Final Thoughts Vs. New Jersey (12-4-08)
An old nemesis came to town tonight. But a new dawn appeared to be on the horizon for the Flyers. Entering the game, the Flyers have won three in a row against the Devils, and there’s no Martin Brodeur in net. So it seemed that if the Flyers played their game, they would surely come out victorious. But the Devils, always a worthy opponent, were more than up to the task.
It was a typical Flyers/ Devils contest. Close, Tenacious, and defensive. It was an entertaining game between two good teams. One where the team with the fewest mistakes and the better special teams would come out on top. The Flyers power play helped them win the special teams battle. It accounted for both Flyers goals, which gave the team a lead on both occasions. But, the mistakes the Flyers made proved to be more costly. There were turnovers abound throughout the game, but Marty Biron was able to bail the Flyers out on all but one of them. That is what made Biron’s miscue at the end of the Game so ironic. It would have been an icing, but Biron played the puck leading to a turnover. The puck ended up on the stick of Flyer killer Patrik Elias, who made no mistake in tying the game with 90 seconds left.
In the overtime, it was another turnover that sealed the Flyers fate. And again it was Elias that provided the blow. Taking a pass off the boards from Zach Parise, who pressured Andrew Alberts into the turnover, Elias weaved his way through four Flyers before burying a backhander for a 3-2 Devils win.
 Positives:
- The power play continues to excel, going 2 for 5.
- Biron continues to play well in goal (see below) saving the Flyers after many turnovers.
Negatives:
- There were way too many turnovers against a team who is known to capitalize on them.
- Biron continues to be unsure of what to do when it comes to handling the puck, tonight it cost them the game.
- No one took the man on Elias’ OT goal. If one of the four flyers did, the outcome might have been different.
Notes:
Simone Gagne left the game with an undisclosed injury later reported as dehydration * Kimmo Timonen was diagnosed with an upper body injury, but expects to play on Saturday in Carolina * The Flyers were without Matt Carle, undisclosed injury * Jeff Carter was held scoreless, but remains tied for the league lead with 18 goals.
 -Mike Tursi
Related posts:
