Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Giroux, Hakstol, Elliott,Sanheim, Pre-Game 4, and More

I just want to see a bounce back effort, win or lose.

And as someone pointed out, lets see a game that isn't a blowout....LOL

Get konecny back on top line and have the wingers stay a little higher up on d in the d zone. Watching boston last night, they cover the d and limit d zone time. I know crosby may cause some trouble but they are a cycle team not a score off the rush team.

I just want to see a bounce back effort, win or lose.

And as someone pointed out, lets see a game that isn't a blowout....LOL
- MBFlyerfan

You wouldn't prefer another Flyers 5-1 win tomorrow night? Let Friday's game in Pittsburgh be a down-to-the wire one.

Personally I'd prefer 3 blowouts in a row to the Flyers' favor, (frank) close games.

I get the breakdowns and the boys need to be better in front of him but 2 soft goals a game isnt good enough.

It is so deflating to a team, that has a razor thin margin, to work their rumps off and not produce anything then turn around and see a weak goal and now they are down 1-0.

Elliott needs to be alot better.

You wouldn't prefer another Flyers 5-1 win tomorrow night? Let Friday's game in Pittsburgh be a down-to-the wire one.
- bmeltzer

I would prefer a Flyers blowout for sure, just for my heart. I'm just not sure that will keep happening.




For whatever reason, when Pittsburgh scored that first goal in game 3 despite the Flyers carrying the play, I think I felt more deflated than the Flyers did.

You look at the some of the teams that have been down 2 games....Wild, Leafs, Colorado, Devils....all their top players stepped up to get their team back in the series. Giroux and Jake have to contribute much more.

Fist.







Pens fan. Let the good times roll punters. Sounds a bit like a song that.........

You look at the some of the teams that have been down 2 games....Wild, Leafs, Colorado, Devils....all their top players stepped up to get their team back in the series. Giroux and Jake have to contribute much more.
- 3flyerkids

We need one of those "no tomorrow" efforts from Giroux, Jake, and Simmonds. Worry about game 5 when game 5 comes around.

If I could take one positive from all this so far is that the kids are scoring some goals. We have 4 players already who have scored their first career playoff goals.

Ass Peen, hello.

The Flyers are going to win on Wednesday night.

The matchups just don't favor the Flyers in this series and coupled with their having to deal with a very good Pens pp and the fact that the Pens have a better goalie in this series really puts them behind the 8 ball.

I'm hoping they can find a way to win game 4, but even if they do, I doubt the series goes past game 6 and I still think the best the Flyers can hope for is pushing it to 7. The Pens are just a better, and more playoff experienced team.

After not even expecting this team to be in the playoffs this year, I'll be more than satisfied with the teams progress this year if the season ends with a game 7 loss to the defending champions. And, even if the worst case occurs and they go down in 5, they still made significant strides this season and the future is still very bright.

Personally I'd prefer 3 blowouts in a row to the Flyers' favor, (frank) close games.
- Giroux_Is_God

The Flyers are going to win on Wednesday night.
- johndewar

I would enjoy that

Scott Laughton should have 4 or 5 goals already this series. He's had premium scoring chances every game so far but hasn't been able to convert. Why isn't he getting called out?

Scott Laughton should have 4 or 5 goals already this series. He's had premium scoring chances every game so far but hasn't been able to convert. Why isn't he getting called out?
- Uni-Nut

Because point production from Scott Laughton is a bonus in his role, and the fact of him GETTING scoring chances means that he's been generally effective. That said, would it be nice if he had scored a goal (esp. in the early chance in Game 1)? Absolutely.

G and Voracek need to be the best players on the ice on Wednesday. If not, I don't think they have much of a shot.

Would also like to see Simmonds get some time with G and Coots. If Simmonds could get going I think that would really energize this team. I might also try separating G and Coots for a shift or two.

Let's Go Flyers!

Because point production from Scott Laughton is a bonus in his role, and the fact of him GETTING scoring chances means that he's been generally effective. That said, would it be nice if he had scored a goal (esp. in the early chance in Game 1)? Absolutely.
- bmeltzer

*unless he plays up in the lineup again

Bill, hate to nitpick, but pretty sure Ghost scored a PP goal versus Washington (Game 4, I think) in 2016.

Keys to winning game 4:

Sean Couturier needs to get a really good night's sleep tonight. In order to counter the Pens advantage at center, Coots is going to need to give the Flyers 25+ quality minutes for them to have shot.

Same for Provorov, he'll need to play at least 25, and perhaps close to 30 in order for the Flyers to have their best chance at winning.

Brian Elliott will need to be huge in goal, he cannot allow anything that is remotely soft and he'll need to make some big, quality saves on tough shots.

Hak needs to limit usage of the 3rd and 4th lines against the Pens top 2 lines. Using the home ice advantage wisely is critical

STAY OUT OF THE (frank)ING BOX!! This needs no explanation. And leads to....

Play physical, but play smart. Hit the Pens often, but clean. Initiate and instigate, but do not retaliate or react to post whistle provocation.

Score on the powerplay, they must take advantage of the powerplays given whenever possible.

Jake, Giroux and Simmonds all must bring their A games.

Finally get a lead. You won't beat this team if you fall into a quick 2 goal or more hole. Getting the first goal would go a long way to getting a W Wednesday night.

GO FLYERS!!!

Flyers best scoring chances are coming off the rush. Once they try to get set up and the Pens get 5 defenders back, very little is happening for them.

I hope they keep pushing the pace when they get the chance to.

Even on the PP, I’d like to see them go for it immediately on the entry. The Pens D gets to the puck so quickly like Bill pointed out. Very sharp analysis. Flyers like to take their time and set it up on the PP and the Pens expect that.

I’m glad Laughton and Filp too are getting some good goal scoring chances but it would be helpful if those guys could convert one or two of them.

I wonder how many timeouts hakstol has actually used this year?

Flyers best scoring chances are coming off the rush. Once they try to get set up and the Pens get 5 defenders back, very little is happening for them.

I hope they keep pushing the pace when they get the chance to.

Even on the PP, I’d like to see them go for it immediately on the entry. The Pens D gets to the puck so quickly like Bill pointed out. Very sharp analysis. Flyers like to take their time and set it up on the PP and the Pens expect that.

I’m glad Laughton and Filp too are getting some good goal scoring chances but it would be helpful if those guys could convert one or two of them.
- Marc D

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE STOP dumping it in on the pp.

I get the breakdowns and the boys need to be better in front of him but 2 soft goals a game isnt good enough.

It is so deflating to a team, that has a razor thin margin, to work their rumps off and not produce anything then turn around and see a weak goal and now they are down 1-0.

Elliott needs to be alot better.
- ggunky

From personal experience, I can't begin to explain how frustrating that is. You bust your as$, and if you're not 100% mistake free, the puck is in the back of the net. Then to have your goalie essentially call you out for a lost faceoff and lackadaisical coverage, that's BS. He needed to make that stop.

Do the best players need to be better? Absolutely. Jake is on my last nerve this series. Stupid penalties and not making smart choices with the puck. Simmer may as well change his name to the Invisible Woman, because he's done nothing for the last 25 games. G and Coots seem gassed as well. Hope they can find some energy and get a win in Game 4.