It's funny that the two goals against pretty much encapsulated the primary weaknesses of this team:
- Clueless own-zone defense leaves a forward wide open for an easy goal
- Terribly weak goal against Bryzgalov
I'm hoping that the new addition will reduce point 1, and that Bryzgalov will eventually minimize the #2s (so to speak).
In true, Negadelphia fashion, what stuck with me as the slight dark streak in an otherwise excellent game was that each of the two points above could be matched with near-misses that may have led to a different game outcome. Both occurred with the Flyers holding the ever-precarious 2-goal lead.
First point
1:36 left in the 2nd: shot from the point goes low toward the near-side post on Bryz's blocker side. He kicks out his leg and, inexplicably, manages to knock the puck across his body into the low slot. It looks like Gustaffson blocked an open-net shot by the Sabre player charging into the puck, preserving the 2-goal margin. I was shaking my head at such poor rebound control on a clear-view routine save.
Second point
19:28 of the 3rd: the Flyers win the faceoff to Bryz's right, and Bryz taps the puck behind the net. Carle (!) is first to the puck, with a Sabre right behind him. The Flyers are in good defensive position with Bourdon closing to support Carle and Giroux covering at the right post. It's a 3-against-3 fight for the puck. All of a sudden, the puck goes right to Vanek who is completely alone just inside the right faceoff circle. Fortunately, he rings it off the post.
If the Sabres capitalize on either one, it's anyone's game. Of course, we can play the "what if" game all day, but the magnification of these two glaring weaknesses is mind-numbingly frustrating.
That's all. Let's get back to enjoying a blowout win, while hoping that Briere is not seriously hurt.