Hexy27

@AJgoal I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you. He isn't the worst goal tender out there but as you said there is a level of expectation that he is not meeting. The reason fans see him as a subpar performer is exactly for the reasons you are pointing out. For most of the season he was inconsistent and he was/is not living up to expectations. His post game commentary also did little to help his public perception. March was definitely his best month and he earned top honors from the league for that month. It was his most consistent and sustained play all season (regardless of what the rest of the team did). That doesn't mean he is terrible but he certainly isn't great either. Again I don't disagree with anything you are saying. I just don't see consistency from his game and that is what you need this time of year. If not Bryz then I really don't know what the answer is. I don't believe it is Bob as he has spent too much time on the bench and I don't believe he can help us at this time. I am pulling for Bryz to elevate his game and sustain the level of play we saw from him during the first period of yesterday's game and Game 6 of the last round.

@AJgoal Even the stats you are showing verify his up and down nature. What you look for in an elite goal tender is consistency and Bryz has not really shown that this season. Yes he may have averaged .910 over two months but there are alot of peaks and valleys that make up that average. That being said you don't have to be an elite goaltender to win a SC. Niemi proved this two years ago. You do need some level of consistency and Bryz's up and down nature is what has most concerned. Over a 7 game series against a good team (like the Rangers) you can't afford to have more than 1 off game. Yesterday's game is a great example of his inconsistency. He had a great first period then disappeared for the rest of the game. The Devils didn't do a whole lot to impress me after the first period. One thing they did do, however, was aim five-hole most of the time they shot on Bryz and twice it worked. That being said if we get to the point where we are yanking Bryz out then the end of our post season isn't that far beyond.

@Poulin20 Why do you even check in over there? I seriously haven't signed in once since I joined this forum. All the regular posters are here and this is a much better managed board! Back on topic...I agree that I could care less what Briere does in the regular season. He is worth every penny in these clutch post season moments!

@Podein25 What didn't you like about his game? He pressured their D every time he was on the ice and frustrated the heck out of Marty.

I wonder if JVR is going to be one of those players (like Briere) that really only elevate their play in the post season. Granted he was hurt most of the regular season but we don't usually see him play like this outside of the playoffs. I hope he keeps it up. I really like the way he is playing right now and when you can get inside the head of a future HOF player then you know you are doing something right.

@trevluk Couldn't have said it any better!

The Caps are a much better team this post season than years past. That being said I don't think they are up to the task of playing the Flyers. Of all the teams left the Caps worry me the least. That of course is assuming that Bryzgalov is not a sieve.

That's great!

I like the idea of playing the Rangers and finally beating them, but I also think it would greatly reduce our chance of success in the rounds to follow. A series against the Ranger would probably beat us down badly (even if we win). The physical toll would likely be too high to overcome and proceed to a cup. Look at the aftermath of the Pens series. Too many injured players (that we know of) and likely more. I know other teams have injury too but it would be hard to win a cup with the Pens and Rangers back to back. Then there is the potential we would face Boston. I don't know that this team could beat both the Rangers and Boston to go on. Stranger things have happened and I would love to be wrong.

If Malkin wasn't so dirty with his elbows I'd probably be a bigger fan of his. He gives alot of effort but he's so dirty that he forces me to hate him. That being said I don't disagree with Malkin's dig at Bryz toward the end of his statement. I don't think Bryz was a big challenge for them. Hopefully he turns it around for Round 2!

Maybe but this team had to block 40 shots in order to allow Bryz to keep us in the game. Other than the month of March I have been less than impressed with Bryz.

I agree with everything you said but "decent goaltending". I don't think we have seen "decent" yet except for maybe yesterday's game.

I hope you are right. They didn't look all that great with the extra time off between games 3 and 4 though.

It's not like Fluery has been lights out either. My point being both teams are suffering from poor goal tending. Last night was a failure on all parts. Bryz was horrible but so was the rest of the team. They did not have the jump in their step that they had in the previous three games. I think they were riding high going into the game and completely overlooked the fact that they have to win one more. Heck even Lavvy didn't look as mad as he has earlier in the series. In fact they all looked complacent. I do not see Leighton as an option. I'd rather Bob get a couple of starts (and some confidence) than throw Leighton out there. Now if Bryz has suffered an injury I am ok with Leighton being a backup, but I sure as heck don't want to see him start. Bob has had a decent record in Pittsburgh against this team, however if the rest of the team doesn't show up it doesn't matter who you put in net.

@OH1FlyersFan Leighton would be the worst idea! Does anyone remember last year's goalie carousel? Throwing in Leighton would make that look sane.

@TedZep Well said!

@Vanflyer When we had injuries he filled in just fine on the wing on the top line two years ago. I agree he is no offensive machine but he is servicable.

This one made me started laughing out loud at my desk!

Bylsma was so uncomfortable in that post game. It was great! I wonder if he becomes the Pens sacrificial lamb once they get swept. Personally I hope he sticks around. I love watching Lavy out coach him!

I was surprised by Ash as well. I don't recall him doing anything that dirty before. He's always been gritty but not dirty. I loved Asham when he was here because he could play on any of the 4 lines and score points. At the same time he was able to standup for team mates and overall was solid for us. I hated watching him go to the Pens. Now I could care less. As you said he cemented himself as a Pen from now on.

@off_the_post I'd love for this team to get another crack at the Bruins! That would be a fun series to watch!

This is why Briere gets a pass during the regular season. The guy is Mr. Playoffs!

All these things are good in a way. The Pens are so classless and dirty that not even the NBC Sports crew can cover up for them any more. The media blitz against the league and the Pens that started two weeks ago has just gotten worse. Maybe this is the beginning of the end for these lopsided calls for the Pens. Lord knows everyone is sick of them and not even Buttman can stand up for Crosby and his antics during this game.

This team has unbelievable scoring depth! In game one the Pens had Giroux and his whole line locked down. Then Briere and Schenn step up! This game they locked down both Briere and Schenn pretty good so Giroux and Couturier step up. It's amazing! I can't remember the last time I have seen a Flyers team this deep. The Flyers look like the have limitless energy while the Pens looked gassed in the third and the Flyers never stopped moving.

I would just hate to see Wellwood sit. He is so fast on the ice. We need that kind of speed in the post season. I don't dislike Rinaldo but I think he should take a backseat. Right or wrong he is going to receive a misconduct just for being him so why have him take up a spot on the bench?