Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Playing for Third, Gustafsson

How concerned should we be Bill?

My hope is that they get up for the Penguins, like they always do, and carry that into the playoffs. As much as I want the Flyers to finish at the best possible spot, falling into a wildcard and playing the Pens is likely the best shot this team has for winning a series and gaining some momentum. That's not to say the Pens is an easy series; it's not. I'm just saying that we're best matched against them, as opposed to the Rangers (in NY) or Boston (anywhere under the sun). Either way, we saw what the team did in March. They just need to get that momentum back before going into the playoffs or they will get bounced quickly.

It was a bad game, no doubt. I think Mason should have started, maybe he makes the extra 2-3 saves needed. But I'm not blaming this game on Emery so much as the Flyers not capitalizing and allowing too many chances to Tampa Bay.

Through it all, I'm not worried as much as I probably should be. This team is very streaky, and I hope they're getting a bad streak out of their system heading into the playoffs. I'm hoping they don't play Boston, but they're going to have to beat a good team no matter where they place. We'll just have to hope they're able to recapture a little of the swagger they had a month ago.

Just couldn't find it within myself to get worked up over the game last night -- glad Mason and Grossmann were able to get some rest, and truthfully, I won't necessarily freak out if another defenseman or two who is deemed crucial to team success gets a break.

Do I want the Flyers to play the Bruins in the first round? No. No, I do not.

But at some point, you gotta play somebody. Since they're opening on the road, regardless, I'm hopeful that they're simply as healthy as possible and just take their best shot.

I really hope the Flyers drop to the first wild card slot.

Much rather the Penguins in the first round than the Rangers.

It sounds crazy considering the talent on the Pens, but the Rangers play a style of hockey that the Flyers seem completely incapable of figuring out. Tampa does the same crap to the Flyers each game as well, but are a tad less physical.

To start the day, i'd also like to throw out a crazy trade proposal.

To Wash:
B. Schenn
Laughton
2016 1st Rd Pick
Bag of Cash

To Phil:
Ovechkin

Turn him into a Left Winger and go Ovechkin/Giroux/Voracek

Go ahead, kill my dream.

The Flyers struggle against teams with strong systems....those teams that stick to those systems....NJ, NYR, Boston, Tampa......the thing is they proved they were capable of beating those types of systems teams....they St. Louis blues are a perfect example and to me mirror the Bruins and are a better version of the Rangers.....so although I don't want Boston in round one, its about commiting to the game plan and sticking to it....playing with in yourself.....so Steve Downie can't run around and make low percentage plays....Luke Schenn has to let the physical game come to him...he's to bloody slow to take himself out of plays in his own end ....he seems to get confused after missing a check.
These mistakes are correctable....because they weren't making them when they had their little run.
Heck its the playoffs...Gotta a couple of games to get the ship righted ...then lets go....lets face it...if we cant beat the Bruins who can ?????

How concerned should we be Bill?
- GOA88

A little concerned; not panicked. While Flyers would be underdogs against either the Rangers or Penguins, I could see a scenario where they could find a way to win the series (Rangers sometimes go cold offensively, Pens can have goaltending/D lapses). Against Boston? Well, I would be pleasantly surprised if the Flyers can get it to six games.

It was a bad game, no doubt. I think Mason should have started, maybe he makes the extra 2-3 saves needed. But I'm not blaming this game on Emery so much as the Flyers not capitalizing and allowing too many chances to Tampa Bay.

Through it all, I'm not worried as much as I probably should be. This team is very streaky, and I hope they're getting a bad streak out of their system heading into the playoffs. I'm hoping they don't play Boston, but they're going to have to beat a good team no matter where they place. We'll just have to hope they're able to recapture a little of the swagger they had a month ago.
- jmatchett383

I think berube figured that 3 games before the playoffs, against a team the Flyers struggle to win against, two nights before a big weekend, were sufficient reasons to let Mason rest and to keep his confidence high.

Why take the chance of Mason getting lit up or take a loss in a game the Flyers figured they'd have a tough chance to win.

Besides, i don thik ty want te Rangers in round 1.

I really hope the Flyers drop to the first wild card slot.

Much rather the Penguins in the first round than the Rangers.

It sounds crazy considering the talent on the Pens, but the Rangers play a style of hockey that the Flyers seem completely incapable of figuring out. Tampa does the same crap to the Flyers each game as well, but are a tad less physical.

To start the day, i'd also like to throw out a crazy trade proposal.

To Wash:
B. Schenn
Laughton
2016 1st Rd Pick
Bag of Cash

To Phil:
Ovechkin

Turn him into a Left Winger and go Ovechkin/Giroux/Voracek

Go ahead, kill my dream.
- Flyersgod

wow....but would Grossmann give up his # 8 ??

A little concerned; not panicked. While Flyers would be underdogs against either the Rangers or Penguins, I could see a scenario where they could find a way to win the series (Rangers sometimes go cold offensively, Pens can have goaltending/D lapses). Against Boston? Well, I would be pleasantly surprised if the Flyers can get it to six games.
- bmeltzer

As long as they're underdogs and people think they don't have a chance, i'm confident that the team can win the series. Maybe its a philly thing, but this team finds a way to win when they're not supposed to. However, they also find ways to lose when they're not supposed to. So i guess thats the catch...

wow....but would Grossmann give up his # 8 ??
- landros 2

Nope, you change his number to 36. To remind him that he was a -36 the previous year.

I just don't see the Flyers having that extra push to get over the mountain. Sure they do well against the Pens, but is that all they have? I get frustrated when the other team's 2nd string goalie is made to look like the "2nd coming." Look at the other good teams, and even when they have players out of the line-up, they find a way to win. I really question the ability of the Flyers to make any sort of noise during the playoffs.
Is G done for the year? After making the famous "Playoff" statement, and missing the Olympics, he was a man on a mission. Now that they have made the playoffs, is G going to be satisfied? Is the team going to be satisfied?
Sure, for TV interviews, they say all the right things, but to show up for 60 minutes of ice time is more important to me.
Sure, we can blame the D or the goalies, but I look at the team's character, and chemistry. We have good players on the team, but to look good on paper is one thing.
Please don't misunderstand me. I am not trying to be a "Debbie Downer", but I just don't see that special "thing" about the team.

I think berube figured that 3 games before the playoffs, against a team the Flyers struggle to win against, two nights before a big weekend, were sufficient reasons to let Mason rest and to keep his confidence high.

Why take the chance of Mason getting lit up or take a loss in a game the Flyers figured they'd have a tough chance to win.

Besides, i don thik ty want te Rangers in round 1.
- Flyersgod

I don't necessarily want the Rangers, but there's a distinct possibility that they'd have to play Boston just as easily as Pittsburgh.

I just don't see the Flyers having that extra push to get over the mountain. Sure they do well against the Pens, but is that all they have? I get frustrated when the other team's 2nd string goalie is made to look like the "2nd coming." Look at the other good teams, and even when they have players out of the line-up, they find a way to win. I really question the ability of the Flyers to make any sort of noise during the playoffs.
Is G done for the year? After making the famous "Playoff" statement, and missing the Olympics, he was a man on a mission. Now that they have made the playoffs, is G going to be satisfied? Is the team going to be satisfied?
Sure, for TV interviews, they say all the right things, but to show up for 60 minutes of ice time is more important to me.
Sure, we can blame the D or the goalies, but I look at the team's character, and chemistry. We have good players on the team, but to look good on paper is one thing.
Please don't misunderstand me. I am not trying to be a "Debbie Downer", but I just don't see that special "thing" about the team.
- OrangeAndBlack1

They're no worse than the 07/08 Flyers or the 09/10 Flyers. Those teams had better defense, this team has better goaltending.

I don't necessarily want the Rangers, but there's a distinct possibility that they'd have to play Boston just as easily as Pittsburgh.
- jmatchett383

At least those matchups would be exciting.

Rangers are so boring to watch.

At least those matchups would be exciting.

Rangers are so boring to watch.
- Flyersgod

I don't think I've ever seen a "boring" playoff game. Maybe some of the late-90's Devils games, but that's about it.

I just don't see the Flyers having that extra push to get over the mountain. Sure they do well against the Pens, but is that all they have? I get frustrated when the other team's 2nd string goalie is made to look like the "2nd coming." Look at the other good teams, and even when they have players out of the line-up, they find a way to win. I really question the ability of the Flyers to make any sort of noise during the playoffs.
Is G done for the year? After making the famous "Playoff" statement, and missing the Olympics, he was a man on a mission. Now that they have made the playoffs, is G going to be satisfied? Is the team going to be satisfied?
Sure, for TV interviews, they say all the right things, but to show up for 60 minutes of ice time is more important to me.
Sure, we can blame the D or the goalies, but I look at the team's character, and chemistry. We have good players on the team, but to look good on paper is one thing.

Please don't misunderstand me. I am not trying to be a "Debbie Downer", but I just don't see that special "thing" about the team.
- OrangeAndBlack1

heck, the year they went to the finals I thought they had thrown away the playoffs al together down the stretch......so I am going to take the wait and see approach and hope a Brayden Schenn or a M. raffl....finds a streak.... hey it could happen....

They're no worse than the 07/08 Flyers or the 09/10 Flyers. Those teams had better defense, this team has better goaltending.
- jmatchett383

09/10 Flyers had better offense, too.

I really hope the Flyers drop to the first wild card slot.

Much rather the Penguins in the first round than the Rangers.

It sounds crazy considering the talent on the Pens, but the Rangers play a style of hockey that the Flyers seem completely incapable of figuring out. Tampa does the same crap to the Flyers each game as well, but are a tad less physical.

To start the day, i'd also like to throw out a crazy trade proposal.

To Wash:
B. Schenn
Laughton
2016 1st Rd Pick
Bag of Cash

To Phil:
Ovechkin

Turn him into a Left Winger and go Ovechkin/Giroux/Voracek

Go ahead, kill my dream.
- Flyersgod

Salary Cap.

The Flyers struggle against teams with strong systems....those teams that stick to those systems....NJ, NYR, Boston, Tampa......the thing is they proved they were capable of beating those types of systems teams....they St. Louis blues are a perfect example and to me mirror the Bruins and are a better version of the Rangers.....so although I don't want Boston in round one, its about commiting to the game plan and sticking to it....playing with in yourself.....so Steve Downie can't run around and make low percentage plays....Luke Schenn has to let the physical game come to him...he's to bloody slow to take himself out of plays in his own end ....he seems to get confused after missing a check.
These mistakes are correctable....because they weren't making them when they had their little run.
Heck its the playoffs...Gotta a couple of games to get the ship righted ...then lets go....lets face it...if we cant beat the Bruins who can ?????
- landros 2

Every NHL team has a strong and sound system. It's the execution of it, that matters.

09/10 Flyers had better offense, too.
- Feanor

2.80 G/GP compared to 2.83 G/GP is negligible.

Every NHL team has a strong and sound system. It's the execution of it, that matters.
- MJL

Edmonton has a system? What is it, "Shoot as much as possible and abandon all defense ye who enter here?"

Salary Cap.
- MJL

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing (after a good chuckle). They'd have to move some other guys out, too.