Toronto Maple Leafs at Philadelphia Flyers Afterthoughts 2/9/12

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Flyer Winger Scott Hartnell scored his 26^th goal to open tonight’s game against Toronto, and immediately followed up with the dropping of the gloves, getting into it with Dion Phaneuf. It was the fire the Flyers needed, and they used that adrenaline to make sure their losing streak would come to an end, beating the Leafs 4-3.

After trading goals to start the game, the Flyers put their foot on the gas with two straight goals by Claude Giroux and Brayden Schenn. Hartnell added an assist, too, to end the game with two points, adding onto what is already a career year. Tyler Bozak ended the period with a goal for Toronto, but goalie Sergei Bobrovsky would not let anything get by the rest of the way, stopping 24 of 27 shots for the game.

It was important, too; Toronto ended the game on a power play and, with an empty net, it was 6-on-4 hockey for the final minute of play. But the defense stepped up for Philadelphia and, although they couldn’t put it away with an empty netter, they made sure the Maple Leafs wouldn’t send the game into overtime.

It was nice to see the Flyers actually come out firing. Obviously you can’t blame them for Tuesday’s loss against the Islanders because of a godly performance from goalie Evgeni Nabokov, but it was nice to see them get a shot in goal to start the game. The goal ended a 98:41 scoreless drought for the Flyers, their longest of the season, dating back to Sunday’s matinee against the Rangers at the Garden. It was nice to see them score, and score often.

Now the team welcomes the Rangers back to Philly, the team that’s had their number all season. Last time the teams met in Philly was in the Winter Classic, when New York came back from a 2-0 deficit to win the game 3-2. The Rangers have won all four meetings against the Flyers thus far this year, and hopefully that’ll change come Saturday. It’ll be a tough matchup for the Flyers, but they’re getting back most of their injured players; Jagr returned last week and Briere returned on Tuesday.

It’ll be tough to beat the East-leading Rangers, but no better time than the present. The date of JVR’s return is still unknown—he’s having his good and bad days—but it’s obvious that the team has the talent to beat New York. The only question mark is the defense and goalie. It’s always going to be a wild card throughout the season and Flyers fans will just have to accept that unless Bryz or Bob goes on a monster run. I don’t think anyone’s worried about the team making the playoffs, but winning in the playoffs will be tough if the goaltending stays as is.

At the end of the day, it’s just another regular season game for the Flyers, but if the Rangers win five in a row against them, it’ll be hard to argue who’s the better team.

Then again, it’s pretty hard to argue already. But facing the Rangers in the playoffs after not winning a game against them all season would be an intimidating task, which is why this win is necessary for the Flyers. They let one get away at Citizens Bank Park, and they’re back home to get revenge. It’s a measuring stick game for the Flyers. They’re really good, but they have serious weaknesses in the defensive end. Chris Pronger may never play again and Bryzgalov and Bobrovsky’s inconsistencies make Flyers fans want to pull their hair out. A win against the Rangers would be huge in the long run for the Flyers because it seems they have an idea in their head that they just can’t beat them. IF they go in the playoffs with that attitude, it’s bad news.

So let’s hope they win Saturday. Let’s hope Bryz returns to top form. Let’s hope Briere’s at 100 percent. Let’s hope the defense steps up.

Let’s hope.