Took a shot off the same foot that has been giving him trouble since Game 5 of the Pittsburgh series. Kimmo has lower back, hip and foot issues and is playing in a lot of pain that would force some other players out of the lineup even in the playoffs.
Danny Briere is also dealing with a back problem.
You wouldn't know it by the way either guy is playing, though. - bmeltzer
Kimmo is Ironman, that dude is amazing! He should get his own Playoff shirt.
I didn't like the way he played the Zajac goal, either. Coverage was the biggest issue but Bryzgalov was a little too casual in the way he played the second goal. A former NHL goalie who was in the pressbox was livid about it, saying he'd chew Bryz's butt out over it if he were his goalie coach. You can't let your mind drift in a playoff game. - bmeltzer
I didn't like that one either. There's no way that goes in the net in March. I'm expecting him to get more focused as the games go on. He's making the timely saves he needs to make to help his team win, which is good enough for now. He didn't let in the Sykora goal to let the game get to 2-0, he let it in to make it 3-3. Neither time is great, but it's better the way it worked out than the way it could have worked out.
Location: HEY. Does this pole still work?, NJ Joined: 01.14.2011
Apr 30 @ 9:18 AM ET
Just read a Star Ledger article where they show a picture of JVR clearly getting checked from behind by Salvador, forcing him into Brodeur and the caption reads "JVR gets in the face of Brodeur." Homers.
Thursday in NJ is still up in the air for me, but I plan to go as of now. Won't be at Game 4 for sure. - bmeltzer
Thats the one im going to go to, tickets are pretty reasonable up there.
The atmosphere was fantastic yesterday at the game, it was only the 2nd playoff game I have ever been too (the first being the 10-3 blowout last week :/ ) but I have noticed there are hardly any opposing fans, I saw maybe 2 devils fans...
Bill
Always great to read your perspective on the game.
I like the way you summarize Simmonds as trying to hit a five run homer. It has looked like he was squeezing the stick too much too often since the playoffs began. He definately has shown the effort. Read's turnover(s) bothered me a bit. But he seems to learn from mistakes...maybe not in the same game, but as time moves along.
Wellwood looked like he was shot out of a cannon.
As for Marty. He loves to play the "interference" card in the playoffs. At times you would think that he was being pulled apart by horsed while being beheaded. The fact is, his defense, as Bill points out, rides players into the crease. It is the wily old vet, but it is a bit of a shame that he does this so frequently when he initiates more contact than most goalies...and is not above chopping players behind the play or once felled in the crease area. I think the officials will keep an eye on it, but I think they will also keep an eye on some of the needless high hits that Devils were trying to land and thankfully didn't.
Location: me bitter? F-no i think it's hilarious Joined: 12.14.2011
Apr 30 @ 9:21 AM ET
Just read a Star Ledger article where they show a picture of JVR clearly getting checked from behind by Salvador, forcing him into Brodeur and the caption reads "JVR gets in the face of Brodeur." Homers. - hereticpride
When I worked up north and read the Star ledger on a regular basis my opinion of that work was much in line with this
Been about 8 years so I can't quite recall specifics other than it was read in humor not for getting actual information.
I thought Bryz was awesome -- he gave up one bad goal. - flyersfan51
He was very good in the first period and kept them in the game. That being said, the one bad goal happened to be the tying goal with under 8 minutes to play. You simply cannot allow that shot to beat you. As Bill stated he was very casual getting into position on the second Devils goal. He's absolutely brutal handling the puck, he should only leave the net when absolutely necessary to play the puck. I have seen people handle grenades in a calmer manner.
Location: me bitter? F-no i think it's hilarious Joined: 12.14.2011
Apr 30 @ 9:26 AM ET
He was very good in the first period and kept them in the game. That being said, the one bad goal happened to be the tying goal with under 8 minutes to play. You simply cannot allow that shot to beat you. As Bill stated he was very casual getting into position on the second Devils goal. He's absolutely brutal handling the puck, he should only leave the net when absolutely necessary to play the puck. I have seen people handle grenades in a calmer manner. - PLindbergh31
I find this to be your most objectionable analysis on the lad as I was in much of the same opinion. However I would have used a stick of dynamite in lieu of a grenade.
He was very good in the first period and kept them in the game. That being said, the one bad goal happened to be the tying goal with under 8 minutes to play. You simply cannot allow that shot to beat you. As Bill stated he was very casual getting into position on the second Devils goal. He's absolutely brutal handling the puck, he should only leave the net when absolutely necessary to play the puck. I have seen people handle grenades in a calmer manner. - PLindbergh31
yeah, I said earlier he can't give up that goal with 8 minutes left. Hopefully, it doesn't happen again.
I find this to be your most objectionable analysis on the lad as I was in much of the same opinion. However I would have used a stick of dynamite in lieu of a grenade. - JoeRussomanno
I call it like I see it Joe. In 6 of the 7 games thus far in the playoffs Bryzgalov has posted a sub .900 save %, some of it has to do with breakdowns, and bad defensive zone coverage, and some of it is on Bryzgalov. I think we all agree that in order for the Flyers to achieve the goal, Bryzgalov has to play better and eliminate as many soft goals as possible.
Did you guys all see Rob Simpson's blog. Guy just loves to hate on the Devils and Kovalchuk, has a whole shift diary on every Kovalchuk shift and puts a negative spin to everything. - _Zippy_
He did the same thing with Crosby in game 3 from the first round.
He was very good in the first period and kept them in the game. That being said, the one bad goal happened to be the tying goal with under 8 minutes to play. You simply cannot allow that shot to beat you. As Bill stated he was very casual getting into position on the second Devils goal. He's absolutely brutal handling the puck, he should only leave the net when absolutely necessary to play the puck. I have seen people handle grenades in a calmer manner. - PLindbergh31
He needs to be better but he was fantastic in the first period. That third goal was terrible and a save you have to make especially when its a one goal game.
yeah, I said earlier he can't give up that goal with 8 minutes left. Hopefully, it doesn't happen again. - flyersfan51
Agreed. The Flyers have more than enough talent to win the Cup this year. In fact IMO they have the most talent of any of the teams remaining in the playoffs. That being said they need some good luck along the way, but without a doubt this team is good enough to win the Cup this year. In fact if they don't I believe it will be due to goaltending.
Location: Dude, I am so sorry about whatever made you like this. Take it easy. Joined: 07.06.2007
Apr 30 @ 9:37 AM ET
I didn't like the way he played the Zajac goal, either. Coverage was the biggest issue but Bryzgalov was a little too casual in the way he played the second goal. A former NHL goalie who was in the pressbox was livid about it, saying he'd chew Bryz's butt out over it if he were his goalie coach. You can't let your mind drift in a playoff game. - bmeltzer
agreed that one was brutal. wasnt even set on his skates when that pass came across.
but as jsaq said, maybe just not quite sharp after the layoff
you can't give up a break away in that situation either. - JoeRussomanno
You can't, but that's why you're paying the premium for the goalie. I still have faith in Bryzgalov, still think that he's fine. I'm not going to focus on stats, because the way that first round went, the stats can't be trusted.
Even when he had a fantastic game in game one vs the Pens, his stats look awful. As long as he gets wins, it's what matters. Only people that need to complain, cry or moan will care about his save % if he gets 16 playoffs wins in 2012
Location: me bitter? F-no i think it's hilarious Joined: 12.14.2011
Apr 30 @ 9:38 AM ET
I call it like I see it Joe. In 6 of the 7 games thus far in the playoffs Bryzgalov has posted a sub .900 save %, some of it has to do with breakdowns, and bad defensive zone coverage, and some of it is on Bryzgalov. I think we all agree that in order for the Flyers to achieve the goal, Bryzgalov has to play better and eliminate as many soft goals as possible. - PLindbergh31
Not much to argue with there. I kind of expected some rustiness from the team yesterday anyway. They were good enough on a mediocre day to beat a good team.
agreed that one was brutal. wasnt even set on his skates when that pass came across.
but as jsaq said, maybe just not quite sharp after the layoff - Crimsoninja
I say that because when he got hurt in February, he had a few games like yesterday's...particularly the Chicago game. I'm not predicting another shutout run, but Bryz is obviously a guy that thrives on a heavy workload.
More action seems to focus him better and make him sharper. But this time of the year, getting the w is all that matters.
Homers. 
