While I am not upset with the decision of Craig Berube to go with Rob Zepp over Ray Emery tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning, I am surprised.
Berube has been a pretty big advocate of Emery.
And no matter how you look at this, from Emery's viewpoint, this is a slap in the mask.
You're calling up someone from the AHL to start when you have a veteran NHL player available who has seen this kind of pressure before.
Berube told us at the morning skate, this was about "energy" and he likes the way Zepp has been playing and the emotion he's bringing to games.
What this is about is that Emery has had three starts in the last 9 games, which is one more than he would normally get but injuries to Steve Mason were a factor in those extra starts.
Emery did not look very sharp in his last outing, coming in relief Saturday of Mason and giving up 3 goals on 13 shots.
Frankly, he has not looked good since late November and he doesn't appear capable of giving the Flyers a "momentum" save when needed."
That's what this is about. There is very little "book" on Zepp for the Bolts to prepare and Berube is hoping that lack of knowledge, plus the 33-year-old's tenacity in net will buy his Flyers a chance tonight.
The Lightning could really light it up on the Flyers with five or six goals. Maybe Zepp can stem that somewhat.
The Flyers are 11 points out of a playoff berth. MOst of us realize the season is lost. They're not going to make up that gap.
They were 6 points behind all through the first half and could not make a dent.
I have no issue with seeing more of Zepp and what kind of resolve he has in difficult situations against very good teams.
If the Flyers are considering using him next season as a backup -- no one says they are but GM Ron Hextall wants to learn more about this guy -- then these kind of game are exactly what's needed.
The Flyers desperately need some kind of adrenalin shot and maybe, just maybe, Zepp gives it to them tonight.
It's a long shot but it's worth it.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger • 
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