As of the end of last night's games around the NHL, the Flyers have given up the fewest goals (27) of any team in the Metropolitan Division. On a league-wide basis, they rank 7th defensively. The improved team defense and the strong goaltending of Steve Mason are the biggest reason why I think the Flyers' have been better than their record suggests.

If the team hadn't been off to their worst goal-scoring start in franchise history -- even with the five-goal outburst on Saturday, they've still only scored 1.80 goals per game -- people would be singing a different tune about this team.

The most encouraging thing I took away from Saturday's game is that they could push the tempo offensively and actually score some goals for a change, yet they didn't have to sacrifice defensive responsibility to do it.
- bmeltzer

Yup!
I credit Berube getting these same players to buy into the system.

Was very tired of seeing all the odd man rushes against them.

And Mason has been very good.

I think Saku is expected to be out.
- jmatchett383

He is their best defensive center and best face-off guy.

Hats off to Brandon Dubinsky.

I can, but you have to go pretty far back:
Montreal had some periods against us like that in the late 70s
there was also the playoff game against Buffalo in 01 and ofcourse the blowout in 06 also against the Sabres that cost Hitch and Clarke their jobs.
.
- BiggE

That game against the Sabres in '06 was one of few regular season games I've missed, due to work, over the last 18 years. The score indicated it was brutal, but I can honestly say I didn't see that one -- thankfully.

Looking forward to seeing Pat Maroon.
- bradleyc4

He is on their NHL team?
Wow

He is on their NHL team?
Wow
- Marc D

Guessing there was a locker room dispute in the AHL and they handled it by moving him to the big club...maybe?

He is on their NHL team?
Wow
- Marc D

Didn't he try to eat his way out of hockey or some such noise?

What was his problem here, anyway? Not sure I remember.

As of the end of last night's games around the NHL, the Flyers have given up the fewest goals (27) of any team in the Metropolitan Division. On a league-wide basis, they rank 7th defensively. The improved team defense and the strong goaltending of Steve Mason are the biggest reason why I think the Flyers' have been better than their record suggests.

If the team hadn't been off to their worst goal-scoring start in franchise history -- even with the five-goal outburst on Saturday, they've still only scored 1.80 goals per game -- people would be singing a different tune about this team.

The most encouraging thing I took away from Saturday's game is that they could push the tempo offensively and actually score some goals for a change, yet they didn't have to sacrifice defensive responsibility to do it.
- bmeltzer

They're better now, but there's a couple of things to consider:

1) Mason's prevented many lopsided losses by himself,

2) I suspect that score effects have played a role in the low goal-against total... with the Flyers having been so offensively inept, and trailing early in so many games, many teams have been able to go into a defensive shell to protect their leads and coast to victory.

He is on their NHL team?
Wow
- Marc D

He's on it and playing solidly.

Didn't he try to eat his way out of hockey or some such noise?

What was his problem here, anyway? Not sure I remember.
- johndewar

It was behavioral, IIRC. Legein, and maybe other players were involved, too.

He's on it and playing solidly.
- Jsaquella

2 more goals than G...

2 more goals than G...
- jak521

Good ol Fraud Giroux

He's on it and playing solidly.
- Jsaquella

Yet another player we have to tally in the column of "Absolutely useless in Philadelphia, but bonafide NHLer everywhere else"

Praying to the hockey gods a similar fate is no in store for someone like Cousins, Akeson, god forbid Laughton, etc.


Completely random side note: Sean Couturier was absolutely stellar the other night. Just saying.

Yet another player we have to tally in the column of "Absolutely useless in Philadelphia, but bonafide NHLer everywhere else"

Praying to the hockey gods a similar fate is no in store for someone like Cousins, Akeson, god forbid Laughton, etc.


Completely random side note: Sean Couturier was absolutely stellar the other night. Just saying.
- mochoson

He's been stellar in almost every game this season.

Yet another player we have to tally in the column of "Absolutely useless in Philadelphia, but bonafide NHLer everywhere else"

Praying to the hockey gods a similar fate is no in store for someone like Cousins, Akeson, god forbid Laughton, etc.


Completely random side note: Sean Couturier was absolutely stellar the other night. Just saying.
- mochoson

+1 on Couts.

I have a feeling both Cousins and Laughton are going to be Flyers.
Akeson much less convinced about.

+1 on Couts.

I have a feeling both Cousins and Laughton are going to be Flyers.
Akeson much less convinced about.
- Marc D

laughton will be on this team next season. no question.

Yup!
I credit Berube getting these same players to buy into the system.

Was very tired of seeing all the odd man rushes against them.

And Mason has been very good.
- Marc D

i miss those great save opps for mason

Seven games into the Berube era and good things are starting to show up on the score sheet and the standings. This is good. Nobody would call NYR or NYI powerhouse teams, but still, progress is progress.

laughton will be on this team next season. no question.
- hammarby31

I bet against that, we will be a few points out of a playoff spot and homer will sell the farm for some aging forward or D man..

IMHO Mason so far is team MVP if awards were handed out, he has gave the team a chance every night to at the least earn a point. Consistency in pipe really since he started last season playing with us after the trade..nothing more calming to see this from what we have seen in the past many of years.

Is there a central page where all the Flyers Buzz podcasts can be accessed?

Seven games into the Berube era and good things are starting to show up on the score sheet and the standings. This is good. Nobody would call NYR or NYI powerhouse teams, but still, progress is progress.
- Scoob

I think progress shows in their play.
The wins came against a ranger's team missing some pretty key guys like their superstar forward, captain, goalie and fastest skater.
The Isles were playing back to back and off a big win against the pens and playing a noob in goal.

Still it is progress.

Ducks will be a good gauge to see where they are.

Looking forward to seeing Pat Maroon.
- bradleyc4

Well, you're in a fine Monday mood...

Is there a central page where all the Flyers Buzz podcasts can be accessed?
- Feanor

I believe that would be the Flyers logo at the top of the page here...

IMHO Mason so far is team MVP if awards were handed out, he has gave the team a chance every night to at the least earn a point. Consistency in pipe really since he started last season playing with us after the trade..nothing more calming to see this from what we have seen in the past many of years.
- Buzzo

when a team can't rely on their goalie, we've seen the trickle down effects. now we're seeing how solid goaltending can hold things together and it's a refreshing change. it's inevitable that we're going to need a significant contribution from emery, though.

laughton will be on this team next season. no question.
- hammarby31

2 years of seasoning on the phantoms first


/ob