of some, in the 4 losses to the Devils, Bryzgalov allowed a single bad goal. The Flyers managed to score 7 goals in the 4 losses. Bryzgalov had an up and down season to be sure, but there were a lot of factors to that, that have been hashed and rehashed. I have faith that he will rebound and be fine.

But getting back to my big worry, the Flyers struggled against teams that did what the Devils did all season long. The coaching staff failed to make adjustments in this regard for most of the year, and the players really didn't execute well against teams that had a sustained forecheck.