Was Ilya Bryzgalov's Return Too Soon for the Philadelphia Flyers?

Ilya Bryzgalov returned to the ice after missing two games with a chip fracture in his foot, surrendering four goals in the first period on his way to a 5-3 loss to the New York Rangers. With such a rough start, it seems clear that the Flyers put Bryzgalov back on the ice too soon. 

The Flyers learned last week that the resurgent Ilya Bryzgalov would be sidelined after taking a shot to the foot that resulted in a chip fracture. Upon hearing the news, the team immediately announced that the injury was not serious.

Serious or not, the Flyers needed to take the fracture very seriously. 

The Flyers had five games remaining at the time the injury was discovered and the team believed it had all but locked up a meeting with the Penguins in the first round of the playoffs. 

With so few games remaining, many teams would have started to sit their goaltender regardless of injury. The Boston Bruins, who have locked up their spot for the playoffs, called up a goaltender from the minors, so Tim Thomas did not even dress for Tuesday’s game against the Penguins.

The Flyers have Bobrovsky, who is a backup the team can feel confident with. After his performance against the Penguins on Sunday, the team should have felt confident with Bobrovsky finishing the regular season.

Bryzgalov was acquired by the Flyers for the playoffs.

During the team’s seasons of goaltender uncertainty, the regular season was never an issue. Bryzgalov's acquisition was intended to be the experienced, elite goaltender who would allow the team to make a deep playoff run.

Bryzgalov is important for the team in the playoffs, but his importance for the final few games in minimal at best. The Flyers have insisted that Bryzgalov’s foot fracture is not a serious injury.

Regardless of severity, a fracture is a fracture and Bryzgalov has a broken foot.

The Flyers should have sat Bryzgalov when they found out about his injury, and told him to rest his foot. Bryzgalov is needed for the playoffs, and the team should have focused on his heath.

Bryzgalov allowed four goals in his first period back, and that only suggests that he was adjusting to the pain. The Flyers should sit Bryzgalov for the rest of the season and get him as close to healthy as possible.

If they keep starting Bryzgalov for the regular season, his foot might not get a chance to fully heal, and that could make Bryzgalov ineffective in the playoffs.