Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 1/27/16 @ WSH

This may not be pretty tonight. Hopefully Neuvirth is 100% and has a huge game.

Watched the sharks game last night. So jealous. They roll out a fourth line of Zubrus, Karrlsson and Neito. They cause havoc in the offensive zone. Get a goal. Zubrus does a lot of board work while the other two use speed and skill. I can't wait to have a 4th line that's not all muckers with no offensive skill.

This may not be pretty tonight. Hopefully Neuvirth is 100% and has a huge game.
- BiggE

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Flyers play well tonight, and maybe even win the game. Wouldn't surprise me to see them blown out either. LOL. Better stay out of the penalty box.

All muckers with no offense? Then what's umberger ?

This may not be pretty tonight. Hopefully Neuvirth is 100% and has a huge game.
- BiggE

Only way they have a chance is if Neuvirth plays like he did against Detroit.
God bless Neuvirth tonight

Watched the sharks game last night. So jealous. They roll out a fourth line of Zubrus, Karrlsson and Neito. They cause havoc in the offensive zone. Get a goal. Zubrus does a lot of board work while the other two use speed and skill. I can't wait to have a 4th line that's not all muckers with no offensive skill.
- J35Bacher

Zubrus and Karrlsson play with Tierney at ES. Zubrus was on the ice with Nieto for 7 seconds in the entire game at ES. Nieto plays predominantly with Ward and Marleau.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Flyers play well tonight, and maybe even win the game. Wouldn't surprise me to see them blown out either. LOL. Better stay out of the penalty box.
- MJL

EDIT -- Now its' working....

You hit the nail on the head. Stay out of the box. The PK has been very poor.

Incredible team that Washington. 35-8-3 record with the most goals and least goals allowed.

Incredible team that Washington. 35-8-3 record with the most goals and least goals allowed.
- Streit2ThePoint

They will get bounced in the first round of the playoffs. Because Trotz.

I smell a Flyers 4-0 win with Weal's first NHL hatty!!

I'll give the other to RJ for kicks.

Incredible team that Washington. 35-8-3 record with the most goals and least goals allowed.
- Streit2ThePoint

And even when you break their numbers down, it's hard to find anything close to a weakness. They are #1 in power play, #1 in combined special teams, #1 in even strength goal differential and #1 in fewest 5-on-5 goals allowed. Above-average on faceoffs, top one-third in most shots on goal generated and top one-third in fewest allowed. Holtby has matured into a top-flight goalie. Trotz is an excellent coach. The lineup is deep, top-to-bottom.

The Flyers had better hope 1) they play one of their best games for all three periods, because a single bad period against this opponent can be all the difference, 2) Caps are rusty from their long layoff and perhaps a bit disenterested/ complacent in the final game before the All-Star break with a huge cushion in the standings.

To do it with Couturier in the lineup would be tough regardless. To do it without him and with both goalies nursing something or another makes that much tougher.

I smell a Flyers 4-0 win with Weal's first NHL hatty!!

I'll give the other to RJ for kicks.
- coffee junkie

You need more coffee

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Flyers play well tonight, and maybe even win the game. Wouldn't surprise me to see them blown out either. LOL. Better stay out of the penalty box.
- MJL

I was thinking the same, that they will end up steam rolling the caps then go on a 5 game losing streak following the all star break

And even when you break their numbers down, it's hard to find anything close to a weakness. They are #1 in power play, #1 in combined special teams, #1 in even strength goal differential and #1 in fewest 5-on-5 goals allowed. Above-average on faceoffs, top one-third in most shots on goal generated and top one-third in fewest allowed. Holtby has matured into a top-flight goalie. Trotz is an excellent coach. The lineup is deep, top-to-bottom.

The Flyers had better hope 1) they play one of their best games for all three periods, because a single bad period against this opponent can be all the difference, 2) Caps are rusty from their long layoff and perhaps a bit disenterested/ complacent in the final game before the All-Star break with a huge cushion in the standings.

To do it with Couturier in the lineup would be tough regardless. To do it without him and with both goalies nursing something or another makes that much tougher.
- bmeltzer

Bill, when Couturier is ready to come back into the lineup, do you think Umberger finally sits? If not him, then who? Will Weal be back on the bench or does it depend on how he plays tonight?

Also, is there concern Couturier's nursing a bigger injury or are they keeping him out until the all star break as a precaution?

teams just need to shut down the Flyers 1st line to get a win

Zubrus and Karrlsson play with Tierney at ES. Zubrus was on the ice with Nieto for 7 seconds in the entire game at ES. Nieto plays predominantly with Ward and Marleau.
- MJL

When I was watching it was Neito and Zubrus and Karrlsson. Insert Tierney. Still a line with more talent and chances to produce, in the west which I think is bigger and faster than the east then the Flyers can throw out.

I really hope that after the deadline we can start to see a shift off players. I think you can bring up guys that are projected bottom 6 guys and let them develop at the NHL. I think it's different if it was a kid defenseman or someone you expect to play top 6 minutes.

I smell a Flyers 4-0 win with Weal's first NHL hatty!!

I'll give the other to RJ for kicks.
- coffee junkie

I want whatever is in your coffee . I can see the 4-0 win..but RJ with a goal!

All muckers with no offense? Then what's umberger ?
- jmdodgeser4

If you've got a heart, then UMBY's a part of you

And even when you break their numbers down, it's hard to find anything close to a weakness. They are #1 in power play, #1 in combined special teams, #1 in even strength goal differential and #1 in fewest 5-on-5 goals allowed. Above-average on faceoffs, top one-third in most shots on goal generated and top one-third in fewest allowed. Holtby has matured into a top-flight goalie. Trotz is an excellent coach. The lineup is deep, top-to-bottom.

The Flyers had better hope 1) they play one of their best games for all three periods, because a single bad period against this opponent can be all the difference, 2) Caps are rusty from their long layoff and perhaps a bit disenterested/ complacent in the final game before the All-Star break with a huge cushion in the standings.

To do it with Couturier in the lineup would be tough regardless. To do it without him and with both goalies nursing something or another makes that much tougher.
- bmeltzer

Good point.

Can't wait to see our feeble pk work against the caps.

The outlook of this game looks predetermined but I hope the Flyers can steal a point At least tonight. If we win this could be a huge momentum boost heading into All-Star break. But knowing us, we'll start the break 0-4

I hope for OV's sake that the Caps win the Cup this year.

To me he is one of the more exciting players I have watched plus he seems to have a real enthusiasm for the game..It's fun watching a player score and actually celebrate.

You never know with these guys, but my plan B tonight is Mavs/Warriors.

Bill, when Couturier is ready to come back into the lineup, do you think Umberger finally sits? If not him, then who? Will Weal be back on the bench or does it depend on how he plays tonight?

Also, is there concern Couturier's nursing a bigger injury or are they keeping him out until the all star break as a precaution?
- funmaster18

Yeah, I haven't read any update about Cooter for a while. Kind of wondering when he's going to be back. We obviously can't win without him in the lineup.