Well everyone, it’s been a while. Since my schedule constraints are finally cleared up, it’s back to normal for the Weekly Flyer.
Ironic enough, it’s been a year since I started covering the Flyers for Philly Sports Port, and what a year it’s been.
This time last year, the Flyers lost Michael Leighton for 6-8 weeks with a high ankle sprain, and it seemed like the Flyers were headed for a downward spiral.
A year later, and it’s Michael Who? Oh, that guy on the Phantoms?
It’s rather moving that the Flyers are not suffering from a Stanley Cup Final hangover. Most teams who lose in the Final are rarely consistent the year after.
That hasn’t been the case for Lieutenant Laviolette’s troops. The Flyers have been the epitome of the word “Consistency.” It has been something they had been unable to find since the Legion of Doom era.
Most of that can be attributed to the depth that this team has. When a couple of players slump, others pick up the slack. It’s been a full-team effort this season.
Despite all of the good things coming out of this season, there is still one major concern.
It has been the proverbial Achilles’ heel in Philadelphia over the past 20 years. We all know what it is…*sigh*
Goaltending.
Every year it seems after Ron Hextall left town in the Lindros trade, the Flyers have always had goaltending questions going down the stretch.
This year is no different.
Despite Paul Holmgren’s brilliant move to have the best depth (and most expensive) blue line in the NHL…those six men cannot cover the gaping 4x6 cage that will have every Flyers fan biting their nails in April.
So far, Sergei Bobrovsky and Brian Boucher have been nothing short of miraculous. Both have save percentages just a shade under .920, and they have given the Flyers a chance to win every single night.
But can their superb regular seasons carry this team into soon?
Let’s start off with Boucher. Last year in the Quarterfinals vs. New Jersey, Boosh was nothing short of spectacular. He put his poor-regular season behind him and rode his hot streak at the end of the year to propel the Orange and Black past the 2nd seeded Devils.
However his game tailed off after a Game 1, overtime loss to the Bruins in the semi-finals. He didn’t play as well, and it seemed like his confidence had floored once again. I can honestly say, if he didn’t get hurt in Game 5, the Flyers would have likely never made history.
That’s not a knock against Boosh, it’s simply because of how the team played more confident in front of Leighton. They rode Michael Leighton to the Finals, until the sudden collapse in his play eventually cost the Flyers Lord Stanley.
Now I know what you’re thinking…”Wait a minute…that was last year!”
Yes, it was last year, but one thing that’s hard to change once you obtain it, is a reputation.
Boucher has had the reputation of being an extremely streaky goalie over the years. And yes, while he has been pretty consistent so far this year, you never know how his game will change once his confidence is kicked (i.e. Martin Biron).
The last thing this team needs is its veteran goalie to suddenly fall off the face of the Earth. Especially when a Bruins team that has a habit of eating up #33 is chomping at the bit for a re-match in the playoffs.
Statistically throughout his career, Boosh’s worst months are February and March. That’s not exactly a time of the year where you want to get cold.
Boosh had a bit of a cold spell towards the end of January, but seemed to rebound after a strong performance against Dallas on Saturday.
Now this could be Boucher’s “Final Run.” He is 34, and in a contract year. While I am sure he thinks he has a few years left in the tank, there are simply not enough jobs in the NHL to guarantee he’ll be wearing a uniform next year.
Simply put, a “Final Run” for a goaltender is when they put a team on their back and ride into the sunset. Win or lose, everything goes on the line. If you look back over the past 15 years, you’ll see goalies that were in their mid-30’s take a team on a deep playoff run. It’s not always successful, but let’s take a look at some “Final Runs” since 1996.
1996 – 32-year old John Vanbiesbrouck took the Florida Panthers to the Stanley Cup Finals in their 3rd year of existence, however, they were swept by the Avalanche.
1997 – 34-year old Mike Vernon carried the Detroit Red Wings to a Stanley Cup by sweeping the Flyers, and also won the Conn Smythe Trophy.
1999 – 34-year old Ed Belfour led the Dallas Starts to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.
2001 – 35-year old Patrick Roy won his fourth and final Stanley Cup vs. the New Jersey Devils, and also won his 3rd Conn Smythe Trophy.
2002 – 37-year old Dominik Hasek was a major factor in why the Detroit Red Wings won the 2002 Stanley Cup.
2006 – 36-year old Dwayne Roloson took 8th seeded Edmonton to the Stanley Cup Finals, before an injury in Game 1 ended his season. The Oilers lost in 7 games to Carolina.
2008 – 35-year old Chris Osgood carried Detroit to its fourth cup in 10 years.
2009 – 36-year old Nikolai Khabibulin led an over-achieving Blackhawks team to the Western Conference Finals.
Every year it seems there is that older goalie who just goes on a tear. The problem is, Boucher isn’t the only one this season. He’s got heavy competition with Boston’s Tim Thomas, whose stats are making NHL history.
Well what happens if Boucher’s play declines come April? Does Laviolette go with a rookie goaltender that has never played a minute in the post-season?
As per Lavy’s track record…Absolutely.
After Martin Gerber’s poor play in Game 2 of the 2006 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, Laviolette, then coach of Carolina, pulled Gerber in favor of 22-year old rookie Cam Ward.
Eight weeks later, the Hurricanes were the Stanley Cup Champions, and Cam Ward captured the Conn Smythe Trophy. He is now a perennial all-star.
Most people who know of Laviolette’s decision, envision Bob as the next Cam Ward. The pieces just fit. A 22-year old rookie coming in and stealing the show, along with the Stanley Cup. Seems too good to be true, right?
Wrong.
It’s not that the ability of Bobrovsky that is concerning, it’s his experience. Cam Ward went through the motions by gaining valuable playoff experience. He played in two-straight WHL Memorial Cup Finals, but lost both. He also picked up playoff experience in the AHL.
Bobrovsky has played 1 playoff game in the KHL, and allowed 4 goals.
Not only that, Russian goaltenders have not met much success in the NHL playoffs.
Evgeni Nabokov put together three 40-win seasons, but has never played in the Stanley Cup Finals. Seymeon Varlamov, while young, has given up back-breaking goals to cost the Capitals a series in back-to-back years.
The only Russian goaltender to ever have much success was Nikolai Khabibulin, when he won the Cup with Tampa in 2004. That was still after years of disappointment with Winnepeg and Phoenix.
Most of the team knows what it takes to get as far as they did last year, and it’s not known if Bob has that capability yet.
Does he have that will to lay it all on the line? The sense of urgency and desperation?
Those questions can’t be answered until April, but still, it’s a concern when you ride two possible question marks into the playoffs. Michael Leighton will not be wearing a Flyers uniform again this season, so you can count that option out.
Goaltending has been the Achilles’ heel for this team for over 20 years, and no matter how well either have played, the questions of who guard the 4x6 cage will remain.
That is, until one of them hoist Lord Stanley over their heads.
Until next week, keep your stick on the Ice!
Photo of the week:
Who will be the hero?
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