When you’re a starting netminder in the National Hockey League, consistent playing time in essential if you are to maintain and build confidence.
To get playing time in the face of a shrinking NHL season, Bryzgalov signed with CSKA of the KHL in Russia. For Bryzgalov, it is important to get playing time and get his confidence going considering the inconsistent season he had last year. Ironically, as of Friday, he had only been given a single start for CSKA – and gave up four goals in a loss.
In 59 games last year, Bryzgalov went 33-16-7 with a 2.48 goals against average, a .909 save percentage and six shutouts. On paper these numbers look solid, but if you watched Bryzgalov last season, you would know that they’re not the whole story.
In the 2010-11 off-season, the Flyers knew they needed to address their goaltending. For several seasons, the Flyers struggled between the pipes with the likes of Sergei Bobrovsky, Michael Leighton, and Brian Boucher.
As such, the team went out and signed UFA Bryzgalov to a nine-year deal worth $51 million. With Bryzgalov between the pipes, the Flyers figured they finally found a No. 1 who would give them the consistent goaltending they needed to win a Stanley Cup.
For the first half of last year, Bryzgalov struggled. He allowed many soft goals, was seen fighting the puck in games and lost confidence in himself.
There were also times in 2012 when Bryz showed the Flyers and their fans that he could be an outstanding talent. From March 4 to 13, Bryzgalov recorded four shutouts and allowed just two goals.
Much like the regular season, it was a tale of two goalies for Bryzgalov in the Stanley Cup playoffs. In the team’s six-game win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round, Bryzgalov allowed 21 goals and looked like every other Flyers’ goaltender did in previous postseasons.
In his team’s five-game loss to the New Jersey Devils in the second round, Bryzgalov was much better. He allowed 16 goals and gave his team a chance to win.
This brings us to now. Bryzgalov knows he must be better in order for the Flyers to be considered a Cup contender whenever the puck does drop.
There is no doubt that Bryzgalov is a good goaltender who has had success in the NHL. Bryzgalov plays big between the pipes in covering much of the net, has quick feet that allow him to react and stop both first and second shots, and he also has a swift glove hand.
That said, Bryzgalov got in his head too much last season. “I stink,” “I am lost in the woods” and “I have no confidence in myself” are things that no NHL goaltender should utter.
This is why it is important that Bryzgalov go and get some playing time now in a competitive hockey league. He needs to go into the next NHL season with confidence and he needs to be able to play well and show people that he is an elite goaltender.
