Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 1/23/12

It's 5:00AM

It is time for Bryz to start playing like a number 1 goalie.

Far to often he is allowing weak goals.

He was signed to stop this goalie go round and to solidify the postion. Playing like Boosh or Leight isn't good enough.

He needs to get things right and take over the roll of being the guy.

I like Bob but Bryz was signed to be the guy, he needs to be the guy.

Bill- you mentioned Bryz having issues with his lateral movements, when he was at the top of his game in phoenix what were his best attributes? I struggle to think of any one thing that he does better than Bob right now.

There is something other number one goalies in this league have, that Bryz does not. You hear it referred to quite a bit come playoff time. The ability to steal a game. Going into a playoff series, how many times have you heard: "this team will be tough, because (fill in the blank) has the ability to steal a game or two." How many games this year do you remember Bryz being the #1 reason for a Flyers win? He is a big goalie who relies on his size to make saves. He has average lateral movement ability. Yesterday, he needed to come to with a tough save or two to win the game for the team, and couldn't. If your team scores 5 goals on Thomas, you need to find a way to win that game.

Vancouver and Philadelphia....two highly paid goaltenders with similar issues.

top two goal scoring teams and both of them got 5 goals (reg time). Bryz had a good weekend and it's something to build on. I would play him Tuesday and keep it going.

the all star break came at the right time to regroup and get healthy.

There is something other number one goalies in this league have, that Bryz does not. You hear it referred to quite a bit come playoff time. The ability to steal a game. Going into a playoff series, how many times have you heard: "this team will be tough, because (fill in the blank) has the ability to steal a game or two." How many games this year do you remember Bryz being the #1 reason for a Flyers win? He is a big goalie who relies on his size to make saves. He has average lateral movement ability. Yesterday, he needed to come to with a tough save or two to win the game for the team, and couldn't. If your team scores 5 goals on Thomas, you need to find a way to win that game.
- thephillynut

Bryzgalov has played 359 NHL games. He has played 33 games with the Flyers. What defines Bryzgalov as a player? Half a Season in Philly, or his entire body of work. Are you stating that as a Vezina Trophy runner up two Seasons ago, Bryzgalov never "stole" any games for his team?

I wonder how that game turns out if the Flyers are healthy and the more skilled players (JVR,Jagr,Briere) are in the line up and the less physical Sestito and others out. Would have been interesting.

Good blog as usual Bill but I do think the Lucic shot was a shot that can and should be saved, I know it was through Timonen's legs but that doesn't mean he didn't see it and Bryz said as much himself. Maybe he said it to protect a teammate but I think he was being honest. No sense debating it I just thought he could have saved it.

Regardless that's two goals you thought he should have had and 1 other I thought he should have had. He needs to be better. I thought he was great in the Devils game, I wouldn't mind a few weeks in a row of good starts not just one or two here and there. I'm still in his corner and rooting for him and I hope he steps it up, I like the guy and want him to succeed.

I love Timonen but what was his thought process in OT with the attempted belly to belly suplex, that was bizarre. Glorious kill by the Flyers, 4 on 3 for over a minute usually leads to goal.

3 of 4 pts on the weekend wasn't too shabby but damn a win yesterday would have been awesome for many reasons.

Go Flyers

There is something other number one goalies in this league have, that Bryz does not. You hear it referred to quite a bit come playoff time. The ability to steal a game. Going into a playoff series, how many times have you heard: "this team will be tough, because (fill in the blank) has the ability to steal a game or two." How many games this year do you remember Bryz being the #1 reason for a Flyers win? He is a big goalie who relies on his size to make saves. He has average lateral movement ability. Yesterday, he needed to come to with a tough save or two to win the game for the team, and couldn't. If your team scores 5 goals on Thomas, you need to find a way to win that game.
- thephillynut

I've seen him steal games (numerous) in Phx and with the Ducks, he can do that no question in my mind. Hopefully soon for Philly as well.

I do agree when you score 5 on Thomas you gotta win, it rarely if ever happens. I know he hadn't let in 5 this season.

Bill, like the Flyers, great work.

I have not been more proud after a losing game.. The Flyers went into a game with lineup including 8 rookies (and without Jagr, Briere, Pronger, and JvR)yet still nearly won, despite 2 brutal examples of reffing that ended up with puck in our net. They did that playing the best team in the NHL, the defending SC Champs, and a team pissed that the blew a game the day before. Bravo.

Both the pick by Horton, and the phantom tripping call on Voracek (where his legs never made contact, in fact he spun out to prevent said contact) resulting in a PP goal.

The Flyers came out a little timid early on and throughout the 1st minute could have been down 3-0... After the Lava timeout I saw a team play Flyers hockey for the first time in a long while. They won battles time and time again.. every single person was throwing hits (good god Brayden Schenn looked stellar yesterday)... everybody had snarl. I applaud every single player who stepped out on the ice yesterday

Bryzgalov has played 359 NHL games. He has played 33 games with the Flyers. What defines Bryzgalov as a player? Half a Season in Philly, or his entire body of work. Are you stating that as a Vezina Trophy runner up two Seasons ago, Bryzgalov never "stole" any games for his team?
- MJL

Obviously the 33 games that Flyers fans have seen are far more telling than the previous 326 games.

Nobody mentions that on Seguin's goal, Giroux again left a man in front of the net to go behind the cage. Or that Greg Campbell got inside position on Erik Gustafsson far too easily on his goal. Obviously, if Bryzgalov gives up any kind of goal, it's his fault. Just look at the numbers.

I gotta give Sestito credit.

Not sure he can play like that every game but if he could I would think the Flyers could find a spot for him on the 4th line.

Obviously the 33 games that Flyers fans have seen are far more telling than the previous 326 games.

Nobody mentions that on Seguin's goal, Giroux again left a man in front of the net to go behind the cage. Or that Greg Campbell got inside position on Erik Gustafsson far too easily on his goal. Obviously, if Bryzgalov gives up any kind of goal, it's his fault. Just look at the numbers.
- Jsaquella

The thing is there are defensive breakdowns numerous times a game on every single team in the NHL, it happens.

I don't think most hate Bryz or are just blaming him, I think they just want him to play like a top 10 NHL goalie which he should be and he is being paid to do so.

I agree with your comments on the breakdowns and it is far from always the goalies fault, I just think people want to see some really good goaltending.

Obviously the 33 games that Flyers fans have seen are far more telling than the previous 326 games.

Nobody mentions that on Seguin's goal, Giroux again left a man in front of the net to go behind the cage. Or that Greg Campbell got inside position on Erik Gustafsson far too easily on his goal. Obviously, if Bryzgalov gives up any kind of goal, it's his fault. Just look at the numbers.
- Jsaquella

I was touching on that next... They also tend to forget some of his bigger saves (cough cough Marchand)... or the fact that, like you said, there were a bunch of break downs. On the Campbell goal I personally think you cant point that on bryz.. he got to the post, but the puck went 5 hole... off of a crazy one-timer from behind the net... it was not a wrap around as Bill has written in his blog.

There were also a number of other times where Bryz's solid play covered up painful mistakes by the skaters..

Bryzgalov has played 359 NHL games. He has played 33 games with the Flyers. What defines Bryzgalov as a player? Half a Season in Philly, or his entire body of work. Are you stating that as a Vezina Trophy runner up two Seasons ago, Bryzgalov never "stole" any games for his team?
- MJL

2 seasons ago is an eternity in sports.

I am not interested what the guy did 2 seasons ago.

He is paid to be the guy, play like it.

Why is it you want to ignore what it is he is doing this season?

Early start this morning eh Bill?!?!??! Thanks for the good work, as always.

Great game against a great opponent. It's nice to get a point out of that game, especially with the all the young guys playing as well as they did.

I really am hoping Bryz gets more time, and subsequently we can see better play from him.

So who's the first person to mention a trade rumor today?

Bill, like the Flyers, great work.

I have not been more proud after a losing game.. The Flyers went into a game with lineup including 8 rookies (and without Jagr, Briere, Pronger, and JvR)yet still nearly won, despite 2 brutal examples of reffing that ended up with puck in our net. They did that playing the best team in the NHL, the defending SC Champs, and a team pissed that the blew a game the day before. Bravo.

Both the pick by Horton, and the phantom tripping call on Voracek (where his legs never made contact, in fact he spun out to prevent said contact) resulting in a PP goal.

The Flyers came out a little timid early on and throughout the 1st minute could have been down 3-0... After the Lava timeout I saw a team play Flyers hockey for the first time in a long while. They won battles time and time again.. every single person was throwing hits (good god Brayden Schenn looked stellar yesterday)... everybody had snarl. I applaud every single player who stepped out on the ice yesterday
- jak521

I saw a lot of positives, I'm still pissed they lost

Obviously the 33 games that Flyers fans have seen are far more telling than the previous 326 games.

Nobody mentions that on Seguin's goal, Giroux again left a man in front of the net to go behind the cage. Or that Greg Campbell got inside position on Erik Gustafsson far too easily on his goal. Obviously, if Bryzgalov gives up any kind of goal, it's his fault. Just look at the numbers.
- Jsaquella

He needs to be better.

Say what you will about he made this stop or made that stop.

When you are suppose to be the guy that solidifies a position you should be expected to play like it.

The thing is there are defensive breakdowns numerous times a game on every single team in the NHL, it happens.

I don't think most hate Bryz or are just blaming him, I think they just want him to play like a top 10 NHL goalie which he should be and he is being paid to do so.

I agree with your comments on the breakdowns and it is far from always the goalies fault, I just think people want to see some really good goaltending.
- Buts16

I saw him make 55 saves on 57 shots over his previous 2 games... then play against the top scoring team (gpg) in the league by a wide margin, and battle through a bunch of stuff and make some huge key saves.. Yes he wasnt Roy in his prime, but I thought he played well. I didnt once say yesterday "dammit Bryz"... but I did say "poop guys cant let that stuff happen"..

I saw a lot of positives, I'm still pissed they lost
- Buts16

Pissed in what way.. the team, pissed at the officials.. or just unhappy it wasnt a win?

Im not pissed at all today which is why I am asking...

Bill, Renberg was a rookie in 1994. Im sure 2004 was just a typo.

Early start this morning eh Bill?!?!??! Thanks for the good work, as always.

Great game against a great opponent. It's nice to get a point out of that game, especially with the all the young guys playing as well as they did.

I really am hoping Bryz gets more time, and subsequently we can see better play from him.

So who's the first person to mention a trade rumor today?
- wardbomb

I really hope he gets Tuesday as well as the first few after the break.

Pissed in what way.. the team, pissed at the officials.. or just unhappy it wasnt a win?

Im not pissed at all today which is why I am asking...
- jak521

Pissed they lost, I hated that they got down 3-1 at home so quickly.

Pissed they blew a 3rd period lead, again.

Pissed they scored 5 against Thomas (which hardly ever happens) and lost.

I wanted them to win that game badly.

I thought it was a great effort yesterday. I think I'm in the minority that thinks that Bryz saved us in the first period from the game getting way out of hand, but openly admit that he should've stopped the 5th goal hands down.

Incredible effort from the team yesterday. Schenn was Richards 2.0 out there and hope that this performance is a springboard for him to step up the rest of the season as it looks like he will get increased minutes.

Love Coots, but yesterday proved he's got to add more muscle to his frame. Of course that will happen over time. He had good positioning on 2 goals but was pushed around by bigger men. At least he knew where to be (Giroux on goal #2).

G is snakebitten, but he's shooting more the last 2 games, it will come around. At least he's getting the assists.

The only thing more frustrating than the refs yesterday (both sides) was listening to Jack Edwards. Would someone please rip his (frank)ing larynx out?
There are homers, then there's Jack Edwards. Some of his beauties were discussed yesterday, but the "inadvertant contact" when Schenn was tripped in the 3rd was the cherry on top for me.

Rip Florida on Tuesday and enjoy a little R & R cuz it will be a battle the rest of the way.