With crunch time about to come along in a few weeks when the Olympics end, the Flyers began bracing for the regular season stretch run by finally making a move to boost their defense. Philadelphia signed free agent Lukas Krajicek to a one year deal after Krajicek was released by Tampa Bay a few weeks ago.
Is it much? Not really, Krajicek is your typical stay at home 5-6th defenseman, like Bartulis he lacks offesnive awareness and plays a mainly positional game on the defensive side. Not a hard hitter, nothing truly outstanding shines throgh Krajicek. However, he is much better than the pansy-type of defense shown by Ole-Krisitan Tollefsen, someone who has quickly developed into my least favorite player on the team.
For the Flyers this week, the defense was there outside of the horrendous collapse against Atlanta on Thursday, something that should have never happened. Against the Islanders Saturday, the Flyers allowed 31 shots on goal, but kept a vast majority of these to harmless shots that were easily turned aside by Ray Emery. Chris Pronger turned in another strong 26 minutes and I will give props to Braydon Coburn, he hasn't been looking terrible lately.
Monday in Calgary was the kicker that really allowed the Fly guys to shine. Against a Flames team that had just aquired a lot of run and gun players from Toronto in order to increase scoring, the Flyers allowed just 18 shots on goal in the game and watching the game myself, I think the Flames maybe had 2 or 3 legit chances in the game. The Flyers cruised to a 3-0 win as Ray Emery easily turned shot by shot aside.
Defense is the key for the Flyers down the stretch in my opinion, because this team has proven they can score enough goals, and this team has proven they can get good, stretch run goaltending. However, conisstnet defense has been a problem and needs to be resolved for the Flyers to survive in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Thumbs Up This Week
1. Ray Emery- Exceptional goaltending work against the Islanders and Flames made up for a questionable appearence on Thursday night. Emery hasstopped 48 of his last 49 shots with much defensive help, with big guys in front of him, Emery can put up great numbers.
2. Claude Giroux- This guy is developing into a scoring machine and is going to be an All-Star in the near future. Two goals and one assist this week plus an increased defensive presence. By the way, he just turned 22 only a few weeks ago.
3. Myself- Cocky much? Yeah I know, thumbs up to myself, but I've watched the last four Flyers games in a row (NBC, Yahoo, MSG+, Yahoo) and tonight will be five with another Flyers on Yahoo game. The wonders of the Internet.
Thumbs Down This Week
1. Ole-Kristian Tollefsen- Good news: you were a +2 this week "statistically." Bad news: you didn't play like a +2 player. With Lukas Krajicek in town, Tollefsen's games will become less numerous.
2. 3rd Period vs. Thrashers- A disgrace to let the Atlanta checking line slice through the Flyers like a loaf of bread. No offense to Jim Slater or Evander Kane, who is one of the top young guys in the NHL, but a playoff team doesn't blow a 3rd period 3-1 lead.
3. Calgary Flames- I picked this team to win the Stanley Cup? Well, that was a mistake.
On the Medical Bench
Danny Syvret- Nothing new here, Syvret is still recovering from that vicious seperated shoulder injury. He may be Adirondack bound after his recovery with Krajicek now in town.
Ryan Parent- Back surgery for Parent, could be a while until we see him in a game again.
My Flyers Picks This Week
I thought less of Atlanta and more of Calgary, resulting in a lousy 1-2 record for picks last week. This week is the last full week before the Olympic break and the continuation of a Northwest road trip for the Flyers. They will visit Edmonton and Minnesota before returning home on Monday to host the Devils. I'll go out on a limb, and predict a road trip sweep for the Flyers before falling to New Jersey at home.
Last Week 1-2
Season 19-11
Wed. at Edmonton WIN
Sat. at Minnesota WIN
Mon. vs New Jersey LOSS
Around the NHL
Atlantic- The trade chronicles: Part one The Rangers aquried Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust from the Calgary Flames in exchange for Christopher Higgins and Ales Kotalik. Who gets the better deal here? I think the Rangers will, as they get a support for Gaborik and Jokinen and a solid all-around player in Brandon Prust.
Northeast- Boston's Mark Stuart is going to be out for about a mont hafter having surgery on his finger that he injured in a fight with Los Angeles' Wayne Simmonds on Saturday. Hopefully, this story isn't more collaterol on why fighting should be banned in hockey. The fight was triggered by a big hit by Stuart on Anze Kopitar, so it was Stuart's problem anyway I guess.
Southeast- My favorite former Flyer goalie, Tampa Bay's Antero Niittymaki continues his strange dominance of the Atlanta Thrashers. Niittymaki led the Lightning to a 2-1 victory over Atlanta last night, giving him his 16th straight win over thh Thrashers. It's just one of those unexplainable abnormalities, but it sure is funny.
Central- Chicago got center David Bolland back on Monday for the first time since November. Bolland was out with a herniated back injury, but returned to the lineup after missing nearly three months. Bolland's reutrn could be a key boost as Chicago duels with San Jose atop the West standings.
Northwest- The trade chronicles part 2: The Flames sent big defenseman Dion Phaneuf, Keith Aulie, and Fredrik Sjostrom from Toronto for Ian White, Matt Stajan, Nick Hagman, and Jamal Mayers. Who gets the better of this deal here? Advantage Toronto, they pick up two depth guys and a player in Phaneuf who is much better than what he has shown this season. Bad deal for the Flames.
Pacific- The trade chronicles part 3: The Ducks sent goalie Jean-Sebastian Giguere to Toronto for goalie Vesa Toskala and Jason Blake. Who got the better deal here? Advantage Toronto yet again. A legit starter in Giguere is worth the price of an average goalie in Toskala and an overpaid and overrated Jason Blake.
What to Watch This Week
Wednesday- Ottawa at Buffalo 7:00 Hockey Night on Yahoo
Thursday- Vancouver at Ottawa 7:30 RSN East
Friday- Phoenix at Chicago 8:30 Hockey Night on Yahoo
Saturday- San Jose at Nashville 8:00 CSN Bay Area
Sunday- Pittsburgh at Washington 12:30 NBC
Monday- New Jersey at Philadelphia 7:00 Versus
Tuesday- Calgary at Ottawa 7:30 RSN East
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