Assuming you were able to stay up late enough to catch all or most of last night’s game in Los Angeles, how many of you felt confident that Brian Boucher would slam the door on the Kings in the third period? I didn’t, and I was wrong.

Boucher let in a horribly soft goal in the first period that put his team behind the eight ball on the road, but he certainly redeemed himself over the rest of the game. That third period in particular was harrowing for Philly, but Boucher got the job done on a game where his club ended up getting outshot by almost a two-to-one margin. In the end, John Stevens’ decision to give Boucher the start paid off.

With all due respect to the Kings, who have become a good hockey club, the Flyers are going to need a much better 60-minute effort against San Jose on Friday.

*****

James van Riemsdyk continues to impress. I am amazed at his offensive consistency so far this season, especially in light of the injuries and flu bug he’s dealt with over the first month-and-a-half of the season.

I would caution, however, that the rookie may hit a wall later in the season. The NHL season is a long grind, especially compared with collegiate hockey. I would be a little surprised if there isn’t something of a slowdown in his production as the Olympic break and stretch drive approach.

Regardless, the rookie has shown he’s a big time talent, and should give Flyers fans plenty to be excited about this season and in the future.

*****

Speaking of rookies, so far Oskars Bartulis has been very solid on the team’s third period – he’s looked like an upgrade over fellow rookie Danny Syvret. Bartulis has looked calm and confident with and without the puck so far.

The Flyers have brought the Latvian defenseman along slowly in their minor league system, and it looks like it was the right approach to take with him. I don’t think there’s any way that Bartulis would have looked ready if he’d been in the NHL last season and especially not the previous campaign.

*****

I will be a guest on Daily News Live tonight on Comcast Sportsnet, probably during the 5:45 PM segment. I’m generally much more comfortable and at ease doing radio than being in front of TV cameras, but I’m excited about this opportunity to discuss the Pelle Lindbergh book and maybe talk a little current Flyers hockey as well.

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