Even outside of the instigating minor, why would Simmonds open himself up to a five minute penalty with six minutes left in the game? It makes absolutely no sense.
- KGBflyers10

It makes all the sense in the world. The team was lifeless offensively and was getting run. You make players accountable and Simmonds stepped up. The rest of the Flyers need to step up for the remainder of the game.

What makes no sense is the 2 minute roughing call. The refs essentially rewards the caps for the dirty hit.

I thought the refs were absolutely terrible. Were a couple times refs missed a pretty blatant call against us, like Raffl getting tripped or held in front of the ref, no call buT then Streit gets called for a pretty soft hooking call. Simmonds call was stupid and immediately I said what the heck we need you in this game not in the box but I guess it comes down to: if Simmonds doesn't do it, then who does? I also thought Caps had some dirty business at end of 3rd after Schenn's hit. Looked like he took a stick up high on purpose by Niskanen or Orpik couldn't see who it was and didn't care to watch any more.

The game was certainly frustrating, especially the points you made here about the penalties.

Let's get a win for game 2 so the momentum carries over to home.
- Streit2ThePoint

We have a chance as long as it is 2-2 after 4 games. Luckily that wasnt a game that felt like we shouldve won. Once Manning got that delay of game you could just feel like they were gonna get scored on. Seems like those penalties are always the ones that lead to PP goals

I would take a 12-0 loss if coots doesnt get injured though. Orpik looks like the weak spot on the defense. Holtbys positioning was so damn good...need to get him moving left to right. They had some good looks he was just so square and out pretty far

I thought the refs were absolutely terrible. Were a couple times refs missed a pretty blatant call against us, like Raffl getting tripped or held in front of the ref, no call buT then Streit gets called for a pretty soft hooking call. Simmonds call was stupid and immediately I said what the heck we need you in this game not in the box but I guess it comes down to: if Simmonds doesn't do it, then who does? I also thought Caps had some dirty business at end of 3rd after Schenn's hit. Looked like he took a stick up high on purpose by Niskanen or Orpik couldn't see who it was and didn't care to watch any more.
- arichardson22

I thought it was reffed like a regular season game. Whatever happened to letting them play. It was pretty annoying.

They lost a close road game to the best team in the league... and they somehow managed to mostly contain OV/Kuz/Backstrom despite losing Coots for much of the night. It wasn't so bad.

#optimist

It makes all the sense in the world. The team was lifeless offensively and was getting run. You make players accountable and Simmonds stepped up. The rest of the Flyers need to step up for the remainder of the game.

What makes no sense is the 2 minute roughing call. The refs essentially rewards the caps for the dirty hit.
- flyers2001

The Flyers are already short on goal scoring. So losing the PP and 30 goal scorer was going to help.

Scoring on the PP would also shown some accountability.

To me the fight didn't really do anything. I thought some of the hits Schenn threw during play were more of a message then Simmonds fight with a 3rd - 4th liner.

He was a beast. Could have easily been 4-0
- Streit2ThePoint

Just seemed like the Flyers were playing for that "lucky" goal. There was no pressure, no net presence, no real threat at all of creating any chances. Loose tomorrow and it's done in 5. The loss of Couturier will be too much to over come.

And please Mr Hextall try to acquire some 2nd line scoring depth.

I thought it was reffed like a regular season game. Whatever happened to letting them play. It was pretty annoying.
- YuenglingJagr

Yeah they just seemed inconsistent with their call making... At times they did let them play but then called something soft and then shortly after decided to go back to letting them play. Just frustrating as hell.

The Flyers are already short on goal scoring. So losing the PP and 30 goal scorer was going to help.

Scoring on the PP would also shown some accountability.

To me the fight didn't really do anything. I thought some of the hits Schenn threw during play were more of a message then Simmonds fight with a 3rd - 4th liner.
- J35Bacher

Ill be honest, I dont think Simmer initially wanted to fight, at least to me it didnt seem that way. I thought he went over and gave Wilson a little shot to say- Hey come on thats bush league- and Wilson immediately dropped the gloves.

They lost a close road game to the best team in the league... and they somehow managed to mostly contain OV/Kuz/Backstrom despite losing Coots for much of the night. It wasn't so bad.

#optimist
- Tomahawk

Hell, nobody even expected them to be involved in the playoffs, right?

And please Mr Hextall try to acquire draft some 2nd line scoring depth.
- 3flyerkids

How much salary is on that first unit pp?

Ill be honest, I dont think Simmer initially wanted to fight, at least to me it didnt seem that way. I thought he went over and gave Wilson a little shot to say- Hey come on thats bush league- and Wilson immediately dropped the gloves.
- jak521

Agreed. Looked like a switch flicked in Wilson as soon as Simmonds went to him and he immediately threw his gloves off.

Just seemed like the Flyers were playing for that "lucky" goal. There was no pressure, no net presence, no real threat at all of creating any chances. Loose tomorrow and it's done in 5. The loss of Couturier will be too much to over come.

And please Mr Hextall try to acquire some 2nd line scoring depth.
- 3flyerkids

It's coming.

Konecny, Lindholm.

Also a big reason why I would make a play for Stamkos over the summer.

So... can you guys just injure Ovi and get it over with

They lost a close road game to the best team in the league... and they somehow managed to mostly contain OV/Kuz/Backstrom despite losing Coots for much of the night. It wasn't so bad.

#optimist
- Tomahawk

To put a positive spin on it David largely went toe to toe with Goliath for 60 minutes. That a much more damning statement on Goliath than it is David.

That said, they need to find a way to score. Mase, the PK and surprisingly the D were all doing their parts...

Ill be honest, I dont think Simmer initially wanted to fight, at least to me it didnt seem that way. I thought he went over and gave Wilson a little shot to say- Hey come on thats bush league- and Wilson immediately dropped the gloves.
- jak521

I can see that.

But don't put yourself in the position. You know Wilson will drop his gloves. Skate by and say something. By Stopping right next to Wilson and giving him a little cross check it put Simmonds in a position to drop his gloves if needed.

You have to be a little smarter. Time, Place, Score

- Tomahawk

If they allow him to play next year, he will help. Need more, I wonder what Okposo would cost as an UFA

Just seemed like the Flyers were playing for that "lucky" goal. There was no pressure, no net presence, no real threat at all of creating any chances. Loose tomorrow and it's done in 5. The loss of Couturier will be too much to over come.

And please Mr Hextall try to acquire some 2nd line scoring depth.
- 3flyerkids

Mason playing strong and simmonds dropping gloves, so I haven't given up hope.

In last nights game, the worst thing that could possibly happen to the Flyers... did indeed happen. This team cannot win a special teams battle with the Caps. They are stingy as hell on the PK and deadly on the PP.

Getting three (well deserved) PP's in the opening period spelled doom to me. I dont know why it goes this way, but I knew the refs were going to play make up for the Caps. It happens all the time in this league.

Flyers get three PP's before the Caps got their first.

Pretty much after that, the Caps got a way with a ton of stuff (up until the penalty on Wilson with 6 and change left).

Its bullpoop. They phantom hook call on Streit that happens seconds after they miss a blatant Capitals penalty. Cant have 4 PP's for one team and 0 for another. Then the missed offsides that ended up resulting in the Manning penalty.

Gagner makes a great play to get the forward-caught-defending to dive to the ice and trip him. NOTHING. Raffl has his stick clearly and cleanly ripped from his hand.. nothing. Giroux has his stick slashed, broken, and knocked out of his hand RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE REF. Nothing.

Its crazy to me. Call penalties or dont. Dont try to "balance the penalties"

I said to my cousin at the end of the 1st.. Watch how the penalties are called the rest of the game. Wasnt surprised a bit.

To put a positive spin on it David largely went toe to toe with Goliath for 60 minutes. That a much more damning statement on Goliath than it is David.

That said, they need to find a way to score. Mase, the PK and surprisingly the D were all doing their parts...
- hereticpride

Def were some positives to take away including the ones you listed. I thought Schenn had a strong game, Gagner played well with the puck too. Our team took a step back after Couts got injured. I also enjoyed Cousins ability to draw some penalties which would have really paid off if we took advantage of those 2 in the 1st.

It's coming.

Konecny, Lindholm.

Also a big reason why I would make a play for Stamkos over the summer.
- J35Bacher

They have too many guys to worry about re-signing in the coming years to get locked into Stamkos. Only way I throw him an offer is if they get out of AMac somehow with zero money retained and little to no contract coming back.

By my account that is at least the THIRD time a delay of game penalty like that has been called on the Flyers. I even want to say that I think it is Mannings second but I could be wrong on that. It is such a bad rule

Read looks painfully slow. Did his speed just disappear.

I would rather throw Leier into the lineup and sit Read.

Raffl - Giroux - Simmonds
Voracek - Schenn - Gagner
Leier - Cousins - Laughton
4th line

The Flyers are already short on goal scoring. So losing the PP and 30 goal scorer was going to help.

Scoring on the PP would also shown some accountability.

To me the fight didn't really do anything. I thought some of the hits Schenn threw during play were more of a message then Simmonds fight with a 3rd - 4th liner.
- J35Bacher

Agreed. Simmonds effectively ended his night and his teams late in a one goal game. Theyre outmanned as it is, you cant allow a scrub like Wilson take out your leading scorer.