how the hell does briere get 19 minutes tonight? maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me but it seemed to me like his line was pinned by grabbo/kulemin/komarov all night.

get well, reader.

how the hell does briere get 19 minutes tonight? maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me but his line was pinned by grabbo/kulemin/komarov all night.

get well, reader.
- OrangeBlack27

Did he even play tonite??

a direct reflection of their work ethic ... all or nothing.
- FlyerGuy

It really would be a frustrating team to cheer for. I mean, they play Pittsburgh like it's the most important game on the schedule each time, then go on to lose to the weaker teams. If they played only the Pens, which are one of the best teams- sorry, they would be near the top of the standings.

Sure that's partly because Pittsburgh plays exactly the way the Flyers want them to, but you don't see anywhere near the same level of emotion against all the other teams.

They do, but with better 200 foot play, that should even out. They get hemmed in when they play badly and blow all their energy in their own end, and have nothing left to press attack.

Toronto tonight was in 2nd gear for 75% of the game, and the Flyers still get hemmed in and had to waste effort on backchecking that would have been needless had they just played better in moving out of the zone.

EDIT: So, yes, offense is an issue, but it's not a talent one.
- Jsaquella

Toronto played a perfect road game. Checked the Flyers and waited for the inevitable mistakes that would come. Flyers didn't have the urgency to get past it. Toronto is in a playoff spot because Carlyle has them playing both ends of the ice.

how the hell does briere get 19 minutes tonight? maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me but it seemed to me like his line was pinned by grabbo/kulemin/komarov all night.

get well, reader.
- OrangeBlack27

Game situations. Flyers were behind most of the game.

Im tired of hearing defense as the excuses for this team...There are plenty of teams that are worse off than the Flyers or at least don't have the talent on the back-end. This team isnt scoring goals or starting out well period, that is why they are not winning. There is only one Weber, Chara they don't grow on trees. This defense is what it is and is probably going to stay the same for some time. Mez will be a huge plus when he gets back as well. BTW, Gus was terrible tonight.

They do, but with better 200 foot play, that should even out. They get hemmed in when they play badly and blow all their energy in their own end, and have nothing left to press attack.

Toronto tonight was in 2nd gear for 75% of the game, and the Flyers still get hemmed in and had to waste effort on backchecking that would have been needless had they just played better in moving out of the zone.

EDIT: So, yes, offense is an issue, but it's not a talent one.
- Jsaquella

i just don't know if they have a good mix up front to roll three good lines, much less four.

i don't see them being more than one-line deep 5v5 before read gets healthy, unless they breakup g/jake :/

Toronto played a perfect road game. Checked the Flyers and waited for the inevitable mistakes that would come. Flyers didn't have the urgency to get past it. Toronto is in a playoff spot because Carlyle has them playing both ends of the ice.
- MJL

They are playing really well, especially on the road, and Carlyle deserves alot of credit for that.

Game situations. Flyers were behind most of the game.
- MJL

good point.

still, if he's getting pinned deep every time...

Im tired of hearing defense as the excuses for this team...There are plenty of teams that are worse off than the Flyers or at least don't have the talent on the back-end. This team isnt scoring goals or starting out well period, that is why they are not winning. There is only one Weber, Chara they don't grow on trees. This defense is what it is and is probably going to stay the same for some time. Mez will be a huge plus when he gets back as well. BTW, Gus was terrible tonight.
- flyerfan28

Not lack of a top defenseman. But a lack of team defense is the biggest reason why this team is losing. That and lack of urgency, slow starts. Puck management.

showed signs of coming out of that. meanwhile, the defensive issues of last year remain the same.
- OrangeBlack27

I think it's all connected. The games they don't score much are the same games they spend the majority of the time trapped in their own end, unable to clear the zone, and unable to cover their checks.

On those rare occasions when they do play well in their own end, and break out cleanly, they score plenty of goals. The issue is that's only about every third game or so and you can't win consistently that way.

It starts with the team-wide commitment to backchecking hard, defensive zone coverage, keeping the D to F gap close, and providing sufficient puck support. They didn't come close to doing that tonight. Until/unless they do that consistently they will not make it above .500 this year imo.

Simmonds needs to learn to hunt down the puck in the d zone. He was horrendous. And right now, I'm not clear what Briere is bringing to this team, and Knuble, as much as I like him, is right behind him. After that, Feds and Talbot need to really step up their game.

I think it's all connected. The games they don't score much are the same games they spend the majority of the time trapped in their own end, unable to clear the zone, and unable to cover their checks.

On those rare occasions when they do play well in their own end, and break out cleanly, they score plenty of goals. The issue is that's only about every third game or so and you can't win consistently that way.

It starts with the team-wide commitment to backchecking hard, defensive zone coverage, keeping the D to F gap close, and providing sufficient puck support. They didn't come close to doing that tonight. Until/unless they do that consistently they will not make it above .500 this year imo.
- BringBack25

I'm with you on that 100%. Well said.

Im tired of hearing defense as the excuses for this team...There are plenty of teams that are worse off than the Flyers or at least don't have the talent on the back-end. This team isnt scoring goals or starting out well period, that is why they are not winning. There is only one Weber, Chara they don't grow on trees. This defense is what it is and is probably going to stay the same for some time. Mez will be a huge plus when he gets back as well. BTW, Gus was terrible tonight.
- flyerfan28

The Flyers lack of talent on D is exacerbated by the pace/style Lavy wants them to play. They're constantly exposed.

I think it's all connected. The games they don't score much are the same games they spend the majority of the time trapped in their own end, unable to clear the zone, and unable to cover their checks.

On those rare occasions when they do play well in their own end, and break out cleanly, they score plenty of goals. The issue is that's only about every third game or so and you can't win consistently that way.

It starts with the team-wide commitment to backchecking hard, defensive zone coverage, keeping the D to F gap close, and providing sufficient puck support. They didn't come close to doing that tonight. Until/unless they do that consistently they will not make it above .500 this year imo.
- BringBack25

lots of offense-first forwards + slow-footed d corps = giving up your own blue way too easily.

edit: in other words, i agree with the sentiment, but i think the issue is more allowing zone entry too easily than it is trouble clearing the zone per se. maybe that seems like splitting hairs, but the flyers don't force the opposition to chip and chase nearly enough.

Simmonds needs to learn to hunt down the puck in the d zone. He was horrendous. And right now, I'm not clear what Briere is bringing to this team, and Knuble, as much as I like him, is right behind him. After that, Feds and Talbot need to really step up their game.
- wolfhounds

Not sure I'd lump Simmonds in with those other guys.

Please please please don't sign perry... On 2nd thought please please please sign perry ... Pit or nj or rags would probally get him not us
- SMS4016

Right..dont sign a 27 year old prior 50 goal scorer who has averaged 72 points and 35 goals over the past 5 season while also averaging 111 PIMs..

Getzlaf over the same years.

Average 75 points, 19 goals, 81 pims..

On the plus side tonight. The pk Killed a crucial penalty at a key time in the game.. Guess thats all I can come up with ???

Not sure I'd lump in Simmonds with those other guys.
- FlyerGuy

Right, not at all. Those were separate thoughts combined by frustration. But this was, in my opinion, one of Simmonds worst games on the Flyers. If I had to watch him skate near the Toronto forward carrying the puck only to peal away leaving the forward free to carry on one more time, I was going to (frank)ing break something.

The team as a whole was sloppy and indecisive.

flyers lines are mostly ugly 5v5 aside from g and jake.
- OrangeBlack27

Yes. They are getting zero scoring from the third line. We basically have two fourth lines at this point. Couturier and Talbot have to score at least a little bit.

And McGinn has looked like the rookie he is instead of the surprise top line guy he looked like for a week or so after his call up. Still playing with energy, but his mistakes are starting to outnumber his good plays. At least they did tonight.

Ugh are the Hawks ever gonna lose in regulation

The Flyers lack of talent on D is exacerbated by the pace/style Lavy wants them to play. They're constantly exposed.
- FlyerGuy

Will say it again 1 of the following Feds, Knuble, Briere or Talbot needs to sit in favor of Harry Z..

he is not the panacea for this team but he brings a few elements none of those players bring.

Right, not at all. Those were separate thoughts combined by frustration. But this was, in my opinion, one of Simmonds worst games on the Flyers. If I had to watch him skate near the Toronto forward carrying the puck only to peal away leaving the forward free to carry on one more time, I was going to (frank)ing break something.

The team as a whole was sloppy and indecisive.
- wolfhounds

That they were. The Flyers have become a VERY sloppy and inconsistent team.

I honestly love Lavy. But it might be time for a change.

Not sure I'd lump Simmonds in with those other guys.
- FlyerGuy

simmonds is a great weapon on the power play, but i think he gets a free pass for his defensive iniquities because he hits and fights. flyers are routinely outchanced when he's on the ice. though, he's spent most of his time here with briere at evens, whose negative affect in that area cannot be understated.

Right..dont sign a 27 year old prior 50 goal scorer who has averaged 72 points and 35 goals over the past 5 season while also averaging 111 PIMs..

Getzlaf over the same years.

Average 75 points, 19 goals, 81 pims..
- opeth_pa

Was being sarcastic... Meaning if ducks don't resign perry we won't get him anyways. We would get screwed and see perry in ny,nj, or Pitt. I'd live him with g. Would take perry over getzlaf any day. I agree we don't need another center. [/img]