I still think the Flyers have a chance to win the division. Starting today and this week will determine if they can do it or not. Bryz is on fire right now and theres noway I put him on the bench until he loses again.
- stveshdy

Dvisions are nice I prefer the cup. Don't grind Bryz up now for the division at expense of winning the cup. You can always have both but with the current circumstances I don't think chasing both the rags and Pens is best. Let them two strangle each other for that and clean up the fallout in the postseason.

Dvisions are nice I prefer the cup. Don't grind Bryz up now for the division at expense of winning the cup. You can always have both but with the current circumstances I don't think chasing both the rags and Pens is best. Let them two strangle each other for that and clean up the fallout in the postseason.
- JoeRussomanno

Winning the division likely means avoiding the Pens and Devils in the first round. It also means letting one of Rags and Pens likely eliminate the other. I much rather see Ottawa, Washington or Winnipeg in the first round than the Pens.

Dvisions are nice I prefer the cup. Don't grind Bryz up now for the division at expense of winning the cup. You can always have both but with the current circumstances I don't think chasing both the rags and Pens is best. Let them two strangle each other for that and clean up the fallout in the postseason.
- JoeRussomanno

I don't think that rolling with Bryzgalov now is an issue. If he feels good, let him play. I'm more concerned with keeping Bobrovsky sharp-in case of injury-than Bryzgalov being overworked, even with the brutally tight schedule.

Winning the division likely means avoiding the Pens and Devils in the first round. It also means letting one of Rags and Pens likely eliminate the other. I much rather see Ottawa, Washington or Winnipeg in the first round than the Pens.
- pyromantic

In the playoffs you have to play good teams sooner or later. If you are the champion you will beat them. If not you go home and build for next year. At this point I don't care about the division and would rather see the Flyers save that extra gear for the post-season, not for another meaningless banner to hang from the WFC rafters.

In the playoffs you have to play good teams sooner or later. If you are the champion you will beat them. If not you go home and build for next year. At this point I don't care about the division and would rather see the Flyers save that extra gear for the post-season, not for another meaningless banner to hang from the WFC rafters.
- JoeRussomanno

Still in 2010, getting NJ, Boston and Montreal was less difficult than running a NJ-Washington-Pittsburgh gauntlet.

I don't think that rolling with Bryzgalov now is an issue. If he feels good, let him play. I'm more concerned with keeping Bobrovsky sharp-in case of injury-than Bryzgalov being overworked, even with the brutally tight schedule.
- Jsaquella

It's not rolling him now I have an issue with. It's how is it going to effect him later. The flyers have 15 games remaining. Bobrovsky can start today without it effecting Bryzgalov. He hasnt been playing great lately because he's been playing alot exclusively. That is part of it, but the other part has been the team play with exception to last night. The Flyers haven't been hanging Bryz out to dry as much as they usually do. They are taking away time and space from the shooters. Again this goes back to when Bryz was looking bad. It wasn't all on him just like the stellar performances aren't all on him now. He's getting the help he needed. As long as the team keeps playing this way he'll be fine. But if you grind him to a pulp like they did in Phoenix, then don't expect much in the playoffs.

Still in 2010, getting NJ, Boston and Montreal was less difficult than running a NJ-Washington-Pittsburgh gauntlet.
- Jsaquella

This is true but the Flyers didn't win the cup so they weren't champions to begin with which goes back to what I said. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the ride but this year is different. We actually have the goaltending and team is playing at a Cup level imo. Just right now I think careful consideration needs to be taken with Bryzgalov's work load.

Let's say sitting him right now throws him off for sake of argument. In that case you have plenty of games from next week until the playoffs to get him going again. But like I said the team is playing better team defense so I don't think getting him all these games is that important right now. It was important to get his confidence. He has that now you need him fresh and godforbid an injury happens from playing the poop out of him. It's not like that wouldn't fit into the M.O of Flyer fortunes.

It's not rolling him now I have an issue with. It's how is it going to effect him later. The flyers have 15 games remaining. Bobrovsky can start today without it effecting Bryzgalov. He hasnt been playing great lately because he's been playing alot exclusively. That is part of it, but the other part has been the team play with exception to last night. The Flyers haven't been hanging Bryz out to dry as much as they usually do. They are taking away time and space from the shooters. Again this goes back to when Bryz was looking bad. It wasn't all on him just like the stellar performances aren't all on him now. He's getting the help he needed. As long as the team keeps playing this way he'll be fine. But if you grind him to a pulp like they did in Phoenix, then don't expect much in the playoffs.
- JoeRussomanno

I still don't see him being run down when the playoffs start. Bob will get starts, but unless Bryz seems tired or a little worn down, I would ride him. I'd probably start Bob Thursday, to keep Bryz fresh for next weekend.

I still don't see him being run down when the playoffs start. Bob will get starts, but unless Bryz seems tired or a little worn down, I would ride him. I'd probably start Bob Thursday, to keep Bryz fresh for next weekend.
- Jsaquella

IF you say so, but I definitely stand by starting Bob Thursday otherwise you're really pushing you're luck. If they can beat Boston (I think they will) that will be huge. To beat Pittsburgh I think they will need Kubina and Timmonen back. So a loss there won't bother me as much.

Always nice to see your smiling face, sir.
- Jsaquella

I just watched the game, had tivo'd it last night. It truly is a bizzaro world right now. Flyers had gone 4.5 seasons without winning a 1-0 game (December of 2007) was the last one, and now they have done it twice in less than a week. They have been outplayed which shouldn't be unexpected with all the injuries, and Bryzgalov has truly been the difference. Fantastic to see.

I was questioning whether he could play in Philadelphia, not based on his talent, it appeared he wasn't having fun, and didn't want to be here. Regardless of what happens going forward the rest of this year, he has shown the ability to play at an elite level over a fairly prolonged stretch of games. What an amazing tool confidence is.

Giroux's shootout goal was just beyond ridiculous. No matter how many times you try that in an empty practice rink, to have the guts to pull that out of your bag of tricks in a game before 20k people, on HNIC shows balls the size of church bells. As well as talent that is off the charts.

Emerson Etem scored 2 goals last night. Kid's got 60 goals in 62 games for Medicine Hat of the WHL.
- Jsaquella

Who is this kid?

Edit: Who cares about trading 1st rounders, they're going in the 20s anyway

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 3/11/12 @ Devils
- bmeltzer

i'll get called a neanderthal but i sure had been missing having a guy like grossman on the team. a badly needed dash of touhness

Goalies stealing games?

Winning in the shoot outs?

Depth at D with multiple rookie prospects?

Shut outs?

I'm so confused, this is the Flyers doing all this?
- Marc D

what do you think of manning? i had never even heard of him until this week, and he did a pretty good job on kessel i thought. looks promising.

i'll get called a neanderthal but i sure had been missing having a guy like grossman on the team. a badly needed dash of touhness
- Don'tForgetTocchet

What is this touhness you speak of?

i'll get called a neanderthal but i sure had been missing having a guy like grossman on the team. a badly needed dash of touhness
- Don'tForgetTocchet

Hatcher Jr, with knees.

More like Hatcher Lite, probably. Or something. I'm sure someone will correct it for me.

It's not rolling him now I have an issue with. It's how is it going to effect him later. The flyers have 15 games remaining. Bobrovsky can start today without it effecting Bryzgalov. He hasnt been playing great lately because he's been playing alot exclusively. That is part of it, but the other part has been the team play with exception to last night. The Flyers haven't been hanging Bryz out to dry as much as they usually do. They are taking away time and space from the shooters. Again this goes back to when Bryz was looking bad. It wasn't all on him just like the stellar performances aren't all on him now. He's getting the help he needed. As long as the team keeps playing this way he'll be fine. But if you grind him to a pulp like they did in Phoenix, then don't expect much in the playoffs.
- JoeRussomanno

Bryz is being treated no different than any other #1 goalie that will be heading into the playoffs. Why does Bob need games for? He is the backup and should maybe see two-three starts the rest of the year. Winning the division is something this team should shoot for. Win your divison and get home ice advantage thats the goal. I much rather be playing home than at Pittsburgh in the first round. Bryz is not going to be overworked. He plays much better when he gets to carry the load imo.

As a fan, we can all feel our own personal anxiety just as the team does when a goalie isn't playing well. Every shot makes your pulse race.

Now, I feel like every shot is going to be stopped. Bryz is not only making the saves, but he is making difficult saves SEEM easy.
- MBFlyerfan

Think the reason why he's making it look easy is because he is tracking the puck so well. The stop on Filppula on Tuesday was outstanding but didn't look all that dramatic or acrobatic because Bryz calmly tracked the puck and put himself in position where all he had to do was let the puck hit him.

what do you think of manning? i had never even heard of him until this week, and he did a pretty good job on kessel i thought. looks promising.
- Don'tForgetTocchet

It's early to say but at least promising.
There were a couple of times last night where the Flyers were caught running around a bit in their own end. Manning ended up staying 'home' in the crease and made the right play.

HNIC guy (Healy?) said he has some snarl to his game which hasn't come out yet.

Anyway he has been solid in his first two games.

Think the reason why he's making it look easy is because he is tracking the puck so well. The stop on Filppula on Tuesday was outstanding but didn't look all that dramatic or acrobatic because Bryz calmly tracked the puck and put himself in position where all he had to do was let the puck hit him.
- OrangeBlack27

The breakaway save on Kessel last night was a sign that Bryz is in the zone. He gave Kessel nothing to shot at and pretty much slammed the door in his face a number of times. Awesome to watch.

Bryz is being treated no different than any other #1 goalie that will be heading into the playoffs. Why does Bob need games for? He is the backup and should maybe see two-three starts the rest of the year. Winning the division is something this team should shoot for. Win your divison and get home ice advantage thats the goal. I much rather be playing home than at Pittsburgh in the first round. Bryz is not going to be overworked. He plays much better when he gets to carry the load imo.
- stveshdy

Even if Bryz plays every game here on out he will still be on the low end of what he has been averaging the last few seasons. 55, 65, 69, 68 games played the last 4 years.

I agree that Bob should get a game here or there, especially in "3 in 4" or "4 in 6" scenarios. But Bryz should get the vast majority. Get him to 60 games.

The breakaway save on Kessel last night was a sign that Bryz is in the zone. He gave Kessel nothing to shot at and pretty much slammed the door in his face a number of times. Awesome to watch.
- stveshdy

that was sweet.

No question about it. Grossmann is the perfect fit for this team. He is exactly what this team needed.
- stveshdy

Homer has made killer moves. As much as some have ribbed him, bottom line he has done wonders for this org.

Even if Bryz plays every game here on out he will still be on the low end of what he has been averaging the last few seasons. 55, 65, 69, 68 games played the last 4 years.

I agree that Bob should get a game here or there, especially in "3 in 4" or "4 in 6" scenarios. But Bryz should get the vast majority. Get him to 60 games.
- MBFlyerfan

I agree, as we have all seen, you need to give him a boat load of games for him to get into a groove.

I just watched the game, had tivo'd it last night. It truly is a bizzaro world right now. Flyers had gone 4.5 seasons without winning a 1-0 game (December of 2007) was the last one, and now they have done it twice in less than a week. They have been outplayed which shouldn't be unexpected with all the injuries, and Bryzgalov has truly been the difference. Fantastic to see.

I was questioning whether he could play in Philadelphia, not based on his talent, it appeared he wasn't having fun, and didn't want to be here. Regardless of what happens going forward the rest of this year, he has shown the ability to play at an elite level over a fairly prolonged stretch of games. What an amazing tool confidence is.

Giroux's shootout goal was just beyond ridiculous. No matter how many times you try that in an empty practice rink, to have the guts to pull that out of your bag of tricks in a game before 20k people, on HNIC shows balls the size of church bells. As well as talent that is off the charts.
- PLindbergh31

With balls the size of church bells, one has wonder where the hell does he put em??