Some Much-Needed Flyers Hockey...

I try not to complain about two things when I post about hockey on this site—"weak" penalties and the schedule. I try, but I fail. Miserably. 

Lately it seems like there's a week between brief spurts of action for the Flyers, two games around a weekend, off for three, four, five days. Coming off of the massive bender that is a 162-game Phillies season, followed by the insanity of a playoff run, it seems like the Flyers play about as often as the Eagles. In the end though, all the NHL teams play the same number of games, and with the Phillies in the playoffs, I didn't mind it much anyway. 

But that run is done, so let's get down to the nitty gritty... Let's get this show on the road. 

Buffalo Sabres - Ryan Miller, originally uploaded by mikelynaugh.

The Flyers better be ready, because starting tonight in Buffalo at the HSBC RSTLN E Arena at 7:30, they'll have a lot more of the Philly sports world's attention and a tough matchup with a hot goalie. 

They've been up and down this season, but after back-to-back losses, they've kicked the shit out of two struggling southeastern clubs, scoring six times in each of them. We were all a little distracted right about then, so hopefully they can reprise those performances tonight.

It won't be easy though—the Sabres are no Lightning. Led by the always steady backstop Ryan Miller, Buffalo is off to a hot 9-2-1 start. They're not scoring a whole lot, but they've only allowed 24 goals, so it hasn't much mattered. The Flyers have found their scoring touch, even with some injuries to their forwards. As they always seem to do, they're pulling goals from every line. A veteran like Simon Gagne goes down, and it could be a disaster, but so far it hasn't been.

Guys like rookie James VanRiemsdyk are picking up the slack lately, with JVR leading freshmen in points (T-13) and assists (11). Yep, kid has three more points than he has games played, and he's only a rook. He's come a long way since fans and the brass wondered if he was getting soft at UNH, rather than toughening up with the Phantoms. So far, no worries, and JVR has a legit shot at a Calder Trophy. Did I mention he's a plus-6 too? Gotdamn, I shoulda. 

One key tonight (yeah, I know, keys to the game are always hella lame) is that the Flyers can't get caught up in their past two showings. They can't just expect that the goals will come as easily as they did then, they need to remember what it was like to have the Caps come back and steal one from them, and the feeling of playing a solid game against the Sharks and still losing 4-1. Any one of those things could happen tonight, and the Flyers scoring 6 goals is the least likely of them. It'll probably be pretty close, and most likely a low-scoring game. The Flyers are still at the bottom of the division, and that has to be a little embarrassing considering they're tied with the Islanders. String a few more wins together, and they'll be out of the cellar, but not by much. 

Oh one last thing I try not to complain about, because it always happens—every year, the Flyers get the flu. This year, everyone everywhere has it, and there's definitely a strain in the locker room. Don't be surprised if a few of the guys look a little pale(r than usual). 

Welcome back, Flyers hockey. We missed ya. 
 

Comments

[phillyfan412]

The schedule is ridiculous. Every year, I think the NHL schedule can't get any worse, and somehow it does. The schedule is ridiculously inconsistent and has no rhyme or reason to it. I believe it was about a week ago that they played three games in four days after not playing a game in a week. That makes sense.

[Ryan]

STUPID COMCAST NETWORK, WAY TO RUIN MY NIGHT OF HOCKEY COMCAST!

[phillyfan412]

http://atdhe.net/watch-live-sports.php?i=14

[phillyfan412]

Coburn!!!

[phillyfan412]

Check that, Carcillo deflected it.

[phillyfan412]

Check that, Carcillo deflected it.

[Paul]

For some reason the Flyers schedule is front loaded every year, which is fucking bullshit because they have to play more games after the all star break and makes them tire out more easily going towards the playoffs. I don't think it is quite a conspiracy but a couple more years of this shit and it will be.

[Paul]

How the fuck are Sabres 9-2-1? They're a shithole of a franchise.

[agam22]

Yahoo is streaming the game as part of their deal with versus

[phillyfan412]

Powe! 4-1 Flyers.

[agam22]

There was a piece in the Buffalo paper about how great the Sabers balance on all 4 lines is and how the Flyers are completely dependent on their top 6 forwards. The 3rd and 4th lines are getting their revenge. I love it.

[Brandon]

Philly Sports Loves
1. Eagles
1a. Flyers
3. Phillies

...And I love the Phillies

So happy all the seasons overlap. Lets get this season goin Flyers!

Matt, you are hands-down my favorite blogger. You type the words in my head. So one gripe, please don't ever use "hella" again. Thanks bud!

[jd]

ahhhhhhh flyers.

you are my bloody mary that soothes my phillies hangover.

[phillyfan412]

Philly sports loves

1. Flyers
1. Eagles
1. Phillies

[BFisch]

Imagine this team fully healthy....thats a scary thought. Glad to see the Flyers just keep rolling no matter what. They have depth like they've never had before, and everyone is contributing each night. Plus Ray Emery has been solid and gotten the job done.
GO FLYERS!