The Philadelphia Flyers seem to be on a roller coaster ride this season. They have certainly had their share of ups and downs, but that’s to be expected with all the new faces in the lineup.
One of those new faces, goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, has been inconsistent in the games that he has played in. He started off the season looking like the number one goalie the orange and black brought him here to be. Now he looks like a bad backup, who can’t stop anything that comes his way. Bryzgalov is giving up on the puck too easily and isn’t staying square to the shooter.
The defense isn’t helping out and it doesn’t matter who’s in goal. They’re letting the opposition get behind them, leaving them wide open to either get a shot on goal or to put the puck in the back of the net. The orange and black obviously miss Chris Pronger back on the blue line. He’s out two to three weeks with an eye injury suffered in a loss to Toronto. Andread Lilja and Matt Walker just aren’t cutting it, and look like typical sixth and seventh defensemen.
Jake Voracek, another one of the new faces, doesn’t seem like he has found his groove yet. One reason could be because he keeps getting thrown on different lines. He hasn’t had consistent linemates since he’s been with the orange and black.
Maxime Talbot and Sean Couturier are doing their jobs by killing penalties and being the defensive-minded centers that they can be. They are both contributing offensively as well. Couturier has been playing well enough to not be getting sent back to juniors.
Danny Briere seems to have some chemistry with Wayne Simmonds. Simmonds is the big body the Flyers need on the power play in front of the net blocking the opposing goalie’s view of the puck. He has had some garbage goals just by screening the opposing goaltender.
Jaromir Jagr and Claude Giroux are something special to watch when they’re on the ice together. Jagr started the season off slow in the goal department, but has picked it up of late. Giroux is quickly developing into a superstar in the league.
Matt Read, another rookie, can kill penalties and play the point on the power play. He seems to get his points in bunches or not at all. He looks good on the point and can be put back there because he’s responsible on the defensive side of the puck. Read also knows when to stay and when to make his move toward the goal.
The Flyers will have their highs and lows throughout the season, but don’t expect them to go on a long losing streak. Their leadership group, including Pronger, Briere and Timonen, won’t let that happen.
If you enjoy a good roller coaster ride then get in line to catch some Flyers games this season because they certainly won’t disappoint.
