Skip to content
Flyers
Link copied to clipboard

Flyers Notes: Blair Betts says he's healthy enough to play

Flyers Notes Center Blair Betts, who has been bothered by a sore knee, pronounced himself ready to return when the Flyers open the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Thursday against Buffalo at the Wells Fargo Center.

The Flyers' penalty-killing unit has struggled in Blair Betts' absence. (Yong Kim/Staff file photo)
The Flyers' penalty-killing unit has struggled in Blair Betts' absence. (Yong Kim/Staff file photo)Read more

Flyers Notes

Center Blair Betts, who has been bothered by a sore knee, pronounced himself ready to return when the Flyers open the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Thursday against Buffalo at the Wells Fargo Center.

That's good news for the Flyers' penalty-killing unit, which has struggled in Betts' absence.

Betts missed the last three regular-season games, during which the Flyers killed just 8 of 13 penalties. That kind of success rate would be disastrous in the playoffs.

After Monday's practice in Voorhees, Betts said he was nearly at 100 percent and there was "no reason to rest it anymore."

The penalty kill was superb in last year's opening round as the Flyers ousted New Jersey in five games.

Goalies' tales

After a brilliant first half - a 21-6-3 record with a 2.42 goals-against average and .920 save percentage - rookie Sergei Bobrovsky tailed off following the all-star break.

His post-All-Star Game numbers: 7-7-2, 2.84 GAA, .907 save percentage.

Veteran Brian Boucher was consistent in both halves:

First half: 11-6-2, 2.41 GAA, .916 save percentage.

Second half: 7-4-2, 2.44 GAA, .916 save percentage.

Coach Peter Laviolette said he is confident in Bobrovsky, who was yanked after allowing three goals in 12 minutes, 5 seconds of Sunday's 7-4 win over the Islanders.

"Every time Sergei has come back from a tough outing, he's responded well, and our team has been solid," Laviolette said.

Bob's new look

Bobrovsky displayed a mask on Monday. On one side of it was Bart Simpson's tormentor, Sideshow Bob. The other side displayed Rocky Balboa and an American flag.

Breakaways

Defenseman Oskars Bartulis, who has been sidelined because of shoulder surgery, is making progress and is about a month away from playing, general manager Paul Holmgren said. . . .. The Flyers will ring the NASDAQ opening bell to commemorate the start of the playoffs Wednesday morning in New York City. Representing the Flyers will be Ian Laperriere, Bernie Parent, Bob Kelly, Joe Watson, and Derian Hatcher. . . . The Flyers will find out at noon Tuesday if defenseman Matt Walker clears reentry waivers. Is there any connection between trying to recall Walker from the Phantoms and Chris Pronger's availability?

- Sam Carchidi

Flyers Notes: Last Time They Met

Here is a look at the last time the Flyers played the Sabres in the playoffs. The Sabres won the best-of-seven 2006 Eastern Conference quarterfinals, six games to two:

Game 1 in Buffalo, April 22: Sabres, 3, Flyers 2 (2OT)

Danny Briere, now a star for the Flyers, tipped in a shot in the second overtime to account for the victory. Sabres goalie Ryan Miller had 30 saves.

Game 2 in Buffalo, April 24: Sabres 8, Flyers 2

Jason Pominville and J.P. Dumont both had hat tricks, and the Flyers got off just 22 shots.

Game 3 in Philadelphia, April 26: Flyers 4, Sabres 2

Peter Forsberg scored two goals for the physical Flyers, and goalie Robert Esche had 26 saves.

Game 4 in Philadelphia, April 28: Flyers 5, Sabres 4

Briere had two goals for the Sabres, and Forsberg had two, including the game-winner in the third period, for the Flyers. Esche stopped two breakaways.

Game 5 in Buffalo, April 30: Sabres 3, Flyers 0

The Flyers were outshot, 14-3, in the first period, and Miller earned the shutout by making just 24 saves.

Game 6 in Philadelphia, May 2: Sabres 7, Flyers 1

Six Sabres scored against Esche and backup Antero Niittymaki, and the Flyers even allowed a shorthanded goal during a four-minute power play in the third period.