think the injuries the Blues have are making the kings look better?
- JoeRussomanno

i haven't watched the series closely, so i can't say with certainty. just seems like they're not that competitive, and brian elliott is the brian elliott in ottawa.

There are a number of good forwards making good money on the team. Not sure if defensive coverages and back checking were in the contract
- Just5

Like I mentioned about the post game show, a former player and coach said you cannot have the abundant complete breakdowns in coverage and expect the goalie to have all the answers. There's a reason his save percentage is down. Yes he gives up a questionable goal from time to time but is making big saves at key times in the games too. However allowing the quality scoring chances to pile up is not the recipe the teams whose goalies with superb sv%'s follow.

What's your point? This isn't baseball. You can't just use numbers to judge performance.

There are 5 other guys on the ice who also get paid.
- jd342

My point is Bryzgalov isn't playing as well as Lundqvist/Quick, I'm not sure we expected him to do so, but guys like Holtby and Smith are significantly outplaying him. What are we chalking that up to? The fact Washington and Phoenix play better defensive systems than the Flyers?

Its interesting how many writers have missed that Schenn did not "brush" Brodeur. His right skate makes solid contact with Brodeur's right skate in the paint. If you look at the upper body, you will not see it. Enough to make Brodeur go down? Prolly not. Enoguh to perhaps affect his ability to stop the shot? Yep. Maybe thats a call refs don't always make, but it was the right call.
- PT21

What did you think of the non call on the Devils player rolling into Bryz when Kovy rang his shot off the post?

That goal would have counted.

it would be very cruel
- nastyflyergirl

yeah, it would, and it's not happening. phx or nashville will be more competitive. they might not even get there.

i haven't watched the series closely, so i can't say with certainty. just seems like they're not that competitive, and brian elliott is the brian elliott in ottawa.
- hammarby31

same especially on the Elliot thing. Also losing Pietrangelo seemed to kill the blues. I think if the Preds advance they pose a serious threat to Sea Isle west.

What did you think of the non call on the Devils player rolling into Bryz when Kovy rang his shot off the post?

That goal would have counted.
- Marc D

See my avatar pic for how i would have reacted.

My point is Bryzgalov isn't playing as well as Lundqvist, Quick, I'm not sure we expected him to do so, but guys like Holtby and Smith are significantly outplaying him. What are we chalking that up to? The fact Washington and Phoenix play better defensive systems than the Flyers?
- PLindbergh31

That's definitely a significant part of it. Every team gives up quality scoring chances, but the Flyers seem to do that at an alarming rate. How well do you think Lundqvist or Quick would do on this team?

19 goaltenders have started games in these playoffs. Bryzgalov's save % is 18 out of 19.

Boucher's playoff save % last year was considerably higher than Bryzgalov's this year.
- PLindbergh31

My point is Bryzgalov isn't playing as well as Lundqvist/Quick, I'm not sure we expected him to do so, but guys like Holtby and Smith are significantly outplaying him. What are we chalking that up to? The fact Washington and Phoenix play better defensive systems than the Flyers?
- PLindbergh31

Holtby and smith are getting the help they need from their team, plz already. When Holtby had richards all alone in Game 1 the puck went in.

The Rangers play basically with three goalies, the amount of shots they block and space they deprive the opposing team is redonkulous. I haven't watched Quick that much so I can't say.

any word locally on couturier?

I agree he should have had the Elias goal but the Parise goal I saw coming about 3 seconds before the puck got to him. Even Clement said in the postgame you can't leave a guy like Parise or anyone for that matter all alone which Carle did and not think that won't hurt you. Not his exact words but that was the gist of it.

Also Tocchet gave his take on Bryz and that he hasn;t been specatacular but he's been good. He would look better if not for all these blown coverages. He did use and stress the term "blown Coverages." That's what is killing them their defensive coverage is awful at times.

This is all stuff they can fix too. I expect Lavy to make adjustments, even if it means go the keep it simple stupid" route.
- JoeRussomanno

as soon as i saw carle go to the corner with hesitation, not skating, and not sure what he was going to do with the puck, i knew it would end up in the net. not blaming him for the goal, just saying i saw disaster coming.

When you have the resume that Brodeur has and get into the ref's ear, you get the call.
- 77rams

The better team won last night, and the one that by and large suffered more from refs blown calls.

I can't really work up a dislike for these Devs. They are not playing dirty or acting: they are playing hard, spirited, team-first hockey. I think up 2 games to 1 is the way it should be after 3 games.

My point is Bryzgalov isn't playing as well as Lundqvist, Quick, I'm not sure we expected him to do so, but guys like Holtby and Smith are significantly outplaying him. What are we chalking that up to? The fact Washington and Phoenix play better defensive systems than the Flyers?
- PLindbergh31

That would be part of it, yes. The other part would be the Devils containing the Flyers in their own zone, tiring the skaters out and getting the better shots on goal. Finally, I think injury is a factor.

Still, I agree it'd be great to see Bryzgalov elevate his game and be the difference on Sunday.

My point is Bryzgalov isn't playing as well as Lundqvist/Quick, I'm not sure we expected him to do so, but guys like Holtby and Smith are significantly outplaying him. What are we chalking that up to? The fact Washington and Phoenix play better defensive systems than the Flyers?
- PLindbergh31

The goalie isn't the reason the flyers can stop the devils cycle game or the reason thu didn't cash in on 2 OT pp opportunities.

This was still a much better game by the flyers than game 2. Hopefully the trend will continue. They will be a very desperate bunch come sunday
- Just5

It's a normal response but I hope they don't feel desperate. Way too early for that.

Everybody has to bring their A game, keep their feet moving, crowd Marty and throw more pucks at him. The Flyers win, they come home tied with the home court advantage and the lights will be shining in NJ's eyes.

My point is Bryzgalov isn't playing as well as Lundqvist/Quick, I'm not sure we expected him to do so, but guys like Holtby and Smith are significantly outplaying him. What are we chalking that up to? The fact Washington and Phoenix play better defensive systems than the Flyers?
- PLindbergh31

Yes. The proof is in Bryzgalov. With Pheonix he was awesome, with Philly hes average. Goalies often reflect the team infront of them.

as soon as i saw carle go to the corner with hesitation, not skating, and not sure what he was going to do with the puck, i knew it would end up in the net. not blaming him for the goal, just saying i saw disaster coming.
- hammarby31

I'm in no way shape or form a Carle hater, but that play right there added fuel to the fire against him, yes. Also Yes I Blame him for that goal. I don't care what system, style etc. YOu don't let an opposing forward go into that position unchecked. If he had at least checked Parise I doubt that goes in and if it had then I'll shift blame back onto the goalie. I really wish they would have asked him what he was thinking on that play.

The better team won last night, and the one that by and large suffered more from refs blown calls.

I can't really work up a dislike for these Devs. They are not playing dirty or acting: they are playing hard, spirited, team-first hockey. I think up 2 games to 1 is the way it should be after 3 games.
- PT21

Do the Flyers have to hate a team to beat them?

Isn't hating losing enough?

My point is Bryzgalov isn't playing as well as Lundqvist/Quick, I'm not sure we expected him to do so, but guys like Holtby and Smith are significantly outplaying him. What are we chalking that up to? The fact Washington and Phoenix play better defensive systems than the Flyers?
- PLindbergh31

i haven't seen the kind of breakdowns game by game with the other teams that the flyers give up. not even close, and in the caps-rags last game, there were a few on the rangers end, and the caps hit the post twice, just missed once, and lundqvist made 1 save. 1 of those should have gone in. he was beaten cleanly 3 times on point blank chances and not 1 went in the net. so it's easy to say they're outplaying him.

bryz has made a pile of great stops all playoffs long. you just want him to stop letting pucks get through him like on the 1st and 3rd goals.

Yes. The proof is in Bryzgalov. With Pheonix he was awesome, with Philly hes average. Goalies often reflect the team infront of them.
- Rally_Shots

YOu have just answered the riddle of steel COUGH I mean goaltending, sorry.

the series is 2-1...
right now get back to basics and force the play. The Devils cannot match the Flyers when they are skating.
On the flip, they will fall back into boring hockey.
You need to overcome this...

the sky is not falling.

and i could care less about the Kings or any other team for that matter. I have no rooting interest in any other person or team beyond the Flyers.

Do the Flyers have to hate a team to beat them?

Isn't hating losing enough?
- 77rams

I really think they are being lulled to sleep, they are not pushing the play and the Devils are bringing back "boring" and it's working.

YOu have just answered the riddle of steel COUGH I mean goaltending, sorry.



- JoeRussomanno

On Sunday, what would be best is to crush their enemies, see them driven before us, and to hear the lamentation of their women.

I really think they are being lulled to sleep, they are not pushing the play and the Devils are bringing back "boring" and it's working.
- phi1671

what do you think of maybe putting rinaldo back in the lineup to get some sparks going out there?