J’ded Perspective 

Last night the Flyers won their fourth game in a row as Marty Biron posted his second consecutive shutout as the Flyers blanked the Devils 4-0. 

The Three Stars 

Mike Richards had another solid game.  The center went plus-3 with a goal and an assist.  His second period power play goal was the only scoring the Flyers needed.  Richards seems to have put last seasons disappoint behind him.  He’s currently second in team scoring (4 goals 4 assists), trailing Danny Briere. 

The Flyers didn’t need to score any more goals because of Biron.  The Flyers goaltender was phenomenal in net making 38 saves.  In the final minute of the second period, Biron had turned away two big challenges.  After a neutral zone turnover, the Devils were breaking in two-on-one.  Biron stifled a Brian Gionta shot.  A minute later, John Madden broke in on a breakaway only for Biron to make a pad save as the horn sounded. 

Jim Dowd scored his first goal of the season, redirecting a Randy Jones shot from the point. Dowd, a Brick, NJ native, and long time Devils player was a late invite to camp, and worked hard to make the roster.  Besides his goal, his play on the penalty-kill (the Devils were 0-7 on the power play), brings something to the table that the Flyers have struggled with in the past.  

The Penalty Box 

Marty Brodeur will go down in NHL history as one of the greatest goaltenders in history.  He wasn’t last night.  Even though Brodeur wasn’t challenged much (eighteen shots), he still allowed four goals.  In the second period, Brodeur gave up a goal to Sami Kapanen, which a pee-wee goalie could have stopped.  Kapanen was breaking in and shot the puck from the point.  The puck went under Brodeur’s glove and into the net.  With the Devils not having the defense they’ve had in the past, Brodeur better be prepared to make some saves. 

Scott Hartnell does need some time to adjust to his new team, but if the Flyers weren’t 5-1, people would be questioning his four-plus million dollar salary.  He’s registered over 20 goals in each of the past two seasons, but was unable to register a shot on goal.  Though six games this season, Hartnell has no goal and only seven shots. 

I’m hoping Ben Eager returns soon or the Flyers will call someone else besides Stefan Ruzicka from the Phantoms.  Ruzicka was absolutely terrible last night.  His first period hooking penalty was due to lazy play, and he turned the puck over on more then one occasion in the Flyers zone. 

The Flyers are now 5-1 and lead the Atlantic Division.  The early season test will continue as the Carolina Hurricanes come to the Wachovia Center Saturday night.