Then and Now: Niko Dimitrakos

By Craig F
Posted on 06/13/2012 at 9:00 am

Before suffering a groin injury in the middle of February this season, Tom Sestito had played in 14 games for the Philadelphia Flyers posting an assist and 83 PIMs. The Orange and Black obtained Sestito in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets in February of 2011, where the Flyers shipped Greg Moore and Michael Chaput to Ohio in exchange for the hulking forward. Columbus was able to draft Sestito with the third-round pick they acquired in a draft-day deal with the San Jose Sharks in 2004, which sent a fourth-rounder in 2006 and a second-rounder in 2007 San Jose’s …

Image Courtesy of Gregory Shamus/NHLI via Getty Images

Atlantic Watch: 3/28-4/3

By Craig F
Posted on 04/04/2012 at 9:13 am

In their four-game schedule this week, the Flyers posted a record of 2-1-1 and picked up what might be there most intense victory of the 2011-2012 regular season with their win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday. It’s those same Pens that the Flyers trail by three points for fourth in the conference and the chance for home-ice advantage in the clubs’ first-round playoff series. The Orange and Black still have a shot for fourth, but they’ll need to beat a team fighting for their playoff lives along with the Pens this week. The Broad Street Bullies started off the week with …

Image Courtesy of Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Atlantic Watch: 3/21-3/27

By Craig F
Posted on 03/28/2012 at 10:08 am

In their three home games this week, the Flyers were able to clinch a playoff spot with a pair of wins over teams currently sitting outside the postseason scenario. Unfortunately, Ilya Bryzgalov suffered a chip fracture in his right foot. Hopefully for Philly, Bryzgalov will be back by the end of next week when the club takes on the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers as part of their four-game schedule over the next few days. On Thursday, the Orange and Black earned two points against the Washington Capitals with a 2-1 shootout win at the Wells Fargo Center. Wayne Simmonds potted …

Atlantic Watch: 3/14-3/20

By Craig F
Posted on 03/21/2012 at 9:00 am

A dominant win over the New York Islanders and a pair of comebacks helped the Flyers gain five crucial points in the standings this week, as Philly still has a slim chance to win the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately, the only game in which the Flyers didn’t earn a point may have been their most impressive performance, as they posted 23 more shots than the Panthers in their one-goal game loss last night. Three games against three clubs that are lower in the conference standings should help the Flyers a lot over the next couple days, as the Orange and Black hope to clinch a …

Atlantic Watch: 12/28-1/3

By Craig F
Posted on 01/04/2012 at 10:00 am

The Flyers went 1-1-0 in their two games this past week – losing the much anticipated Winter Classic on Monday afternoon to the New York Rangers. Due to Ilya Bryzgalov’s recent struggles in net, Sergei Bobrovsky earned both starts this week stopping 54 of the 59 shots he faced. Philly, which has dropped five of their last seven games, looks to turn things around this week against the Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators. The Orange and Black continued their dominance over the Pittsburgh Penguins in the CONSOL Energy Center with a 4-2 victory on Thursday night. Matt Read earned his third …

Lundqvist Leads Rangers To Victory In Jagr’s Return To MSG

By Craig F
Posted on 12/23/2011 at 10:16 pm

Displaying his second strong performance in as many games against the Flyers this season, Henrik Lundqvist led the Rangers to a 4-2 win on Friday, making 28 saves in the process. Marian Gaborik scored the game-winner very early in the third period as both Stu Bickel and Michael Del Zotto had two-assist games. Ilya Bryzgalov made 20 saves on 24 Rangers’ shots but was victimized by two unlucky bounces, while Jaromir Jagr failed to record a point in his first game back at Madison Square Garden since joining the Flyers in the off-season. As expected, this game between the two …

Atlantic Watch: 12/14-12/20

By Craig F
Posted on 12/21/2011 at 10:00 am

The last two games for the Flyers haven’t been pretty, but there is good news related to the team’s point-leader. Claude Giroux is expected to make a return in the near future, the earliest being tonight’s game against the Dallas Stars, from his concussion. This is good news considering the status of Chris Pronger, who will not take part in another game at any point this season or for the playoffs. With his team going 2-2-0 in his absence, Giroux’s return will hopefully turn things around for the Orange and Black. As for Philly’s games this week, the Flyers extended their winning …

Atlantic Watch: 10/26-11/1

By Craig F
Posted on 11/02/2011 at 10:00 am

The week opened up roughly, but it ended smoothly as the Flyers seem to be moving towards playing better after a 5-1 win at home against the Carolina Hurricanes. Giving up 14 goals in back-to-back nights, the Flyers lost in inexplicable fashion to two currently horrendous teams, who are both experiencing difficulties in play and personnel. Rebounding back from those two horrific losses, the Flyers spanked Carolina with both Danny Briere and Chris Pronger out of the lineup. The Flyers began the real Halloween horror show by suffering a 5-1 defeat in Montreal last Wednesday, giving the lowly Habs their first road win …