Flyers sacrifice body in win

The Flyers' 3 for 3 power play was the focal point (see story) in their 5-3 win over visiting Carolina on Saturday, but the team's 32 blocked shots also keyed the much-needed victory.

The Elias Sports Bureau could not find an instance when the Flyers had that many blocks in a game in their history, but the stat has not always been kept.

Nick Grossmann and Luke Schenn led the way with six blocks apiece.

The Flyers had just seven of their shots blocked Saturday, after having 23 blocked in their 3-2 loss in Washington on Friday. They had 62 of their shots blocked in their previous three games.

Replays needed? If officials had been able to view a replay of John Erskine's hit on the Flyers' Wayne Simmonds Friday, the Washington defenseman probably would have received a five-minute major and a game misconduct.

Instead, he didn't even get a penalty. (He was suspended for three games by the NHL on Saturday.)

With that in mind, should the referees be allowed to watch replays before handing out penalties.

"You don't want them to stop and look at every replay that's questionable," Flyers forward Max Talbot said before Saturday's game.

GM Paul Holmgren agreed.

"You'd have five-hour games," he said.

Bryz sizzling. Goalie Ilya Bryzgalov continued his strong play as he made 39 saves _ his most as a Flyer _ in Saturday's win. It was Bryzgalov's highest save total since he made 45 stops in a 2011 game for the Coyotes against Dallas.

"He's in a zone," Flyers center Claude Giroux said.

Breakaways. The Flyers will not practice Sunday. They return to the WFC Tuesday against Tampa Bay, a team that whipped them, 5-1, last Sunday.....Giroux had a team-high five shots, recorded a goal and an assist, and won 56 percent of his faceoffs. The Flyers won 45 percent of the draws.....Brayden Schenn won just 2 of 8 and played only 9:57.....Matt Read, Giroux, Kimmo Timonen, and Danny Briere each had two points.

Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.