What Is This "Shutout" You Speak Of?

Newark, NJ 10/08/2011 -- 

Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 is the last time the Philadelphia Flyers inked a regular season shutout. Their opponent? The Toronto Maple Leafs. Brian Boucher stopped all 23-shots. 

Saturday, May 22nd, 2010 in the Eastern Conference Finals is the last recorded Flyers shutout against the Montreal Canadiens. Our man in net? Michael Leighton, who denied all 17 pucks fired on net. 

And now tonight, in only his second start as a Flyer, Ilya Bryzgalov shut the Devils out in their home opener, stopping all 20-shots. Our first success at blanking our opponent in nearly seventeen months. 

FYI, Claude Giroux recorded a goal against Toronto and two goals against the Habs in those two tilts.

That's two for two on the road so far this season, forcing frowns on the home crowds' faces. And not just any two teams; The 2011 Stanley Cup Champions and one of our most hated division rivals. We did it to the Penguins last season in their new barn, and now our Flyers continue the reputation. 

Ahhhh. How sweet it is! 

Speaking of "sweet", Flyers rookie forward Matt Read lit his first NHL lamp to put the Flyers up 2 - 0 earlier in the 3rd period, Hartnell on the assist. 

Immediately after the puck was potted, Scotty quickly snatched the vulcanized rubber and gave it to Read to hang it on his trophy case. It'll definitely help him seal the deal once he brings one of Broad Street's hottest puck bunnies home for a...."cup of coffee."

Congrats, Matt!

The two other Flyers goals came off the sticks of Claude Giroux in the 1st, and then the third and final from Wayne "I'll Slap a Bitch" Simmonds in the 3rd period. 

Simmonds missed out on a Gordie Howe Hat Trick by just an assist. After he muscled the puck past "Fat Body" Brodeur, Wayne and Devils tough guy David Clarkson dropped the gloves at mid ice. 

While Clarkson tried to get an angle on Simmonds, Wayne had enough and threw the first punch. 

It landed. Hard. On Clarkson's jaw.

 

DC tumbled to the frozen pond like Rihanna, and a split second later Wayne picked Clarkson back up by his collar to continue brawling at the bastard's face. If David got beat any worse, I believe I'd start to hear Tina Turner music in my head. 

Nevertheless, it's safe to say the fight tilted in Wayne's favor. 

Blair who? Richards what? Powe huh?

Our boys went on the penalty-kill five times, and obviously, succeeded in each of them. Couturier continues to display his PK brilliance and install confidence in the hearts and minds of bench bosses and fans alike. He may be 18, but he's playing like an experienced skater which is absolutely terrifying if you take the long run into account. 

He'll only get better. 

Another forward I believe is nestling into his roster spot is Andreas Nodl. Yesterday I posted an article breaking down the possibility (given the circumstances) that Schenn's coming up from the AHL soon, and it's a battle between Zac Rinaldo and Nodl for that last spot on the roster. 

Tonight Nodl's performance strengthened my argument that Rinaldo's losing this battle. Not to say that Zac's playing lousy, but Nodl is actually playing that good. I'm not surprised either. 

Andreas has improved his game over the last two seasons, and his gritty two-way play was valued tonight in Newark. 

And for the first time since his dawning in the Orange and Black, Jaromir Jagr went pointless throughout sixty minutes. 

Not to worry. He still looked strong on the puck, positioned himself well outside the crease, and looked to have a few good chances. The unbelievable chemistry building between him and Giroux is getting stronger by the day. It's only a matter of time before the "*Yahgaroo Duo" get so great together, their sorcery allows them to teleport around the ice. 

Flyers thus far, 2 - 0 - 0, this 2011-12 season, my friends. 

Good night. Good Hockey

*I promise never to call those two "Yahgaroo" again....