Image Courtesy of The Associated Press

Ponikarovsky Beats Bryzgalov In Overtime, Gives Devils 4-3 Win

After a pair of failed power-play attempts in overtime, the Flyers let Alexei Ponikarovsky’s first goal of the 2012 playoffs be the game-winner in the Devils’ 4-3 victory tonight at the Prudential Center. The win gives Jersey a 2-1 series lead. Ilya Kovalchuk jumped on the Flyers’ clear in the neutral zone and caught Philly’s skaters in a line change when he hit Ponikarovsky with a pass at the Orange and Black’s blue line. With only one defender back, the Devils’ forward decided to shoot rather than pass. After Ilya Bryzgalov denied his first shot, the former Los Angeles King jumped on …

Image Courtesy of The Associated Press

Devils outwork Flyers, Even Series With 4-1 Win

In Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series, the Philadelphia Flyers mysteriously showed little to no desire to win tonight’s affair, and the New Jersey Devils muscled their way to a 4-1 road victory. David Clarkson scored his first of the 2012 playoffs with 8:43 left in regulation to give the Devils a 2-1 edge. New Jersey’s #23 found Zach Parise alone in the slot, but couldn’t beat Ilya Bryzgalov due to a poke check from the Flyers’ goaltender. After Bryzgalov broke up the play, Clarkson gained control of the disc at the bottom of the circle and beat Philly’s …

Podcast

Podcast: Instant Playoff Overreaction Ep. 5, Who Wants To Go To Newark?

On this special playoff edition of the Flyers Faithful podcast, Steve and Hal discuss the Flyers’ upcoming matchup with the New Jersey Devils in round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the awful racism towards Joel Ward and Wayne Simmonds, put out their predictions for every matchup in the 2nd round, and experience sleep deprivation. Instant Playoff Overreaction 5 You can also download it from iTunes here!  If you’re enjoying the show via iTunes we would very much appreciate it if you could rate it and leave a review on there! Also, be sure to check out Steve and Hal’s appearance on the Winnipeg Whiteout …

Captain Patch

The Big C

Leadership, leadership, leadership. It’s a broken record but always up there on the list of things Flyers fans will always want to talk about, second only to the goalie situation. When things are bad, it’s at the forefront of discussion, but when things are good, it fades to the background. The loss of captain Chris Pronger to injury had fans and analysts questioning what the team was going to do as far as replacing him. Would they give the “C” to either Danny Briere or Kimmo Timonen, the alternate captains? Or would they look towards the future and give it …

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Fleury Comes Up Big In Third Period, Flyers Lose 3-2

In the first game of the series that produced less than seven goals total, the Pens held on for a 3-2 victory in Pittsburgh tonight. After they fell into a 3-0 hole in the series, the Pens have rattled off two straight wins to force Game 6 after their first win in a game of importance against the Flyers at the CONSOL Energy Center since it opened. Marc-Andre Fleury didn’t let the Flyers even the score in the third period despite the fact Philly out shot Pittsburgh 14-8 in the final frame. With several crucial saves throughout the contest, Fleury has seemed to …

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Penguins Avoid Sweep Emphatically, Destroy Flyers, 10-3

Although much of the media assumed the series was over, the Pittsburgh Penguins came out and reminded everyone they’re still alive with an impressive 10-3 victory over the Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center tonight. Jordan Staal recorded a hat trick including the game-winner, which came late in the first period, while Evgeni Malkin had two goals and an assist for a three-point performance. Sidney Crosby followed up Sunday’s cowardly display with a three-point night that featured a goal and two assists. The 10-goal outburst came without the services of James Neal, Arron Asham, Craig Adams, and Paul Martin. “I just …

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Flyers Dominate Disgraceful Penguins, 8-4, Lead Series 3-0

The Philadelphia Flyers came out and beat the Pittsburgh Penguins today at the Wells Fargo Center 8-4 to move to within one victory of an Eastern Conference Semifinals’ appearance. After Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier stepped up for the Flyers in Games 1 and 2, it was Matt Read in Game 3, as the rookie put home his first two playoff goals in the NHL. His power-play goal late in the second period was the game-winner for Philly. “You look at a guy like Matt Read stepping up with the goals,” veteran Max Talbot said about Read before he commented …

Jagr's salute

Underrated moments of the Pittsburgh/Philadelphia series to date

Ilya Bryzgalov After two games, Bryzgalov’s numbers stand here: an .857 save percentage and a 3.93 goals-against average — which, though ugly, look significantly better than Marc-Andre Fleury’s .804 SV% and 5.45 GAA — but he has come up with timely, momentum-changing saves and stood tall when he needed to do so. He’s proving himself capable of being the goalie the Flyers have been missing for years and is slowly shaking off his reputation as a poor playoff performer. Bryz was not to blame for many of the goals that went in on him and he faced significantly tougher, early …

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Voracek Drills Home Game-Winner In Overtime, Flyers Take Game One, 4-3

Trailing 3-0 after 20 minutes, the Philadelphia Flyers embarked on a comeback for the ages, rallying for a 4-3 overtime victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins to open up this Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series on Wednesday. Jakub Voracek displayed hard work, and received some luck, on his game winner which halted the action 2:23 into the fourth period. The Flyers carried the momentum gained from their monstrous third period into the extra frame, as Voracek found himself in the corner of the Penguins’ defensive zone to start the series of plays that led to the deciding score. With a wrap-around pass …