today is a day where i would have liked to read your musings instead of a gameday blog, although i'm happy they're playing again immediately and have a chance to rid themselves of yesterday's performance. but as you said, the cards are stacked against them today due to a variety of reasons.

yesterday's game made me sick. the afternoon game, home game, 5-6 goal blowouts (forget their 4 goal comeback in the 3rd) are not the mark of a cup caliber team. i don't think anyone felt they were good enough to be in that class at the beginning of the year and are happy with their overall progress and position in the standings, however, i'd like to see them be prepared at this point in the season, and learn from earlier drubbings. ASG is over. it's February. time to get to (frank)ing work.
- hammarby31

Tomorrow's blog will discuss both games from this weekend. Too much of a marquee game today to dwell on yesterday. The Flyers need to find a way to leave with two points today but, realistically, even if they get one, it will take some doing to get there. The Flyers really needed those two points yesterday, and to come out so lackluster and handle adversity so poorly for two periods was inexcusable, third period comeback bid aside.

Why Shelley is even still on the team remains a mystery to me. Zolnierczyk provides energy and a bit of skill where Shelley is a wasted body. Sestito at least provides some size with passable mobility. I know Harry Z is a fourth line player and there are other factors in a game, but who is the more effective player, the guy who labors to move between the zones and plays 6-7 minutes a game, or the guy who can forecheck and backcheck at top speed and play three times the ice time while providing some offense to boot? When your fourth line can get in deep and grind out some offense, even if they don't get a goal they're still breaking up Giroux's 25+ minutes and tiring the other team out. I'd like to see a stat of the Flyers record with Shelley in the lineup this year. I can't imagine it is good.

As for the Rangers, if the Flyers can play like they did in the third against the Devils and the game against Boston, they should have a shot.
- Netmindless

Harry z made a rookie mistake vs NSH and maybe lavi wanted to emphasize that with him.

Tomorrow's blog will discuss both games from this weekend. Too much of a marquee game today to dwell on yesterday. The Flyers need to find a way to leave with two points today but, realistically, even if they get one, it will take some doing to get there. The Flyers really needed those two points yesterday, and to come out so lackluster and handle adversity so poorly for two periods was inexcusable, third period comeback bid aside.
- bmeltzer

The last minute of the first period where Hartnell went temporarily insane and forgot he was playing Hockey, took a penalty and a goal was scored. Then on the PP to start the 2nd, another PP goal. Followed immediately by another goal, and it was the game. If they could have kept the first to 2-0, and come out in the 2nd ready to play, they might have had a chance at pulling it out. Completely lost focus and discipline.

Chicago needs a goalie bad.

Bob
Pick
for
Hjalmarsson
Emery

bryz is gonna bring this home for me today

bryz is gonna bring this home for me today
- Don'tForgetTocchet

I have a feeling hes going to steal this game.

bryz is gonna bring this home for me today
- Don'tForgetTocchet

yea bryz has been playing like the goalie we thought we signed since the as break

I know the Flyers skated yesterday, but they only played one period of hockey. I think they can catch the Rainjas in a trap game here. Every team is capable of falling into that. One game since the break and that was a 1-0 shootout win over Buffalo. I think we might see what happened to the Flyers happen to NY, but I could be wrong.

Since the Allfarce game Bryz has been sharp and I think he builds on that today with a big win.

yea bryz has been playing like the goalie we thought we signed since the as break
- griouxmvp2012

don't jinx it

don't jinx it
- Scottie Upshall

im just saying and it looks like the team is playing comfortable when he in there not saying yesterday was bobs fault at all but when bryz came in yesterday the team played completly different

im just saying and it looks like the team is playing comfortable when he in there not saying yesterday was bobs fault at all but when bryz came in yesterday the team played completly different
- griouxmvp2012

Brygalov played well. But have take into consideration the score of the game at the time. The Devils were just sitting back trying to kill the clock. I really don't think you can credit Bryzgalov for how the team played in the 3rd.

Brygalov played well. But have take into consideration the score of the game at the time. The Devils were just sitting back trying to kill the clock. I really don't think you can credit Bryzgalov for how the team played in the 3rd.
- MJL

The team pissed away 2 points yesterday....

edit also in the top ten players in points Giroux is the only negative player?

The team pissed away 2 points yesterday....

edit also in the top ten players in points Giroux is the only negative player?
- Scottie Upshall

Are you talking Plus/minus? Overall, Giroux's defensive play has been disappointing in the last month or two. As the team's best faceoff option, he is used on lot of defensive zone draws, and plays top minutes among the Forwards. He has to improve his checking game.

I have a feeling hes going to steal this game.
- Scottie Upshall

If he can do that, it'll be a humangous boost for this team.

These are two points that they need. Both in the standings and from a point of knowing they can beat the rags. They need to come out knowing they pissed away two points yesterday and take it to the rags.

These are two points that they need. Both in the standings and from a point of knowing they can beat the rags. They need to come out knowing they pissed away two points yesterday and take it to the rags.
- LJF

It can provide a huge confidence boost.

These are two points that they need. Both in the standings and from a point of knowing they can beat the rags. They need to come out knowing they pissed away two points yesterday and take it to the rags.
- LJF

They have to create more traffic in front of Lundqvist, make him work to see the puck. Conversely, they have to allow Bryzgalov to see the puck in front of their own cage. They can not allow the Rangers to own the slot as much as they have during the season series.

The Flyers have a real chance to catch the Rangers flatfooted early in the game. They need to take advantage of it. Agree with the sentiment that it would be very difficult for them to play catch-up today. I'm still waiting for Bryz to steal a game. Lundquist has done it a few times already this year. At this stage, Lundquist is the goalie that Bryz wants to be when he grows up.

They have to create more traffic in front of Lundqvist, make him work to see the puck. Conversely, they have to allow Bryzgalov to see the puck in front of their own cage. They can not allow the Rangers to own the slot as much as they have during the season series.
- Jsaquella

Yes they have to make life miserable for lundqvist. They will need to be aggressive but smart.

bourdon was a +3 yesterday

bourdon was a +3 yesterday
- Don'tForgetTocchet

hes the next Shea Weber

Obviously Read and Rinaldo aren't the same kind of players. Rinaldo belongs on the 4th line. Neither Read or Talbot belong there.
- MJL

Who is going to center the 4th line? Given Bill's line up without substitutions. Read/Talbot are both centers (and wingers)... Sestito/Shelley can't center the 4th line. I wouldn't put Rinaldo as the 4th line center. I don't like Schenn/Coot playing there - especially with Briere out of the line up. Both Schenn/Coot have been playing well on there respective lines. So, it's pretty much down to Read or Talbot on the 4th line. Given this choice, I pick to move Read up. This is no knock on Talbot. I think he's the better defensive forward and Read's got more offense. Although, I do like Read's speed to balance out Shelley/Sestito

Who is going to center the 4th line? Given Bill's line up without substitutions. Read/Talbot are both centers (and wingers)... Sestito/Shelley can't center the 4th line. I wouldn't put Rinaldo as the 4th line center. I don't like Schenn/Coot playing there - especially with Briere out of the line up. Both Schenn/Coot have been playing well on there respective lines. So, it's pretty much down to Read or Talbot on the 4th line. Given this choice, I pick to move Read up. This is no knock on Talbot. I think he's the better defensive forward and Read's got more offense. Although, I do like Read's speed to balance out Shelley/Sestito
- leon neon

There are more choices. They should call up Holmstrom and have him Center the 4th line, for now. Read is also a very good defensive forward. Neither Read or Talbot belong there. But I understand your logic. There are going to be tough lineup decisions once JVR and Briere come back.

I was not able to watch this past week. Why isn't Gusty playing? And was Bob bad in the net yesterday? Thanks.

I was not able to watch this past week. Why isn't Gusty playing? And was Bob bad in the net yesterday? Thanks.
- PT21

Coaches decision for Gustafsson. Bobrovsky made a lot of big saves in the game. I don't think he was bad. He got hung out to dry for the most part.