Bill Meltzer: Wrapup: Flyers 3 - Blackhawks 0

They're obviously still lacking in talent, but the effort has been there for most of this year ... and that's more than can be said about some of the Flyer teams of the recent past.

really enjoyable game to watch. even with the late penalties, they didn't break and pushed back.

i have a concern about the 5 day break though.....

Really nice to watch a Flyers team actually winning puck battles and they're doing better at clearing the puck.

They just look like a more sound team than they did last year. The defense is still a concern to me as far as personnel but who knows maybe these guys can step up. Need that first line to start playing up to their level soon though, can't rely on the 4th line to be this good the entire year.

really enjoyable game to watch. even with the late penalties, they didn't break and pushed back.

i have a concern about the 5 day break though.....
- hammarby31

The NHL schedule is so (frank)ing weird

Throwin' rocks tonight!

sauntered over to the hawks thread. hilarious. 0 credit to the flyers, whining about the refs the entire game until they got their own pile at the end yet still couldn't score, hawks didn't show, passing was off, philly hex etc...

what a bunch of whiny, crybaby (frank)s who can't take off the red and black glasses to see the flyers played a solid game and got outstanding goaltending.

jfc, this makes me want the cubs to lose now. (frank) chicago.

sauntered over to the hawks thread. hilarious. 0 credit to the flyers, whining about the refs the entire game until they got their own pile at the end yet still couldn't score, hawks didn't show, passing was off, philly hex etc...

what a bunch of whiny, crybaby (frank)s who can't take off the red and black glasses to see the flyers played a solid game and got outstanding goaltending.

jfc, this makes me want the cubs to lose now. (frank) chicago.
- hammarby31

yes

Only saw the last period.

I am happy.

They skated hard, battled hard, and were gritty.

Of course the Hawks took it to them most of the third period, but that is to be expected.

Do not like the NHL schedule.

yes
- Crimsoninja

+1

What is really promising is that they are more mobile than in years past. While they still have some weaknesses that we all can see, the fact that they move better as a whole means that they are getting to more pucks and breaking up more attacks in their own zone

What I am really trying to say is this: While they aren't a great team and they absolutely need above-average goaltending darn near every night at this stage of the game, their ability to move means their play is sustainable. It won't always be pretty, but as long as they remain relatively healthy, they are better equipped to play in today's NHL than they were even six months ago

Tampa, Florida and the Blackhawks are all more skilled than the Flyers, as a whole. But the fact that the Flyers can skate with each of these teams as a whole, retrieve pucks and backcheck and break up rushes and cycles, means that the teams that are more skilled aren't going to automatically have those stretches of utter domination we have seen in recent years

Long way to go. Injuries will happen. But right now, tonight, I can dream about the playoffs. And I don't care what anyone says. That is much better than talking about draft picks and prospects

What is really promising is that they are more mobile than in years past. While they still have some weaknesses that we all can see, the fact that they move better as a whole means that they are getting to more pucks and breaking up more attacks in their own zone

What I am really trying to say is this: While they aren't a great team and they absolutely need above-average goaltending darn near every night at this stage of the game, their ability to move means their play is sustainable. It won't always be pretty, but as long as they remain relatively healthy, they are better equipped to play in today's NHL than they were even six months ago

Tampa, Florida and the Blackhawks are all more skilled than the Flyers, as a whole. But the fact that the Flyers can skate with each of these teams as a whole, retrieve pucks and backcheck and break up rushes and cycles, means that the teams that are more skilled aren't going to automatically have those stretches of utter domination we have seen in recent years

Long way to go. Injuries will happen. But right now, tonight, I can dream about the playoffs. And I don't care what anyone says. That is much better than talking about draft picks and prospects
- AllInForFlyers

well said

to me the most noticeable things are the smaller gap between dmen and forwards coming out of the zone and the puck support all over the ice

they really do seem to be playing as a unit, like you said

well said

to me the most noticeable things are the smaller gap between dmen and forwards coming out of the zone and the puck support all over the ice

they really do seem to be playing as a unit, like you said
- Crimsoninja

Absolutely. Maybe this year, we have a team that overachieves, is more than the sum of its parts

We are about due for one of those seasons, tbh

I heard a lot of booing and chanting everytine Patty Kane touched the pick. Could someone elaborate on what that was all about and what the chants were?

I heard a lot of booing and chanting everytine Patty Kane touched the pick. Could someone elaborate on what that was all about and what the chants were?
- coffee junkie

Reason should be obvious. Chant was "she said no".

Do not like the NHL schedule.
- KGBFlyers10

As a fan, I agree with you. But with a new coach, a few games under his belt with his new team, I'm sure they will use this opportunity to fine tune and further build on his system. Really, such a break so early on, might be to the benefit of the team and Hakstol. Certainly helps they're all feeling good right now!

Reason should be obvious. Chant was "she said no".
- bmeltzer

I absolutely loved it

At first i thought it was "Beat Chi-ca-go" which i was until i actually got it.

well said

to me the most noticeable things are the smaller gap between dmen and forwards coming out of the zone and the puck support all over the ice

they really do seem to be playing as a unit, like you said
- Crimsoninja

Thanks, Pierre.

Thanks, Pierre.
- Nucker101

my main boy

As a fan, I agree with you. But with a new coach, a few games under his belt with his new team, I'm sure they will use this opportunity to fine tune and further build on his system. Really, such a break so early on, might be to the benefit of the team and Hakstol. Certainly helps they're all feeling good right now!

- Mononoke

This is true, and I think the long break doesn't matter because of your reasons.

Honestly, take out the loss to Florida, and the Flyers look like a completely different team.

I love this team

have really felt the past few seasons lavy and berube were not getting the most out of these players, it's not the prettiest bunch but this shpuld be a playoff caliber team. hakstol reminding me of the keenan days.

Reason should be obvious. Chant was "she said no".
- bmeltzer

wow you can actually sing that to the beat of chelseas dagger too

Nice game

Ducks and Hawks shutout by yotes and flyers last night.

Welcome to October hockey

What is really promising is that they are more mobile than in years past. While they still have some weaknesses that we all can see, the fact that they move better as a whole means that they are getting to more pucks and breaking up more attacks in their own zone

What I am really trying to say is this: While they aren't a great team and they absolutely need above-average goaltending darn near every night at this stage of the game, their ability to move means their play is sustainable. It won't always be pretty, but as long as they remain relatively healthy, they are better equipped to play in today's NHL than they were even six months ago

Tampa, Florida and the Blackhawks are all more skilled than the Flyers, as a whole. But the fact that the Flyers can skate with each of these teams as a whole, retrieve pucks and backcheck and break up rushes and cycles, means that the teams that are more skilled aren't going to automatically have those stretches of utter domination we have seen in recent years

Long way to go. Injuries will happen. But right now, tonight, I can dream about the playoffs. And I don't care what anyone says. That is much better than talking about draft picks and prospects
- AllInForFlyers

hell yea