Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 3/5/12

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 3/5/12
- bmeltzer

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- BingoLady

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Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 3/5/12
- bmeltzer

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Good write up Bill. I myself loved the Stars second to the Flyers for a longtime. They won the cup while I was away on orders with the millitary. I saw regulation but had to go in the field with my unit a few hours later so my squad sergeant came looking for me and I missed the win. I just tell myself that was the tradeoff to see the Flyers win it one day!

Do you have anymore info on the injuries to Timonen and Meszaros or will we hear something today? I hope their injuries status are more of a rest nature. Who knows with the Flyers. Looks like my rabid defense of Bryzgalov is starting to pay off too

Edit: BTW THe Predators are quickly becoming my second favorite team

Good write up Bill. I myself loved the Stars second to the Flyers for a longtime. They won the cup while I was away on orders with the millitary. I saw regulation but had to go in the field with my unit a few hours later so my squad sergeant came looking for me and I missed the win. I just tell myself that was the tradeoff to see the Flyers win it one day!

Do you have anymore info on the injuries to Timonen and Meszaros or will we hear something today? I hope their injuries status are more of a rest nature. Who knows with the Flyers. Looks like my rabid defense of Bryzgalov is starting to pay off too
- JoeRussomanno

We have kept the faith all season brother!

We have kept the faith all season brother!
- MBFlyerfan

Yes, let us now deliver our brethren across the bloody red sea of NHL playoffs!

Yes, let us now deliver our brethren across the bloody red sea of NHL playoffs!


- JoeRussomanno

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 3/5/12
- bmeltzer

That was the first game that I can recall where I felt confident and comfortable with Bryz in net.

The past 35 games or so, I kept waiting for that one, inevitable soft goal that he almost always delivered. It wasn't a pessimistic outlook, but more of a reflection of his on-ice demeanor and attitude.

This would be a great time to get and stay on a roll. Hopefully some of the troops from the blue line heal quickly.

That was the first game that I can recall where I felt confident and comfortable with Bryz in net.

The past 35 games or so, I kept waiting for that one, inevitable soft goal that he almost always delivered. It wasn't a pessimistic outlook, but more of a reflection of his on-ice demeanor and attitude.

This would be a great time to get and stay on a roll. Hopefully some of the troops from the blue line heal quickly.
- bradleyc4

Agreed. Sure looked comfortable between the pipes last night. Was seeing everything well before the puck was on him. Maybe it's me, but I feel much more confident in a goaltender when they are directing rebounds purposely off the glass, etc. Seems like a boost of confidence on their part. Keep it up Bryz!!

That was the first game that I can recall where I felt confident and comfortable with Bryz in net.

The past 35 games or so, I kept waiting for that one, inevitable soft goal that he almost always delivered. It wasn't a pessimistic outlook, but more of a reflection of his on-ice demeanor and attitude.

This would be a great time to get and stay on a roll. Hopefully some of the troops from the blue line heal quickly.
- bradleyc4

bah I felt good all season

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 3/5/12
- bmeltzer

Really looking forward to the Howe pieces, Bill.

Being of the same age, I was in my glory as a Flyers fan during the mid 1980's team's greatest days, and also when Howe was often the lone bright spot in the early 1990's, prior to the arrival of Eric Lindros.

That time frame helps me to appreciate your writing on the time even better.

Really looking forward to the Howe pieces, Bill.

Being of the same age, I was in my glory as a Flyers fan during the mid 1980's team's greatest days, and also when Howe was often the lone bright spot in the early 1990's, prior to the arrival of Eric Lindros.

That time frame helps me to appreciate your writing on the time even better.
- Jsaquella

I have wiped the early 90's from memory, like the Dark Ages of history

Bryz was obviously very strong but it seems that with all the defensive injuries the forwards truly took defense seriously. The back check and defensive zone coverage from the forwards was as strong as it has been all year.

Really looking forward to the Howe pieces, Bill.

Being of the same age, I was in my glory as a Flyers fan during the mid 1980's team's greatest days, and also when Howe was often the lone bright spot in the early 1990's, prior to the arrival of Eric Lindros.

That time frame helps me to appreciate your writing on the time even better.
- Jsaquella

I wish I was alive during the 70s instead of now, what I would give to see a Stanley cup parade down broad street, to see the commys get pounded, to see the flyers of the 80s (the worst decade to not be the oilers or the islanders), however I thankfully missed the early 90s as I was still young child lol.

That was the first game that I can recall where I felt confident and comfortable with Bryz in net.

The past 35 games or so, I kept waiting for that one, inevitable soft goal that he almost always delivered. It wasn't a pessimistic outlook, but more of a reflection of his on-ice demeanor and attitude.

This would be a great time to get and stay on a roll. Hopefully some of the troops from the blue line heal quickly.
- bradleyc4

He has been quietly putting together good numbers since the new year.

.915 save% shows he has been coming around... hopefully he can continue his consistent good play.. Its gonna be important with Timonen and Meszy out.

Good performance turned in by Bryz, the Flyers Defense, and the back-checking of the forwards. I want to see a lot more games played like that. All it took was not having Timonen and Meszaros in the line-up....

Now that we know the Flyers forwards can play back-checking game, I want to see it every night, from here on out to get ready for the playoffs. To me its a good time to start resting our key guys like Timonen, Giroux, Jagr, Hartnell, Talbot etc... I think we should limit thier ice time, and let guys like Briere, Couturier, Schenn, and Read lead the way until it becomes necessary to push the other guys... I think Timonen's injury now may be a blessing in disguise as long as its not too bad.

Maybe for now roll the lines in this order of icetime when not behind:

Read-Briere-Simmonds
Schenn-Couturier-Voracek
Hartnell-Giroux-Jagr
Wellwood-Talbot-Rinaldo

I have wiped the early 90's from memory, like the Dark Ages of history
- JoeRussomanno

I wish I could.

Bryz was obviously very strong but it seems that with all the defensive injuries the forwards truly took defense seriously. The back check and defensive zone coverage from the forwards was as strong as it has been all year.
- pyromantic

They played the first strong defensive game in a long time. I didnt notice guys drag their feet getting back into the zone.. I noticed guys blocking shots and getting up on the shooter and making them force shots.

It was nice to see them win a 1-0 game.

bryz

I wish I was alive during the 70s instead of now, what I would give to see a Stanley cup parade down broad street, to see the commys get pounded, to see the flyers of the 80s (the worst decade to not be the oilers or the islanders), however I thankfully missed the early 90s as I was still young child lol.
- flyers4487

My favorite teams are still the mid 1980's teams. It was also the best era of NHL hockey, at least for entertainment purposes. High scoring and physical, it was the best of both worlds.

Good performance turned in by Bryz, the Flyers Defense, and the back-checking of the forwards. I want to see a lot more games played like that. All it took was not having Timonen and Meszaros in the line-up....

Now that we know the Flyers forwards can play back-checking game, I want to see it every night, from here on out to get ready for the playoffs. To me its a good time to start resting our key guys like Timonen, Giroux, Jagr, Hartnell, Talbot etc... I think we should limit thier ice time, and let guys like Briere, Couturier, Schenn, and Read lead the way until it becomes necessary to push the other guys... I think Timonen's injury now may be a blessing in disguise as long as its not too bad.

Maybe for now roll the lines in this order of icetime when not behind:

Read-Briere-Simmonds
Schenn-Couturier-Voracek
Hartnell-Giroux-Jagr
Wellwood-Talbot-Rinaldo
- RooNosHockey

That line killed it yesterday. They did everything they were asked to do.. and did it well.. Loved to see it.

My favorite teams are still the mid 1980's teams. It was also the best era of NHL hockey, at least for entertainment purposes. High scoring and physical, it was the best of both worlds.
- Jsaquella

Goalies sucked.

Beautiful thing about hockey, Meltzer, you can still win Cups in your hockey afterlife, and so now, Mark Howe IS on the Stanley Cup. You're the one who convinced me that Howe's number deserved to be retired on Facebook months ago. As you said, we have the best goalie, center, and winger up there, now our best defenseman will be up there too.


I've continued to say I'll give Bryz at least a playoff before judging him, and last night is proof of why, look what he can do!

Bryz was obviously very strong but it seems that with all the defensive injuries the forwards truly took defense seriously. The back check and defensive zone coverage from the forwards was as strong as it has been all year.
- pyromantic

Yea, maybe all Bryz needs is the team to play defense in front of him. I was really impressed by the way the forward picked up trailers, and cross ice passes, and kept the Washington forwards from entering th slot. All the Caps shots were from the outside or bad angles, and the forwards and D were picking the trash up out front. Now we just need to work on getting the puck out of the zone when there is a stong forecheck. I almost died watching Briere in the last minute fumble the puck away about 3 times on what should have been clears..