And how many of those shots from the scoring areas came after the score was 3-1 and the Flyers were continuing their self-destruction with penalties and Hagelin rebound goal from the doorstep? For two periods, most of NY's shot attempts were either from the perimeter or well-covered. Emery only had a few tough saves in his own right during that time. The Zuccarello goal was a bad breakdown defensively.
- bmeltzer

The domination in the scoring-chance areas began in the 2nd for the Rangers while the game was still tied. All but one of their credited shots in that period came between the FO dots and within 25-ft of Emery. They expanded that dominance in the 3rd.

His sense of timing is Carcillonian
- BulliesPhan87

This is what I listened to after the game.

McDonagh is hurt right? he should get his (frank)ing clock cleaned but they won't....just like they let their starting goalie get trucked right out of action and did nothing except lose 2 third period leads. they will never be free from the reputation they earned in the 1970's so why puss out now?
- hogweed

They did respond. Several players asked Megma to go and he declined.

Taking 12 minutes worth of penalties -- 10 in the third period -- and generating only 2 mins of their own PP time is going to take an offensive specialist like Lecavalier right out of the game.
- bmeltzer

As soon as the Rangers converted on the second PP goal on the Akeson double minor the game was over. Anything that happened after didn't matter.

McDonagh is hurt right? he should get his (frank)ing clock cleaned but they won't....just like they let their starting goalie get trucked right out of action and did nothing except lose 2 third period leads. they will never be free from the reputation they earned in the 1970's so why puss out now?
- hogweed

McDonagh didn't play well last night. I'm sure he isn't 100%.

They did respond. Several players asked Megma to go and he declined.
- KGBflyers10

I know. Theres nothing they could have done. They wanted to win the game and clinch the 3 seed and avoid having to play the Bruins. They showed great restraint and realized the game was more important than revenge.

That being said, I'd like to see them give Fleury a hard time in their first meeting next season.

Exactly. When the Flyers took the 1-0 lead, the fact that cross check wasn't called on McDonagh was a joke. I'm not one to complain about referees, but that was a disgrace. If the Flyers get the PP there after taking that 1-0 lead, with some momentum score on the ensuing PP, it would have likely been a different game. That said, water under the bridge now. Sunday is a must win, don't let anyone tell you any different.
- PLindbergh31

That's my attitude. I'd like to see more attention the other way from the referees, but the Flyers didn't lose because we didn't get any striped love last night, nor will that be the story of the series. They just have to be better on Sunday. I'm hoping we get angry Clode again, I like him when he's angry.

I don't know about "must win", but it's as close as you can get. It's an uphill battle already, we don't want it getting any steeper.

As soon as the Rangers converted on the second PP goal on the Akeson double minor the game was over. Anything that happened after didn't matter.
- PLindbergh31

Convenient. I was livid that Giroux takes a "stick penalty" during the commercial timeout that gave the Rags another PP. I don't even care if the team had the potential to complete a comeback. There's losing a game, and then there's embarrassing yourself. There's no shame in giving up 2 PP goals on a double-minor due to a hustle-play gone bad. There absolutely is shame when your "fearless captain" is taking frustration penalties late in the 3rd when the team could benefit from leadership and setting the tone for game 2. The only tone we set is that we can play well until the game is out of our reach, and then we're just going to start taking penalties. It was pathetic.

They did respond. Several players asked Megma to go and he declined.
- KGBflyers10

really? well thats different, if he said no then i guess you just let it go.......or rinaldo can save one of those head shots for someone who actually (frank)ing deserves it

Convenient. I was livid that Giroux takes a "stick penalty" during the commercial timeout that gave the Rags another PP. I don't even care if the team had the potential to complete a comeback. There's losing a game, and then there's embarrassing yourself. There's no shame in giving up 2 PP goals on a double-minor due to a hustle-play gone bad. There absolutely is shame when your "fearless captain" is taking frustration penalties late in the 3rd when the team could benefit from leadership and setting the tone for game 2. The only tone we set is that we can play well until the game is out of our reach, and then we're just going to start taking penalties. It was pathetic.
- steelydan

Giroux has taken a lot of frustration penalties late in games this year. At 3-1 lets face it the Flyers unraveled.

Convenient. I was livid that Giroux takes a "stick penalty" during the commercial timeout that gave the Rags another PP. I don't even care if the team had the potential to complete a comeback. There's losing a game, and then there's embarrassing yourself. There's no shame in giving up 2 PP goals on a double-minor due to a hustle-play gone bad. There absolutely is shame when your "fearless captain" is taking frustration penalties late in the 3rd when the team could benefit from leadership and setting the tone for game 2. The only tone we set is that we can play well until the game is out of our reach, and then we're just going to start taking penalties. It was pathetic.
- steelydan

I don't think many of the criticisms of Giroux leadership-wise hold much water, but this one does. PK just did a lousy job of letting Akeson off the hook... captain has to know that to stem the bleeding, they can't take another penalty for the rest of the game, and he has to lead by example.

I don't think many of the criticisms of Giroux leadership-wise hold much water, but this one does. PK just did a lousy job of letting Akeson off the hook... captain has to know that to stem the bleeding, they can't take another penalty for the rest of the game, and he has to lead by example.
- Tomahawk

Flyers became the Pens last night.

Any updated news on Mase? I think Ray did a great job last night until he was forced into making post to post saves.. just not a fast as Mason.

I don't think many of the criticisms of Giroux leadership-wise hold much water, but this one does. PK just did a lousy job of letting Akeson off the hook... captain has to know that to stem the bleeding, they can't take another penalty for the rest of the game, and he has to lead by example.
- Tomahawk

yes

Giroux has taken a lot of frustration penalties late in games this year. At 3-1 lets face it the Flyers unraveled.
- PLindbergh31

Part of what makes Giroux the player he is, is the fact that he is an intense player -- it doesn't always come out well, when he's frustrated.

But I have a feeling that is an integral part of what makes him elite

And how many of those shots from the scoring areas came after the score was 3-1 and the Flyers were continuing their self-destruction with penalties and Hagelin rebound goal from the doorstep? For two periods, most of NY's shot attempts were either from the perimeter or well-covered. Emery only had a few tough saves in his own right during that time. The Zuccarello goal was a bad breakdown defensively.
- bmeltzer

If I remember right, Simmonds hesitated with the puck along the wall feet from the blue line, turned around in the zone instead of just popping it out, and the puck got stolen from him leading to the goal. Not good.

Flyers became the Pens last night.
- PhillySportsGuy

To me it wasn't just last night.

Pittsburgh did exactly the same thing to them in game 81, even though they managed to win the game.

I am fine with them showing emotion. Hell, they play better when they play on the line. I always think aggressive is better than cautious. The point here being, where was that anger and frustration earlier in the game?

They were being bent over from the start of puck drop.

That's my attitude. I'd like to see more attention the other way from the referees, but the Flyers didn't lose because we didn't get any striped love last night, nor will that be the story of the series. They just have to be better on Sunday. I'm hoping we get angry Clode again, I like him when he's angry.

I don't know about "must win", but it's as close as you can get. It's an uphill battle already, we don't want it getting any steeper.
- BulliesPhan87

Flyers didn't play well, but 1 penalty on the Rags the whole game was a f'n joke.

Any updated news on Mase? I think Ray did a great job last night until he was forced into making post to post saves.. just not a fast as Mason.
- Hextall271

According to the beats, Mason is on the ice today, taking shots and testing himself out.

Part of what makes Giroux the player he is, is the fact that he is an intense player -- it doesn't always come out well, when he's frustrated.

But I have a feeling that is an integral part of what makes him elite
- AllInForFlyers

Without Giroux, the Flyers aren't close to a playoff team. I'm not criticizing him at all. He's a very competitive player and when he gets frustrated he sometimes loses control of his emotions. He's got to be smarter.

Here are my thoughts.

1. The flyers did well with keeping shots out wide for better part of the game until they had to play catch up after the pp goals. Only real breakdown was the Zucarello goal. Emery was able to see almost evrything.

2. Best line was Cooter, Akeson, Read. Yes Akeson took a bad penalty but the line created some chances and was able to move the puck. As much as Akeson has limitations you can see his offensive insticts.

3. Giroux needs to get more engaged. Hartnell and Voracek were moving well.

4. I am not in panick mode but maybe moving Vinny to the top line with G and Voracek and having a line of Hartnell - Schenn - Simmonds could help in this series. Schenn - Simmonds - hartnell did well before playing together in a very north/south style and could help in getting pucks deep and working the boards and defenders.

5. The loss sucks but since the schedule is spaced out i think it limits the momentum the Rangers take into game two. Also if mason goes back in it is not like he is replacing a goalie who just stood on his head. No goalie controversy to talk about until game day. His puck handling also helps the dman in not allowing the rangers forwards to get in the forcheck as quick sometimes because he is moving the puck around the boards.

Just thoughts. I know people will crucify them

It was because GiG played Dazed and Confused during intermission...
- PhillySportsGuy

IT WAS SHUFFLE

To me it wasn't just last night.

Pittsburgh did exactly the same thing to them in game 81, even though they managed to win the game.

I am fine with them showing emotion. Hell, they play better when they play on the line. I always think aggressive is better than cautious. The point here being, where was that anger and frustration earlier in the game?

They were being bent over from the start of puck drop.
- flyer_nutter

I don't believe the team lost due to a lack of hustle or heart or whatever you want to call it. They lost because they didn't execute zone clears and let one unlucky PP goal totally dismantle them.

I felt they had been outplayed for 2 periods, but I still felt good about their chances going into the third. They had limited the Rangers scoring chances and I knew a PP would be coming to them in the third.

Things just completely unraveled in the third. Its like the floodgates opened once that first PP goal went in.

Flyers didn't play well, but 1 penalty on the Rags the whole game was a f'n joke.
- wolfhounds

I guess that's just the hand they were dealt, gotta play it.

IT WAS SHUFFLE
- Giroux_Is_God

Gotta have a more careful gameplan, man. You're better than this!