I think just in general, the Flyers were just a tad slow making plays in the O zone. The timing seemed off. With this group of players its been better. For instance Hartnells blind pass across the front of the goal intendend for Giroux, should have been a half tick faster. Things like that, there should be room for improvement
- Just5

I agree. The Flyers just didn't click on on cylinders offensively. I have no doubt they'll get better there. Especially Giroux. He can be much better. Lots of good signs tonight. Streit and Lecavalier were very good. As was B Schenn. Meszaros looked much improved from the Pre Season.

Leafs are nothing but a borderline middle of the back Eastern Conf team. Exactly the kind of team you have to beat on home ice. Having a +6 PP advantage, and a penalty shot and the game shouldn't be close.
- PLindbergh31

they're roster is as good as ours, imo. they're stronger in goal and have a more mobile d. i like our forward corps a little better and we have a few more guys who have exp plying at a high level over all.

Yes. But Good Lord, that cap hit...
- AllInForFlyers

True story. My buddy is Rangers fan btw, he swears Lundqvist will be a Flyer next year. Don't know what made me think of this.

I'm sure last year they were the worst team while trailing. The verdict is still out on this year. Also wast Toronto trailing? They came back to win.
- PhillaBully

The game changed when Bolland scored early in the 3rd. The Flyers just need to click on the PP. And Bernier played very well.

it won't work...they are a poor match. one of them will have to play their off side and that's scary to me. but gusty will get plenty of time since glass breaks easily.
- isaiah520

Very premature to say it won't work. That pairing was not an issue tonight.

they're roster is as good as ours, imo. they're stronger in goal and have a more mobile d. i like our forward corps a little better and we have a few more guys who have exp plying at a high level over all.
- isaiah520

I think the talent levels are close between the teams. I don't think one team has much of an advantage over the other. I would definitely take Bernier and Riemer over Mason and Emery for sure.

I don't think the Leafs D is great. Paul Ranger? Really.

some stats

Shots 32-25 Flyers
Hits 34-22 Toronto
Face offs - 36-33 Toronto
Block shots 20-11 Toronto
giveaways 12-7 Toronto
takeaways 9-7 Flyers

they're roster is as good as ours, imo. they're stronger in goal and have a more mobile d. i like our forward corps a little better and we have a few more guys who have exp plying at a high level over all.
- isaiah520

Their roster is as good as ours...it's just built differently. But you can't tell me a Top 6 of JVR/Bozak/Kessel; Lupul/Kadri/Clarkson (when he returns) isn't comparable to Hartnell/Giroux/Voracek and Read/Lecavalier/Simmonds.

Their defense is just as good as ours, and I'd take James Reimer or Jonathan Bernier as a starter.

Brian Burke did a good job rebuilding that team, and Randy Carlyle's a Stanley Cup winner, too.

I think just in general, the Flyers were just a tad slow making plays in the O zone. The timing seemed off. With this group of players its been better. For instance Hartnells blind pass across the front of the goal intendend for Giroux, should have been a half tick faster. Things like that, there should be room for improvement
- Just5

Yeah I do agree with that. I think they sometimes tend to be too fancy as well.

Game situations. Flyers needed to score.
- MJL

Seriously? Flyers were even or ahead for the majority of the game, 42 minutes +. I'm not going to panic since I thought the Flyers played well overall. Disappointed in Hall's performance. I was very disappointed that Hartnell couldn't hit the broad side the barn let alone make a gift layup.

Couts 11 minutes
Laughton 0 minutes

They played well, but what is the plan?

some stats

Shots 32-25 Flyers
Hits 34-22 Toronto
Face offs - 36-33 Toronto
Block shots 20-11 Toronto
giveaways 12-7 Toronto
takeaways 9-7 Flyers
- nastyflyergirl

Flyers were the better team for probably 35 minutes. Game was lost on the PP.

I'm not going to go bananas over one loss, but I'm not going to give them props either. There are no moral victories.

Going to start writing game analysis blog now. Trying a somewhat different format than past seasons. Feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Seriously? Flyers were even or ahead for the majority of the game, 42 minutes +. I'm not going to panic since I thought the Flyers played well overall. Disappointed in Hall's performance. I was very disappointed that Hartnell couldn't hit the broad side the barn let alone make a gift layup.

Couts 11 minutes
Laughton 0 minutes

They played well, but what is the plan?
- jstross

Yes seriously, look at the 3rd period shift charts. Flyers shortened the bench and went with the top offensive players when they went down a goal. Not to mention all the PP time.
Not sure what you mean by what the plan is.

Mackinnon is fun to watch.

I look at the 3 goals and ask myself, if he had a chance on them, and should he have made the save. My answer to that is no. So how can I not be happy with Mason's play in the game. Where is the disappointment at?
- MJL

I look at the three goals and ask myself, if Mason had stopped one or two of those tough shots we'd be talking about how great he played. Instead we are talking about what a great game Bernier had.

The other team's goalie played better than ours. Therefore I am disappointed in the play of our goalie. Seems pretty easy to understand

Going to start writing game analysis blog now. Trying a somewhat different format than past seasons. Feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
- bmeltzer

looking forward to it, Bill.

they're roster is as good as ours, imo. they're stronger in goal and have a more mobile d. i like our forward corps a little better and we have a few more guys who have exp plying at a high level over all.
- isaiah520

I'm not quite ready to declare Reimer or Bernier stronger than Mason. Why would I be?

I look at the three goals and ask myself, if Mason had stopped one or two of those tough shots we'd be talking about how great he played. Instead we are talking about what a great game Bernier had.

The other team's goalie played better than ours. Therefore I am disappointed in the play of our goalie. Seems pretty easy to understand
- Dkos

I understand where you are coming from. Watching the other teams goaltender continually outplay the Flyers is getting old.

Yes seriously, look at the 3rd period shift charts. Flyers shortened the bench and went with the top offensive players when they went down a goal. Not to mention all the PP time.
Not sure what you mean by what the plan is.
- MJL

In other words Lavy panicked.

hey all. great to have it be this time of the year again

Maroon on the top line in Anaheim. Just fought McLeod of Avs. Good scrap.

I look at the three goals and ask myself, if Mason had stopped one or two of those tough shots we'd be talking about how great he played. Instead we are talking about what a great game Bernier had.

The other team's goalie played better than ours. Therefore I am disappointed in the play of our goalie. Seems pretty easy to understand
- Dkos

So whether he had a legitimate chance to make the save has no bearing on how he played? That seems pretty easy to understand from my point of view.

I don't get how thinking that Bernier played better, leads to disappointment in Mason's play. Each Goalies performance stands on it's own merits.

Going to start writing game analysis blog now. Trying a somewhat different format than past seasons. Feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
- bmeltzer

Mad Genius!!!

I look at the three goals and ask myself, if Mason had stopped one or two of those tough shots we'd be talking about how great he played. Instead we are talking about what a great game Bernier had.

The other team's goalie played better than ours. Therefore I am disappointed in the play of our goalie. Seems pretty easy to understand
- Dkos

I guess you missed all the outstanding saves Mason did make? I think on the 2nd goal he stopped 2 point blank shots before it got popped home. How is that on Mason? And the Kessel goal...nobody is stopping that unless Kessel misfires the shot ala Hartnell's chance.

This loss, imo, isn't on Mason in any way, shape or form.

In other words Lavy panicked.
- jstross

If that's what you think. What Laviolette did, makes sense to me. Not to mention that, after being arguably one of the top forwards in the pre season, Couturier did not play a very strong game tonight.