Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Back in Motion, Quick Hits

First again w000000t

It may not have been the toughest opponent, but the Flyers won a game they were supposed to win, and did it by taking steps toward playing a better team game. If they keep playing that way, they may not be able to beat the top-tier clubs, but there won't be another Boston either.

Thank you Philly. Won me a 20 minute back rub

Funny that when the forwards move their feet and have some semblance of team defense, that 3 of our 6 defenseman had slump-breaking games. Grossman and Schenn looked solid out there, Grossman with a huge bounce back game in this brutal month for him and Schenn continued his steady play. Also as noted, Gusty played a good game at both ends of the ice. I hope he continues to get ice time, get in a groove. I could imagine it's hard for a smaller guy who isn't a physically dominant defenseman to be in and out of the line-up.

Funny that when the forwards move their feet and have some semblance of team defense, that 3 of our 6 defenseman had slump-breaking games. Grossman and Schenn looked solid out there, Grossman with a huge bounce back game in this brutal month for him and Schenn continued his steady play. Also as noted, Gusty played a good game at both ends of the ice. I hope he continues to get ice time, get in a groove. I could imagine it's hard for a smaller guy who isn't a physically dominant defenseman to be in and out of the line-up.
- GirouxForTheShow

Gusty played a good game, but could still add some upper body strength. He gets knocked off of pucks way too easily.

Grossmann has been very penalty-prone this month and took two more last night; one that may have saved a goal but also an unnecessary holding penalty that put the team down on a 4-on-3.

The holding penalty on Grossmann was ticky tack and frankly, I don't see how the official could have made that call from that angle (the play happened right in front of my seats). I think the official extrapolated more than what was really there.

The delay of the game penalty he took was pretty careless and showed a lack of awareness of where he was on the ice. He practically knocked Mason over to get to the puck carrier behind the net, as he knocked the net off. That play was so full of derp, I was speechless, and I'm a big fan of Nick's.

Gusty played a good game, but could still add some upper body strength. He gets knocked off of pucks way too easily.
- jmatchett383

Sure, he could definitely use some upper body strength, hell lower body strength won't hurt either. My point about him physically was more that he needs to be smart with his positioning and quick with his stick to make up for a lack of size. Which I'd guess is harder to get into a groove with being in and out of the top 6.

Sure, he could definitely use some upper body strength, hell lower body strength won't hurt either. My point about him physically was more that he needs to be smart with his positioning and quick with his stick to make up for a lack of size. Which I'd guess is harder to get into a groove with being in and out of the top 6.
- GirouxForTheShow

Absolutely. If he plays like that, it will be hard for Berube to take him out. I'll never forget his game 6 vs. Pittsburgh. It was his best all-around game I've ever seen, and his one-on-one stop against Malkin was fantastic, straight-up Timonen-style defense.

I've said it before, I'll say it again: this defense is better with Gus in the line-up.

Hopefully he can string some games together here.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Back in Motion, Quick Hits
- bmeltzer

I truly believe Schenn and Gus play better when they get more minutes. They were both getting a good chunks of minutes last year and they played very well. I get that, I've always felt the more I play the better I play

Now if only we can gilooly getzlaf, perry, fowler, kopitar, quick, doughty, pavelski, Thornton and marleau, this trip should be just fine

Hopefully the Flyers can bottle last night's performance and take it with them on the road trip west.

G needs to act like he's playing in front of Babcock every single game.

I'll admit I didnt watch the game last night, but I still cant feel too good about all this "good" news. I mean they did what they were supposed to do, beat and looked good beating an AHL team, with a back-up goalie in net. Detroits top 4 players were out of the game. How do you think the Flyers would do if Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, and Schenn were not playing?

All around a pretty good effort against a depleted Wings team.
The combined home record of the 3 teams the Flyers face in this 3 game Western gauntlet is 56-12-8.

If the Flyers manage to secure 3 points they did very well.

I truly believe Schenn and Gus play better when they get more minutes. They were both getting a good chunks of minutes last year and they played very well. I get that, I've always felt the more I play the better I play
- nastyflyergirl

Many defenseman have said that through the years. I remember timonen saying the same thing

I'll admit I didnt watch the game last night, but I still cant feel too good about all this "good" news. I mean they did what they were supposed to do, beat and looked good beating an AHL team, with a back-up goalie in net. Detroits top 4 players were out of the game. How do you think the Flyers would do if Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, and Schenn were not playing?
- youarewrong

Baby steps. Gain confidence while forming better habits. Turn arounds usually start with wins over bad teams. Then they build off of it

Strange how Grossmann, L Schenn and others played so much better last night, when they kept their feet moving, and reacted more quickly to loose pucks.

Funny how that works.

All around a pretty good effort against a depleted Wings team.
The combined home record of the 3 teams the Flyers face in this 3 game Western gauntlet is 56-12-8.

If the Flyers manage to secure 3 points they did very well.
- PLindbergh31

I think the kings game is the most winnable if you even want to call it that. Sharks and ducks are bad matchups for everyone but the flyers in particular

Now if only we can gilooly getzlaf, perry, fowler, kopitar, quick, doughty, pavelski, Thornton and marleau, this trip should be just fine
- PhillySportsGuy

Don't forget Carter, Richards (hot as of late), Brown, Hiller, Niemi, and Couture.

Heck, might as well stop by Colorado on the way out there and take some lead pipes to Varlamov, Duchesne, Landeskog, RoR, and MacKinnon for the 2/6 game.

I truly believe Schenn and Gus play better when they get more minutes. They were both getting a good chunks of minutes last year and they played very well. I get that, I've always felt the more I play the better I play
- nastyflyergirl

Schenn does seem to play better with more minutes. They said that about him in T.O. as well.

I think the kings game is the most winnable if you even want to call it that. Sharks and ducks are bad matchups for everyone but the flyers in particular
- PhillySportsGuy

which is why the Flyers will probably win 2 of 3 on this trip, if for no other reason then so they can get out hopes up once again ... before dashing them later in the year.

Baby steps. Gain confidence while forming better habits. Turn arounds usually start with wins over bad teams. Then they build off of it
- PhillySportsGuy

Exactly. It's the same reason why I'm firmly against bringing up AHL defenseman in "throw away" seasons. You can't gain confidence by playing against the Western Conference All Stars (the fully-healthy Chicago Blackhawks). You do it by playing against a team you can beat. You go out, play smart, hard hockey, and succeed. And go from there with some confidence.

Don't forget Carter, Richards (hot as of late), Brown, Hiller, Niemi, and Couture.

Heck, might as well stop by Colorado on the way out there and take some lead pipes to Varlamov, Duchesne, Landeskog, RoR, and MacKinnon for the 2/6 game.
- jmatchett383

I like the way you do business

which is why the Flyers will probably win 2 of 3 on this trip, if for no other reason then so they can get out hopes up once again ... before dashing them later in the year.

- FlyerGuy

I just want them to play well against these three teams. I want them to feel like they earned it.