This is the Ilya Bryzgalov the Flyers and their devoted fans have been waiting for.
Not the eccentric who entertains reporters with his witty banter.
Not the perplexed netminder who looked lost at times this year – and freely admitted as much to the media after mediocre outing after mediocre outing. Not exactly what the Flyers’ brass had in mind when they gave him a nine-year, $51 million contract.
That’s all in the past.
Bryzgalov has now recorded three consecutive shutouts. He only needed to stop 17 shots last night as the Flyers blanked the Devils.
Bryz now joins John Vanbiesbrouck as the only Flyers goalies to post three consecutive shutouts.
You can read Rob Parent’s coverage of the game here.
Brygalov now has not surrendered a goal in his last 196 minutes and 13 seconds in the nets.
I think that’s what the hockey geeks call “standing on your head.”
And it’s exactly why the Flyers went out and got the best goalie who was in the market in the offseason.
It was often said about the Flyers that they will go as far as Chris Pronger could carry them. But with their captain sidelined for the season with concussion problems, the same could now be said of Bryzgalov.
He is the man. And the Flyers’ playoff chances ride on his back.
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