Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 3/25/12

Gee, too bad the Buzzgate was by super secret handshake. It always seemed to me there were enough people around you could have a good time and avoid anyone you really wanted to when it was open to all.

Good to see Danny light the lamp a couple of times. Jags set him up perfectly for the trick, but it was not to be.

The youngsters worked hard for that last goal.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 3/25/12
- bmeltzer

The two stops on breakaways after giving up the first goal were imperative. He really bailed out the sloppy D. The Flyers, Defense and forwards alike, were making bad decisions with the puck and turning it over left and right. Love that Bryz is stealing games. Even tho I would prefer that he didn't have to.

Watched Nucks Avs game ...wow Steve Downie sure has become one hell of a player.

Watched Nucks Avs game ...wow Steve Downie sure has become one hell of a player.
- keatondixon

So has Matt Carle.

The two stops on breakaways after giving up the first goal were imperative. He really bailed out the sloppy D. The Flyers, Defense and forwards alike, were making bad decisions with the puck and turning it over left and right. Love that Bryz is stealing games. Even tho I would prefer that he didn't have to.
- wilsonecho91

Yea, the defense was really sloppy and careless tonight from what I saw. Bryz standing tall though. Gotta love it.

nice meeting ya, bill.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 3/25/12
- bmeltzer

Questions that are mandatory to answer.

*Will the Flyers manage to grab a top 4 seed in the East heading into the playoffs?

*Will Jagr, Talbot and Briere reach 20 before the season ends?

*Will Giroux beat Stamkos to finish second in points in the league?

*Will Bryzgalov's solid play carry over from the regular season and into the post season?

*Will Scott Hartnell reach 40?

Gee, too bad the Buzzgate was by super secret handshake. It always seemed to me there were enough people around you could have a good time and avoid anyone you really wanted to when it was open to all.

Good to see Danny light the lamp a couple of times. Jags set him up perfectly for the trick, but it was not to be.

The youngsters worked hard for that last goal.
- bodiva88

There was another buzzgate last night? Well, how about that.

Sarahbriere....so obvious...yet...I wish I didn't know..

I wish I could have joined you guys at the tailgate

I wish I could have joined you guys at the tailgate
- flyers4487

I wish I would have known about the tailgate.

The two stops on breakaways after giving up the first goal were imperative. He really bailed out the sloppy D. The Flyers, Defense and forwards alike, were making bad decisions with the puck and turning it over left and right. Love that Bryz is stealing games. Even tho I would prefer that he didn't have to.
- wilsonecho91

The Habs have had a rough year, but their goal differential is only -14. They're not a great team, but they have not been getting killed. Their goal differential is better than Florida and Winnipeg, and is only 2 behind Washington and Buffalo. They have 13 OT/SO losses which is second only to Carolina in the East.

But, I do agree. It'd be nice to have a game where Bryzgalov can sit back, face 15 fairly easy shots and have the game be completely out of doubt for the last forty minutes or so.

http://www.usatoday.com/s...ds-flyers-game/53766324/1

Quick writeup on Pronger attending the game last night.

There was another buzzgate last night? Well, how about that.
- MBFlyerfan

Not a Buzzgate if it's not pubicized.

Nice to see Briere get things rollin' last night.

Not a Buzzgate if it's not pubicized.

Nice to see Briere get things rollin' last night.
- tangent_man

It was good to see him score. The second one was a really good shot, took what Budaj gave him, even if it was sort of a weak goal.

It was good to see him score. The second one was a really good shot, took what Budaj gave him, even if it was sort of a weak goal.
- Jsaquella

meh.

Most guys shoot that in to the goalie or miss high or wide.


Adding a scoring Briere in time for the playoffs is like getting a trade acquisition. If he turns it on and Bryz continues to play at 90% of what he has been these last 2 months, I like our chances!

meh.

Most guys shoot that in to the goalie or miss high or wide.


Adding a scoring Briere in time for the playoffs is like getting a trade acquisition. If he turns it on and Bryz continues to play at 90% of what he has been these last 2 months, I like our chances!
- MBFlyerfan

True. But Budaj did give Briere enough space to shoot at. If it gets him going, I don;t care how good or weak a goal it was.

Coots in his shut-down center role has been very impressive. A +17 and now matching up with the other teams' top lines, taking important draws at the end of games, killing 5 on 3s - I really can't believe he is only 19.

The funny part is the debate on how he should have went back to junior because he would be physically overwhelmed at the NHL. I'm totally comfortable with him matching up against Malkin or Richards in the first round.

Coots in his shut-down center role has been very impressive. A +17 and now matching up with the other teams' top lines, taking important draws at the end of games, killing 5 on 3s - I really can't believe he is only 19.

The funny part is the debate on how he should have went back to junior because he would be physically overwhelmed at the NHL. I'm totally comfortable with him matching up against Malkin or Richards in the first round.
- ravishingone

I think most of those who were apprehensive about him sticking were worried about his ice time and development more than being physically overmatched. I knew he was a good two way center in the QMJHL, but I had no idea how good and well developed his hockey sense and feel for playing in his own end were.

He's done a fantastic job, and could easily become a Jordan Staal type player in the near future.

meh.

Most guys shoot that in to the goalie or miss high or wide.


Adding a scoring Briere in time for the playoffs is like getting a trade acquisition. If he turns it on and Bryz continues to play at 90% of what he has been these last 2 months, I like our chances!
- MBFlyerfan

agreed. to get that shortside right under the bar from that angle is a goal scorer's goal. great to see him bury that in addition to his other near misses. he wasn't dominating, but was buzzing around the net and getting chances - his best game in a long time, imo.

Gee, too bad the Buzzgate was by super secret handshake. It always seemed to me there were enough people around you could have a good time and avoid anyone you really wanted to when it was open to all.

Good to see Danny light the lamp a couple of times. Jags set him up perfectly for the trick, but it was not to be.

The youngsters worked hard for that last goal.
- bodiva88

good times don't last

seeing the rangers win in another SO last night and OT a couple of nights before got me curious about their record. by my quick count they have 9 OT wins, 6 SO wins, and 6 OT/SO losses. I don't follow what an average # of OT wins a year is, but 9 seems pretty damn high, amazing actually. in any event, that's 15 extra points they've picked up along the way with a 3 point lead on the conference. just goes to show that the extra frame - the SO expecially - is very important to a team's success.

it's annoying that the flyers trail them by 5 knowing had they gotten the goaltending they have now they'd have at 4-6 points back from them and be at the top. that said, i don't fear them despite the lopsided 0-5 regulation with bryz on absolute fire right now. he's creating records every time he steps on the ice. i'm thrilled for him. and us.

seeing the rangers win in another SO last night and OT a couple of nights before got me curious about their record. by my quick count they have 9 OT wins, 6 SO wins, and 6 OT/SO losses. I don't follow what an average # of OT wins a year is, but 9 seems pretty damn high, amazing actually. in any event, that's 15 extra points they've picked up along the way with a 3 point lead on the conference. just goes to show that the extra frame - the SO expecially - is very important to a team's success.

it's annoying that the flyers trail them by 5 knowing had they gotten the goaltending they have now they'd have at 4-6 points back from them and be at the top. that said, i don't fear them despite the lopsided 0-5 regulation with bryz on absolute fire right now. he's creating records every time he steps on the ice. i'm thrilled for him. and us.
- hammarby31

The Rangers are 4-5 in the shootout. 8-2 in OT. Colorado is 16-6 in OT/SO, with a 9-2 record in shootouts. New Jersey is 11-4 in shootouts, 4-2 in OT...The Flyers are 10-8 in OT/SO, 4-6 in the gimmick and 6-2 in OT

The Rangers are 4-5 in the shootout. 8-2 in OT. Colorado is 16-6 in OT/SO, with a 9-2 record in shootouts. New Jersey is 11-4 in shootouts, 4-2 in OT...The Flyers are 10-8 in OT/SO, 4-6 in the gimmick and 6-2 in OT
- Jsaquella

clearly i can't count. at least going month by month with the tsn calendars.
thought they had 6 SO wins. they're 4-5? and i added an OT win. Still 8 OT wins is a lot, imo.

didn't realize the flyers had 6 OT wins either. that seems like 2 or 3 too many by my memory, which obviously has gone to poop.