ON THE BOARD PHILLY: January 2012

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Jagr expected to play tonight

January 31, 2012

Jaromir Jagr says that he plans to play in tonight's home game against the Winnipeg Jets, according to CSNPhilly.com.

Jagr has been out with a groin injury since January 21 (third time this season that he has been out with the same injury), but has had a six day layoff thanks to the All-Star break.

Jagr told CSNPhilly.com that his decision would be based on how he felt during the morning skate. Apparently, he feels well enough to play, but head coach Peter Laviolette will most likely have the final say on that.

Injured players return to practice, forwards recalled

January 31, 2012

Concussed players Danny Briere and James Van Riemsdyk skated in the first practice back from the All-Star break on Monday.

Jaromir Jagr and Zac Rinaldo also skated on Monday. Jagr has a groin injury, and Rinaldo has an upper-body injury.

According to Sarah Baicker of CSNPhilly.com, all four players were wearing regular practice jerseys, instead of no-contact jerseys.

The status of their injuries remain unchanged. Brier and Van Riemsdyk are still out indefinitely, and Jagr and Rinaldo are still day-to-day.

Briere and Van Riemsdyk left practice early, because of physical drills that they are still unable to participate in, according to Baicker.

Phantoms forwards recalled

Forwards Ben Holmstrom, Tom Sestito, and Harry Zolnierczyk were recalled by the Flyers from Adirondack.

They are filling in while Briere, Jagr, and Rinaldo are out with injuries.

The three forwards were sent down before the All-Star break, so that they could continue playing.

All-Star Game Recap

January 29, 2012

Claude Giroux scored, and Scott Hartnell recorded two assists for Team Alfredsson, but Team Chara won by a fianl of 12-9.

Hartnell, in his first All-Star appearance decided to donate a $1,000 to his charity, #hartnelldown, every time he fell on the ice. He fell a few times, but Giroux tried to cause more, by intentionally trying to trip his own teammate.

Giroux commented on his intentions after the game for CSNPhilly.com.

“One shift, I tried to trip him the whole shift,” Giroux said. “I wasn’t able to. Because it was his charity, I didn’t think he fell down enough and I was trying to get in there.”

Hartnell also acknowledged what his teammate was trying to do.

“He was trying to trip me every faceoff,” Hartnell said.

Kimmo Timmonen, who was playing for Team Chara, also performed well despite not having any points to show for it.

You can read a full recap of the All-Star game on ESPN.com, by clicking on the link below.
http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=400215960

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Skills Recap

January 29, 2012

In the player introductions of last night's All-Star Skills Challenge, both Scott Hartnell and Claude Giroux stopped at center ice, removed their glove, and gave a salute. A nod to their lineman Jaromir Jagr, who is resting over the break.

At the end of the night, Team Alfredsson topped Team Chara 21-12.

You can read the full recap at CSNPhilly.com:
http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/flyers-talk/post/Giroux-Flyers-soak-in-SuperSkills-experi?blockID=640408&feedID=695

The list of results can be seen at NHL.com:
http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=76951&navid=DL|NHL|home

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Couturier's blog

January 28, 2012

Over the course of the weekend, Sean Couturier will be talking about his expreriences in the All-Star Game festivities in his blog on the Flyer's website.

His first post is up now. Check it out.
http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=613960&navid=DL|PHI|home

Skills Challenge Lineup

January 28, 2012

A day after the fantasy draft, Daniel Alfredsson and Zdeno Chara set their lineups for the skills competition.

Kimmo Timmonen will be tested for passing accuracy in the Skills Challenge Relay for Team Chara. He will also be in the elimination shootout portion.

Sean Couturier will be the only rookie in the Breakaway challenge, representing Team Alfredsson.

Matt Read is also a lone rookie in his challenge, being tested for accuracy shooting. Claude Girou will be a passer in the challenge.

In the relay, Scott Hartnell will have to pull of left-handed one-timers, and Claude Giroux's stick handling will be put to the test.

Giroux will also be in the elimination shootout for Team Alfredsson.

Here is the full lineup:

TEAM CHARA

Bridgestone NHL Fastest SkaterAll-Star backwards: Brian Campbell
Goalie: Jimmy Howard
Rookie: Colin Greening
All-Star: Phil Kessel
All-Star: Marian Hossa

All-State NHL Breakaway Challenge
Rookie: Ryan Johansen
All-Star: Patrick Kane
All-Star: Corey Perry
Goalie: Carey Price

Canadian Tire NHL Accuracy Shooting
Rookie: Cody Hodgson
All-Star: Tyler Seguin
All-Star: Jamie Benn
All-Star: Marian Hossa
Passer: Phil Kessel
Passer: Ryan Suter
Passer: Jordan Eberle
Passer: Brian Campbell

G Series NHL Skills Challenge Relay
One-timer passer: Ryan Suter
One-timer right-handed: Dennis Wideman
One-timer right-handed: Jarome Iginla
One-timer right-handed: Joffrey Lupul
Passing accuracy: Patrick Kane
Puck control: Pavel Datsyuk
Stick handling: Gabriel Landeskog
Target shooter: Marian Gaborik
One-timer passer: Jordan Eberle
One-timer left-handed: Dion Phaneuf
One-timer left-handed: Zdeno Chara
One-timer left-handed: Jamie Benn
Passing accuracy: KIMMO TIMONEN
Puck control: Raphael Diaz
Stick handling: Evgeni Malkin
Target shooter: Phil Kessel

* Note: Two rookies must participate per team

Blackberry NHL Hardest Shot
Rookie: Luke Adam
All-Star: Dennis Wideman
All-Star: Dion Phaneuf
All-Star: Zdeno Chara

Tim Hortons NHL Elimination Shootout
Rookie: Colin Greening
All-Star: Pavel Datsyuk
All-Star: Evgeni Malkin
All-Star: Corey Perry
All-Star: Tyler Seguin
All-Star: Marian Gaborik
All-Star: Patrick Kane
All-Star: Jarome Iginla
All-Star: Jamie Benn
All-Star: Joffrey Lupul
All-Star: KIMMO TIMONEN
All-Star: Ryan Suter
Goalie: Carey Price
Goalie: Tim Thomas
Goalie: Jimmy Howard

TEAM ALFREDSSON

Bridgestone NHL Fastest SkaterAll-Star backwards: Kris Letang
Goalie: Jonathan Quick
Rookie: Carl Hagelin
All-Star: Keith Yandle
All-Star: Erik Karlsson

All-State Insurance NHL Breakaway Challenge
Rookie: SEAN COUTURIER
All-Star: John Tavares
All-Star: Logan Couture
Goalie: Brian Elliott

Canadian Tire NHL Accuracy Shooting
Rookie: MATT READ
All-Star: Jason Spezza
All-Star: Steven Stamkos
All-Star: Daniel Sedin
Passer: Alex Edler
Passer: Dan Girardi
Passer: CLAUDE GIROUX
Passer: Henrik Sedin
G Series NHL Skills Challenge Relay
One-timer passer: Nick Johnson
One-timer right-handed: Shea Weber
One-timer right-handed: Kris Letang
One-timer right-handed: Steven Stamkos
Passing accuracy: Henrik Sedin
Puck control: Milan Michalek
Stick handling: Logan Couture
Target shooter: James Neal
One-timer passer: Alex Edler
One-timer left-handed: Keith Yandle
One-timer left-handed: SCOTT HARTNELL
One-timer left-handed: John Tavares
Passing accuracy: Daniel Sedin
Puck control: Craig Smith
Stick handling: CLAUDE GIROUX
Target shooter: Jason Pominville

* Note: Two rookies must participate per team

Blackberry NHL Hardest Shot
Rookie: Justin Faulk
All-Star: Daniel Alfredsson
All-Star: Jason Spezza
All-Star: Shea Weber

Tim Hortons NHL Elimination Shootout
Rookie: Carl Hagelin
All-Star: Steven Stamkos
All-Star: John Tavares
All-Star: Jason Spezza
All-Star: CLAUDE GIROUX
All-Star: Daniel Alfredsson
All-Star: James Neal
All-Star: Milan Michalek
All-Star: Jason Pominville
All-Star: Kris Letang
All-Star: Erik Karlsson
All-Star: Daniel Sedin
Goalie: Henrik Lundqvist
Goalie: Brian Elliott
Goalie: Jonathan Quick

- Lineup from NHL.com

Friday, January 27, 2012

All-Star Draft: Giroux and Hartnell to Alfredsson, Kimmo to Chara

January 27, 2012

vancouversun.com

Claude Giroux and Kimmo Timmonen likely were not going to be picked last in the second All-Star Player Fantasy Draft. But before the draft started, Scott Hartnell was a popular name for the infamous last pick.

Giroux was the first Flyer taken. He was drafted by Team Alfredsson in the fourth round, being the eighth overall pick.

Almost immediately after, Timmonen was the next pick made (5th round, 9th overall). He will be playing on Team Chara.

As the draft wore on, Hartnell was still sitting backstage, while Giroux made a comedic post on Twitter.

"Glad I got pick before @Hartsy19. Hopefully he gets the car. #19lastpick"
- @28CGiroux

Hartnell sat a bit longer before he was finally drafted by Team Alfredsson as the 34th selection. He had this to say on Twitter.

"Holy smokes I got picked #notlast #girouxisaluckyman @28CGiroux disappointed with @JLupul for not getting me. #keepurheadupkid"

- @Hartsy19

San Jose's Logan Couture had the misfortune of being the last pick, going to Team Alfredsson. At least he got a car out of it.

Both Flyers rookies, Sean Couturier and Matt Read, are on Team Alfredsson also. All the rookie All-Stars were divided up in to two teams of six.

Couturier got to choose which side his team will be on, he opted for the hometown Team Alfredsson.

This leaves Timmonen as the lone Flyer on Team Chara.

The full rosters for both teams, including the rookies, are posted below.

TEAM CHARA1. Pavel Datsyuk (DET)
3. Tim Thomas (BOS)
5. Evgeni Malkin (PIT)
7. Marian Hossa (CHI)
9. KIMMO TIMONEN (PHI)
11. Corey Perry (ANA)
13. Carey Price (MTL)
15. Phil Kessel (TOR)
17. Ryan Suter (NSH)
19. Jimmy Howard (DET)
21. Brian Campbell (FLA)
23. Patrick Kane (CHI)
25. Dion Phaneuf (TOR)
27. Jerome Iginla (CGY)
29. Dennis Wideman (WSH)
31. Marian Gaborik (NYR)
33. Jordan Eberle (EDM)
35. Tyler Seguin (BOS)
37. Jamie Benn (DAL)

TEAM CHARA ROOKIES: Luke Adam (BUF), Raphael Diaz (MTL), Colin Greening (OTT), Cody Hodgson (VAN), Ryan Johansen (CBJ), Gabriel Landeskog (COL)

TEAM ALFREDSSON
2. Erik Karlsson (OTT)
4. Jason Spezza (OTT)
6. Jonathan Quick (LAK)
8. CLAUDE GIROUX (PHI)
10. Kris Letang (PIT)
12. Steven Stamkos (TBL)
14. Brian Elliott (STL)
16. Shea Weber (NSH)
18. Daniel Sedin (VAN)
20. Dan Girardi (NYR)
22. Keith Yandle (PHX)
24. Milan Michalek (OTT)
26. Henrik Sedin (VAN)
28. James Neal (PIT)
30. Alex Edler (VAN)
32. John Tavares (NYI)
34. SCOTT HARTNELL (PHI)
36. Jason Pominville (BUF)
38. Logan Couture (SJS)

TEAM ALFREDSSON ROOKIES: SEAN COUTURIER (PHI), Justin Faulk (CAR), Carl Hagelin (NYR), Nick Johnson (MIN), MATT READ (PHI), Craig Smith (NSH)

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Flyers send forwards down during break

January 26, 2012

Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly.com is reporting that Tommy Sestito, Ben Holmstrom, and Harry Zolnierczyk have been sent back to the Phantoms.

This is most likely to keep these rookies playing over the All-Star weekened.

In other news, the Flyer's annual father-son trip provided the team with a little bit of luck.

While the Flyers dads joined the team over the past few days, the team won two of three games.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Flyers get first shootout win this season

January 25, 2012

After a total of 10 goals were scored in regulation, and Ilya Bryzgalov failed to make a single save in the shootout during Sunday's 6-5 loss to Boston, Peter Laviolette decided to put Sergei Bobrovsky in goal on Tuesday night.

It proved to be the right decision, as the Flyers found themselves in yet another shootout. This time, against the Florida Panthers, in the last game before the All-Star break.

Before Tuesday night's game, the Flyers were 0-3 in the shootout. The record makes it understandable for fans to not have much confidence when the team is in this situation.

But this time was different.

Claude Giroux scored the only goal in the shootout. He deked out goaltender Scott Clemmensen, giving Girou a wide open net for an easy goal.

Bobrovsky stopped all three of Florida's attempts, getting Kris Versteeg to miss the net, and denying Stephen Weiss, and Mike Santorelli.

Flyers.NHL.com, Getty Images

Bobrovsky saved 23 of 25 shots in regular play, then shutout the Panthers in the shootout, did a little dance, and gave the Flyers a confidence building 3-2 shootout win before the break.

Clemmensen saved 35 of 37 shots in regular play. In the shootout, he stopped Brayden Schenn on the first attempt, gave up the goal to Giroux in the second. Jakub Voracek missed in the third attempt.

Florida's Mikael Samuelsson (3, 2:49) scored a power play goal in the first, to give the Panthers an early 1-0 lead.

Later in the first, the Flyers tied it up, thanks to a power play goal from Brayden Schenn (3, 10:35). Schenn's goal was reviewed, because there was concern that the net may have came loose before he scored. But after a brief delay, the goal stood.

Voracek (8, 17:59) scored to put the Flyers up 2-1 before the end of the first.

In the second, Florida's Thomas Fleischmann (16, 15:40) scored to tie the game up 2-2. Fleischmann's goal would go on to send the game into overtime.

The Flyers are now 1-3 this season in games that go to a shootout. They are 29-14-5, with 63 points overall, after 48 games.

The Flyers remain at fourth place in the Eastern Conference heading into the All-Star break.

Box Score
http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=400047581

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Hartnell heading to All-Star game

January 24, 2012

phillygameday.com

His 25 goals are fourth most in the NHL, and after originally getting snubbed in the voting, Scott Hartnell will be going to Ottawa for the weekend.

The veteran forward is having a career year, with 44 points, but did not make the All-Star roster in the voting. Players like Washington's Alexander Ovechkin, who is not having as great a year as Hartnell, made it due to more popularity in the mainstream fan base.

Hartnell and the many fans who felt he was deserving of a spot, waited for about two weeks for a player to withdraw from the game, either to recover from an injury or other reasons.

On Tuesday it finally happened.

sports-at-work.com

Chicago's Jonathan Toews withdrew due to an upper-body injury, and the NHL's Disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan called Hartnell to tell him the news.

Ovechkin also dropped out of the game, due to a three-game suspension he received for leaving his feet to deliver a hit to Pittsburgh defenseman Zbynek Michalek, during Sunday's Capitals versus Penguins matchup.

Other All-Star game drop outs are Minnesota's Mikko Koivu and Winnipeg's Dustin Byfuglien due to injuries.

Hartnell will be joining his teammates Claude Giroux, Kimmo Timmonen, Matt Read, and Sean Couturier this weekend for the All-Star festivities.

This will be Hartnell's first All-Star game, and to that, I say congratulations Hartsy.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Injured Flyers to remain out vs. Florida

January 23, 2012

In a report by CSNPhilly.com's Tim Panaccio, it was revealed that Danny Briere, James Van Riemsdyk, Jaromir Jagr, and Zac Rinaldo will not be playing at all against the Panthers on Tuesday night.

Both Briere and Van Riemsdyk are out with concussions.

Briere got his during Saturday's game against the Devils, and JVR supposedly got his in a game against the Senators on January 7.

Jagr is out with a reaggravated left groin.

Rinaldo's upper-body injury has been revealed to be a neck strain.

Van Riemsdyk, who is out indefinitely, has not returned to practice since the concussion diagnosis.

Briere, also out indefinitely, still traveled with the team to Florida, along with his father. This is due to the team's father/son trip.

After Tuesday's game, the Flyers will have four days off to get healthy, thanks to the All-Star game.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Hartnell scores hat trick, but Flyers lose in shootout

January 22, 2012

The Flyers got hit with the injury bug. That is not breaking news.

The Flyers won 4-1 in New Jersey on Saturday, but at a cost.

Danny Briere and Jaromir Jagr are both out with injuries, joining a list that includes Chris Pronger, and James Van Riemsdyk.

So, with an injury list like that, it was not hard to believe that the Flyers would have a tough time against the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins.

CSNPhilly.com

The Flyers beat the Bruins 2-1 on opening night, on the road. But in the last matchup at the Wells Fargo Center, the Bruins shutout the Flyers 6-0.

The third matchup of the season, played out a lot differently.

Opening night was low scoring, the other game was one-sided. Sunday's game was physical, and high scoring.

Scott Hartnell scored two on Saturday against the Devils. He continued his weekend hot streak by scoring his sixth career hat trick (3:23, 7:25, 19:13).

All three of Hartnell's goal were scored in the second period, two of them were on the power play. Claude Giroux set up a one-timer on all three goals, getting the assist for each.

Hartnell's third goal came with 46.5 seconds left in the period. As fans threw their hats on the ice, both teams were sent back to their locker rooms. The remaining time was added to the third period.

Hartnell now has 25 goals this season, and continues to make his case to be in the All-Star game.

Max Talbot scored the Flyer's other two goals. He scored in the first (11, 2:05), and in the third on the power play (12, 10:38).

Patrice Bergeron (15, 0:50), Tyler Seguin (18, 9:01), and Milan Lucic (17, 12:30) scored for Boston in the first.

David Krejci (11, 1:19) and Gregory Campbell (6, 4:59) scored for Boston in the third.

Ilya Bryzgalov and Tim Thomas each allowed five goals in regulation.

Bryzgalov saved 32 of 37 shots, and Thomas saved 33 of 38.

The game was tied 5-5 at the end of regulation. No one scored in the overtime period, so it was on to a shootout.

Matt Read went first for the Flyers, but missed the net on his attempt.

David Krejci scored on his attempt to give Boston a 1-0 lead in the shootout.

Claude Giroux scored on his attempt, but Tyler Seguin countered by scoring as well.

It all came down to Wayne Simmonds, but Tim Thomas was able to make the save and give the Bruins the 6-5 win.

Bryzgalov did not make a save in the shootout, and has yet to make any saves in a shootout this season.

The Flyers are 0-3 in shootouts this season.

The Bruins are now tied for first in the Eastern Conference with the New York Rangers. Both teams have 64 points, but the Bruins lead the conference in wins with 31.

The Flyers did get a point, since the game went to overtime. They now have 61.

The Flyers still played extremely well against the defending champs, despite the loss. This is impresive considering all the injuries that they have.

The team will have Monday off, as they travel to Florida to play the Panthers on Tuesday. It will be their last game before the All-Star break.

Box Score
http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=400047514

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Jagr, Briere, Rinaldo injured

January 21, 2012

Jagr

zimbio.com

Jaromir Jagr has missed time twice already with an injured left groin.

It appears that he will miss time for a third time, as Jagr re-aggravated his left groin again, in the first period of Saturday's win against the Devils.

General manager Paul Holmgren (as usual) classified Jagr's injury simply as a lower-body one.

However, CSNPhilly.com's Sarah Baicker reports that Jagr said that the "same" problem arose again.

Jagr will not play on Sunday against the Bruins.

Fortunately the All-Star weekend is upcoming, so Jagr will have time to recover and come back.

The past two times Jagr has been out, he, fortunately, only missed a couple games each.

Briere

dailyfantasysports.org

Danny Briere is out indefinitely with a concussion, as stated by Holmgren.

Briere played the entirety of Saurday's game against the Devils.

During the game though, Briere was taking some contact to the head.

He took a high stick to the head, by the Devil's Brad Mills, and also took a punch to the head by Patrik Elias. Both incidents came in the third period; Elias' very late in the third.

Briere is just the latest Flyer to suffer a concussion. He joins a list that includes Chris Pronger, Brayden Schenn, Claude Giroux, and James Van Riemsdyk.

Clearly, the concussion issue is really growing now.

Rinaldo

Holmgren's third injury announcement was that Zac Rinaldo has an upper-body injury. He is listed as day-to-day.

There are no details yet, on what Rinaldo's injury is specifically.

Recalls

Forwards Ben Holmsrtom and Tom Sesito were recalled from Adirondack, and will be ready for Sunday afternoon's game against the Bruins.

Holmstrom and Sesito will be filling in for Jagr and Briere, until they return from their respective injuries.

Bryz, Flyers bounce back in New Jersey

January 21, 2012

Saturday afternoon's game was one that came with good news and bad news for the orange and black.

Flyers.NHL.com, Getty Images

The good news: Ilya Bryzgalov appears to be getting back on track in goal, Scott Hartnell continues to prove why he should be an All-Star, and the Flyers won 4-1.

The bad news: Jaromir Jagr and Danny Briere are both injured.

Jagr re-aggravated his left groin and left in the first period.

Briere played the entire game, but GM Paul Holmgren announced that Briere had a concussion after being evaluated (more on both injuries later).

Scoring started in the second period.

Flyers.NHL.com, Getty Images

Matt Read scored off of a one-timer pass from Wayne Simmonds from behind the net to put the Flyers up 1-0 (9:30).

Read continues his great season with his 15th goal of the year. He is leading all rookies in scoring.

Later in the second with the Flyers on the power play, Kimmo Timmonen took a shot from the point. The shot was redirected past the Devil's Martin Brodeur, by Scott Hartnell.

Hartnell recorded his team leading 21st goal of the year to put the Flyers up 2-0 (13:04). But he did not stop there.

After a Devils goal by Alexei Ponikarovsky (8, 13:32) in the second, Hartnell scored another power play goal in the third.

Claude Giroux, who has been in a bad slump, recorded an assist by setting up Hartnell with a one-timer that put the Flyers up 3-1 (8:07).

Hartnell finished the night with a two goal game and 22 goals on the year.

Wayne Simmonds (13) scored an unassisted goal late in the third (17:38), as the Flyers went on to top the Devils by a final of 4-1.

Bryzgalov has been excellent over his past two starts, only allowing two goals in both games.

On Saturday, Bryzgalov saved 30 of 31 shots.

Future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur saw only 19 shots, but was only able to stop 16 of them.

The win puts the Flyers back in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 60 points. The Ottawa Senators have just as many points, but lost to Anaheim 2-1, dropping them down to fifth.

The Flyers have now won one of two straight games this weekend.

The second game will be Sunday afternoon, back at the Wells Fargo Center, against the Boston Bruins.

Box Score
http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=400047451

Friday, January 20, 2012

Van Riemsdyk progressing

January 20, 2012

James Van Riemsdyk appears to be making progress after being out with a concussion.

CSNPhilly.com's Tim Panaccio reports that Van Riemsdyk worked out on Thursday without any setbacks.

Paul Holmgren said that JVR's progress is similiar to the concussion Claude Giroux recovered from. He still has not skated yet though.

Pronger struggling with concussion

January 20, 2012

nationalpost.com

Chris Pronger is having good days and bad days with his concussion symptoms, according to his wife Lauren Pronger.

She was interviewed by CSNPhilly, and said that she hopes that her husband can have a couple good days in a row.

She also said that "He's battling. He wants to be out there more than anybody."

Pronger is still expected to be out for the rest of this year, and it is still uncertain if this injury is career ending.

GM Paul Holmgren has no clue if Pronger will be able to play again either, and is still uncertain if the team should move on.

"We’re not going to make any rash decisions. We’ll continue to look at the team for the present and the future and if something comes up that makes sense, we’ll see what we can do."

Islanders win 4-1 in Philly after four years

January 20, 2012

Ilya Bryzgalov had a solid start against the Wild on Tuesday night, but Sergei Bobrovsky was back in the net against the Islanders on Thursday.

In the Flyer's last game against the Islanders, Bobrovsky only allowed two goals late in the game, but kept the Islanders in check long enough for the Flyers to leave Long Island with a win.

Flyers.NHL.com, Getty Images

This time around, Bobrovsky did not have as much success.

Matt Moulson (22, 0:28), and Josh Bailey (4, 12:58) both scored in the second period to put New York up 2-0.

In the third, Mark Streit (3, 7:07), and Michael Grabner (14, 19:59) each scored to total four goals on the night for the Islanders.

Matt Read (14, 10:48) scored the Flyer's only goal of the night. Sean Couturier was originally credited with the goal, but was later awarded to Read, ending Couturier's goal streak at five games.

Bobrovsky only stopped 23 of 26 shots (the fourth goal was an empty-netter).

Evgeni Nabokov, on the other hand, had a spectacular night. He stopped all but one of the Flyer's 41 shots.

This is the Islanders first win in Philadelphia since April 7, 2007, ending a streak of 13 straight losses over four years at the Wachovia/Wells Fargo Center.

The loss drops the Flyers down to fifth place in the Eastern Conference, behind the Ottawa Senators (2 point lead).

The Flyers have a chance to make up some ground over the weekend, with games against two rivals: The New Jersey Devils on Saturday, and the Boston Bruins on Sunday.

Box Score
http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=400047381

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Jagr loves Philly, wants to re-sign

January 19, 2012

sports.yahoo.com

Good news, Jaromir Jagr loves Philadelphia. In fact, he said that he has never been so happy to play in NHL in years.

In an aritcle by Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly.com, Jagr said that "I like this team too much. I don’t want to go anywhere."

Jagr is not looking for big money, just another one-year deal. He says that going for more money elsewhere is putting his happiness at risk.

"Can you buy happiness for two years?" Jagr asked. "Are you gonna take a risk to go somewhere else and not be happy? I want to be happy. I want to come to work and be happy."

With the way this year has gone so far, Jagr has a very good chance of returning in orange and black next year.

Besides, who would want to break up Jagr's Hockey School and the G-Line so soon?

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Couturier continues streak, Flyers top Wild 5-1

January 18, 2012

Rookie Sean Couturier has scored a goal in each of the Flyer's last four games. On Tuesday night he kept that streak going.

The Flyers returned home to the Wells Fargo Center after a four game road trip, and Kimmo Timmonen opened things up in the first period. Timmonen (2) ripped a slap shot from the point, past Minnesota goaltender Josh Harding to make it 1-0 Flyers (2:56).

Then midway through the second period, with the Flyers shorthanded. Couturier and Matt Read created a 2-on-1 in the Wild's zone.

Flyers.NHL.com, Getty Images

Couturier got a pass off to Read, who sent the puck back. Couturier's stick almost missed the pass, but he was able to get enough of a shot off for it to slide into an unattended net.

With Tuesday night's goal, Couturier (10) now has a goal in each of his last five games. He is also the ninth Flyer to score 10 goals this year. And on top of that, he gave the Flyers a 2-0 lead (10:27).

Former Flyer Darroll Powe (4) scored on Ilya Bryzgalov to make it 2-1 (11:38). But that would be the only puck to get by Bryzgalov for the rest of the night.

Bryzgalov has been struggling lately, but on Tuesday night, he looked a lot more like the goalie the Flyers payed for.

The Wild took 26 shots on goal, and Bryzgalov saved 25 of them.

Braydon Coburn (2) scored on a wrist shot from the point that was deflected off of Minnestoa defenseman Nick Schultz to make it 3-1 (12:47) a little over a minute after Powe's goal.

Then Scott Hartnell reached the 20 goal mark after scoring off a deflected shot to put the Flyers up 4-1 over the Wild (16:04). Just another reason why Hartnell should be an All-Star.

Jakub Voracek finished off the night in the third, by scoring his seventh of the season (11:58) to give the Flyer a win by a final of 5-1.

Bryzgalov had a great night in goal for the Flyers. As for Minnesota's Josh Harding, not so much.

Harding saw 34 shots, and was only able to keep 29 out of the net.

The Flyers are now 27-13-4 on the season, after 44 games so far. According to the Associated Press, they are 5-2 since the Winter Classic.

The Flyers remain in second place in the Atlantic Divisionn with 58 points, trailing the Rangers in first by only four.

The New York Islanders will visit the Wells Fargo Center on Thursday night, in the Flyer's next game.

Box Score
http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=400047306

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Recap

January 17, 2012

It's been a while, and a lot of hockey has been missed. But the blog is back at full strength now.

Time for a quick recap.

Chris Pronger won't be back this season. He is out with post-concussion like syndromes.

The Flyers have since been in the middle of all sorts of defensive trade rumors. Be it Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, or the recently rumored Luke Schenn.

But Kimmo Timmonen and the rest of the Flyer's D have held their own without the captain. Rookies Marc-Andre Bourdon and Kevin Marshall have also helped out a lot on the blue line after being called up from the Phantoms.

JVR has been rumored to be traded to bring in Brayden's brother, but that idea is no more, as Van Riemsdyk is now out with a concussion.

The day after New Year's, the Phillies let the NHL turn their home into a Winter (Classic) wonderland, as the Flyers battled their rival in the Rangers in this year's outdoor game.

The universe may be so humangous big, but the net certainly isn't.

Someone should tell that to Ilya Bryzgalov, because he is posting career worse numbers right now.

Luckily, Sergei Bobrovsky is a brick wall in the net right now.

Danny Briere put da team on his back, scoring a hat-trick that resulted in all three of the Flyer's goals in a win over the Sens back on January 7. Oh yeah, and Danny got in a fight too.

Claude Giroux has been in a slump lately. Fortunately, rookies Sean Couturier, Matt Read, Harry Zolnierczyk, and Brayden Schenn are starting to pick up. Coots (Couturier) especially, now that he has scored in each of the last four games.

Giroux, Timmonen, Couturier, and Read are heading to Ottawa for the All-Star game, but Scott Hartnell got snubbed in the midst of a great season.

Now, we await to see if Scottie will find his way on the All-Star roster, should another player choose to drop-out.

Now that we're all caught up, That Flyers Blog is officially back.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Update

Janaury 12, 2012

Hello everyone,

Recently there haven not been any posts, and I apologize for that. As I mentioned previously, I've had a very important paper to take care of for school. It has taken up a lot of my time, and unfortunately, the blogs had to take a back seat for a while. Again, I'm very sorry for this. But, I am happy to say the paper is done, and I will be updating the blogs daily again. Originally, I set the deadline for my return on January 10, but the due date for the paper was pushed back. Now I will be returning on Tuesday, January 17. You may see some changes to the look of the blog, as I am looking to redesign it. In addition, I am also happy to announce that I will be making YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter pages for the blogs in the near future.

Again, I am deeply sorry for any inconvience I have caused over the last few weeks. I thank you for your patience.

- Nick

P.S. Congratulations to Claude Giroux and Kimmo Timmonen for being named to this year's All-Star game. Congratulations to Matt Read and Sean Couturier as well, for being named to play in the All-Star Rookie game. But Scott Hartnell should still be in it.