After what appeared to be some posturing earlier in the day, the Philadelphia Flyers announced on twitter Tuesday afternoon that Ilya Bryzgalov will be the starter in goal against the Winnipeg Jets, a development that likely has fans coming to the MTS Centre foaming at the mouth for the chance to chant his name and deliver some boos.
Bryzgalov — who criticized Winnipeg last spring as a member of the Phoenix Coyotes but subsequently apologized during a visit here in November where he served as the backup — has endured an up-and-down season with the Flyers, going 20-11-6 with a 2.79 GAA and .900 save % in 40 appearances this season.
His most recent outing saw Bryzgalov get pulled against the Pittsburgh Penguins an he declared after the contest that he was going to try and “find peace” to play goal in Philadelphia.
Bryzgalov has often been brutally honest in his dealings with the media and his rough morning at MTS Centre Tuesday morning included a shot off his finger from teammate Claude Giroux that forced him to leave the ice early.
Bryzgalov declined an interview request and was overheard telling a few teammates he was okay, so we figured he’d be getting the nod.
How his confidence holds up will be a storyline to follow here this evening, especially since the Jets have found their offensive game of late, putting up 12 goals in regulation during the past three games (13 if you count the shootout marker).
The Jets are riding a three-game winning streak going into their fourth and final meeting with the Flyers and will attempt to secure a series sweep after earning 9-8, 6-4 and 2-1 (shootout) wins over them this season.
“We’ve had some energy when we’ve played them and have been able to score goals,” said Jets winger Kyle Wellwood. “We’re hoping to jump on their goaltenders again and make it a rough night.”
Wellwood won’t get the chance to face his younger brother Eric, who has appeared in four games for the Flyers but looks like he’ll be a healthy scratch in this one.
The Flyers will have both Pavel Kubina and Nicklas Grossman in the lineup after picking up the experienced blue-liners in separate swaps last week.
“It adds some depth, some experience and some size back there — and that’s a positive,” said Peter Laviolette.
With a win, the Jets would move into first place in the Southeast Division and third in the Eastern Conference, though the Florida Panthers would hold four games in hand.
“This is a big opportunity for us,” said Jets defenceman Randy Jones. “I don’t pay a whole lot of attention to the standings, but I understand we’re in a crucial time right now and a crucial spot. We just have to control our own fate, win games and let the rest happen.”
Fellow blue-liner Zach Bogosian remains on the sidelines with an upper-body injury, while winger Eric Fehr is getting another shot on the fourth line with Antti Miettinen a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game.
Puck drops at 6:05 p.m. and here’s how we expect both teams to start on Tuesday:
Winnipeg Jets
Andrew Ladd-Bryan Little-Blake Wheeler
Evander Kane-Alex Burmistrov-Kyle Wellwood
Tanner Glass-Jim Slater-Chris Thorburn
Tim Stapleton-Nik Antropov-Eric Fehr
Toby Enstrom-Dustin Byfuglien
Johnny Oduya-Ron Hainsey
Mark Stuart-Randy Jones
Ondrej Pavelec (Chris Mason)
Philadelphia Flyers
Scott Hartnell-Claude Giroux-Wayne Simmonds
Danny Briere-Matt Read-Jaromir Jagr
James van Riesmsdyk-Brayden Schenn-Jakub Voracek
Max Talbot-Sean Couturier-Zac Rinaldo
Kimmo Timmonen-Braydon Coburn
Matt Carle-Pavel Kubina
Nicklas Grossman-Andrej Meszaros
Ilya Bryzgalov (Sergei Bobrovsky)