Ilya Bryzgalov

TCL Round 2 Staff Predictions: Philadelphia Flyers vs. New Jersey Devils

April 30, 2012

2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs - Eastern Conference SemifinalsPhiladelphia Flyers ( 5 ) vs. New Jersey Devils ( 6 ) You have to wonder what facing the New Jersey Devils means to the Philadelphia Flyers. They've just come from beating the Pittsburgh Penguins in one of the most emotional series in recent memory, set up by even more emotional regular season games to close out the season last month. If they win this one, they can likely look forward to facing the New York Rangers, another big time Atlantic rival whom they faced in this past year's Winter Classic, to much fanfare. Forgetting how impressive it would be for a team to make the Stanley Cup final going ...

Flyers Vs. Penguins ECQF Game 5: Another Shot At Elimination As Bryz Hurts

April 20, 2012

Larry DAngelo

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Now that the pressure of a sweep is off of the Philadelphia Flyers shoulders they should enter this game a little more loose mentally.

Their poor play in Game 4 allowed the Pittsburgh Penguins to grab some life and try to chip their way through each minute, period and game to try to carve a path for a comeback.

Is it time for Flyers fans to panic? Not just yet, but there is cause for concern resulting from the performance in the previous game.

If Bryz Is Hurt, This Is (Probably) When It Happened

April 20, 2012

Matthew Brigidi

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Yesterday afternoon, NBC 10’s Howard Eskin tweeted that a source close to the situation had told him that Ilya Bryzgalov was questionable for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals with a hip injury.

Flyers Vs. Penguins ECQF, Game 3: Momentum on Flyers' Side

April 15, 2012

Kim Pollock

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Heading into the third game of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, the Philadelphia Flyers have momentum on their side. Despite trailing the Pittsburgh Penguins by two goals or more in the first two games, the resilient group battled back in both and have taken a 2-0 series lead.

On Sunday, the two teams will meet for Game 3. The Flyers have already established their dominance over the Penguins, and have done so in dramatic fashion. They will be looking to make it three wins in a row, while the Penguins will hope to find their footing and earn their first victory of the series.

The Flyers had a 2-1 record against the Penguins at home and a 22-13-6 record overall in the Wells Fargo Center during the regular season, while Pittsburgh had a 22-15-4 road record.

Pittsburgh was the 2nd highest-scoring team on the road this season with 127 goals, while the Flyers were the 3rd highest-scoring home team with 139.

Flyers Vs. Penguins ECQF: Numbers Don't Tell Whole Story With Bryzgalov

April 14, 2012

Kim Pollock

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It has been a wild start to the Eastern Conference quarterfinals between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins. After two games, the series is heading to Philadelphia, with the Flyers up 2-0.

The Flyers’ offense has undoubtedly been a huge factor in the first two games of the series. Another big factor, one that has been overlooked, is the play of netminder Ilya Bryzgalov.

Bryzgalov has given up eight goals in just two games, but those numbers don’t speak to his full performance and contributions.

He gave up three goals in the first period of Game 1, but shut the Penguins down for the next two periods. In Game 2, Bryzgalov gave up three goals in the first period, but held the Penguins to just two more during the rest of the game.

TCL Round 1 Staff Predictions: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers

April 11, 2012

TCL Staff

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( 4 ) PITTSBURGH PENGUINS vs. ( 5 ) PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

Bloodbath. That's the word that Flyers forward Scott Hartnell used to describe the mindset of these two teams heading into this series. Some of us here at The Checking Line may be proponents of pacifism and the reduction of violence in hockey, but even we get a kick about what's probably going to happen between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in this first round match-up. The two teams set up their series in a game in the final week of the season, and if that was any indication, this one shouldn't disappoint. Expect a lot of violence, lots of scoring, contr...

Questions For Flyers As They Face Penguins In Game 1

April 11, 2012

Larry DAngelo

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Last season the Philadelphia Flyers entered the playoffs against the Buffalo Sabres with some questions surrounding their struggling goaltending and their defense.

Injuries played a factor as well, as the team was without the services of Chris Pronger who was out recovering from hand surgery.

Fast forward to this season and the Flyers yet again suffer from the injury bug as they enter the playoffs against their much maligned cross-state rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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 Aim To Sharpen Up Against Desperate Sabres

April 5, 2012

Larry DAngelo

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The Philadelphia Flyers (46-25-9) will play their final home game of the regular season tonight when they faceoff against the playoff hopeful (39-31-10) Buffalo Sabres.

The Sabres enter tonight's matchup a desperate team, a team in a must win situation and like the Flyers recently, have suffered some major injuries to their team.

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.