Ray Emery Proving Doubters Wrong with Philadelphia Flyers

When the Philadelphia Flyers signed goaltender Ray Emery this past summer, there were a lot of so-called experts and fans questioning the decision to bring in the troubled netminder, who played in Russia last year.

The doubters were saying that he's a time-bomb waiting to go off. That he's a cancer, and will destroy the Flyers' locker room. They were saying this will be another failed experiment at the goalie position.

They were wrong.

Emery has played outstanding in the early going of the season, and has started five straight games for the Orange 'n Black. Razor is 9-3-1 in 13 starts, and has a 2.27 GAA with a .922 save percentage.

In his last seven games between the pipes, Sugar Ray has won six of those contests, including a 39-save effort against the Carolina Hurricanes. He has allowed only 13 goals in that span, stopping 195-of-208 shots.

The Hamilton, Ont. native has only two games this season where he has allowed more than three pucks past him; an overtime win over Washington and a 5-4 loss to the Penguins.

His play has forced backup goalie Brian Boucher to play only one game this season, and it was a disappointing 4-1 loss to his former team, the Sharks.

Boucher had a terrible preseason, and found himself on injured-reserve to begin the season, but it doesn't explain why he has played in only one game.

A lot of people were speculating that Boosh would make his second start against the Blues on Saturday, but John Stevens decided to go with Emery. Wonder if that hints at no confidence in Boucher.

With the Flyers having off until Thursday, it's likely that Emery will make his sixth straight start in goal for the Flyers against his former team, and get his first chance at revenge against Ottawa when the Sens come to Philly.

For more Flyers' coverage, please go to my blog: Operation Orange Crush