It's a huge problem because of the degree of how much better Aekson was compared to big name/salaried players the Flyers will be counting heavily on if they're going to make a run this year.
- Jsaquella

Even on the Akeson penalty.. he was actually playing hard and just lost his balance and swung through with the stick. Tough penalty, but it wasnt for lack of effort. The PK was atrocious last night.

I thought Jake and Hartnell looked real good last night, but Giroux was realllllly invisible

Wow..... Lecavalier last in ice time. 7:42. Invisible.

The problem is, the Flyers aren't a good even-strength team. When they win, it's mostly because of special teams. One PP for and 6 against is disastrous for them.
- bradleyc4

And...there is that. Even-strength team has been a pain in the arse for two-plus years now.

Yup. It was a careless penalty, he wasn't being undisciplined was kind of a freak thing. With the options to replace him Rosehill and VDV two guys who aren't going to produce offense, leave Akeson in. At least he's got a chance of creating something.
- PLindbergh31

That, and the fact that against the Rags, you have to move the puck quickly, with accuracy.

That kid passes as well as anyone on the NHL roster. He settles the puck and moves it with precision. He thinks the game at the speed you have to against the Rangers, and he goes to the right places.

Will that make up for his limitations? Hell, I don't know. But there's a reason why the kid looked like he could contribute last night -- he's thinking the game at the speed the Rangers play it.

And...there is that. Even-strength team has been a pain in the arse for two-plus years now.
- AllInForFlyers

Flyers 5v5 play has to improve dramatically. You can't depend on the PP in the playoffs.

That, and the fact that against the Rags, you have to move the puck quickly, with accuracy.

That kid passes as well as anyone on the NHL roster. He settles the puck and moves it with precision. He thinks the game at the speed you have to against the Rangers, and he goes to the right places.

Will that make up for his limitations? Hell, I don't know. But there's a reason why the kid looked like he could contribute last night -- he's thinking the game at the speed the Rangers play it.
- AllInForFlyers

I'm with you. Akeson didn't look out of place at all. I would put Gustafsson in the lineup as well. Need more mobility on the backend in this series.

It's hard for me to really rip Berube for using him so much. He was one of their best players.
- Jsaquella

Best forward, period, IMO.

Best forward, period, IMO.
- Tomahawk

I thought Jake and Hartnell were good.

I think the team would look a lot better if they could find a way to get out of their own zone.

hopefully he doesn't. i don't think his penalty cost them the game. can't hammer the kid so he's afraid to make a mistake.
- hammarby31

it depends on how you define it. they played really below average hockey for 2.5 periods, but it was still 1-1. that penalty, and the rags scoring twice, was the game. period. i think the kid played well, but just as schenn took a needless penalty that cost them a power play in the second, akeson going for that huge check from that position is not a smart thing to do.

Best forward, period, IMO.
- Tomahawk

Better than VL?

Watch the Flyers flame out in this series, with Lecavalier doing nothing, while the Habs go on a run with Briere doing what he does. Would be typical.

Best forward, period, IMO.
- Tomahawk

That line was the only one that looked like it was going to score, TBH. I did think they were going to get one.

Flyers 5v5 play has to improve dramatically. You can't depend on the PP in the playoffs.
- PLindbergh31

this team needs to play inspired hockey for 60 minutes to win games like these. they have demonstrated the ability to so this, but they don't do it nearly enough.

Even on the Akeson penalty.. he was actually playing hard and just lost his balance and swung through with the stick. Tough penalty, but it wasnt for lack of effort. The PK was atrocious last night.

I thought Jake and Hartnell looked real good last night, but Giroux was realllllly invisible
- jak521

I won't hold that dumb poop "double minor for bleeding" rule against Akeson. He played hard last night. He looked a bit outmatched physically, but he responded well.

Agreed on Giroux, he was a non-factor. The team in general seemed lost and confused with the puck.

Flyers 5v5 play has to improve dramatically. You can't depend on the PP in the playoffs.
- PLindbergh31

Ding ding ding

That line was the only one that looked like it was going to score, TBH. I did think they were going to get one.
- AllInForFlyers

The top line DID score

Flyers 5v5 play has to improve dramatically. You can't depend on the PP in the playoffs.
- PLindbergh31

Not against the Rangers, anyways. We've seen this a number of times. The Rangers make the Flyers pay for every mistake, and don't make many themselves.

I won't hold that dumb poop "double minor for bleeding" rule against Akeson. He played hard last night. He looked a bit outmatched physically, but he responded well.

Agreed on Giroux, he was a non-factor. The team in general seemed lost and confused with the puck.
- BulliesPhan87

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

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

His sense of timing is Carcillonian

The top line DID score
- PhillySportsGuy

They did; and they deserve credit for what they did to make that goal happen. But MacDonald scored the goal, and I'm saying that of the forwards, the third line looked like it was going to score a goal, and I did not feel any of the other forward lines were playing well enough to do so.

Better than VL?

Watch the Flyers flame out in this series, with Lecavalier doing nothing, while the Habs go on a run with Briere doing what he does. Would be typical.
- PLindbergh31

AV doesn't line-match his forwards, so Flyers probably aren't getting that 4th-on-4th matchup on the road. Gonna be really tough for that line to do anything in this series at MSG.

Wow..... Lecavalier last in ice time. 7:42. Invisible.
- PLindbergh31

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.

Not against the Rangers, anyways. We've seen this a number of times. The Rangers make the Flyers pay for every mistake, and don't make many themselves.
- BulliesPhan87

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.

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

Ha! I do think they'll play better on Sunday. They have to. They have to find a way.

AV doesn't line-match his forwards, so Flyers probably aren't getting that 4th-on-4th matchup on the road. Gonna be really tough for that line to do anything in this series at MSG.
- Tomahawk

Wouldn't it be nice to have that luxury...

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

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?