I love it when they say that. The (frank)ing guy hasn't played since 2010. It's a totally different Tamps team. Oh well.
- Jimmygrazz

In hindsight, yeah you play Leighton vs Fla and Bryz vs tampa, but Bryz played really well vs Florida. Maybe you start Leighton and that game ends differently and we leave FLorida with zero points.

The Flyers have a glaring deficiency on the back end.

The season is very short. You can be out of it very quickly.

Does Holmgren pay the price to get a top D man or does he just play out the season and see what happens?

I hate to wade into this one, but despite the lack of foot speed, the Flyers defensemen aren't the ones getting burned. The forwards are providing poor support. I also see gap control as a two way street.

I think Leighton was more at fault than Skip does. The first goal and third goals were not on him, but the second goal was brutal. Not an excuse, but Leighton hardly inspired confidence.

The Flyers need to use games like this one to build character. Because if they keep folding after a bad goal or a bad PP, they're not going anywhere but the draft lottery

the flyers teams of the past have always had issues beating Tampa and Jersey

Probably a moot point, but why didn't Leights play against Florida instead? We clearly needed the better goaltending against Tampa?

Edit:Leight
- Jimmygrazz

probably to have bryz ready for tuesday.

- BuffaloHardHat

Of course, I was going for the lulz, but in all seriousness the entire corps of forwards & defenseman needs to play better. Foot speed has been less if an issue than many make it out to be. It's a red herring.

Piss poor effort last night, but the three biggest game changers to me were:

1- The Vinny vs Schenn fight- Their captain throws a big hit, Schenn goes calling and Vinny doesnt step down. It pumped their team up.

2- Immediately following, BJ Crombeen goes on a tear against G (probably could have been called for 13 penalties as he harassed G that entire shift) and is called for 3 minors... A 4 minute PP goes up for Philly, who already leads 1-0.. Flyers are unable to capitalize.

3- On the aforementioned PP sequence, the Flyers had one huge chance to really put the Bolts behind. A series of tick tac toe passing leads to a wide open net for Matt Read.. who keeps the puck on the ground and sends it right into Lindbacks pad. All the room (and time) in the world, just needed to elevate it a tiny bit but didnt do it. Instead of going up 2-0 and putting the lightning in a deep hole.. they allowed the lightning to stay within 1, and gain a whole bunch of momentum.

I hate to wade into this one, but despite the lack of foot speed, the Flyers defensemen aren't the ones getting burned. The forwards are providing poor support. I also see gap control as a two way street.

I think Leighton was more at fault than Skip does. The first goal and third goals were not on him, but the second goal was brutal. Not an excuse, but Leighton hardly inspired confidence.

The Flyers need to use games like this one to build character. Because if they keep folding after a bad goal or a bad PP, they're not going anywhere but the draft lottery
- Jsaquella

I found Leighton looked very slow and tentative. One save he made falling forward before it was released and if the shot was any higher, it's in. It may be rust.. I don't know. If we start Bryz, we still lose that game but maybe it's 3-1.

I thought Leighton was not to blame on the 1st three goals. The 4th goal was partially his and partially Giroux's. The 5th was on him alone.

However, if the team played anywhere close to how they played against the Rangers we're talking about another win and not the goalie. For the sixth game, the goalie was the least of their problems. Their problems at PK, PP, hustle, and defense stem from the 18 in front of Bryz & Leighton.

It is fun to read "Angry Bill" blogs, though. Like a shot of caffeine on a cold snowy Monday.
- Flyskippy

I agree. I thought Bill was a little harsh on Leighton. He did a great job of holding them in the game - until the team desided to give up. Two first period goals were PP and the other was a lucky deflection. LeCav's PP goal was amazing - I thought Leighton covered well - but LeCav squeezed it in top-shelf. The Flyers were still in the game through a scorelss second. Leighton had some wonderful saves in the second. He faired much better, than I anticipated - since, his hasn't played a NHL game in a while nor any hockey. The quick 3rd TB goal, put an end to hopes of a comeback. I blame the loss on; not keeping their cool (too many bad penalties), and inability to score on the PP (despite, being able to move the puck around fairly well).

I hate to wade into this one, but despite the lack of foot speed, the Flyers defensemen aren't the ones getting burned. The forwards are providing poor support. I also see gap control as a two way street.

I think Leighton was more at fault than Skip does. The first goal and third goals were not on him, but the second goal was brutal. Not an excuse, but Leighton hardly inspired confidence.

The Flyers need to use games like this one to build character. Because if they keep folding after a bad goal or a bad PP, they're not going anywhere but the draft lottery
- Jsaquella

Lets just say if bryz was in net there wouldnt have been a single person defending him last night. Even me. Leighton looked like a backup goaltender... in the AHL. Horrendous reads, positioning was suspect at best, rebounds were brutal. He did make a few nice saves (particularly the Stamkos 5hole) but as a whole, brutal effort.

I totally agree with you about the forwards. Terrible defensive effort from them. A ton of invisible players out there last night.. Hell for a while I thought Talbot was hurt because I hadnt heard or seen him.

I hate to wade into this one, but despite the lack of foot speed, the Flyers defensemen aren't the ones getting burned. The forwards are providing poor support. I also see gap control as a two way street.

I think Leighton was more at fault than Skip does. The first goal and third goals were not on him, but the second goal was brutal. Not an excuse, but Leighton hardly inspired confidence.

The Flyers need to use games like this one to build character. Because if they keep folding after a bad goal or a bad PP, they're not going anywhere but the draft lottery
- Jsaquella

Second goal deflected off Talbot's shin. Deflect shin.

I found Leighton looked very slow and tentative. One save he made falling forward before it was released and if the shot was any higher, it's in. It may be rust.. I don't know. If we start Bryz, we still lose that game but maybe it's 3-1.
- Hextall271

That was more of Stamkos putting it right in Leightons chest than Leighton making a save. Stamkos lost control of the puck at first.

I would play Bryz every game...he likes to keep busy and he is on a roll. I dont get the Leighton love?

Second goal deflected off Talbot's shin. Deflect shin.
- Flyskippy

Yea I thought about that one, but it deflected up high.. it wasnt like he was standing right in front. I wont say it was only Leightons fault, but he was super slow, chronically out of position, and terrible at reading the plays. Ill give him the benefit of the doubt because its been so long since he has seen game play, but damn... scary stuff.

I would play Bryz every game...he likes to keep busy and he is on a roll. I dont get the Leighton love?
- vejim

Yea I thought about that one, but it deflected up high.. it wasnt like he was standing right in front. I wont say it was only Leightons fault, but he was super slow, chronically out of position, and terrible at reading the plays. Ill give him the benefit of the doubt because its been so long since he has seen game play, but damn... scary stuff.
- jak521

rather have Boosch as back up

The Flyers have a glaring deficiency on the back end.

The season is very short. You can be out of it very quickly.

Does Holmgren pay the price to get a top D man or does he just play out the season and see what happens?
- spatso

The Flyers are missing a dynamic high minute lead defenseman. We knew that going into the Season. It's been further weakened by the injury to Meszaros.

Piss poor effort last night, but the three biggest game changers to me were:

1- The Vinny vs Schenn fight- Their captain throws a big hit, Schenn goes calling and Vinny doesnt step down. It pumped their team up.

2- Immediately following, BJ Crombeen goes on a tear against G (probably could have been called for 13 penalties as he harassed G that entire shift) and is called for 3 minors... A 4 minute PP goes up for Philly, who already leads 1-0.. Flyers are unable to capitalize.

3- On the aforementioned PP sequence, the Flyers had one huge chance to really put the Bolts behind. A series of tick tac toe passing leads to a wide open net for Matt Read.. who keeps the puck on the ground and sends it right into Lindbacks pad. All the room (and time) in the world, just needed to elevate it a tiny bit but didnt do it. Instead of going up 2-0 and putting the lightning in a deep hole.. they allowed the lightning to stay within 1, and gain a whole bunch of momentum.
- jak521

Really surprised that Crombeen got away with all that. Simmonds looked like he was challenging him but when someone manhandles your star like that dont wait for a response just go after him.

The Flyers are missing a dynamic high minute lead defenseman. We knew that going into the Season. It's been further weakened by the injury to Meszaros.
- MJL

But, do they try to fix it this year. Do they go after a guy like Subban?

Really surprised that Crombeen got away with all that. Simmonds looked like he was challenging him but when someone manhandles your star like that dont wait for a response just go after him.
- Stinkfitz

I think the nice sunny weather and the way they beat the panthers just made them too relaxed and the coaches need to take some responsibility also

Really surprised that Crombeen got away with all that. Simmonds looked like he was challenging him but when someone manhandles your star like that dont wait for a response just go after him.
- Stinkfitz

That was exactly my thought. As I was watching it I was getting pissed. I may be wrong, but TB had Crombeen in the FO circle to start that play.. he was tossed (presumably for a little jab of the stick) and then really went after him. It was BS. It literally lasted the full shift.

The Flyers are missing a dynamic high minute lead defenseman. We knew that going into the Season. It's been further weakened by the injury to Meszaros.
- MJL

I agree, but i think with better team defense (im not talking a tweaking of the system either) they could overcome it. The defense has not been as bad as the record would indicate. The forwards defensively have been.

But, do they try to fix it this year. Do they go after a guy like Subban?
- spatso

Meszaros will be back, as will Gustafsson. Gotta ride the lightning injury storm out.

Lets just say if bryz was in net there wouldnt have been a single person defending him last night. Even me. Leighton looked like a backup goaltender... in the AHL. Horrendous reads, positioning was suspect at best, rebounds were brutal. He did make a few nice saves (particularly the Stamkos 5hole) but as a whole, brutal effort.


- jak521

I really think we need to look at this correctly. In the first few games, we saw quite a few players on the Flyers get off to a slow start out of the lockout. And have their timing and game off. This was the first game of the Season for Leighton. And while overall he didn't look great. He still made some quality saves.

But, do they try to fix it this year. Do they go after a guy like Subban?
- spatso

dont think Homer will trade Coots or Schenn so fix it next year