FLYERS: JVR Scores in Front of the Hometown Crowd

Thanks to MrFlyerGuy for this video.

…This goal was all Mike Richards, but still nice to see van Riemsdyk get a goal in front of all his friends and family (50+ were in attendance at the Rock last night).

FLYERS: Laviolette Downplays Leadership Issues

FLYERS COACH DOWNPLAYS LEADERSHIP ISSUES

…There’s no doubt in my mind the Flyers miss Chris Pronger and Jody Shelley on a consistent basis in that locker room. When their both back, maybe the team’s in-game focus will increase, but it seems to me like veterans Mike Richards, Kimmo Timonen, and Danny Briere aren’t having as much effect as Pronger and Shelley clearly did earlier in the season.

I’ve said time and time again: Chris Pronger is the Flyer the team can LEAST afford to lose, and, unfortunately, my point is being very much proven over these last few games.

FLYERS: PostGame – Reaction

Paul Holmgren:

 

Mike Richards:

 

Kris Versteeg

 

FLYERS: Orange and Black Make a Statement Against Pittsburgh

Thanks to MrFlyerGuy for the video.

FLYERS: Chris Pronger is “Winning”

From Charlie Sheen’s Facebook Fan Page

 

…I think Charlie Sheen is a moron and the whole “Winning” phenomenon is even more absurd, but this is pretty funny. Hopefully Pronger can get back into the lineup soon and the Flyers start winning some hockey games.

FLYERS: ProHockeyTalk – Bobrovsky’s Save on Kennedy the Save of the Night

SAVE OF THE NIGHT: SERGEI BOBROVSKY

Check out the video here: http://nhl.cdn.neulion.net/u/videocenter/embed.swf

…Bobrovsky stopped 30 of 31 shots last night and is the ONLY reason the Flyers were able to get a point.

FLYERS: Bobrovsky Has Plenty of Doutbers and is Doing His Best to Silence Them

BOBROVSKY ATTEMPTING TO SILENCE HIS CRITICS IN PHILADELPHIA

…I am a “Bob Believer.” I said it after the Washington loss, and although he validated my thoughts with his performance against Pittsburgh, it would’ve been nice to have seen the Flyers pick him up on the offensive end a bit.

People need to get used to the idea of Bob being in net, quite simply because he is the future at this point as far as goaltenders are concerned, and, unless there’s an unforeseen injury or complete mental breakdown, he’ll be in net for the Flyers’ first playoff game in mid-April. I was extremely encouraged by how he played last night, and I can only hope he’ll carry it over into one of the two games this weekend – assuming that Brian Boucher handles one of the back-to-backs on Saturday and Sunday. Look for Bobrovsky to start against the Islanders – just a gut feeling.

FLYERS: Pronger Could Return for Apr. 3 vs. NYR

…I can’t wait till Pronger comes back. Whether it be the Rangers game, before that, or just before the playoffs begin, Pronger’s return will definitely be a jolt for this team.

FLYERS: “That was embarrassing.”

“They did everything better than us in our building. That was embarrassing. We talked after the second [period] to come out hard, and we just couldn’t get it going. We didn’t have a shot on net for I don’t know how long.”

- Flyers defenseman Andrej Meszaros after the Flyers 2-1 shootout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night.

…It was embarrassing, and, quite frankly, the game stunk. Still, the Flyers were able to get a point despite a poor showing, and still lead the Pens by four points with a game in hand. Obviously, that contest in the Steel City next week now looms even larger than it did before, but the Flyers must first take care of business against the Islanders and Bruins – preferably two points in the former and at least one in the latter – before they can go ahead and worry about anything concerning Pittsburgh.

I’d say the Flyers will come out charged up for the Islanders on Saturday night, but who knows at this point? They may just assume it will be another two points. Paging Chris Pronger: come back.

FLYERS: Flyers Aren’t Overlooking Crosby-Less Penguins

ABSENCE OF SIDNEY CROSBY MATTERS LITTLE TO FLYERS

…I’m glad, but not surprised that the Flyers aren’t taking the Penguins lightly. At this stage of the game, whether it be injuries or something else, a team’s greatest hope lies within playing the hand they’ve been dealt. Few teams have handled the adversity better than Pittsburgh, who can remarkably pull to within 3 points of the Flyers with a win tonight in regulation.

The Pens have done it all without their best two players in Evgeni Malkin and Crosby, and I seriously doubt they’ll be at a lack for motivation come tonight’s puck-drop. That’s why the Flyers need to get on this team early, and carry over that spectacular play they showcased for the 2nd and 3rd periods Tuesday against Washington. A regulation victory tonight by the Orange and Black could go a LONG way towards a division title.