Mike Knuble

Losing Read is "No Excuse"

February 22, 2013

Matt Read will be out for the next six weeks due to torn chest muscles. This latest development proved to be the exclamation point to an already disappointing start for the Philadelphia Flyers, especially how Read had shaken the sophomore slump and scored seven goals and six assists in 18 games.

The Flyers already have to deal with Scott Hartnell out of the lineup for the next 7-10 days, and Andrej Meszaros out for about that length of time as well. Each of these losses seem akin to a blow-by-blow beatdown. When will the bleeding stop?

Back-to-Backs Prove to Be Frustrating For the Flyers

February 22, 2013

John Russo

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The shortened season has certainly had an effect around the league this year.

Players have been getting hurt and the fatigue factor has been settling in despite not even being half way through the season. The biggest factor in the fatigue has been all of the back-to-back games being played.

They've been especially hard on the Flyers, who fell to 2-4-0 in those games after getting drubbed 5-2 at the hands of the Panthers on Thursday.

A part of the lackadaisical performance could be attributed to the emotionally-charged 6-5 win in Pittsburgh the previous night. The trip itself between the Steel City and Philadelphia wasn't exhausting.

(Pictured: Ilya Bryzgalov and Brian Boucher swap places during the Flyers 5-2 loss on Thursday. Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)

Vora-Trick: Jakub Voracek's Hat Trick Wins Game for the Flyers

February 21, 2013

John Russo

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It was Rival Night on NBC, and the Flyers and Penguins delivered.

Jakub Voracek's hat trick goal proved to be the game-winner in a wild 6-5 victory for the Flyers at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh. The game featured lead changes and blown leads,

The opening 10 minutes of the first period looked to be damning for the Flyers.

Playing completely flat-footed against a faster team almost spelled their early demise. Pittsburgh scored two quick goals, and possibly a third, jumping out to a 2-0 lead and 12-2 shot advantage.

(Pictured: Jakub Voracek celebrates with Braydon Coburn after scoring the winning goal late in the third. AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Hartnell’s Eventual Return Creates Interesting Decision: Who to Sit?

February 16, 2013

John Russo

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Scott Hartnell’s return to the Flyers lineup is inevitable.

Certainly it’s going to be a huge bonus getting back the team’s leader in goals scored last season with _. But a bit of a dilemma will hit head coach Peter Laviolette when his star left-winger does return.

Unfortunately for the Flyers, the guys for them who are playing their best hockey are the guys who aren’t doing the scoring. And those who need to step their game up and perform better are those relied upon to put the puck in the back of the net.

(Pictured: Mike Knuble battles for a puck on February 11. Chris Young/The Canadian Press/AP)

Devils Put Out Flyers Early Spark to Win, 5-3

February 15, 2013

John Russo

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The Flyers got lucky in the first. But they weren't so lucky in the second.

Mishaps in at the beginning of the first two periods set the tone for the Flyers in their 5-3 loss to New Jersey, Friday night.

Just 40 seconds into the game, Ilya Kovalchuk hooked up with Travis Zajac to put the Devils up 1-0. Zajac fired a wrister that snuck underneath the right arm of Ilya Bryzgalov to put the Devils on the board before a whole minute could come off the clock.

(Pictured: Ilya Kovalchuk shoots on Ilya Bryzgalov in the second. Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Jersey Fresh: Flyers Look to Pick Two Points in the Garden State

February 15, 2013

John Russo

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The Flyers travel to North Jersey where they hope to slow down a hot Devils team. A win here is two big points closer to the top of the Atlantic Division.

Flyers Look to Rebound in Winnipeg

February 12, 2013

John Russo

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The Flyers got trounced, 5-2, yesterday in Toronto. They hope to shake off the bad loss and win in Winnipeg.

Fist Pump: Danny Briere Wins It In OT For Flyers

February 9, 2013

John Russo

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Poor play in the third period almost cost the Flyers two points once again.

This time, Danny Briere came to rescue of those points, beating Cam Ward in overtime to send the Flyers to a 4-3 win over Carolina. It was their fourth straight game earning a point, going 3-0-1 on the four-game home stand.

It was also the second straight game the Flyers spend in overtime, having lost to the Panthers 3-2 in a shootout on Thursday.

The Flyers were able to end it before they got to the shootout this time. Briere broke into the zone and skated across the slot, faking a pass to Kurtis Foster before squeezing the wrister through Ward's legs to win the game.

(Picture: Matt Read celebrates after scoring in the second period. AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Flyers Look to Win Three Straight; Host Florida

February 7, 2013

John Russo

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The Flyers look to shed their losing ways and earn their third straight win. They host the Panthers, who they romped 7-1 back on January 26 in Sunrise, FL.

It's Bryz-ness As Usual For the Flyers and Their Netminder

February 4, 2013

John Russo

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One of the top stories last season was netminder Ilya Bryzgalov.

Unfortunately for the Russian goalie, a majority of the news wasn't very positive. From being lost in the woods to bringing his thermos to the Winter Classic, Bryzgalov instantly became a sought-after quote after the game, even if his play wasn't a factor.

The pressure of playing in a media market such as Philadelphia, especially after how laid back the Phoenix media was, affected Bryzgalov's play and demeanor in a negative way. Last season, Bryzgalov had lapses in confidence and consistency, managing to finish with a respectable 33-16-7 record, 2.48 GAA and .909 save percentage.

(Picture: Ilya Bryzgalov makes a save on Carolina's Chad LaRose on Saturday. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)