Jets ground Flyers in shootout

Even when Ilya Bryzgalov is at the top of his game, he can’t do it all himself.

The Winnipeg Jets edged the Flyers 2-1 in a shootout with Bryan Little scoring the winning goal.

The Flyers couldn’t seem to solve Ondrej Pavelec who was phenomenal in net for Winnipeg.

Brayden Schenn scored the lone goal on a scrum in front where he muscled the puck past Pavelec.

Bryzgalov was absolutely tremendous in net and single-handedly sent the game to overtime. He robbed Andrew Ladd towards the end of regulation with a sprawling stick save.

This loss brings the Flyers to a 1-4 record in shootouts so far this season.

Bryzgalov needs more help from the offense. You can’t depend on your netminder to stand on his head every night.

This was a good building block for Bryzgalov. Hopefully this is a start of a stellar second half.

Game Preview: Jets vs. Flyers

PHI: 29-14-5 (2nd in Atlantic); WPG: 22-22-6 (3rd in Southeast)

Where: Wells Fargo Center

When: Tuesday, 7 p.m. on CSN

Last time met: November 19, 2011 – The Jets have had the Flyers’ number so far this season as they have taken the first two meetings. They have scored 15 goals in those two games. They won 6-4 in the last meeting and were aided by a two-goal game from Bryan Little. Defenseman Dustin Byfulgien also added a goal and two assists in a winning effort. Forwards Scott Hartnell and Matt Read did have two goals apiece for the Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 34 of 39 shots.

Probable Goalies – Ilya Bryzgalov (18-10-4, 2.99 GAA) vs. Dwayne Ondrej Pavelec (16-17-6, 2.84 GAA)

Opposing player to watch – C Brian Little: When you think of the Winnipeg Jets, you think of guys like Dustin Byfulgien and Evander Kane. But Bryan Little has quietly played very well against the Flyers this season, In the first two meetings, Little has two goals and two assists. He only has 22 points (11 goals & 11 assists) so far this season. He isn’t the biggest guy in the world but is very quick and is a great stick-handler. Little is also not afraid to go to the net which makes him someone who the Flyers will have to keep an eye on. The Jets may be young but they do have plenty of firepower.

Notes – After this morning’s practice, Jaromir Jagr stated that he plans to play tonight. Harry Zolnierczyk and Zac Rinaldo will be out which means that Jody Shelley is in the lineup. Along with Zolnierczyk, Tom Sesito and Ben Holmstrom were called up from Adirondack yesterday.

Flyers roll in first game without Giroux

No Claude Giroux. No Chris Pronger. No problem.

The Flyers didn’t seem to lose any of their scoring ability in their first game minus Giroux as they steamrolled the Washington Capitals 5-1.

It was also a game of extending goal streaks for the Flyers. Scott Hartnell netted a goal for the sixth consecutive game and Wayne Simmonds scored in his third straight.

It was Hartnell’s 200th career goal.

Defenseman Marc-Andre Bourdon scored his first NHL goal on a weak snap shot that got past Tomas Vokoun. Jody Shelley set a beautiful screens  to help Bourdon get the easy tally.

It’s great to see Hartnell going on an absolute tear lately. He’s getting goals in many different ways.

He’s shooting the puck and also getting deflections when he drives to the net. The Flyers need his strong play with Giroux out.

Jakub Voracek scored on a deflection to continue his strong play. Voracek had been piling up the assists as of late but it was good to see him get a goal too.

The Flyers chased Vokoun after four goals. It was a much better offensive effort than the 5-2 loss to the Capitals earlier this season.

Ilya Bryzgalov was tremendous in net as he made 31 saves. His confidence continues to grow. He clearly isn’t lost in the woods anymore.

With Giroux out for the foreseeable future, it was great to see a total team effort tonight. Everyone was contributing and it was a great win.

The Flyers face the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night at 7:3o p.m.

Game Preview: Flyers vs. Capitals

PHI: 18-7-3 (1st in Atlantic); WSH: 15-12-1 (2nd in Southeast)

Where: Verizon Center

When: Tuesday, 7 p.m. on CSN

Probable Goalies – Ilya Bryzgalov (13-5-2, 2.83 GAA) vs. Tomas Vokoun (12-7-0, 2.70 GAA)

Last time met: October 20, 2011– In the first meeting this season, the Capitals held a slim 2-1 lead heading into the third period. But then they exploded for three goals in the third frame in a 5-2 victory over the Flyers. Roman Hamrlik, Alex Ovechkin, and Joel Ward all scored for the Capitals. Ilya Bryzgalov gave up all five goals on 28 shots while Tomas Vokoun recorded a 40-save effort.

Opposing player to watch – LW Alex Ovechkin: Despite being a little off last year and some of this season, Ovechkin still remains one of the best players in the league. He is one of the fastest skaters out there. If he gets the puck in open ice, he can make anybody look average. The Flyers defense will have to know where he is at all times. He has a goal and an assist in his last two games and looks to be improving his game. He has nine goals and 12 assists so far this season. In 23 career games against the Flyers, Ovie has 22 goals and 15 assists. He’s in the same league as Sidney Crosby and the Sedin twins.

What To Look For – This marks the first game without NHL points-leader Claude Giroux. It was announced today that Giroux is out indefinitely due to a concussion. He suffered the injury on Saturday against Tampa Bay when he took a knee to the head from teammate Wayne Simmonds.

Giroux’s big night lifts Flyers

When Patrick Dwyer was hauled down on his breakaway attempt of the game, the game took an eerie turn.

Dwyer slid the puck past Sergei Bobrovsky to make it a one-goal game.

But the Flyers tightened up on defense and were able to escape with a 5-3 victory on the road.

Claude Giroux was absolutely sensational as he had two goals and an assist. He also won 11 faceoffs which is an area where the Flyers always struggle.

The highlight of Giroux’s night was his second goal where he weaved across the Carolina blue line and skated around two defenders and placed a perfect shot just above Cam Ward’s left shoulder.

Matt Read helped to seal the win with a gorgeous goal. He took a beautiful pass from Jakub Voracek and scored a diving goal before taking a crash into the board. He seemed to be fine.

Jaromir Jagr and Voracek both had two assists and were very instrumental in tonight’s victory.

The Flyers ended up chasing Ward after the fourth goal which came courtesy of winger Wayne Simmonds. Former Flyer Brian Boucher played well in relief as he stopped nine of 10 shots.

Dwyer led the way for the Hurricanes as he recorded two goals with Tuomo Ruutu tallying the other.

In two games against the Hurricanes this season, the Flyers have scored 10 goals and chased Ward in each of those games.

Bobrovsky played a solid game and made key saves down the stretch to help secure the win. He had 17 saves on 20 shots.

The Flyers are back on home ice on Thursday night when they face Ilya Bryzgalov’s former team, the Phoenix Coyotes.

Bolts strike Flyers in OT

It was a very bizarre night in the world of sports.

The Tampa Bay Lightning didn’t seem to want to attack the Flyers. They stayed back and wouldn’t attack them in their own zone.

Unfortunately the tactic didn’t result in a win as the Lightning won 2-1 in overtime with Brent Connolly scoring the game-clinching goal.

At many points during the first period, the Flyers waited for the Lightning to begin a forecheck but it didn’t happen. They even held the puck for 45 seconds at a time in their own end.

The Flyers did strike first when Scott Hartnell redirected a Jakub Voracek one-timed slap shot on the power play.

The Lightning did finally answer in the third period in a similar situation. Marc-Andre Bergeron slapped home a power-play goal to tie the game at 1.

Both goalies played well in limited action.

Sure the game was tactical but it’s not the type of game that the fans want to see. It’ll be interesting to see if the league allows this type of hockey to continue.

The Flyers are back on the ice on Sunday when they face the Florida Panthers at 5 p.m.

Flyers spoil Boosh’s Philly return

There were questions surrounding the goaltending and defense coming into tonight’s game.

Luckily Ilya Bryzgalov and the rest of the Flyers looked to be out of the woods as they routed the Carolina Hurricanes 5-1.

Claude Giroux led the Flyers with a goal and three assists. It was his second career four-point game.

The Flyers took the early 1-0 lead on a nice goal by Scott Hartnell. The tally came off a beautiful spinning pass from Giroux to find Hartnell.

Hartnell has nine points in his last four games.

The Hurricanes did answer back towards the end of the second period with a goal from Jussi Jokinen.

But the Orange & Black took over in the third period. Jagr scored two goals in the period while Giroux and Max Talbot also lit the lamp.

Former Flyer netminder Brian Boucher was on the wrong end of the score sheet as he allowed all five goals on 34 shots.

Bryzgalov played very well in net tonight. He stopped 24 of 25 shots in a winning effort.

He looked to be very confident in net and was on top of his game. A good game against a solid team like the Hurricanes may have righted Bryzgalov’s ship.

The line of Jagr, Giroux, and Hartnell was also a big reason for the win. They combined for nine points on the night and have played incredibly well as of late.

The Flyers have a few days off before they’re back on the ice. They skate with the Buffalo Sabres on the road at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Game Preview: Flyers vs. Hurricanes

PHI: 5-4-1 (2nd in Atlantic)
CAR: 4-3-3 (2nd in Southeast)
Where: Wells Fargo Center
When: Sat., 7:00 on CSN
Last time met: February 18, 2011 – The Hurricanes beat the Flyers 3-2 in regulation. Carolina dominated the first period with two goals from Chad LaRose and Jeff Skinner. Blair Betts scored in the second period while Braydon Coburn added the Flyers second and last goal during the third period. Erik Cole also scored in the third period for the Hurricanes. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 26 of 29 shots.

Probable Goalies – Ilya Bryzgolav (3-4-1, 3.45 GAA) vs. Brian Boucher (0-1-1, 4.46 GAA)

Opposing player to watch – C Jeff Skinner: The Hurricanes leader in goals, assists and points will not doubt be on his game tonight against the Flyers. Skinner has showcased his talent during the first 10 games of the season with four goals, six assists and 10 points. Skinner is one of the most exciting young players in the NHL and even won last year’s Calder Trophy. Despite being 19, he is considered one of the leaders on the team. The Flyers will have to contain the combination of Skinner and Eric Staal if they want to win tonight.

Note — Center Danny Briere will not play in tonight’s game against the Hurricanes. He is reportedly out with an upper body injury.

Jets win a wild one

Eight goals should be enough to win any hockey game.

Unfortunately for the Flyers, it wasn’t against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night. The Flyers fell 9-8 at the hands of the team formerly known as the Atlanta Thrashers.

They fell behind 6-2 in the second period but managed to come back and tie the score in the third period. James van Riemsdyk scored the go-ahead goal just 3:02 into the final period.

van Riemsdyk and Danny Briere both played very well as they scored two goals apiece in the slugfest.

The Jets answered right back with goals from Alexander Burmistrov and Mark Stuart to take a 8-7 lead.

van Riemsdyk wasn’t done. He tied the game at 8 with less than four minutes remaining. The Flyers look destined to pull this one out.

But it was not to be. Andrew Ladd beat Ilya Bryzgalov with just 1:06 to go to  cap off a Winnipeg victory.

It was a poor night for defense and goaltending for both teams.

Bryzgalov allowed four goals after Sergei Bobrovsky let up five before exiting in the second period. Combined, they only made 16 saves on 25 shots.

Let’s just hope Chris Pronger can get back soon and provide some help for this defense.

The Flyers are back on home ice on Saturday when they take on the Carolina Hurricanes.

Game Preview: Flyers vs. Jets

PHI: 5-3-1 (2nd in Atlantic)
WPG: 2-5-1 (5th in Southeast)
Where: Wells Fargo Center
When: Thursday, 7:00 p.m. on CSN
Last time met: March 31, 2011 – Back when they were the Atlanta Thrashers, the Flyers dropped a 1-0 decision. Nik Antropov scored the lone goal for the Thrashers. Chris Mason recorded a shutout as he stopped a mind-boggling 43 shots. Sergei Bobrovsky had 21 saves for the Flyers.

Probable Goalies – Ilya Bryzgolav (3-3-1, 3.16 GAA) vs. Ondrej Pavelec (1-3-1, 3.52)

Opposing player to watch – C Nik Antropov: Antropov is one of the guys that must be accounted for at all time. He stands 6’6 and weighs a whopping 245 pounds. He’s a physical forward that is not afraid to stake his claim in front of the net. He may not score highlight reel-type goals but he gets in the crease area and is a relentless worker. He also was responsible for scoring the first goal for the new Winnipeg Jets. It will be a tall task for the Flyers without Chris Pronger in the lineup.