Bill Meltzer: Flyers Playoff Gameday: ECQF Game 2 @ NYR

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Playoff Gameday: ECQF Game 2 @ NYR
- bmeltzer

As much as the Flyers limited the Rags quality chances for most of the game and kept them to the outside, the Rags controlled the play for the most part. Losing Mason with his stick handling ability hurts in getting out of the zone more quickly. And if we are forced to dump and chase all day, we will probably have a similar result. G has to step it up and be able to penetrate. We may have a better chance if that at home with the last change, but if we hope to win the series we need one win in MSG.

Which G shows up? Which team shows up? They better show up today. G and the whole team need to have their feet moving and realize this is a playoff game from the first second of the game. Last game was embarrassing, this one better not be. Compete, play smart, and keep moving.

Flyers have got to figure out how to get the puck out of their own zone. The rags seemed to know exactly where the flyers would pass the puck in their own zone.

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Playoff Gameday: ECQF Game 2 @ NYR
- bmeltzer

Perhaps you can enlighten me, but I don't really see what changes to the lineup Berube can make, assuming that Downie is unable to play.

Rosehill, McGinn or VDV in for Akeson, Rinaldo or Hall?
Can't really see how any of those possible moves helps much, if at all.

Gill in for Grossmann or L. Schenn
I'd be pretty surprised to see either of those guys, if healthy, sit for Gill

Gus in for any of the current top 6
Again, unless someone is injured, I can't see it happening.

Perhaps you can enlighten me, but I don't really see what changes to the lineup Berube can make, assuming that Downie is unable to play.

Rosehill, McGinn or VDV in for Akeson, Rinaldo or Hall?
Can't really see how any of those possible moves helps much, if at all.

Gill in for Grossmann or L. Schenn
I'd be pretty surprised to see either of those guys, if healthy, sit for Gill

Gus in for any of the current top 6
Again, unless someone is injured, I can't see it happening.
- BiggE

I think something along the lines of Vinny moving to 2C.

Flyers need to keep better possession of the puck, cut back on dump ins, and set the pace of the game. As I've said before, they will be much better off if they can force the Rangers to react to what THEY are doing, rather than trying to react to what the Rangers are doing.

The keys to winning today's game, IMO, are as follows

Carry the puck into the Rags zone
Forecheck aggressively, out number the Rangers in the corners
Crash the net with abandon
Keep the Rangers on the perimeter in our zone, and cut down their passing lanes.
Don't take stupid/retaliatory penalties
SKATE, SKATE, SKATE!

GO FLYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RANGERS SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Line-up changes, puck possession, board battles, blah blah blah. It all comes down to the same question as game 1. We know emery is letting in 4, can we score 5? I seriously doubt it. We are looking at a sweep. Time to face it

Perhaps you can enlighten me, but I don't really see what changes to the lineup Berube can make, assuming that Downie is unable to play.

Rosehill, McGinn or VDV in for Akeson, Rinaldo or Hall?
Can't really see how any of those possible moves helps much, if at all.

Gill in for Grossmann or L. Schenn
I'd be pretty surprised to see either of those guys, if healthy, sit for Gill

Gus in for any of the current top 6
Again, unless someone is injured, I can't see it happening.
- BiggE

Gustafsson would make the most sense, he's got the speed that nobody else has on the blueline, despite his lack of strength and tendency to get knocked off the puck easily at times & sometimes shaky defense.

The trade off is having a guy who can create, get to loose pucks and kick start the breakout. If they can't get the breakout going, they're not going to get chances on Lundqvist and they're going to get dominated in terms of zone time and possession.

Gustafsson isn't a panacea, but he's the best tool they have available on hand.

Flyers need to keep better possession of the puck, cut back on dump ins, and set the pace of the game. As I've said before, they will be much better off if they can force the Rangers to react to what THEY are doing, rather than trying to react to what the Rangers are doing.

The keys to winning today's game, IMO, are as follows

Carry the puck into the Rags zone
Forecheck aggressively, out number the Rangers in the corners
Crash the net with abandon
Keep the Rangers on the perimeter in our zone, and cut down their passing lanes.
Don't take stupid/retaliatory penalties
SKATE, SKATE, SKATE!

GO FLYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RANGERS SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- BiggE

Also need to find a way to deal with the intense forecheck the Rags put on us and make clean breakouts out of the zone with speed. Flyers also play a slow game when they get stuck in their own zone for long periods of time.

I think something along the lines of Vinny moving to 2C.
- FlyersSteve118

Thats fine, but I don't think its the answer. I would re-arrange the 2nd and 3rd lines to make better use of VL's skill set.

Raffl-VL-Read
This would Vinnie speed on both wings and 2 guys that can carry the puck and get it to him where he likes it in the offensive zone. It also lessens the damage Vinnie does as a defensive liability

Schenn-Couturier-Simmonds
Putting Coots between those two improves the line defensively and gives Coots 2 wingers who can put the puck in the net.

Line-up changes, puck possession, board battles, blah blah blah. It all comes down to the same question as game 1. We know emery is letting in 4, can we score 5? I seriously doubt it. We are looking at a sweep. Time to face it
- Sms401

You are certainly all sunshine and lollipops on Zombie Jesus Day

Gustafsson would make the most sense, he's got the speed that nobody else has on the blueline, despite his lack of strength and tendency to get knocked off the puck easily at times & sometimes shaky defense.

The trade off is having a guy who can create, get to loose pucks and kick start the breakout. If they can't get the breakout going, they're not going to get chances on Lundqvist and they're going to get dominated in terms of zone time and possession.

Gustafsson isn't a panacea, but he's the best tool they have available on hand.
- Jsaquella

I agree, but do you really see Berube sitting Grossmann or L Schenn and replacing them with Gus. Maybe Schenn, but I just don't see him doing it.

Also need to find a way to deal with the intense forecheck the Rags put on us and make clean breakouts out of the zone with speed. Flyers also play a slow game when they get stuck in their own zone for long periods of time.
- FlyersSteve118

Establishing their own forecheck and dictating the pace of the game will go a long way towards slowing the Rangers attack and will reduce the time spent in our zone.

You are certainly all sunshine and lollipops on Zombie Jesus Day
- Jsaquella

Well nothing says sunshine and lollipops like a crucifixion!

I agree, but do you really see Berube sitting Grossmann or L Schenn and replacing them with Gus. Maybe Schenn, but I just don't see him doing it.
- BiggE

Nope, he's not likely to sit them if they can physically play. If they move their legs and skate hard for sixty minutes an the forwards do a better job-actually the whole team-of puck support, they can win.

Line-up changes, puck possession, board battles, blah blah blah. It all comes down to the same question as game 1. We know emery is letting in 4, can we score 5? I seriously doubt it. We are looking at a sweep. Time to face it
- Sms401

It's not all on ray. Of we play like we did Thursday and he only gives up 2 we'd still lose. They've go to tilt the ice the other way and start generating some pressure on hank. I'd rather have mason in net but we have bigger problems than tending.

Well nothing says sunshine and lollipops like a crucifixion!
- BiggE

That was Friday. Today, Jesus stops by with coffee, donuts and chocolate for the house apes

You are certainly all sunshine and lollipops on Zombie Jesus Day
- Jsaquella

sorry to be negative nelly today but my hope went down the drain as soon as it was announced mason out again. Even if he comes back next game there's no way we're winning 4 out 5 against king a hole

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Playoff Gameday: ECQF Game 2 @ NYR
- bmeltzer

It really comes down to being comfortable with the changes Berube likes to incorporate against the Rangers....."if your thinking....your not skating" ....The Flyers are a very tough team, when they are skating and have the puck.....they are not very good when they chase the puck.....this is why I struggle with the dump and chase approach Berube wants them to do.....I get it....make the d go back and play the puck....get it and get on the body....they need to be Skating to make it work. They need to get it going...

Well nothing says sunshine and lollipops like a crucifixion!
- BiggE

Hey man
....he did it for you.....

Flyers need to keep better possession of the puck, cut back on dump ins, and set the pace of the game. As I've said before, they will be much better off if they can force the Rangers to react to what THEY are doing, rather than trying to react to what the Rangers are doing.

The keys to winning today's game, IMO, are as follows

Carry the puck into the Rags zone
Forecheck aggressively, out number the Rangers in the corners
Crash the net with abandon
Keep the Rangers on the perimeter in our zone, and cut down their passing lanes.
Don't take stupid/retaliatory penalties
SKATE, SKATE, SKATE!

GO FLYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RANGERS SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- BiggE

It's all about the outlet passes and gaps, which has been talked up since the end of game one. How many times did they have guys standing at the Rangers blue line waiting for the puck carrier to break the plane? Gotta find a better way, and hopefully we see it today.

sorry to be negative nelly today but my hope went down the drain as soon as it was announced mason out again. Even if he comes back next game there's no way we're winning 4 out 5 against king a hole
- Sms401

The Flyers didn't lose because of Emery. If Emery was in the Ranger net in game one and Lundqvist in the Philly net, the Flyers would still be down a game because of how they played.

I think most, if not all, of us would prefer Mason...but he can't go.

That was Friday. Today, Jesus stops by with coffee, donuts and chocolate for the house apes
- Jsaquella

sorry to be negative nelly today but my hope went down the drain as soon as it was announced mason out again. Even if he comes back next game there's no way we're winning 4 out 5 against king a hole
- Sms401

Why I'm still a believer? They are a much better team then they have shown the Rangers this year.....Stop the bloody cute plays.....get the puck on the net.....can't score when you don't shoot.....