The NHL announced Tuesday that Philadelphia Flyers’ forward Daniel Briere will be suspended 2 games for a late hit on Colorado Avalanche defenseman, Scott Hannan.

The hit occurred at 9:06 of the second period during Monday night’s game between the Flyers and Avalanche. After Hannan scored, Briere proceeded to follow through on a late hit.

Although the Briere’s hit was late and unnecessary, personally I’m not so sure that he is deserving of a 2 game suspension.  Similar hits are not that uncommon and have recently gone unpenalized. The NHL needs to be more consistent with their suspension rules.

To view Briere’s hit on Hannan follow the link: www.youtube.com 

For the full TSN story follow the link: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=299730

For another blogger’s opinion, check out: http://ronnybrook.wordpress.com/2009/11/24/two-game-suspension-for-daniel-briere/

The Philadelphia Flyers have some bumps and bruises that have continued to haunt their everyday roster, but it looks like two prominent pieces could be returning sooner rather than later.

Both Danny Briere (thigh, flu) and defensemen Ryan Parent (groin, flu) practiced on their own today in Voorhees, N.J. at the Flyers Skate Zone.

When good news rolls around for the Flyers, bad news must be directly behind them.

James van Riemsdyk and Ole-Christian Tollefsen were hurt in Saturday’s 2-1 shootout win over the St. Louis Blues. GM Paul Holmgren gave medical update yesterday regarding both players.

“James has a ‘fleck’ fracture at the tip of his left pinkie finger. He will not practice (Monday) and is day-to-day. Ole (who suffered a mild concussion) was better today, and we will re-evaluate again tomorrow. He will not practice (Monday) and is day-to-day.”

SANTA SACKS

The Flyers have announced that their annual Santa Sacks will return and be on sale beginning November 16. “Give the Gift of Flyers Hockey!”

For more information, check http://flyers.nhl.com

VOORHEES, N.J.- It seems like hurricane season is starting off with a bang. And its begun inside the Philadelphia Flyers locker room.

With the aftermath of the recent Simon Gagne injury news just underway, the Flyers now have to deal with another impact injury. Center/Winger Danny Briere suffered a ’slight’ right groin pull.

Briere did not skate in Thursday practice and then pulled himself from Friday’s morning practice after feeling pain. GM Paul Holmgren stated that the chance of Briere playing tomorrow against Carolina is “highly unlikely.”

“It’s a tough break for Danny,” Holmgren said. “He was playing well. Early in the (Capitals) game he had an issue. He finished the game. We thought we’d give him one day off and it’s gone from there.”

Holmgren listed the 31-year-old as day-to-day. The worry here is the recent history of groin and abdominal issues Briere has had.

Remember, he missed all but 20 games last season due to multiple issues with his groin and abdomen. Briere dedicated himself this past offseason to arrive this season slimmer and in the best shape of his career.

Through 10 games this season, Briere has registered seven points (5G, 2A). It is severely important and imperative that Briere can be healthy soon. This is something that can affect this offense more so than Gagne at this moment in time.

But when it gets this predictable, you get bored.

Through 11 games of this season, the Bruins’ record is as such: Loss, win, loss, win, loss, win, loss, win, (shootout) loss, win, loss. This leaves us with 11 points – fourth in the division, but only four points behind Buffalo, three behind Ottawa, and one behind Montreal.

It also puts us in a three-way tie for eighth in the conference right now with Philadelphia and Tampa Bay, but the Flyers get the edge based on that shootout win they had against us. Curse you, Ray Emery!

Last night’s game against the Devils was a heartbreaker – the boys had one of their best starts all season, only to lose the game on a Dainius Zubrus goal 18:34 into the third period. The Lunch-Pail Crew – Shawn Thornton, Steve Begin, and Byron Bitz – especially played well. An exchange between my friend and I during the game went as follows:

“No one remind Bitz that he is not supposed to play pretty.”

“Are our fourth-liners… oh my god, GOOD?”

“Shhhhhh. Don’t tell them that they are fourth-liners… they forgot.”

I love the Lunch-Pailers, past and present. They’re the guys who are going to get us through the injury-induced absence of Marc Savard. You can also call Daniel Paille and Vladimir Sobotka members of this prestigious group. These guys, the grit, heart, and soul of the team, are the ones who score the key goals for us and make the key plays, not the top six.

Why do I say that? Every team we need to beat has a solid top line (when healthy, ours is Marco Sturm, Savard, and Michael Ryder; Montreal’s features Mike Cammalleri, Scott Gomez, and Brian Gionta; Philadelphia has Simon Gagne, Jeff Carter, and Daniel Briere, et cetera). But not every team we need to beat has a solid fourth line. Come on, do you really think lines with Arron Asham and Georges Laraque stand a chance in matchups against our boys? I think not.

The Bruins play the Edmonton Oilers in a matinee tomorrow. Not to jinx the pattern, but I foresee a win…

Over 19 thousand packed the Wachovia Center night in South Philadelphia. Almost all of them wearing ‘Relentless’ orange shirts that were given out by the club. It felt like ‘Orange Crush’ all over again. The Flyers won an emotional, yet, historic game against the Washington Capitals in overtime 6-5.

Birthday boy Danny Briere scored the OT game-winner with just over a minute to go in the period. With the sellout crowd out-bursting with cheers throughout the entire game, Briere and the rest of his teammates couldn’t help but to feel sensational about the victory.

“They’re fun once in a while,” Briere said about the sudden scoring in the second period. “I know the coaches probably won’t like watching the tape tonight. Once in a while, it happens. Games are going to break open.”

Last night’s home opener was one that every single Flyers fan will most likely never forget. Fans were treated by an outburst of scoring by Alexander Ovechkin and Flyers capt. Mike Richards. Ovechkin put two goals by goaltender Ray Emery. Alexander Semin also put together two of his own.

Richards and defensemen Matt Carle had record setting nights, respectively. Richards netted his second hat-trick of his career, his first since 2006. The most impressive note of the hatty was all three goals were scored in the second period. Carle, tied an NHL record with four assists in one period.

“When you play Matty Carle with a guy like [Chris Pronger], who kind of keeps the game in front of him, it allows Matty to go a little more involved up the ice,” coach John Stevens said. “We thought that would be a good thing, and so far it’s been true to form.”

For Richards, he became the first player in orange and black to ever score a hat-trick in the teams home opener. The captain was taken away by the Philly crowd, and loved the support the team received from them.

“You definitely enjoy the rush,” Richards said. “You have to do that when you get the opportunity.”

“It was crazy out there. Loud. Great hockey game. Hitting. Scoring. Everything in it,” Richards said. “It was fun. It’s not the ideal way we want to win a hockey game, but it’s encouraging we found a way to win.”

The 3-0 Flyers went 3-for-9 on the power-play while their counterpart went 1-for-5.

Emery, hit earth after providing the Flyers with another period of shutout hockey in the first period. All-in-all; however, Emery did stop 30 shots the Capitals fired at him. The Caps goaltending problems came full circle when Semyon Varlamov was pulled in favor of Jose Theodore in the second period.

Notes:

The Flyers collected 492 hats from the Richards hat-trick brigade.

JVR had his bell-rung after a questionable hit in the second period. More unfortunate, Blair Betts will miss up to four weeks with a separated right shoulder.

Ovechkin said it was exciting to go goal-for-goal with Richards.

“He’s a great player and this was a great game,” Ovechkin said.

Next up: The Flyers will host the rival defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins tomorrow night from the Wachovia Center.

Quotes: Flyers

With only a few weeks remaining until Team Canada orientation camp in Calgary (August 24-27), I wanted to take a quick peek at the roster hopefuls who have been invited to skate. Weeks back, Steve Yzerman, executive director, announced a 46-player invitee roster. While there were some surprising names found on the list, there was also a great deal of surprises found off of the list. I’ll break this down position by position so we can have a closer look. Included is a list of players named, notable players not named, a short analysis, and a prediction as to who will make the final roster. We’ll start up front on the left hand side, and work our way back.

Left Wing

Invitees:

• Simon Gagne (PHI)
• Dany Heatley (OTT)
• Milan Lucic (BOS)
• Brendan Morrow (DAL)
• Rick Nash (CLB)
• Ryan Smyth (LAK)

Non-invites:

• Mike Cammalleri (MTL)
• Sean Horcoff (EDM)
• Chris Kunitz (PIT)
• Ethan Moreau (EDM)
• David Perron (STL)
• Ray Whitney (CAR)

Analysis: As of right now, I would say that left wing is the position that is most definitely up for grabs in relation to other roster spots.  Looking at the players who have been invited, both Simon Gagne and Brendan Morrow have suffered through serious injuries recently in their career. This brings into question whether or not they will be healthy on time for the games in January. Dany Heatley has done nothing to improve his chances with the true showing of character that he has displayed over the past few months in Ottawa.  While he is definitely a talent, will Yzerman want a cancerous character infecting the dressing room? Really, the only two locks here are Milan Lucic and Rick Nash. Lucic is a big, bruising forward with a scoring touch. His physical play and willingness to get his nose dirty will earn him a spot on the team. Rick Nash is a pure goal scorer, and his offensive talent will land him a spot. If Ryan Smyth is to falter in Los Angeles this year, I feel like he will be a player who misses the cut. Sean Horcoff’s solid two-way play will earn him consideration. If Mike Cammalleri can continue to display the flash in Montreal that he did in Calgary, he just might earn himself a spot as well. After all, he did have great chemistry with Olympic shoe-in Jarome Iginla.

Prediction: Gagne, Lucic, Morrow, Nash

Centre

Invitees:

• Jeff Carter (PHI)
• Sidney Crosby (PIT)
• Ryan Getzlaf (ANA)
• Vincent Lecavalier (TBL)
• Patrick Marleau (SJS)
• Andy McDonald (STL)
• Mike Richards (PHI)
• Derek Roy (BUF)
• Joe Sakic (retired)
• Eric Staal (CAR)
• Jordan Staal (PIT)
• Joe Thornton (SJS)
• Jonathan Toews (CHI)

Non-invitees:

• Jason Arnott (NSH)
• Patrice Bergeron (BOS)
• Brad Boyes (STL)
• Daniel Briere (PHI)
• Alex Burrows (VAN)
• Mike Fisher (OTT)
• Sam Gagner (EDM)
• Brooks Laich (WAS)
• Brad Richards (DAL)
• Marc Savard (BOS)
• Jason Spezza (OTT)
• Steven Stamkos (TBL)
• John Tavares (NYI)
• Stephen Weiss (FLA)
• Travis Zajac (NJD)

Analysis: There were plenty of surprises at this position. From small, two-way players Andy McDonald and Derek Roy being named; to Marc Savard, Jason Spezza, and Steven Stamkos not being named, this group of centerman will prove to be a competitive bunch as each fights for a spot.  Right away, Joe Sakic can be scratched off that list. It’s truly disappointing that Burnaby Joe won’t be suiting up for one final Olympic run in his hometown. I honestly feel as though Andy McDonald and Derek Roy will be odd men out in this battle royale for center ice supremecy. Both players are quite small, and just don’t quite meet the same skill level of some of their other competition. As for Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton, while both have had the knack for putting up great numbers in the NHL regular season, they also both have the reputation for not showing up come playoff time. This will for sure leave Marleau off of the roster, and may also do the same to Thornton.

Prediction: Carter, Crosby, Getzlaf, Lecavalier, Richards, E. Staal, Toews

Right Wing

Invitees:

• Dan Cleary (DET)
• Shane Doan (PHX)
• Jarome Iginla (CGY)
• Corey Perry (ANA)
• Patrick Sharp (CHI)
• Martin St. Louis (TBL)

Non-invitees:

• Ryane Clowe (SJS)
• Kris Draper (DET)
• Devin Setoguchi (SJS)

Analysis: the competition along the right side is much thinner in comparison to the other forward slots. While Jarome Iginla and Shane Doan are already locked in, players like Dan Cleary will be fighting for a roster spot. Patrick Sharp will get a long, hard look due to his penalty killing expertise. Corey Perry will also get a long look, however his lack of international experience in comparison to Martin St. Louis will hurt his chances. The knock on St. Louis is his size of course. Someone with a serious outside shot is Ryane Clowe. The Sharks big forward has shown constant improvement in his game over the past couple seasons, and is a big body presense who also has a knack for the net.

Prediction: Doan, Iginla, Sharp, St. Louis

Defense

Invitees:

• Francois Beauchemin (TOR)
• Jay Bouwmeester (CGY)
• Dan Boyle (SJS)
• Brent Burns (MIN)
• Drew Doughty (LAK)
• Mike Green (WAS)
• Dan Hamhuis (NSH)
• Duncan Keith (CHI)
• Scott Niedermayer (ANA)
• Dion Phaneuf (CGY)
• Chris Pronger (PHI)
• Robyn Regehr (CGY)
• Stephane Robidas (DAL)
• Brent Seabrook (CHI)
• Marc Staal (NYR)
• Shea Weber (NSH)

Non-invitees:

• Cam Barker (CHI)
• Kevin Bieksa (VAN)
• Rob Blake (SJS)
• Brian Campbell (CHI)
• Braydon Coburn (PHI)
• Ed Jovanovski (PHX)
• Wade Redden (NYR)
• Sheldon Souray (EDM)
• Dennis Wideman (BOS)

Analysis: What could be the make or break of Team Canada in 2010. There is bound to be a lot of competition for spots here, and I can guarantee that there will be many surprised faces once the final roster drops later this year. Bouwmeester, Niedermayer and Pronger all seem to be sure bets, but past that it is anyone’s place to claim a roster slot. In the last games, Canada’s defense seemed quite slow and was easily outgunned by quicker, flashy opponents. Expect the defensive corps to be much younger and faster this time around. With that in mind, I expect Drew Doughty and Dion Phaneuf to have strong chances of making the squad. Count in Mike Green for his powerplay quarterbacking and offensive ability. Robyn Regehr, Brent Seabrook, and Shea Weber will also all get strong consideration due to their bruising physical play. Brent Burns, Dan Hamhuis, and Stephane Robidas are the names that first jump out as being the initial odd men out. Burns and Hamhuis lack experience, and Robidas is an aging, two-way defenseman who is in competition with similar players who are younger, and packing more talent.

Prediction: Bouwmeester, Green, Niedermayer, Phaneuf, Pronger, Regehr, Seabrook, Weber

Goaltenders

Invitees:

• Martin Brodeur (NJD)
• Marc-Andre Fleury (PIT)
• Roberto Luongo (VAN)
• Steve Mason (CLB)
• Cam Ward (CAR)

Non-invitees:

• Martin Biron (NYI)
• Jean-Sebastien Giguere (ANA)
• Chris Osgood (DET)
• Carey Price (MTL)
• Dwayne Roloson (NYI)
• Marty Turco (DAL)

Analysis: While Steve Mason may have been a slight surprise here, there really are no other surprises in this group. Chris Osgood has shown to be a goalie who performs in the clutch, but he has not shown the consistency to warrant an invite to Olympic camp. The fact that he will also be 37 by the time January 2010 rolls around also does not help him out. Turco’s play has seemingly gone consistently down hill since his Olympic nod in 2006, while Roloson is just old, Biron doesn’t win in the clutch, and Carey Price is young, inexperienced, and at a downturn in his early career. While Brodeur and Luongo are locks, the biggest battle will be for the third spot. Cam Ward and M-A Fleury both increased their level of play during the 2009 NHL post season, with Fleury backstopping the Pittsburgh Penguins to a Stanley Cup Championship.

Prediction: Brodeur, Luongo, Ward

While orientation camp likely won’t be make or break for most players, the first half of the NHL season will help to be a large indicator as to who will make the roster. If Stamkos and Tavares light it up, will Yzerman be willing to take a chance on such young, inexperienced, but flashy and fiery talent? If Martin Brodeur falls off the map early on, will he get replaced all together by Fleury, Mason, or someone else? As always, the time leading up to the announcement of Canada’s Olympic hockey roster is always a soap opera…and this one will be no different.

Agree or disagree with anything I’ve written here? Well, I wanna hear it! Post a comment with your Team Canada roster predictions to let everyone know what you think!

-m.o.b.

Today the best, worst-kept secret in the hockey world was made official when the NHL announced that Fenway Park, home of MLB’s Boston Red Sox, will host the 2010 Winter Classic on January 1 when the Boston Bruins host the Philadelphia Flyers. I am a fan of the outdoor games that the league has had the last two New Year’s Days, and although I might’ve chosen a different opponent for the Bruins (maybe the Capitals or the NY Islanders), I really have nothing to complain about here. Both teams have “star power” with Boston boasting Phil Kessel, Marc Savard and the reigning Vezina Trophy (Tim Thomas) and Norris Trophy (Zdeno Chara) winners and the Flyers, who always seem to have a new addition, will counter with the likes of Daniel Briere, Mike Richards, Simon Gagne and the newly-acquired Chris Pronger. So, even though I could care less about the Red Sox and anything that has to do with the team that I grew up disliking, I will put aside that hatred for one day and enjoy what is quickly becoming a MUST-SEE event for hopefully many January 1st’s to come…

Heatley et Brière seraient les noms impliqués au coeur des discussions pour une transaction entre les Sénateurs et les Flyers.

Rumeurs ou réalité ?

Je penche plus du côté de la réalité.

Danny Heatley prendrait le chemin des Flyers en retour de Daniel Brière et d’autres joueurs.

Rumeur ou vérité ?

À suivre…

Brière serait très bien dans le bassin Ottawa-Gatineau

After getting ousted from the playoffs this past weekend, the Flyers have some very tough decisions to make this offseason. The Flyers are right up against the salary cap with a lot of wholes on their roster to fill. Their cheif needs are another puck moving defensemen and a franchise goalie. While neither of those are easy to find, in order to even be in the hunt the Flyers must be willing to make trades to trim salary. Some players that they must make decisions on soon are:

Daniel Briere: They overpaid for him when the franchise was terrible and now a third line player is their highest paid person. He needs to go, they proved that they could win without him this season.

Danny Briere is being paid too much for a third liner

Martin Biron/ Antero Nittymaki: Both are unrestricted free agaents and neither should be resigned unless its to a one year deal until someone better comes on the market, both have proven that they are not the solution to the Flyers goaltending woes

Marty Biron is not the franchise goalie the Flyers need

Joffrey Lupul: While he has been a servicable scorer for the Flyers, he has not lived up to his price tag and he is getting a raise next season on his contract, something that the Flyers can not afford. His place in the line up will easily be filled by James van Riemsdyk next year.

The Flyers can't afford to give Lupul a raise next season

In between the first and second periods of Game 6 in Philadelphia, I sent my friend a text that read “[BLANK]ing finish you [BLANK]s”. I won’t get into the specifics about whether or not the first word began with F or if the second word was a term for ‘penis,’ but I will say that the Pens sure took my in-depth advice to heart and played two periods of legitimate playoff hockey: they got pucks to the net, they got rebounds, they tested Biron (he failed), Fleury came up big when he had to, they won almost every single loose puck, and stars like Crosby and Malkin looked like Crosby and Malkin and not, as they have at times in this series, imposters in replica jerseys who make commission on turnovers.

Ed Olczyk and a number of my Philly friends were all over Daniel Carcillo after the game for agreeing to drop the gloves with Max Talbot in the second, calling him undisciplined, but I wonder how much of that momentum swing can be truly attributed to the fight. Yes, Crosby did compliment Talbot after the game, but I think it’s a little easy to just say “before fight = no goals, after fight = four goals, therefore the fight led to goals.” The Pens actually played a solid first period in terms of puck possession, they just had some isolated mind cramps and continued trouble with basic puck clearing, but if the Pens were really waiting for the spark of Max Talbot getting the crap beat out of him to actually start getting pucks to the net, then I’m severely skeptical about their motivation for upcoming playoff games.

The goals the Pens did give up did appear to be on independent breakdowns as opposed to a lengthy period of being dominated or anything, but that still hardly bodes well for future series; Talbot getting his stick lifted by Mike Richards looked like something that an uncle would do to mess with his toddler nephew in a driveway hockey game, Goncher was pathetically out of position when he got back too late to do anything to Richards but also too soon to account for Knuble on the rebound, I still don’t know how the Pens’ D let Briere get behind them on a frickin’ penalty kill (we thought they were gonna just dump and change!), and Hal Gill, who’s actually had a strong series for the Pens, caused more than a few heart attacks with his <s>turnover</s> pass from behind the net to a wide-open Flyer in the slot to set up a picture-perfect scoring chance that somehow didn’t go in. Give the Flyers credit for burying chance after chance in this series (besides Game 4), but it’s the Playoffs, and the Pens aren’t gonna be able to win by making it that easy for a team to rack up numbers on the scoreboard regardless of how many long cycling shifts they muster in response.

Still, there were a lot of positives to come out of this game; the first period of Game Five combined with the second and third of Game Six comprised a wholly dominant three-period span of Playoff hockey, and yes, as all locker room postgame quotes love to remind us, games are 60 minutes, but the Pens should at least be able to build off the notion that when they’re hustling for pucks, banging for rebounds, and playing competent defensively, they’re right there with any team in the East.

Also, did any one notice that for all the Flyers fans’ unhealthy obsession with Crosby whining and diving and baby-murdering, there wasn’t a single penalty in this series called as a result of something done to Crosby after Game One? Not saying there should have been, but it amuses me that Crosby’s “NHL special treatment,” the absolute #1 preoccupation of Flyer fan animosity, ended up being the single least relevant aspect of the series. Even behind Mark Eaton’s offensive prowess.

Where does the loss leave the Flyers? De facto Flyers owner Ed Snider says the team doesn’t need major changes, just “tweaks”, but we can assume the departure of the UFA Biron and likely pursuit of Florida’s Tomas “I Glove More Things Than The Power Glove Dude From The Wizard” Vokoun or Atlanta’s Kari “Good When Healthy But Never Healthy Or Even Good” Lehtonen, but they’re gonna run into some serious cap issues if they’re not able to move/buy out Simon Gagne or Daniel Briere, even with the expiring deals of Biron and the merciful end of Derian Hatcher’s Philly tenure. Knuble is also a free agent, but he’s likely expendable because of the low-cost rescue offered by Claude Giroux, their best forward in the postseason by far, until he signs his first major RFA deal. But even though Jon Stevens deserves tons of credit for turning this team around, they’re not going anywhere with him as their head coach, as he’s clearly entered the dreaded NHL “Good Coach But Time With Team Is Up, Sorry Dude” Zone.

Hey, I made it through an entire Game Recap without mentioning the power play OHMYGOD I JUST DIDDDDDDDD [Puking uncontrollably for seven hours]

Paul Mara and Chris Mason definitely get my votes for best playoff beards (the Blues and Mason are out now, but that beard was a force of its own).  Paul Mara has a nice, full beard.  Everyone else should model theirs off Mara’s. 

The Rangers in general have little to show for in the way of beards.  Henrik has a nice one (neck beard and everything).  Mara.  And…the others are trying but failing.  The Flyers seem to contradict everything we know about facial hair.  Daniel Briere (a mature 31 year-old man with children) has barely anything in the way of…well, anything.  Mike Richards seems to grow his overnight the day before playoffs start, like some kind of mutant Chia Pet.  And he’s only 24.  Matt Carle, however, is also 24, looks like he could beat someone’s ass in a dark alley, is from Alaska, and has only light fuzz on his face.  Ryan Parent is 22, looks like a poster boy for Hollister and a Sigma Alpha Beta frat boy, and sports one of the best Flyers playoff beards along with Hartnell, Gagne, and Richards.  ??? What gives ???

Giroux’s makes him look like he should be sucking down Coors Light and watching Larry the Cable Guy.

My head is telling me to throw out some cliches about how I expected the Flyers to bounce back at home and play a desperate must-win game and that the Pens’ power play would come back to haunt them and that we hadn’t seen the Flyers’ stars play their best, but truly, I’m not sure if I believed any of these things; intellectually, perhaps, and rationally, but on a genuine gut level I really expected the Pens to seize the opportunity to bury Philly after their Game 2 collapse, which perhaps was part wishful thinking and part ignorance, but it simply didn’t happen for a number of reasons. And by “reasons” I mean “terrible things.”

Terrible Thing #1: Pens’ Defense. The Pens’ team D never made the trip to Philly, and simply didn’t bring the effort or cerebral competence to slow down the Flyers in the slightest bit. Jeff Carter looked like a kid screwing around at the end of a team scrimmage on his first goal; how is any player afforded that much time and space in the offensive zone, especially an opponent’s best scorer in the first period of a playoff game in which both teams clearly had to be fired up? Sure, Fleury coughed up a juicy rebound on the Briere-Giroux one-timer, but no one touched Briere or Giroux within about a week of that entire play. And then there’s Sergei Gonchar’s pathetic casualness that led to the short-handed goal, which brings me to (Awesome Transition Alert)…

Terrible Thing #2: The Power Play. Several volumes of encyclopedias have been written about the Pens’ power play this season, and while I don’t have a clear solution, their main problem becomes more obvious with every game: you can’t keep Crosby, Malkin, and Gonchar all out on the ice for a full two minutes. Those three players are unable to battle for loose pucks 45 seconds into power plays, rendering the second half of man advantages essentially worthless and immensely vulnerable to short-handed retaliations, plus because the three of them know they’re gonna be out for a full two minutes, they don’t play the first minute of the power play with the same intensity or sense of urgency that a playoff series against a dangerous, opportunistic penalty killing team absolutely requires. It’s one thing for the Thrashers to throw out Ilya Kovalchuk for the full two minutes or for Nik Lidstrom to man the point for an entire power play, but a team can’t have 3/5 of its unit on the ice for two full minutes; at some point, a fresh Tyler Kennedy or Jordan Staal chasing loose pucks and getting to the net are more valuable than a tired Malkin and Gonchar playing catch at the point and settling for a 40-foot one timer that gets blocked by seven dudes and immediately flies out of the zone.

Terrible Thing #3: Finishing. The Pens have controlled the majority of the 5-on-5 play in this series and at worst have never appeared overwhelmed for any extended periods, but they simply haven’t made Marty Biron work in any of the three games, including Game 1. They’ve shot countless quality opportunities directly into Biron’s chest, had more than their share of shots convincingly blocked, and far too many 2-on-2 breaks and lengthy cycling shifts (and power plays) have evaporated without Biron being forced to break a sweat.

Petr Sykora semi-fanned on a handful of chances in Game 3, which should be the one thing Sykora doesn’t do, even when he’s struggling; a friend of mine suggested possibly swapping Miro Satan into the lineup in Sykora’s place, which could provide a minor spark (and possibly a bigger spark when a rejuvinated Sykora returned) but given Sykora’s playoff experience and the fact that such a move would be a slap in the face of a productive player and likely cost him millions in the offseason, I don’t forsee it happening. Also, Miro Satan is Miro Satan and the playoffs are the playoffs.

Despite the Pens’ well-earned 6 on the scoreboard in Game 3, I’m extremely optimistic that they’ll rebound Tuesday night; the coaching staff will have a number of glaring corrections to make which the embarrassed Pens should absorb without hesitation, plus Fleury didn’t have his best game Sunday, the Pens won’t have to manufacture a sense of urgency this time, and the power play can’t…. I don’t know if I should type this… the power play can’t get any……. they only gave up one shorthanded goal………ahhhh I’ll say it — the Pens’ power play can’t possibly get any worse.

One Mike Richards shorthanded natural hat trick comin’ up!

The Philadelphia Flyers begin their quest for the Stanley Cup this evening as the 5th seed in the Eastern conference. Their first round opponent will be the 4th seeded Pittsburgh Penguins in a rematch of last years Eastern Conference Finals. The Penguins won that series handily before losing to the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. There are a lot of differences between these teams from a year ago and this looks to be a completely different series. Heres a look at the Flyers chances;

Martin Biron's performance is criticla to the Flyers' playoff hopes

Why the Flyers could win:
Scoring depth is something that the Flyers definately have, meaning unlike the Penguins they are not one injury away from not being able to score. The Flyers have four players with 30+ goals, and two more with 20+ goals, plus they have a healthy Daniel Briere who is known to step up his game in the playoffs. The Penguings however lost one of their best scorers from their playoff run last year in Marian Hossa. If Martin Biron plays as well as he did last postseason the Flyers will win this series. Biron carried the Flyers to the ECF and he has the ability to do it again this year. The Flyers are also much healthier than they were in last years series. Last season top defenseman Kimmo Timonen and Braydon Coburn were both injured for the series and star left wing Simon Gagne missed the entire playoffs with concussion symptoms.

My Prediction:
Martin Biron stands on his head and stifles Crosby and Malkin for an entire series. Flyers win in 6 games.

Excuse me while I be dramatic and mourn the loss of my loved ones. 

Yes, I carry mini zebras in my purse at playoff funerals

And so now we wait for the Grim Reaper to officially take us away on Saturday against Boston. What a fantastical way to go. 

Chris Drury helped kill our chances of any playoff berth ((haha)) and the Rochester native did very little to help his home team. However, Danny Briere scored the only goal for the Flyers. I’m sure Marty Biron had a lot to do with the few goals scored as well. The cruel irony is splitting my sides. 

P.S. Markus Naslund, you  just got a little less pretty. 

My least favorite player on the planet scored, ruining Ryan Miller’s shut out. Uhhhhhhhhhh I so don’t love the Staal brothers. I was hoping Goose would take him out. Someone. Anyone. But we still won 5-1 and Carolina isn’t on a winning streak anymore. So there. 

Rivet, Moore and Goose got the only penalties for the Sabres. Sweet mother that is funny.

Pommer scored twice with an assist by Timmy from the faceoff. Ellis scored for Kaleta, hopefully  lessening his head pains. Marty B probably sent a text to “YoYo” telling him to get “mad” (resulting in a goal, thanks). Roysie won us a hot little penalty shot. Millsie stopped so many goals I think he made my heart stop as well. We had the best game we could have.