Richards Returns (And the Three Other Games I Missed)

So, October 15th was the day former Flyers captain Mike Richards returned to Philadelphia. He's been a part of the Los Angeles Kings organization since June 23 due to the trade that netted the Flyers Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn, and a second round draft pick in 2012. Many of the fans gave him a standing ovation when his name was called during the announcement of the starting lineups. However, no one was cheering for him at the end of the game.


Richards didn't really do anything noticeable during regulation play. He layed a solid hit on Jakub Voracek, but didn't do much else. In overtime, he set up the game winning goal for Jack Johnson. Richards had the puck at the point and shot the puck straight at Johnson, who just had to redirect the puck into the net to win the game 3-2.

Prior to this game, the Flyers were a perfect 3-0-0. They had knocked off defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins and division rival New Jersey Devils on a short two game road trip. Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov only allowed one goal during those two games, recording a shutout in the game against New Jersey. That was the first regular season shutout in 550 days for the Flyers, as they did not have one all of last year. The Flyers then returned home to face Stanley Cup runner-up, the Vancouver Canucks. The Flyers jumped on a sloppy Vancouver defense early and popped three goals in in the first period. The Flyers would eventually go on to win the game 3-2.

Random Notes: - Claude Giroux was held without a goal, ending his goal streak at three
- For a 39 year old, Jagr looks to be extremely strong on the puck, but can still dangle with the best of them
- Jakub Voracek has a ton of speed and great hands to compliment that. I see him showing the league exactly why he was a seventh overall pick just a few years ago
- Rookie tough guy absolutely railed Drew Doughty. Doughty is apparently injured
- Ilya Bryzgalov is the absolute man in net. He looks to be totally worth the money and most of the goals scored on him up to this point were not his fault
- The Flyers, as a unit, look to be faster and stronger on the wings with defense holding their own. This looks to be a good year for the boys in orange