Danny Briere

Flyers Vs. Devils, ECSF Game 3: The Time For Excuses Is Over

May 6, 2012

There is a laundry list of reasons given when a team doesn’t perform well: tension in the locker room, injuries, a lack of jump, so on and so forth. The team vows that they’ll play better next time, that they’ll keep working at it, and they’ll be just fine.

That’s a vow the Flyers are going to need to keep in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, after dropping two games in a row to the New Jersey Devils and falling a game behind in the series.

A one-game deficit might not sound like that big of an issue, but with the way the Flyers have played over the last two games, tying the series up seems like a much more daunting task than it usually might.

There have been slow starts, lapses in communication, weak goals allowed, and defensive breakdowns – things that the team has been dealing with all season. After 91 games, it’s about time that they figure out a solution to those issues.

Flyers Vs. Devils Eastern Conference Semifinals, Game 1: Philadelphia Wins Opening Game In OT, 4-3

April 29, 2012

Matthew Brigidi

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There were several times that Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils should have been over. Long before Danny Briere scored his second goal of the game to give the Flyers the 4-3 overtime win, the two teams should have been home, resting up and mentally preparing for Game 2.

Yet, a handful of missed opportunities by both teams led to an instance of free hockey.

Schenn-sational: Schenn Tallies Three Points In Playoffs Debut

April 12, 2012

John Russo

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As the seconds ticked off the clock in the second period, the Flyers trailed 3-1 to the Penguins in Game 1.

It was a seemingly insurmountable deficit with the way Pittsburgh controlled the play through the first two periods with their physical bullying style of play.

The Flyers needed someone to step up and stand up to the bull and Brayden Schenn did just that, both metaphorically and literally.

Schenn was charged by Penguins forward Craig Adams with only seconds remaining on the clock. Schenn turned around and absorbed all of the hit, knocking Adams on his rear-end as Schenn stood over him and smiled.

Schenn then got in the face of Adams, goading a shove to the face that wasn’t called and skated away with a smirk on his face after the referees separated the two.

That could have been the turning point for the Flyers, who came back from a 3-0 deficit to win 4-3 in overtime.

Game 82, A Playoff Preview

April 6, 2012

Kim Pollock

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The stage has been set, and the opponents have been decided: the Philadelphia Flyers (47-29-9) will be facing the Pittsburgh Penguins (50-29-6) in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Based on games played by both teams on Thursday night, Pittsburgh will end the season in 4th place and the Flyers in 5th in the Eastern Conference.

The New York Rangers clinched the East with a win over the Flyers on Tuesday night.

On Saturday, the Flyers and Penguins will meet in Pittsburgh for the last game of the regular season. It will be a preview of the playoff series to come, and will likely be an interesting game, based on the last matchup between the teams.

Flyers Look To Keep Broom In Rangers Closet

April 3, 2012

Larry DAngelo

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As the Philadelphia Flyers (46-24-9) get set to face the New York Rangers (50-22-7) for the last time this regular season, they will do so without the services of Daniel Briere and Nicklas Grossmann.

Briere, who suffered a concussion on January 21st, came back to the team on February 7th and took some time to get back on track.

He proved that recently, notching nine points in his last five games, getting hot just in time for the playoffs, where he tends to dominate.

Pennsylvania Wrestlemania: Flyers, Pens Heating Up For Possible ECQ Matchup

April 1, 2012

John Russo

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Hard hitting, desperation saves and a little bit of extra-curricular activities sprinkled in.

Perhaps, it was a look at what the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals has in store for the Flyers and Penguins. 60 minutes of full throttle hockey with the addition of the playoffs, and the hockey world will be in store for another classic Flyers/Penguins series.

Sunday afternoon's battle - as well as one more game next Saturday afternoon to finish the season - was a preview of the almost inevitable 4/5-seed match up between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

As Playoffs Approach, An Important Weekend Looms for Flyers

March 31, 2012

Kim Pollock

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First comes a playoff spot and then comes the top spot in the division.

It’s a stretch, but that’s what the Philadelphia Flyers (45-24-8) will keep working towards as they face the Ottawa Senators (39-28-10) on Saturday afternoon.

After a 7-1 beatdown of the despondent Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night, the Flyers will look to make it two wins in a row against Ottawa. The Senators will aim to continue a streak of their own, as they’ve won two straight.

In the three games between the two teams this season, the Flyers have won twice. The Senators won the last meeting, 6-4 back on January 8.

Niemi Wins Goalie Battle at "The Tank"

February 29, 2012

John Russo

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There is nothing more frustrating than sandwiching a win in between two shut out losses.

After a 2-0 loss in Edmonton and a huge 5-4 comeback win in Calgary, the offense disappeared again, dropping 1-0 to the Sharks in San Jose Tuesday night.

There was one huge bright spot in the game though and it came in the form of goalie Ilya Bryzgalov.

Not even 90 seconds into the game, this game had the makings of a Bryz-aster. The Flyers turned over the puck in the offensive zone and San Jose's Ryan Clowe ripped a wrister past Bryzgalov for a quick 1-0 lead.

With that being said, it wound up being the one tally that made all the difference in this game. But be that it may, Bryzgalov picked himself up and played one of the best games he had all season, despite being on the losing side.

Flyers Look For Two In A Row In Edmonton

February 23, 2012

Larry DAngelo

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The Philadelphia Flyers (33-19-7) will continue on their four game road trip as they head to Alberta tonight to take on the Edmonton Oilers (23-30-6) in their only matchup of the season.

The Flyers enter tonight's game fresh off a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory versus the Winnipeg Jets, a team the Flyers are now 1-2-1 against this season.

Sestito, Shelley are irrelevant to the Flyers

February 7, 2012

John Russo

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The one-trick pony enforcer is dying in today's NHL.

No longer is it worth having a guy on the team who only fights and skates five minutes of ice time per game. Instead, the guys who are willing to drop the gloves also have a clue as to what to do with a hockey stick and when the puck is on it.

That leaves Jody Shelley and Tom Sestito practically irrelevant on the Flyers and their pursuit of a successful season.

On and off, the two have been in the line up for the Flyers. And in the rarest, and most unfortunate occasions, the two goons were in the line up together for five times this season. In those five times, the Flyers are 1-3-1.