Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 11/30/13 @ Nashville

Sounds like a wounded team down in Nashville. The flyers need to come out and put them away early. Worried that Nashville could lull them to sleep and put them away late

Sounds like a wounded team down in Nashville. The flyers need to come out and out them away early. Worried that Nashville could lull them to sleep and put them away late
- JoeRussomanno

i wonder if that is what happens in these situations where they flyers seem to falter against teams w/ major pieces out of action?

We shall see on this more difficult higher rated opposition road trip if they can be reasonable road warriors or if they are strictly "Homers". No more tryptophan lulls.

How close to Orr are you going to place Byfuglien?
- wolfhounds

Not very... only reason they're being mentioned in the same breath was to dispel the notion that constant risk-taking disqualifies Buff from being a legit #1.

Playing a team with a depleted line up and their back up goalie has not been a recipe for success for the Flyers. The back up goalie typically stands on their head.

I was working yesterday and listened to the game on the radio.
I'm curious what guys were used on the two man advantage.

Did they do the usual moving Voracek off replaced with Vinnie?
I'm not a fan of changing the PP units for the 5 vs 3.

Not very... only reason they're being mentioned in the same breath was to dispel the notion that constant risk-taking disqualifies Buff from being a legit #1.
- Tomahawk

Buf's inconsistency is the thing that holds him back from being a franchise D man.
Just look at the last two games against the Flyers for a perfect example.

Flyers should come out hard and attack the preds, young d core they should dominate. (Key word is should) can't underestimate them though because even though they are young they have great talent. Forechecking is key today bang some body's. Hope our first line dominates have yet to see it this year.

Not very... only reason they're being mentioned in the same breath was to dispel the notion that constant risk-taking disqualifies Buff from being a legit #1.
- Tomahawk

Yup, can't disagree. And as if on queue, Ek has Byf posing on the front page and of course the Flyers are mentioned in the rumor.

Like the Yak rumors, there's no doubt either player could come in a make a difference, but they both have some baggage so it really comes down to what players are going the other way.

So Razor with the start. Makes sense in the back to back. I really want to see them get the 2 pts today even though it's a quick turnaround. Gotta put that bad Florida trip in the rear view mirror and get on a roll again.

Next 6 road games:
Nashville, Minnesota, Detroit, Dallas, Ottawa, Chicago.
That is very tough.
Being realistic, 3 and 3 would be a good outcome here and will take a huge effort I think. I could just as easily see them go 2-4 or 1-5.
Any predictions for this road trip?

We're going to have to have a real bad game tonight to lose to that Preds lineup. Unfortunately I don't completely put that past our boys.

Great college football games, Flyers hockey and the fiancé out with her bridesmaids all day! Life doesn't get any better!

Next 6 road games:
Nashville, Minnesota, Detroit, Dallas, Ottawa, Chicago.
That is very tough.
Being realistic, 3 and 3 would be a good outcome here and will take a huge effort I think. I could just as easily see them go 2-4 or 1-5.
Any predictions for this road trip?
- Marc D

I agree with you. If Weber is out, this is a game they need to get. The rest of those games will be difficult. Beating Ottawa three times in as many weeks is going to be very difficult no matter how poorly they're playing.

3 keys to a victory for the Flyers tonight

1. Forecheck, forecheck, forecheck!
Weber is a horse who plays ton of hard minutes for the Preds. If he is out of the lineup the Flyers need to take advantage of that by quickly establishing a hard forecheck and putting pressure on Nashville's D

2. Play smart
Energy is always a factor when you have to travel to the 2nd game of a back to back set. One way to conserve energy is to NOT take bad penalties. Play aggressive, but play smart. In other words, initiate but don't retaliate.

3. Get the first goal
Nashville is not a good comeback club. Score a couple early and you can force them off their game

Go Flyers!!

Next 6 road games:
Nashville, Minnesota, Detroit, Dallas, Ottawa, Chicago.
That is very tough.
Being realistic, 3 and 3 would be a good outcome here and will take a huge effort I think. I could just as easily see them go 2-4 or 1-5.
Any predictions for this road trip?
- Marc D

3-3 sounds about right
I think they win tonight, against Dallas and against Ottawa and lose to Minnesota, Detroit and Chicago

Great college football games, Flyers hockey and the fiancé out with her bridesmaids all day! Life doesn't get any better!
- PhillySportsGuy

Sweet!!

Isn't it Minnesota on Mon and Detroit on Wednesday Bill?

3-3 sounds about right
I think they win tonight, against Dallas and against Ottawa and lose to Minnesota, Detroit and Chicago
- BiggE

Dallas is pretty good the games I've seen, but they have one truly great line and the rest is so so.
Can't wait to see Couts vs Benn.
Benn is a beast.

Dallas is pretty good the games I've seen, but they have one truly great line and the rest is so so.
Can't wait to see Couts vs Benn.
Benn is a beast.
- Marc D

Robidas broke his leg I believe, should make things a bit easier.

A d-man I always wanted on this team, but getting a little too grey in the pubes.

Next 6 road games:
Nashville, Minnesota, Detroit, Dallas, Ottawa, Chicago.
That is very tough.
Being realistic, 3 and 3 would be a good outcome here and will take a huge effort I think. I could just as easily see them go 2-4 or 1-5.
Any predictions for this road trip?
- Marc D

1-4-2

Dallas is pretty good the games I've seen, but they have one truly great line and the rest is so so.
Can't wait to see Couts vs Benn.
Benn is a beast.
- Marc D

The big line is terrific and that Nichushkin is going to be real special. He blew by the D two games ago for breakaways and he controls the boards like no other 18 year old I have seen. The Stars work hard all the way through the four lines and Lehtonen can steal any game when he is on and usually is. Flyers must be prepared to grind it out for the full 60 to get the W in Dallas.

The big line is terrific and that Nichushkin is going to be real special. He blew by the D two games ago for breakaways and he controls the boards like no other 18 year old I have seen. The Stars work hard all the way through the four lines and Lehtonen can steal any game when he is on and usually is. Flyers must be prepared to grind it out for the full 60 to get the W in Dallas.
- flyerdude17

Talking to myself now,lol. Forgot to add I just can not believe how the Flyers and many others passed on Nichushkin where he was rated #3. Like one TSN guys said when he saw Nichushkin play he completely through out the Russian factor, the kid is worth the gamble.

Just looking at the Chicago lineup, its no real suprise why they are so good.

Basically the same crew as well from when Kane sealed it against the Flyers.

Philadelphia, in terms of its lineup, is a much different team.

Talking to myself now,lol. Forgot to add I just can not believe how the Flyers and many others passed on Nichushkin where he was rated #3. Like one TSN guys said when he saw Nichushkin play he completely through out the Russian factor, the kid is worth the gamble.
- flyerdude17

He was picked one before the Flyers at #10