Add to that all the failed clears and turnovers after gaining possession of the puck. If we had created a drinking game where you took a drink for every failed clear, most of us would have been dead before the 4th game started.

- MBFlyerfan

The failed clears were frustrating because it seemed like everytime a Flyer failed to clear, not only did they not get the puck out of the zone, but the puck seemed to end up perfectly right on the tape of a Caps player waiting to make a play in the other direction.

The failed clears were frustrating because it seemed like everytime a Flyer failed to clear, not only did they not get the puck out of the zone, but the puck seemed to end up perfectly right on the tape of a Caps player waiting to make a play in the other direction.
- johndewar

the future D will fix everything

Pittsburgh's window will be closing soon. In 2-3 years every significant player on their roster will be in their 30's with a poor prospect pool behind them. I also think their current blue line is pretty average so it will be interesting if they do win the cup this year. It would be the worst blue line as far as talent to win it since Carolina IMO.

Washington does have some nice young players that should keep their window open. But it doesn't matter. Championships are won at the draft table. So either the Flyers will outdraft the teams ahead of them or they won't. Current ground doesn't matter.
- psuhockey

let me know when he flyers window opens. yeah current ground doesn't matter, give your head a shake.

Predicting a (Country) Western Conference Final: Dallas vs. Nashville.

Predicting a (Country) Western Conference Final: Dallas vs. Nashville.
- copelal

As long as Nashville wins, I'm happy.

As long as Nashville wins, I'm happy.
- jmatchett383

Yeah, if it's Dallas vs. Nashville, then I would also be hoping for the Preds... I like Lavi (the man obviously knows how to coach in the playoffs) and I'm not so fond of Dallas in general or Lindy Ruff.

let me know when he flyers window opens. yeah current ground doesn't matter, give your head a shake.
- rinaldo

My guess is the Flyers window opens the 2018-2019 season. That is of course if the prospects continue to develop. If they don't, it won't really matter.

Unfortunately in the current NHL, ground can only be made up thru the draft which when selecting 18 years old, takes time. So there is a lot of speculation both ways; what will the Flyers roster looks like compared to what the Penguins roster will look like after 2 more seasons.

Bill, I was thinking the same exact thing last night watching that game. Imagine if that was Mason.....twitter and HB would have erupted with the Mason hate

so exciting two Flyers prospects should be in the memorial cup. hopefully the NHL network televises the tournament

Bill, I was thinking the same exact thing last night watching that game. Imagine if that was Mason.....twitter and HB would have erupted with the Mason hate

so exciting two Flyers prospects should be in the memorial cup. hopefully the NHL network televises the tournament
- nastyflyergirl

But what are fans supposed to do. If your number one goalie gives up a weak one are you not allowed to criticize them?

We get on Giroux and Voracek when they don't do there job? Hell we still get on Jeff Carter for missing the net against Chicago.

I think what bugs people is that if you do say something about Mason you have 20 people that seem this need to jump on you a defend him.

But what are fans supposed to do. If your number one goalie gives up a weak one are you not allowed to criticize them?

We get on Giroux and Voracek when they don't do there job? Hell we still get on Jeff Carter for missing the net against Chicago.

I think what bugs people is that if you do say something about Mason you have 20 people that seem this need to jump on you a defend him.
- J35Bacher

the point is all goalies let in some bad ones. Mason gets ripped for everything and Neuvirth is a god. its maddening. players make mistakes, they are not robots.

the point is all goalies let in some bad ones. Mason gets ripped for everything and Neuvirth is a god. its maddening. players make mistakes, they are not robots.
- nastyflyergirl

They do.

Also no one said Neuvirth was god. When Mason struggled in beginning of the year, Neuvirth stepped up and played really well.

When Neuvrith got hurt, Mason played well down the stretch.

In the playoffs I would say Mason played a great game one and was ok and so the rest of the way.

Neuvirth was fantastic in the playoffs.

But it's funny because when neuvirth plays well the narrative is "small sample size"

But what are fans supposed to do. If your number one goalie gives up a weak one are you not allowed to criticize them?

We get on Giroux and Voracek when they don't do there job? Hell we still get on Jeff Carter for missing the net against Chicago.

I think what bugs people is that if you do say something about Mason you have 20 people that seem this need to jump on you a defend him.
- J35Bacher

I think people are so quick to defend Mason for 2 reasons:

1) Neuvirth/Emery/etc. get a pass when they let up a softie because we love our backups

2) Lazy narrative about Flyers goalies after finally getting a legit #1.

Every goalie lets in bad/horrible goals at times. But when Mason gives one up, people feel free to blast away. If Neuvirth gives one up, it's "Well, yeah, but he's played so well.."

They do.

Also no one said Neuvirth was god. When Mason struggled in beginning of the year, Neuvirth stepped up and played really well.

When Neuvrith got hurt, Mason played well down the stretch.

In the playoffs I would say Mason played a great game one and was ok and so the rest of the way.

Neuvirth was fantastic in the playoffs.

But it's funny because when neuvirth plays well the narrative is "small sample size"
- J35Bacher

I think there are levels of criticism, and a middle ground. For instance, you can't criticize Voracek without some getting offended. Focusing on his production compared to other players, injury and other factors. Criticizing a player for his play is not the same as saying the player sucks. Then there is the flip side where a player has a bad stretch, and now he sucks and he should be traded. There are extremes to both sides.

Strictly by the numbers the Flyers-Capitals 5-on-5 play may have been even but it sure didn't feel that way to me. It quite often felt to me that the Flyers were hanging on for dear life, trying to weather the storm, rather than playing them even.

Strictly by the numbers the Flyers-Capitals 5-on-5 play may have been even but it sure didn't feel that way to me. It quite often felt to me that the Flyers were hanging on for dear life, trying to weather the storm, rather than playing them even.
- Scoob

The Capitals, especially in Game 5, came in waves for about 45 minutes straight. Game 6 was better, but still mostly Caps. Games 1-4 were better, but the special teams failed them 1-3.

I think what bugs people is that if you do say something about Mason you have 20 people that seem this need to jump on you a defend him.
- J35Bacher

this

Strictly by the numbers the Flyers-Capitals 5-on-5 play may have been even but it sure didn't feel that way to me. It quite often felt to me that the Flyers were hanging on for dear life, trying to weather the storm, rather than playing them even.
- Scoob

That's the issue with shot metrics. Every shot is not created equal.

That's the issue with shot metrics. Every shot is not created equal.
- MJL

I'm not a #fancystats fan, and I have no idea what any of the #fancymetrics are for that series. I'm going by my own eyes.

I think there are levels of criticism, and a middle ground. For instance, you can't criticize Voracek without some getting offended. Focusing on his production compared to other players, injury and other factors. Criticizing a player for his play is not the same as saying the player sucks. Then there is the flip side where a player has a bad stretch, and now he sucks and he should be traded. There are extremes to both sides.
- MJL

See I have never said Mason sucks.
I have also never said Neuvirth is god.

I try to make rational opinions from what I see.

Yes. MY preference is Neuvirth. I have my reasons. Do I think Mason sucks. No

I just find it funny that when someone plays good(Neuvirth) the people like to knock it back to small sample size yet can bring every reason to defend someone like Mason if he struggles.

I'm not a #fancystats fan, and I have no idea what any of the #fancymetrics are for that series. I'm going by my own eyes.
- Scoob

I know, but some will measure play by shot metrics

See I have never said Mason sucks.
I have also never said Neuvirth is god.

I try to make rational opinions from what I see.

Yes. MY preference is Neuvirth. I have my reasons. Do I think Mason sucks. No

I just find it funny that when someone plays good(Neuvirth) the people like to knock it back to small sample size yet can bring every reason to defend someone like Mason if he struggles.
- J35Bacher

To me, the biggest issue with Neuvirth is staying healthy.

I think people are so quick to defend Mason for 2 reasons:

1) Neuvirth/Emery/etc. get a pass when they let up a softie because we love our backups

2) Lazy narrative about Flyers goalies after finally getting a legit #1.

Every goalie lets in bad/horrible goals at times. But when Mason gives one up, people feel free to blast away. If Neuvirth gives one up, it's "Well, yeah, but he's played so well.."
- jmatchett383

Personally, I dont like the criticism of players specifically Giroux, Jake, Mason, because actual stats show what people say about them is mostly false. The comments are often reactionary and made under circumstances that negatively affect views of each player. It doesnt bother me as much because it goes both ways (playing well and poorly), but to completely ignore the actual stats is annoying to me. I really dont care how many "momentum saves" you think one guy or another make when the stats show Mason as one of the best, most consistent goalies in the NHL over 3-4 years. Same with how many goals Jake should score when he produces points the way he does.

I think people are so quick to defend Mason for 2 reasons:

1) Neuvirth/Emery/etc. get a pass when they let up a softie because we love our backups

2) Lazy narrative about Flyers goalies after finally getting a legit #1.

Every goalie lets in bad/horrible goals at times. But when Mason gives one up, people feel free to blast away. If Neuvirth gives one up, it's "Well, yeah, but he's played so well.."
- jmatchett383

3rd reason is he has a .921 SV% over three+ years and over 5,000 shots faced as a Flyer. That's a really big sample size.

To me, the biggest issue with Neuvirth is staying healthy.
- MJL

He has been very good for a few years now when healthy

To me, the biggest issue with Neuvirth is staying healthy.
- MJL

And that's what I see.