What the (frank)

It's starting to make sense why the Stars blew a 2 goal lead in the waning minutes last night....


- PLindbergh31

Ah. I didn't see the photo when I saw this the first time. Sorry.

This place never ceases to amaze me.

Well done.

- PhillySportsGuy

You are aware that offense and defense is completely tied to one group. If a team isn't scoring, it doesn't mean the forwards are completely to blame.

Forgive me for saying this, but the Flyers aren't going to beat the Rangers 5-4 in any game in this series. Their best chance to win is to hold NY to 2 goals or less. That would require better team defense from everyone.
- PhillySportsGuy

And in my opinion the biggest reason the Flyers have to hold the Rangers to 2 goals or less is because the forwards aren't getting the job done. If the Flyers lose this series, the biggest goats are going to be the forwards, not the defense or the goaltending. The Flyers top forwards, other then Voracek, aren't getting it done.

How goes it gents?

My feeling is that the biggest issue with this team is that they can't figure out what kind of team they are, and haven't figured out how the play the same way consistently from game to game, or even period to period.
A perfect example is take the first period of game 4. The Flyers came out with a lot of energy and intensity, but it was misdirected. They played outside of the system, and gave up a lot of quality chances due to bad puck management, and a bad gap leaving too much open ice in the neutral zone. Which the Rangers exploited with stretch passes. Resulting in the Rangers having a game's worth of scoring chances in one period. They rebounded and played much better in periods 2 and 3.
They come out in game 5, wanting to get off to a good start, and play a much smarter game, to get off to a better start. They played much better positional hockey, but they lacked the fire. They were too cautious, and lacked intensity. We've seen this all year. Need to play smart, and with intensity and compete.
It just seems as though they haven't solidified their identity as a team with consistent play. Berube wants them to play a certain way. They have at time, and haven't at others. At some point, they need to find that as a team. Both in this series, and the future.

And in my opinion the biggest reason the Flyers have to hold the Rangers to 2 goals or less is because the forwards aren't getting the job done. If the Flyers lose this series, the biggest goats are going to be the forwards, not the defense or the goaltending. The Flyers top forwards, other then Voracek, aren't getting it done.
- MJL

Well, I see the Rangers exiting the zone with a series of short passes and not turning over the puck so much. And I see the flyers trying low-percentage long-range passes or dumping and chasing with limited success. So I'd say there's a teamwide issue that involves both offense and defense.

Well, I see the Rangers exiting the zone with a series of short passes and not turning over the puck so much. And I see the flyers trying low-percentage long-range passes or dumping and chasing with limited success. So I'd say there's a teamwide issue that involves both offense and defense.
- bodiva88

Rangers forwards are coming back deep, and executing simple center breakouts. To me when defenseman have to make low percentage passes and plays, it's because that is all they're left with. And when the breakout isn't fast and efficient, you aren't beating anyone up ice, and that leads to having to dump the puck in. I personally feel that for the most part the defenseman and goaltenders have played well. And I think the forwards as a whole, have been the biggest disappointment so far. And I think Giroux, Simmonds, Hartnell, and Lecavalier have come up short. They're the veteran leaders, who haven't gotten it done.

Rangers forwards are coming back deep, and executing simple center breakouts. To me when defenseman have to make low percentage passes and plays, it's because that is all they're left with. And when the breakout isn't fast and efficient, you aren't beating anyone up ice, and that leads to having to dump the puck in. I personally feel that for the most part the defenseman and goaltenders have played well. And I think the forwards as a whole, have been the biggest disappointment so far. And I think Giroux, Simmonds, Hartnell, and Lecavalier have come up short. They're the veteran leaders, who haven't gotten it done.
- MJL

many times yesterday, when the Rangers weren't heavy on the forecheck and the Flyers D had time to move the puck, it was D to D to D to .... a bunch of stationary forwards who have to deflect the pass into the zone and have zero speed to go retrieve. mind numbing stuff.

I know you guys are really high on Couturier, and rightfully so with his size, skating ability, skill, and defensive ability, but do you guys really think he's one of the best defensive forwards in the game? I think he's more one of the best forwards in terms of defensive ability in the game, but best defensive forwards, to me, means forwards who also put up very good numbers year after year along with being shutdown players.

Guys like Bergeron, Toews, and Kopitar all put up great numbers and are lockdown defensively so they are considered some of the best defensive forwards in the league. I'm not sure Couturier's overall game is good enough at the moment to be in that category, therefore I think it's more appropriate to describe him a forward that is one of the best in the game in his own zone instead.

Kid is really young and has only up to go obviously and if any young forward in the league can enter the conversation of guys like Bergeron and Toews and Kopitar, it's Coots, I just think it's a bit premature to dub him one of the best defensive forwards in the entire game.

I know you guys are really high on Couturier, and rightfully so with his size, skating ability, skill, and defensive ability, but do you guys really think he's one of the best defensive forwards in the game? I think he's more one of the best forwards in terms of defensive ability in the game, but best defensive forwards, to me, means forwards who also put up very good numbers year after year along with being shutdown players.

Guys like Bergeron, Toews, and Kopitar all put up great numbers and are lockdown defensively so they are considered some of the best defensive forwards in the league. I'm not sure Couturier's overall game is good enough at the moment to be in that category, therefore I think it's more appropriate to describe him a forward that is one of the best in the game in his own zone instead.

Kid is really young and has only up to go obviously and if any young forward in the league can enter the conversation of guys like Bergeron and Toews and Kopitar, it's Coots, I just think it's a bit premature to dub him one of the best defensive forwards in the entire game.
- rangerdanger94

Kind of depends on what kind of best defensive forwards we're talking about. Just looking at the defensive side of the puck, absolutely he is one of the best. His hockey sense and anticipation and reading of plays is world class.
If were going to go by the standards that the League looks at for it's top Selke vote getters. Ironically, a player needs to have some offensive numbers to be considered. Which to this point, Couturier doesn't have.

Couturier Giroux Voracek

Couturier Giroux Voracek
- Pixote Andolini

if we could get Voracek to play left wing, it'd be 93/28/17 for me.

if we could get Voracek to play left wing, it'd be 93/28/17 for me.
- wilsonecho91

I wouldn't mind seeing Giroux and Voracek split up. I think Voracek can add speed, puck carrying, and playmaking ability to the 2nd line.

Couturier Giroux Voracek
- Pixote Andolini

Coutouxracek

if we could get Voracek to play left wing, it'd be 93/28/17 for me.
- wilsonecho91

Lucky for us Simmonds can play LW.

Coutouxracek
- feelingkettle

Nice one.

I wouldn't mind seeing Giroux and Voracek split up. I think Voracek can add speed, puck carrying, and playmaking ability to the 2nd line.
- MJL

Yeah I'm into this as well.

Akeson Giroux Read
Simmonds LeCavalier Voracek
Raffl Courturier Schenn
Hartnell Hall Rinaldo

many times yesterday, when the Rangers weren't heavy on the forecheck and the Flyers D had time to move the puck, it was D to D to D to .... a bunch of stationary forwards who have to deflect the pass into the zone and have zero speed to go retrieve. mind numbing stuff.
- wilsonecho91

this. makes. me. insane.

This place is going to be a ghost town after we win the next two.
- 77rams

Im really gonna have to amp up the negativity then
Hope youre right!

What you guys think about trying jake at center?

What you guys think about trying jake at center?
- JoeRussomanno

Ha why would we?

What you guys think about trying jake at center?
- JoeRussomanno

you must have some good drugs today