Bryzgalov was holding the Flyers in the game, before the Gaborik goal. The Rangers were outplaying them by a pretty good margin, until Schenn's nice breakaway goal. The game evened out a little after that until the previously mentioned Gaborik tally.

Can't hang this loss on Bryzgalov solely though. The Rangers played a strong game, as did Lundqvist and the Flyers defense is average at best without Pronger.

Timonen(sp?) is excellent but after that it gets a little dicey. Do any of you think a big trade for a blueliner is imminent?
- MidnightMarauder

I couldnt agree with you more. The Flyers need to get better defensively and the goaltending needs to get better. Bryz did play solid in the beginning and fell apart after the Gaborik goal. He looked like a goalie that was defeated already (just by his body language).

I rooted my ass off for the Giants. I hate the Pats.

Eli owns the Pats. How about that pass, eh?

Speaking of passes.. Brady couldnt have thrown a better pass (under pressure to boot) to end the game. In the middle of the middle of the end zone. Crazy finish!
- jak521

The throw Eli made to Manningham on the sideline was unreal. The window to fit that pass was miniscule. Just an incredible throw, you can count the QB's in the League who make that throw in the pressure of a Super Bowl on a few fingers. I'm not sure Peyton makes that throw.

When Bradshaw scored with 57 seconds left, I was terrified that Brady would find a way to score, when that last pass was in the air, my heart was in my throat. A healthy Gronkowski may catch that.

the last thing I want to see this team do is throw away first or second (and yes I know they haven't drafted well in the second round) round picks for rental players. I don't want to see them trade away young guys. obviously anything can happen in the playoffs (2010 is a prime example) but I don't see enough of this team yet to make me feel they can compete with the upper echelon teams. Let the kids play and grown. They potentially have 4 picks in the first 3 rounds in this year's draft. Lets not just throw those picks away. just my 2 cents

Bryz was playing very well till that horrid horrid goal at the end of the 2nd. Then he let in 2 mediocre goals after that as well. Very frustrating.

The throw Eli made to Manningham on the sideline was unreal. The window to fit that pass was miniscule. Just an incredible throw, you can count the QB's in the League who make that throw in the pressure of a Super Bowl on a few fingers. I'm not sure Peyton makes that throw.

When Bradshaw scored with 57 seconds left, I was terrified that Brady would find a way to score, when that last pass was in the air, my heart was in my throat. A healthy Gronkowski may catch that.
- PLindbergh31

Eli = Captain Clutch

Next we will have 7-9 division wining teams hoisting the lombardi. Nah I'm done with that game. Hockey takes from Fall to spring. Baseball from spring to fall.
- JoeRussomanno

Here is my last football comment... prob NOT
I get a kick out of the watching football a little bit at a time because of how they are call Super Bowl Champions of a league that plays only a 16 game season. That why I would follow hockey baseball, more games...
A 7-9 team winning the SB...it will happen one day...


Looking forward to the Phillies...I enjoy going to CBP...

Eli = Captain Clutch
- ggunky

I hear everything you said. I agree with you.

The problem is, you sign a guy to stop the weak, soft goals against.

Tar and feather me if you want, but I thought Bryz was brought in to stop the weak, soft goals.

I am not dismissing any other aspect of the game. Yes, other areas do need to improve, however, Bryz needs to play like the guy he was brought in to be.

The focuse after losing a game by 2 goals (before the empty net) is the 2 soft goals allowed by the Elite goalie on the Flyers.
- ggunky

I dont think Bryz was brought to stop weak goals, but to give the team a better chance to win. If he can make 28 saves and let in 2 goals (both weak) but the team still win.. its probably because he did a good job. And in wins he has done a fantastic job...


he needs to be more consistent. And he had been of late.

Bryz was playing very well till that horrid horrid goal at the end of the 2nd. Then he let in 2 mediocre goals after that as well. Very frustrating.
- FLYERSROCK!

He played well early in the game and kept the Flyers in the game, that being said it doesn't give him a pass when he allows 2 soft goals.

The throw Eli made to Manningham on the sideline was unreal. The window to fit that pass was miniscule. Just an incredible throw, you can count the QB's in the League who make that throw in the pressure of a Super Bowl on a few fingers. I'm not sure Peyton makes that throw.

When Bradshaw scored with 57 seconds left, I was terrified that Brady would find a way to score, when that last pass was in the air, my heart was in my throat. A healthy Gronkowski may catch that.
- PLindbergh31

My first thought.. and he still could have if he hadnt stopped running.. he missed it by a foot.

Eli = Captain Clutch
- ggunky

Reminds me of a healthy Vick.

The Old Man said "never again" and I was all on board with the Bryz signing. I didn't know much about him first hand but on paper his stats looked solid. Thought they overpaid and the contract was too long but I was willing to look the other way if Bryz was the guy. Didn't realize that he is a bit of a space cadet but goalies are eccentric, right? So I kind of ignore anything he says to the press. As far as his play goes, it pains me to say he stinks out loud so far. He stinks on paper and he stinks if you watch him. For a big guy, he's played small in the net; has been a rebound machine and apparently needs a refresher on holding a goalie stick. I keep telling myself that his career stats show that there is a fine goalie buried in there somewhere but it's disconcerting to watch. As far as all of this discussion about how bad the Flyers' puck support and team defense are compared to the Rangers... hey, the Rangers have had a stable team most of the year and the Flyers haven't. Considering the Pronger absence, injuries and number of rookies getting big minutes, I think the Flyers skaters have nothing to be ashamed about. Can puck support be better? Of course. But this year's Bryz would stink even if he had it because he allowing too many squirlley goals. Interesting stat: Lundqvist has faced an average of 30 shots a game while Bryz has faced an average of 27. Shots aren't everything but it shows that Lundqvist is seeing more rubber than the Flyers "sieve" defense is allowing. I'm an optimist and think Bryz will get better but in the mean time I won't tie myself into a pretzel and trash the rest of the team while trying to rationalize his play.
- 2731color

You're right, but i think a goalies style depends a lot on the defense's play...he has no confidence in the defense and the defense has no confidence in him. Thats where the problem lies.

- PLindbergh31

Im glad they won, so nowi dont have to listen to mu friends saying how Brady is god and Pats are so awesome!

Timonen, Coburn, Carle and Meszaros are all good defensemen, too, or at least have all shown at times that they can be. A lot of the things that get blamed on "the defense" are really team defense issues where forwards have to do a much better job assisting with puck support, getting the puck out of the D-zone, etc.

That's why even adding Shea Weber would not magically improve the Flyers as a defensive team. I think the Flyers forward corps, on the whole, is below-average defensively. That doesn't excuse the six defensemen, either, but this team has not had a true defensive shutdown forward line since the days of Joel Otto and Shjon Podein anchoring the third line.
- bmeltzer

If what you say is true and I am misjudging Carle and Coburn, is their often sloppy defensive play due to the structure and philosophy Laviolette and Co. have instituted?

I ask this because, even with Pronger, the Flyers are often a team that gives up a good amount of quality scoring chances.

Yes the goalie is responsible for the end result but the defense has left the goaltending out to dry for years on end in this city. I know the staple of the team, as it has been for years, is the high quality of depth and talent at forward. But, at some point there has to be a better balance, on the whole.

Defense and goaltending 9 out of 10 times defeat a highly skilled offense with average counterparts. I don't think Bryzgalov is a lost cause, I just think he needs a little better support in his own end.

it was that and have a chance to go back up the field...or watch the giants whidle the clock to zero and kick a field goal to win the game...they should have let him score @ the two minute mark so they would have more time to go up the field.
- Philly1980

I had to read that on the screen last night and listen to it on the phone for a combined 8 hours last night. I'm sorry but it was bogus. Lombardi is rolling over in his grave right now. I guess the giants in superbowl XXV should have let the Bills score a TD so they can have a shot going down the field too. No you play every play from whistle to whistle and never let the other team score. IF letting the other team score is the new trend then screw it I'm done with that game. Furthermore the Patriots got into the superbowl on a missed field goal. Why not just let the Ravens score there so they can go down the field and win?

Hear is my last football comment... prob NOT
I get a kick out of the watching football a little bit at a time because of how they are call Super Bowl Champions of a league that plays only a 16 game season. That why I would follow hockey baseball, more games...
A 7-9 team winning the SB...it will happen one day...


Looking forward to the Phillies...I enjoy going to CBP...
- phi1671

If a team qualifies for the playoffs with a 8-8 or 7-9 record, and are good enough to win 2 road games against the # 1 and # 2 seed, then win the Super Bowl, so be it. Doesn't take away from the accomplishment.

I dont think Bryz was brought to stop weak goals, but to give the team a better chance to win. If he can make 28 saves and let in 2 goals (both weak) but the team still win.. its probably because he did a good job. And in wins he has done a fantastic job...


he needs to be more consistent. And he had been of late.
- jak521

OK...

Elite goalies don't allow weak goals consistently.

Bryz, over the course of this season, has been consistent in allowing weak goals.

I guess I expect more out of an Elite goalie then most.

When you are paid as one of the top players in your position, me as a fan, expect you to play like it.

He played well early in the game and kept the Flyers in the game, that being said it doesn't give him a pass when he allows 2 soft goals.
- PLindbergh31

Exctly my thoughts. I thought we mught just win a game, then they scored tht goal and i wanted to pull my hair out.

Awful team defense and soft goals.

What a difference a year makes?!

I hear everything you said. I agree with you.

The problem is, you sign a guy to stop the weak, soft goals against.

Tar and feather me if you want, but I thought Bryz was brought in to stop the weak, soft goals.

I am not dismissing any other aspect of the game. Yes, other areas do need to improve, however, Bryz needs to play like the guy he was brought in to be.

The focuse after losing a game by 2 goals (before the empty net) is the 2 soft goals allowed by the Elite goalie on the Flyers.
- ggunky

Exactly, I can tell when Bryz or Bob doesn't have a chance because the defense broke down. Even top corner shots from good scoring areas I can handle.

Sorry if the goalie is held to a higher standard. I am not advocating bailing on Bryz.

I hear everything you said. I agree with you.

The problem is, you sign a guy to stop the weak, soft goals against.

Tar and feather me if you want, but I thought Bryz was brought in to stop the weak, soft goals.

I am not dismissing any other aspect of the game. Yes, other areas do need to improve, however, Bryz needs to play like the guy he was brought in to be.

The focuse after losing a game by 2 goals (before the empty net) is the 2 soft goals allowed by the Elite goalie on the Flyers.
- ggunky

Reminds me of a healthy Vick.
- stveshdy

Please! That is an insult to QB's in the NFL.

You can't compare Eli to Vick.

Im glad they won, so nowi dont have to listen to mu friends saying how Brady is god and Pats are so awesome!
- FLYERSROCK!

Brady is great. He's in the class of Montana without question. Brady played very well yesterday, 16 straight completions at one point, including a 96 yard drive before the half. At 17-9, Brady put his team in position to win the game.

OK...

Elite goalies don't allow weak goals consistently.

Bryz, over the course of this season, has been consistent in allowing weak goals.

I guess I expect more out of an Elite goalie then most.

When you are paid as one of the top players in your position, me as a fan, expect you to play like it.
- ggunky

I also don't understand the weak goal excusers.

One soft goal a game in a league where teams score <3 GPG is bad.

Two is awful.

Until that 2nd goal went in I was thrilled with the play of Bryz, I thought he had actually finally turned the corner, hopefully he has/will this week.

The biggest thing I took from this weekend is a 3rd pairing dman or whatever they may trade for wouldn't have made one difference in either outcome. The Flyers lost from horrible efforts, subpar goaltending, dreadful turnovers and so on.

I hope management doesn't think trading some really good young forwards (JVR,Schenn,Cooter) for a potential bump on defense is going to fix things because it won't.

This is for the most part a very young team still finding the way and figuring things out. I hope they get the time to do just that.

Still lots of hockey to be played.
- Buts16

Thought the exact same thing to myself. Gaustad and Allen may help but at what cost?

This team has been average at best defensively all year and that will likely be their undoing in the spring.

Like you said, though, lots of hockey to be played and anything can happen.