Bill Meltzer: Wrapup: Flyers Blanked 2-0 by Caps in Game 1

moo.

maybe the sharks will win tonight?

I think a shake up is coming to the top six this offseason or next. Not scoring 5 on 5 is one thing. Failing to generate chances at 5 on 5 is an entire different monster and it just keeps coming back with this team.

Maybe it's Konecny. Maybe Hextall moves up in this draft. I don't know. But something has to give at some point.

FWIW I think this series could still be won. They did a lot of things well tonight to build off of. Mase, the PK's...

The Flyers wasted three power play in the first period. The Capitals concentrated on pressuring the left side and the point with the Flyers top power play unit on the ice. The second unit outperformed the first unit but could not generate a goal. Philly ended up going 0-for-4.

The Flyers suffered a costly injury midway through the game. Second line center Sean Couturier suffered an apparent arm injury on a hit by Washington's Alex Ovechkin. He did not return. Couturier, who wore a sling after the game, will be re-evaluated on Friday.

Bill, what's your gut telling you about Couts?

And what's up with Jake? He should be firing away over and over again, making sure to hit the net, if Caps are giving up the space on that side. Is his confidence gone or is it the injury lingering? If he can't get it done, I think about bumping him to the 2nd unit and put Gagner in his place on the right for a bit. See how it goes.

maybe the sharks will win tonight?
- 2Real

I hope so.

maybe the Panthers will win tonight?
- 2Real

(frank) the sharks.

(frank) the sharks.
- Giroux_Is_God

i wish the flyers played with your anger tonight

i wish the flyers played with your anger tonight
- 2Real

Flyers seemed pretty aggressive to me...it just didn't help them score.

Doomed!

Bill, what's your gut telling you about Couts?

And what's up with Jake? He should be firing away over and over again, making sure to hit the net, if Caps are giving up the space on that side. Is his confidence gone or is it the injury lingering? If he can't get it done, I think about bumping him to the 2nd unit and put Gagner in his place on the right for a bit. See how it goes.
- wolfhounds

He's done for the series. A/C sprain left shoulder.

(frank) the sharks.
- Giroux_Is_God

I hope they lose by 12 and Steph Curry attends the game and is struck by a stray Marleau wrister ending his season.

I hope they lose by 12 and Steph Curry attends the game and is struck by a stray Marleau wrister ending his season.
- PhillySportsGuy

He's done for the series. A/C sprain left shoulder.
- Blackstrom2

I see the confusion, but I asked Bill, not Blackstrom.

I see the confusion, but I asked Bill, not Blackstrom.
- wolfhounds

Maybe Bill's opinion will magically heal his shoulder, yes.

And what's up with Jake? He should be firing away over and over again, making sure to hit the net, if Caps are giving up the space on that side. Is his confidence gone or is it the injury lingering? If he can't get it done, I think about bumping him to the 2nd unit and put Gagner in his place on the right for a bit. See how it goes.
- wolfhounds

Not that I don't agree with you about Jake being off (we can assume why), but I saw this a few times on the last thread: this notion that the PP is messed up because of Jake. Wouldn't he have to touch to puck for him to be messing with it?

The problem with the PP1 imo is that Jake (and Schenn and Simmonds) don't touch it ENOUGH. The PP has become obvious, too deliberate, and just plain stale. Sure they give up the space to Jake but G and Ghost just play pitch and catch with each other, don't amply use said space, get swarmed, and then things go to poop. The PP dynamic needs serious re working. Moving the puck around quicker and to more skaters is a start. PP is a 5v4 that feels more like a 2v4.

Maybe Bill's opinion will magically heal his shoulder, yes.
- Blackstrom2

Yes, thank you, that's what I'm looking for.

Doomed!
- PhillySportsGuy

Better root for the Red Wings and Wild then.

Better root for the Red Wings and Wild then.
- Mononoke

You guys will make a series out of it yet

I think the problem with the PP is its 5 years old and this is the first year we've seen teams put pressure on G and the point man instead of sitting back and protecting. And every team that is doing that against us is having success with it. They need to come up with a new look.

Not that I don't agree with you about Jake being off (we can assume why), but I saw this a few times on the last thread: this notion that the PP is messed up because of Jake. Wouldn't he have to touch to puck for him to be messing with it?

The problem with the PP1 imo is that Jake (and Schenn and Simmonds) don't touch it ENOUGH. The PP has become obvious, too deliberate, and just plain stale. Sure they give up the space to Jake but G and Ghost just play pitch and catch with each other, don't amply use said space, get swarmed, and then things go to poop. The PP dynamic needs serious re working. Moving the puck around quicker and to more skaters is a start.
- Mononoke

Yup, you could be right. Whatever it is, time to fix and/or change it. Schenn isn't going to touch the puck much, unless you mean shoot, simply because he's usually inside the box. And I'm not sure what getting the puck to Simmonds will do unless he becomes a lot better passer than he is...can't telegraph it if he's going across the ice to Jake or in the middle to Schenn.

First PP of game 2, if I'm Hak, I'm telling Ghost to drop one in Jake's wheelhouse and Jake better tee it up and hit the net. Start to get his feel back for firing on net. See what happens.

Yes, thank you, that's what I'm looking for.
- wolfhounds

I think the problem with the PP is its 5 years old and this is the first year we've seen teams put pressure on G and the point man instead of sitting back and protecting. And every team that is doing that against us is having success with it. They need to come up with a new look.
- hereticpride

Took them long enough. G likes to sit in a rocking chair on that left wall. Then get it to the point, then get it back. Rock some more. Occasional pass to Jake who drives it for a shot or Schenn deflect. Schenn pops out and tries the Hartnell shot that he's scored like twice. Simmonds sits in front, but occasionally pops out to do his net play that teams have now completely shut down. Book is out.

I hate the permanent double screen personally, among other issues like not using Jake's side enough. It is nice for when shots get off, but when shots are having trouble generating, it just puts two guys in front doing nothing -- easy to defend. Schenn and Simmer should bump out more. Work behind the net (which the PP never ever does). Rotate players around. Perhaps in a couple years they go back to the 2 d man unit, but this umbrella is movie theater hot dog stale.

oh look joe pavelski with the PP goal to get his team back in the game
what great leadership