Claude Giroux could've played better last night, but he wasn't the problem. Yeah, Michael Raffl's young, but you can't just miss the net when you're cruising down the slot -- that was off a nice setup by Giroux. You bury that, you're up 3-0 and have likely delivered a killshot.

A player's inability to score should never be glossed over. If the guy who can't score should've scored, then you need to replace him with someone who will score.

That being said, at least no one was injured. The Ducks are a better team than the Flyers right now. The Flyers can practice today and try to get back on track against Washington -- some matchups are just bad for this roster right now, and last night's was one of them.
- AllInForFlyers

2 goal lead with about 25 minutes left in the game at home, average teams put those type of games in the cookie jar.

I'd like to see Hartnell on the top line, with Giroux and Lecavalier.
Then I'd go with Simmonds, B Schenn and Voracek-who had a great game last night, loved his effort. The third line, I'd recall McGinn and play him with Couturier and Read. My fourth line would be Talbot, with Ben Holmstrom and Raffl.

That gives you four capable lines, with plenty of guys that can slide up or down as needed. It also has you covered in case of injuries.

I'd love to include Zac Rinaldo in that top 12, but to me, he's taken a huge step back from last year. He's drawn 1 penalty in 11 games this year, and his play has been very undisciplined.

In moving Hartnell up to Giroux's line with Lecavalier, I'd be hoping that Hartnell and Giroux could rediscover their chemistry and that Giroux would get that chip back on his shoulder.
- Jsaquella

Yup. Raffl has only played a handful of NHL games, we don't know what his ceiling is, but it's certainly not a top line player. Put Hartnell back on a line with Giroux, he's proven he can be productive there.

Get Rinaldo and Rosehill out, and have a 4th line of Talbot with Mcginn and Raffl. At least they can play a regular shift, and provide perhaps a little offense.

Team is struggling mightily to score, dressing two players that have zero offensive ability when scoring goals is the main issue is plain stupid.

2 goal lead with about 25 minutes left in the game at home, average teams put those type of games in the cookie jar.
- PLindbergh31

The Ducks found that other gear and the Flyers failed to match it. Sure they were frustrated by the Ducks checking, but the effort level dropped off. The Flyers spent 25 minutes trying to make a 2-1 lead stand up, instead of trying to make it 4-1.

2 goal lead with about 25 minutes left in the game at home, average teams put those type of games in the cookie jar.
- PLindbergh31

I don't disagree with that -- up 2-0, you'd like to win the game, or at least get a point.

But we've struggled to find that third goal all season, you know? Not getting it last night doesn't surprise me -- for all the heat Giroux's getting, at least he had a point last night. Again, yes, we have to be patient with young players. We do. But damn it, it'd be nice if Schenn and Couturier could actually string together a few games where they help the team -- last night was a night where we really needed the second line to score a goal.

Just one goal. Yeah, it's pressure. But you know what? Scott Hartnell, Brayden Schenn and Jakub Voracek needed to get a goal on the board last night.

Yup. Raffl has only played a handful of NHL games, we don't know what his ceiling is, but it's certainly not a top line player. Put Hartnell back on a line with Giroux, he's proven he can be productive there.

Get Rinaldo and Rosehill out, and have a 4th line of Talbot with Mcginn and Raffl. At least they can play a regular shift, and provide perhaps a little offense.

Team is struggling mightily to score, dressing two players that have zero offensive ability when scoring goals is the main issue is plain stupid.
- PLindbergh31

Raffl works hard, and has more grit than I expected. The hands are not there, and may never be there. That's not an issue, because he plays a good, solid game. Rather have a guy who is smart, can skate and at least force the other team to worry about offensive pressure than a guy like Rosehill.

The Ducks found that other gear and the Flyers failed to match it. Sure they were frustrated by the Ducks checking, but the effort level dropped off. The Flyers spent 25 minutes trying to make a 2-1 lead stand up, instead of trying to make it 4-1.
- Jsaquella

Exactly. Playing not to lose, instead of playing to win. Anaheim is a very good team, but the Flyers played great for about 30 minutes, and then literally went in the tank. Very frustrating.

Raffl works hard, and has more grit than I expected. The hands are not there, and may never be there. That's not an issue, because he plays a good, solid game. Rather have a guy who is smart, can skate and at least force the other team to worry about offensive pressure than a guy like Rosehill.
- Jsaquella

Holmgren's had a goon on the roster every year he's been GM. Now the Flyers have a goon as the head coach. Conclusion: Rosehill's not going anywhere.

The archaic, ass backwards thinking is just stunning.

I don't disagree with that -- up 2-0, you'd like to win the game, or at least get a point.

But we've struggled to find that third goal all season, you know? Not getting it last night doesn't surprise me -- for all the heat Giroux's getting, at least he had a point last night. Again, yes, we have to be patient with young players. We do. But damn it, it'd be nice if Schenn and Couturier could actually string together a few games where they help the team -- last night was a night where we really needed the second line to score a goal.

Just one goal. Yeah, it's pressure. But you know what? Scott Hartnell, Brayden Schenn and Jakub Voracek needed to get a goal on the board last night.
- AllInForFlyers

I hear you. Flyers had about 44 minutes to find a third goal and came up empty.

Got in on a shootout.....next season swept by the bruins...to me that sounds like regression not progression...
- PhillaBully

with horrible goaltending.....as I said there were holes....but an early playoff exit looks pretty good right now....lol. If you talk regression? where are we now?

Exactly. Playing not to lose, instead of playing to win. Anaheim is a very good team, but the Flyers played great for about 30 minutes, and then literally went in the tank. Very frustrating.
- PLindbergh31

The reason I keep rehashing the 4th line is, after the lull and the game getting tied, they seemed to lack the ability to crank it back up.

Perhaps they were not gassed. But the only reason a guy like Rinaldo is on the team is to provide energy and a shot in the arm. The oft-stated momentum changing fight is part of what Rosehill is supposed to bring. Neither did jack poop...and Rosehill deserves a big slice of blame on the first goal, where he failed to even make an attempt to pick up Cogliano.

Raffl works hard, and has more grit than I expected. The hands are not there, and may never be there. That's not an issue, because he plays a good, solid game. Rather have a guy who is smart, can skate and at least force the other team to worry about offensive pressure than a guy like Rosehill.
- Jsaquella

I have no issues with Raffl either....I think the kid has played well. The line has been more effective although the results aren't quite there. Give him some time....he obviously has some offensive skills.....he is far from the reason this team sucks.

with horrible goaltending.....as I said there were holes....but an early playoff exit looks pretty good right now....lol. If you talk regression? where are we now?
- landros 2

exactly im all for blowing it up now. I dont see a easy fix for this team. If they trade roster players to fix holes they just create more holes. The cupboard is barren. For that i blame homer, but to say that JVR, carter, richards would make this a better team is a opinion i dont agree with. Id rather blow it up and rebuild rather than offering one bad contract after another in free agency.

There are bigger issues, but the fourth line being totally incapable of being effective is an issue. The Ducks fourth line was effective, and able to keep the pressure up on the Flyers. The Flyers fourth line was awful.
- Jsaquella

Like I said, I don't agree. Lots of teams play with a shortened bench and play 4th line players restricted minutes in games. I don't think it's a factor in my opinion. If the Flyers had a 4th line last night of Talbot/Hall/Raffl, and played them 10-12 minutes, I don't see that changing the outcome of the game, or how the 3rd period played out.

From the second on, and especially in the third, the Flyers were just simply beaten to every loose puck, beaten in every puck battle, and as a result could not sustain any offensive pressure. They were one shot taken and done. If they were lucky enough to get one on net. More often as not it was a missed or blocked shot then off the other way.

Holmgren's had a goon on the roster every year he's been GM. Now the Flyers have a goon as the head coach. Conclusion: Rosehill's not going anywhere.

The archaic, ass backwards thinking is just stunning.
- PLindbergh31

I'm not sold on that, 100%, but the early returns have been alarming.

Rosehill took a dumb penalty and never really was held accountable. Meszaros was scratched for 5 games.

Can't have double standards and expect the "accountability" thing to be effective long term.

The reason I keep rehashing the 4th line is, after the lull and the game getting tied, they seemed to lack the ability to crank it back up.

Perhaps they were not gassed. But the only reason a guy like Rinaldo is on the team is to provide energy and a shot in the arm. The oft-stated momentum changing fight is part of what Rosehill is supposed to bring. Neither did jack poop...and Rosehill deserves a big slice of blame on the first goal, where he failed to even make an attempt to pick up Cogliano.
- Jsaquella

I'm not sure if they were gassed. Still early in the season, and they have had a light workload the last 10 days, but your point is well taken. I'm a big proponent of rolling 4 lines, especially when playing with a lead. Rosehill is a completely useless player. If he couldn't fight he wouldn't be in the NHL.

Perhaps 2 goals or less in 10 out of 11 games is an issue. Mind boggling with the abundance of proven 20+ goal scorers on the roster.
- PLindbergh31

If you want to have that discusion again, we can do that. And we can look at why they aren't scoring enough goals.

The reason I keep rehashing the 4th line is, after the lull and the game getting tied, they seemed to lack the ability to crank it back up.

Perhaps they were not gassed. But the only reason a guy like Rinaldo is on the team is to provide energy and a shot in the arm. The oft-stated momentum changing fight is part of what Rosehill is supposed to bring. Neither did jack poop...and Rosehill deserves a big slice of blame on the first goal, where he failed to even make an attempt to pick up Cogliano.
- Jsaquella

Man, you don't have to explain it anymore. Two members of the fourth line that dressed last night should either not be on an NHL roster, or definitely not dressed against a team that is 9-3 and averaging more goals per game than we've scored in nine of the 11 we've played.

Anybody who doesn't get that by now, you're not going to be able to explain to them why the one team that played a fourth line is 10-3, while the one team that plays Jay Rosehill and Zac Rinaldo is 3-8.

Man, you don't have to explain it anymore. Two members of the fourth line that dressed last night should either not be on an NHL roster, or definitely not dressed against a team that is 9-3 and averaging more goals per game than we've scored in nine of the 11 we've played.

Anybody who doesn't get that by now, you're not going to be able to explain to them why the one team that played a fourth line is 10-3, while the one team that plays Jay Rosehill and Zac Rinaldo is 3-8.
- AllInForFlyers

OK, now let's move onto to mobility on the blue line

Claude Giroux could've played better last night, but he wasn't the problem. Yeah, Michael Raffl's young, but you can't just miss the net when you're cruising down the slot -- that was off a nice setup by Giroux. You bury that, you're up 3-0 and have likely delivered a killshot.

A player's inability to score should never be glossed over. If the guy who can't score should've scored, then you need to replace him with someone who will score.

That being said, at least no one was injured. The Ducks are a better team than the Flyers right now. The Flyers can practice today and try to get back on track against Washington -- some matchups are just bad for this roster right now, and last night's was one of them.
- AllInForFlyers

I disagree that Giroux wasn't a problem. He's arguably the single biggest problem with this team at the moment.

I don't think how much the 4th line played was even a little bit of a factor. I think it's being incredibly overblown. Just my opinion. Much bigger issues with this team.
- MJL

very true....no they didn't see ice much....unfortunately after the first goal where a bad bouce off the boards ended up in the net ...Berube probably wished they had seen one shift less....life as a fourth liner.... Rosehill was the winger coming back and was late to react. Tough bounce though....that is the game....I mean everyone is crusifying Grossman for a give a way? Both he and Coburn were still between the player and the net!!!! it was a hideous bounce....when you lose the micro managers come out.....

I disagree that Giroux wasn't a problem. He's arguably the single biggest problem with this team at the moment.
- MJL

can't knock the captain....0 goals in 11 games and playing a perimeter game. whats to knock!!!!! How did McGinn score???? he went to the net.....Giroux, Simmonds should be paying attention

The reason I keep rehashing the 4th line is, after the lull and the game getting tied, they seemed to lack the ability to crank it back up.

Perhaps they were not gassed. But the only reason a guy like Rinaldo is on the team is to provide energy and a shot in the arm. The oft-stated momentum changing fight is part of what Rosehill is supposed to bring. Neither did jack poop...and Rosehill deserves a big slice of blame on the first goal, where he failed to even make an attempt to pick up Cogliano.
- Jsaquella

I agree that Rosehill needs to be more aware of that backside on that play, but once he saw Cogliano, he attempted to get there but it was just too late. Grossmann made a horrendous play and giveaway.

can't knock the captain....0 goals in 11 games and playing a perimeter game. whats to knock!!!!! How did McGinn score???? he went to the net.....Giroux, Simmonds should be paying attention
- landros 2

You see Lecavalier at the net, Raffl at the net. When do you see Giroux at the net?

very true....no they didn't see ice much....unfortunately after the first goal where a bad bouce off the boards ended up in the net ...Berube probably wished they had seen one shift less....life as a fourth liner.... Rosehill was the winger coming back and was late to react. Tough bounce though....that is the game....I mean everyone is crusifying Grossman for a give a way? Both he and Coburn were still between the player and the net!!!! it was a hideous bounce....when you lose the micro managers come out.....
- landros 2

That's kind of the point, that they didn't see the ice much, because they were totally ineffective.

Grossmann had two horrible giveaways last night. He was terrible.