The most backhanded compliment in hockey is the one the Flyers settled for after a 4-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils: It wasn't the goaltender's fault.

No, it wasn't Ilya Bryzgalov's fault that the Flyers lost, falling into a 1-1 tie in the second-round playoff series.

But on a night when they were slow, when their power play was solved, when they ran out of steam late, the Flyers might have expected their goaltender to win them a game. It's kind of what that $51 million was all about.

Instead, after two spectacluar periods, Bryzgalov was ordinary in the third --- on a night when he had to be better than that.

So, all together now, if it makes everyone feel better: Bryzgalov was not to blame.

What a compliment, that.

Check out my column in the Daily Times Wednesday and, as always, on delcotimes.com