Posted: Thursday, February 16, 2012, 9:00 AM | 13 comments |
 

Flyers searching for home swagger; Bryz returns
options
 

   The Flyers, who have lost five of their last six games, will try to get back on track Thursday night against offensive-challenged Buffalo at the Wells Fargo Center.

   The Sabres are averaging just 2.36 goals per game. Only four teams have averaged fewer goals.

   The Flyers have more losses than wins at home, where they have a head-scratching 13-9-5 record.

   "I think it's just a matter of getting back to basics and realizing how good we can be," enforcer Jody Shelley said.

   Shelley is expected to replace Zac Rinaldo, who will start a two-game, NHL-imposed suspension for a hit on Detroit's Jonathan Ericsson

   After missing three straight games because of the flu, Ilya Bryzgalov will return to the nets for the Flyers. In his last four games, Bryzgalov (2.78 GAA, .900 save percentage) has allowed a total of just six goals.

   Jhonas Enroth (2.59, .919) will start for Buffalo over Ryan Miller.

   Jaromir Jagr (flu), Marc-Andre Bourdon and Andrej Meszaros (upper-body injury) did not take part in Thursday's morning skate.

    If Meszaros can't play, Andreas Lilja would be in the lineup.

    Bourdon was apparently just given the morning off.

    "He's fine," GM Paul Holmgren said in a text.

    As for speculation that Bourdon would be traded, a source said the Flyers weren't close to making any deals and that "things are quiet."

    The trade deadline is Feb. 27.

    Forward Eric Wellwood was recalled from the Phantoms and is expected to be in Thursday's lineup. He will likely replace Jagr. Jakub Voracek (upper-body injury) skated Thursday morning and sounded as if he was ready to return.

     * * *

    A source said the Flyers have not had any conversations with Columbus about Rick Nash.

    * * *

   Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull
Posted by Sam Carchidi @ 9:00 AM  Permalink | 13 comments
13
Comments   
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:08 PM, 02/16/2012
    When discussing sports, can we stop using the word "swagger"? It's over-used and meaningless.
    — DixonBunz
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:19 PM, 02/16/2012
    With the trading deadline come fast... Shouldthe FLYERS be sellers or buyers? I have been going back and forth about this I really think nowwe should be sellers I think moving Matt Carle would save some money andwe couldthan be looking for a huge move befor the draft I am think it would savesus about 4-4.50 Million a season for 4 years which could be used to get usWeber or Suter. I would rather have Weber he woudl get uswhat we are missing with Pronger out plus he also can score and has a great shot from the point. And if the Hockey God are going to be good to the FLYERS Pronger willbe able to play next year can you see both Weber and Pronger playing for us next season we would have the best Defense in the league. Well thats my opinion lets hope that we get back to winning tonight!LETS GO FLYERS!!
    — srcdaddy1216
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:39 PM, 02/16/2012
    I always thought you acquired 'swagger' by winning, not the other way around.
    — 1980
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:43 PM, 02/16/2012
    the greenhorns are outperforming the vets. the vets are the problem.
    — daoust555
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:17 PM, 02/16/2012
    Is it just me, or does this not sound right?

    "The Flyers have more losses than wins at home, where they have a head-scratching 13-9-5 record."

    Isn't 13-9-5 a winning record? Sheesh.
    — Hiding Behind My Keyboard
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:41 PM, 02/16/2012
    An overtime loss is still a loss.
    — jma46
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:16 PM, 02/16/2012
    Got it. It just looks deceiving.
    — Hiding Behind My Keyboard
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:22 PM, 02/16/2012
    13 wins, 9 '60 minute game' losses, 5 'overtime' losses = 13 wins and 14 losses. They count OT losses separately because a team gets one point if they lose in overtime.
    — southjerseyboy
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:46 PM, 02/16/2012
    This year is over for the flyers - time to sell. No playoff run with this group. Start with both goalies. Then get rid of some young guys and some of the soft guys and grab some nasty d-men to pick up Prongers space. No attitude + no goalies = no cup.
    — bigdaddyG
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:33 PM, 02/16/2012
    ...and to replace Bryz and Bob in net, you'd bring in whom, bigdaddyG? Goaltending isn't the biggest problem. Rather, as has been the case in recent years, too many bad giveaways and defensive breakdowns in their own zone are still huge problems for the Flyers.
    — doug1834
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:14 PM, 02/16/2012
    Well, Doug - neither Bob nor Bryz can steal games and take this group thru a playoff run. I agree that the soft D is a major problem. Need attitude players to lead the many young guys and I don't see anybody stepping up. So start making some moves for next year. Anything is better than what they are putting out there now.
    — bigdaddyG
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:19 PM, 02/17/2012
    Bryz could be that guy, guess nobody knew he has so much doubt about himself (they should have if they did their homework,) maybe he'll surprise us and get his "head" into the games, just sayin'...
    — DJ


13 comments
About Sam Carchidi
Sam Carchidi is in his fourth year as the Flyers' beat reporter. He became an Inquirer staff writer in 1984 and covered mostly South Jersey high school sports and the Phillies before taking the Flyers beat.

Carchidi has written three books _ the nationally acclaimed Miracle in the Making: The Adam Taliaferro Story, which he co-authored with Scott Brown; Bill Campbell: The Voice of Philadelphia Sports; and Standing Tall: The Kevin Everett Story, which was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show. He also contributed to a 1993 Inquirer book on the Phillies.

A lifelong South Jersey resident, Carchidi lives in Wenonah with his wife, JoAnn, and their two children, Sara and Sammy.

Follow on Twitter

Advertise Here
Latest Flyers Videos