Sergei Bobrovsky: Who Will Lead the Flyers If Bryzgalov Can't?

The Philadelphia Flyers added Ilya Bryzgalov during the offseason to give the team strong enough goaltending to make a deep playoff run. Bryzgalov received news on March, 27 that he has a chip fracture of his foot, and it is unknown how much the chip will affect his play. If Bryzgalov’s injury leaves him sidelined, the Flyers can have just as much success with Sergei Bobrovsky.

The Flyers signed Bryzgalov to a large contract, because the organization believed that adding an established goaltender was the missing piece to the team’s playoff success. When Bryzgalov came to Philadelphia, he did not get off to a good start, and the fans questioned if he was the answer. 

After waiting the majority of the season, the fans started to see Bryzgalov play like the elite goaltender that the team signed in the offseason. During the month of March, Bryzgalov has been fantastic.  Unfortunately, Murphy’s Law struck the Flyers, and Bryzgalov suffered the chip fracture to his foot during warm-ups. 

The Flyers have said that the fracture to Bryzgalov’s foot is not a serious injury and have listed him as day-to-day. The Flyers have an excellent training staff, and it is likely that Bryzgalov will be back for the playoffs.  However, if Bryzgalov’s injury does keep him out, Sergei Bobrovsky can lead the team to playoff success. 

It goes without question that Bryzgalov is the team’s starting goaltender, but, if by some horrible misfortune, Bryzgalov cannot play, Bobrovsky’s talent could take the Flyers all the way. 

Flyer fans got their last good look at Bobrovsky during February when both Bobrovsky and Bryzgalov struggled to have good starts. Looking at Bobrovsky’s season minus the month of February, he has been more than a team could ask for from a backup. 

Bobrovsky was one of many goaltenders for the Flyers during the playoff run last season. While Bobrovsky had a great season for a rookie goaltender, he was not used heavily in the playoffs and didn’t see action in the Boston series until the final game for the Flyers. 

As a young goaltender, Bobrovsky had some areas that needed work.  During the offseason and when he got starts this season, he has shown considerable improvement. Bobrovsky is much better at playing the puck behind the net and is much more controlled in his movements. 

Not only is he controlled and can keep himself square to the shooters, he is very confident when he is on the ice. Bobrovsky having confidence in his own play, results in the team having confidence having him in the net. 

Bobrovsky is obviously not the first choice for the Flyers in the playoffs, and it is very likely that Bryzgalov will be completely healthy for a playoff run. Flyer fans should not worry about Bryzgalov’s health for the playoffs. If the team needs Bobrovsky to fill the net, he will give the team a good chance to win any series.