Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Lost Weekend

I hope they win a game before coming to so fla?

I hope they win a game before coming to so fla?
- vejim

Prediction: They head into Florida trip with a 1-2-1 record. For whatever reason, my gut feeling is a solid win in NJ and a shootout loss to the Rangers.

Prediction: They head into Florida trip with a 1-2-1 record. For whatever reason, my gut feeling is a solid win in NJ and a shootout loss to the Rangers.
- bmeltzer

then they beat the panthers 3-2 in overtime

Prediction: They head into Florida trip with a 1-2-1 record. For whatever reason, my gut feeling is a solid win in NJ and a shootout loss to the Rangers.
- bmeltzer

Flyers don't have their "A" game yet. I thought they looked pretty strong up front in both games. Back end is weak and vulnerable to speed. As other teams get their "A" game that vulnerablility will be exposed even more. Did not think defense was able to support the attack and they stayed back too far. As a result, they gave away far too much space in the neutral zone, especially against the Sabres.

Holmgren needs to find a puck moving Dman, quickly. I believe he will.

The Flyers didn't play we'll no doubt about it, but I truly believe that the blown calls really played a huge amount in the loss. It's just annoying when the refs hav such a huge hand in the outcome.

The fact that the Rags also started 0-2 makes me feel a helluvalot better about it.

With that being said, there is a ton of work to do. Forwards need to do a MUCH better job at protecting the puck and making smart plays. Far to many turnovers as a result of a forced pass or what have you. Also need to play much better defensively.. just wont cut it.

They also need to do a much better job on the PK. I was flipping out yesterday. 4 kills in 9 chances? Why are the forwards BOTH below the circle on the PK?


Now for the bright spots.. G seems to have picked up right where he left off.
Laughton was one of the best forwards over the past 2 games.
If Bryz can play the same way he did this weekend he is gonna win a ton of games.

The Flyers didn't play we'll no doubt about it, but I truly believe that the blown calls really played a huge amount in the loss. It's just annoying when the refs hav such a huge hand in the outcome.
- LJF

I agree.. and disagree. It hurts. No doubt about that, but they need to do a much better job at captializing on their chances. They need MUCH better team d.. and they need to sure up the PP and PK (more so the latter). Another concern has been the faceoffs we are losing cleanly. Cant let that happen in the defensive zone.

I knew the back to backers was going to be used as an excuse.

The same fate awaits the Sabres tonight in Toronto so let's see what happens tonight in Toronto. I will not use back to backers as an excuse if the Sabres lose tonight , I can tell you that. Your penalty kill is awful! Look there.

The Sabres are better than people give them credit for but I dont even care about and neither do most Sabres fans to be fair. Sabres are a tougher to play against now, Stafford poved that point yesterday taking matters into his own hands.

I think teams playing in back to backers yesterday were 3-4-1 . Which means some teams were able to win without using back to backers as an excuse.

That said , the Flyers will be fine if Bryz holds up and they get that penalty kill figured out because that was awful.

I agree.. and disagree. It hurts. No doubt about that, but they need to do a much better job at captializing on their chances. They need MUCH better team d.. and they need to sure up the PP and PK (more so the latter). Another concern has been the faceoffs we are losing cleanly. Cant let that happen in the defensive zone.
- jak521

Cost them the game on saturday.

BTW, if it can make you feel better, the Habs are terribad.

I knew the back to backers was going to be used as an excuse.

The same fate awaits the Sabres tonight in Toronto so let's see what happens tonight in Toronto. I will not use back to backers as an excuse if the Sabres lose tonight , I can tell you that. Your penalty kill is awful! Look there.

The Sabres are better than people give them credit for but I dont even care about and neither do most Sabres fans to be fair. Sabres are a tougher to play against now, Stafford poved that point yesterday taking matters into his own hands.

I think teams playing in back to backers yesterday were 3-4-1 . Which means some teams were able to win without using back to backers as an excuse.
if Bryz doesnt kill one of his D men
That said , the Flyers will be fine if Bryz holds up and they get that penalty kill figured out because that was awful.
- BuffaloHardHat

Cost them the game on saturday.

BTW, if it can make you feel better, the Habs are terribad.
- Pecafan Fan

I agree..

If I can return the favor... should be a great draft class..

Cost them the game on saturday.

BTW, if it can make you feel better, the Habs are terribad.
- Pecafan Fan

Couturier for Subban straight up. Painful trade, fans on both sides will probably say no way. But, it really does help address real need for both teams.

Couturier for Subban straight up. Painful trade, fans on both sides will probably say no way. But, it really does help address real need for both teams.
- spatso

That guy.... urgh.

I agree..

If I can return the favor... should be a great draft class..
- jak521

Well, that's something to cheer for!

I knew the back to backers was going to be used as an excuse.

The same fate awaits the Sabres tonight in Toronto so let's see what happens tonight in Toronto. I will not use back to backers as an excuse if the Sabres lose tonight , I can tell you that. Your penalty kill is awful! Look there.

The Sabres are better than people give them credit for but I dont even care about and neither do most Sabres fans to be fair. Sabres are a tougher to play against now, Stafford poved that point yesterday taking matters into his own hands.

I think teams playing in back to backers yesterday were 3-4-1 . Which means some teams were able to win without using back to backers as an excuse.

That said , the Flyers will be fine if Bryz holds up and they get that penalty kill figured out because that was awful.
- BuffaloHardHat

Honestly.. I thought each team looked pretty poopty. I expected that though. Im not buying into Staffords fight as a way to prove your point. He thoroughly got his ass kicked. What I will say is that with a few of the additions.. you guys have finally found some swagger again.

I knew the back to backers was going to be used as an excuse.

The same fate awaits the Sabres tonight in Toronto so let's see what happens tonight in Toronto. I will not use back to backers as an excuse if the Sabres lose tonight , I can tell you that. Your penalty kill is awful! Look there.

The Sabres are better than people give them credit for but I dont even care about and neither do most Sabres fans to be fair. Sabres are a tougher to play against now, Stafford poved that point yesterday taking matters into his own hands.

I think teams playing in back to backers yesterday were 3-4-1 . Which means some teams were able to win without using back to backers as an excuse.

That said , the Flyers will be fine if Bryz holds up and they get that penalty kill figured out because that was awful.
- BuffaloHardHat

go away, troll. seriously trolling is not cool. f off

Well, that's something to cheer for!
- Pecafan Fan

Could be worse. The year the Flyers tanked was probably the worst draft class in the new millennium..

...grumbles something about NHL, Flyers, and conspiracy...

go away, troll. seriously trolling is not cool. f off
- flyerscup2011

meh.. not really trolling.. hell I agree with most of what he said.

Morning all. Obviously not the result we all wanted going into the weekend.

I'm mostly impressed with how Simmonds had started the year. I see no rust from him at all. Winning most of his battles down low.

I can see why the Flyers love Laughton so much. A better skater than I anticipated. He showed a few nice moves skating with the puck into the Sabres zone. And a few times I felt myself wondering, "wow JVR has really picked up the physicality this year." Physically looks like JVR, same # of course, and a baby giraffe-like skating technique. It'll be hard to send him back the way he's playing.

I feel L Schenn has played better than what's being said about him after these two games. I thought he made a few great plays defensivley (breaking up 1-on-3). Late in the game when he took the tripping penalty, diving after Vanek, I believe, I thought he was hung out to dry there. Turnover in the neutral zone...three Sabres come with speed on a 3-on-2 and Schenn is left to defend two guys. There's room for improvement as with everyone but overall thought he played fairly well.

Bryz has played well and kept them in both games I feel. My only critisicm I have is, does anyone else wonder why he fails to get his paddle down on the ice so much? Maybe some of the goalies on here can shed some light on this but goals that were bad breaks I feel could be prevented by keeping his paddle down on crease battles. The Hodgson goal...I saw he went to cover the puck and didnt get there in time, but if his stick is on the ice, it probably never goes in. Also, the Myers goal that was deflected off Kimmo's skate...I'm sure he's trying to kick and deflect puck with his stick to the corner but again, left the five hole wide open for a possible deflection.

I'm quite discouraged with the way Coutiurier and B Schenn have played. I figured with these two playing regualrly in the AHL, that' they'd be flying out there. Hopefuly it's early season jitters.

No worries...win the next game and we're on our way.

Go Flyers

Honestly.. I thought each team looked pretty poopty. I expected that though. Im not buying into Staffords fight as a way to prove your point. He thoroughly got his ass kicked. What I will say is that with a few of the additions.. you guys have finally found some swagger again.
- jak521

Did you even see the fight Hartnell hit him once with a good punch that did not take him down. Hartnell got the "win" if your looking at it that way. But to see a guy that has not dropped the gloves in 3 years shows something. And for everyone crying about the goals being disallowed, those breaks happen for every team throughout the year. It just so happens they went that way for Buffalo.

Honestly.. I thought each team looked pretty poopty. I expected that though. Im not buying into Staffords fight as a way to prove your point. He thoroughly got his ass kicked. What I will say is that with a few of the additions.. you guys have finally found some swagger again.
- jak521

Stafford doesnt fight bro and I would not say that he got his as kicked.

If you heard the Sabres interviews in the locker room after the game , even though Van had 5 points, the bigger story was Stafford standing up and not waiting for Scott, or someone else to deal with Hartnell. Scott / Miller / Ruff all praised Staff for his actions. That goes a long way in th locker room

Sabres had over 40 shots so I wouldnt say they looked poopity

As I said , the Flyers penalty kill cant be that bad all season. They will get that turned around and be fine I feel anyway.

I knew the back to backers was going to be used as an excuse.

The same fate awaits the Sabres tonight in Toronto so let's see what happens tonight in Toronto. I will not use back to backers as an excuse if the Sabres lose tonight , I can tell you that. Your penalty kill is awful! Look there.

The Sabres are better than people give them credit for but I dont even care about and neither do most Sabres fans to be fair. Sabres are a tougher to play against now, Stafford poved that point yesterday taking matters into his own hands.

I think teams playing in back to backers yesterday were 3-4-1 . Which means some teams were able to win without using back to backers as an excuse.

That said , the Flyers will be fine if Bryz holds up and they get that penalty kill figured out because that was awful.
- BuffaloHardHat

you should probably read the whole blog before you reply. the blog focuses on the conditioning and execution of the team as the major problems.

go away, troll. seriously trolling is not cool. f off
- flyerscup2011

Not trolling. Looking for some feedback. You know , a discussion? Sorry if you thought I was trolling.

The Flyers are down but not out by no means.

Could be worse. The year the Flyers tanked was probably the worst draft class in the new millennium..

...grumbles something about NHL, Flyers, and conspiracy...
- jak521

Don't get discouraged this is a work in progress and the Flyers are a great young team. Holmgren is the most proactive GM in the league. They might experience some fall back from last year because of their blue line, but this is a very good team missing a few key pieces. Holmgren will fix it. Tried with Weber, he will pull something out of the hat.

If there is any positive, Rangers will pancake. They might sneak into the playoffs but the Nash trade will make them more like Columbus than a serious contender.