Although a disappointing loss I was "fine" with the outcome and happy with the effort of the team, We kept up with a hot team right now, Had a bad bounce (that I still thought Maroon got with a high stick) and after the terrible effort on the road trip it was hard to be upset with what we saw. Would like to see Farabee get his game back, and Jakes effort sometimes on little things like even skating to the bench for a line change or chasing the puck down to support a teammate when we had Hart pulled for the 6-5 at the end - can shot a little more urgency but overall its not like we got blown out.
- GPerogie

Farabee has no offensive confidence right now (Frost's confidence is still down in LV, FWIW). He's content right now to hold his own defensively.

The issue was how damn good the Lightning are. They get on the puck in a flash and also turn defense to offense in the blink of an eye. Last night, the Lighting were pretty airtight defensively, too. The Couturier line actually fared fine for the majority of the game but the lanes just weren't there. As a team, the Flyers were forced to spend a lot of energy, shift after shift, matching Tampa's defensive game. They did a good job of it, too, and had a few pushes but weren't able to sustain it.

The Flyers were the better team in the first period last night, penalties aside (the kills were great against a team that entered with a 29 percent power play, and nearly 40 percent during their streak). Tampa put Philly in bend but don't break mode virtually the entire second period. Third period was even.

Play that way most nights against most teams, and you'll win. The door will open at some point, and you'll get chances. The Flyers played better against Tampa than they did in the win against the Caps on Wednesday. But the Caps were turning pucks over and let themselves get outcompeted at times. They weren't awful, just not on the top of their games. Tampa played last night like a club would in a playoff game. Tampa had very few unforced errors after the early minutes of the game, and when they did, they recovered. Would have been nice to see the Flyers force a few more but they had their hands full because Tampa was bringing a lot of pressure on the puck.

I can live with last night's game (as if there's a choice), apart from the power play making life too easy on Tampa; in fairness, the Lightning had bodies and sticks in the lanes all night and made life hard on the Flyers' power play, so it's a two-way street there. It's the games like the ones in Minnesota, San Jose, LA (especially) and the first period of the Vegas game that are indefensible.

The Flyers worked their tails off last night, and lost 1-0 to what -- right now -- is the best team in the NHL. Came down to a single bounce of the puck. That's going to happen. Those games where they got outworked, strung together in succession, are why the team lost its cushion and is now on the bubble.
- bmeltzer

What were the Flyers expected goals for though?

The issue was how damn good the Lightning are. They get on the puck in a flash and also turn defense to offense in the blink of an eye. Last night, the Lighting were pretty airtight defensively, too. The Couturier line actually fared fine for the majority of the game but the lanes just weren't there. As a team, the Flyers were forced to spend a lot of energy, shift after shift, matching Tampa's defensive game. They did a good job of it, too, and had a few pushes but weren't able to sustain it.

The Flyers were the better team in the first period last night, penalties aside (the kills were great against a team that entered with a 29 percent power play, and nearly 40 percent during their streak). Tampa put Philly in bend but don't break mode virtually the entire second period. Third period was even.

Play that way most nights against most teams, and you'll win. The door will open at some point, and you'll get chances. The Flyers played better against Tampa than they did in the win against the Caps on Wednesday. But the Caps were turning pucks over and let themselves get outcompeted at times. They weren't awful, just not on the top of their games. Tampa played last night like a club would in a playoff game. Tampa had very few unforced errors after the early minutes of the game, and when they did, they recovered. Would have been nice to see the Flyers force a few more but they had their hands full because Tampa was bringing a lot of pressure on the puck.

I can live with last night's game (as if there's a choice), apart from the power play making life too easy on Tampa; in fairness, the Lightning had bodies and sticks in the lanes all night and made life hard on the Flyers' power play, so it's a two-way street there. It's the games like the ones in Minnesota, San Jose, LA (especially) and the first period of the Vegas game that are indefensible.

The Flyers worked their tails off last night, and lost 1-0 to what -- right now -- is the best team in the NHL. Came down to a single bounce of the puck. That's going to happen. Those games where they got outworked, strung together in succession, are why the team lost its cushion and is now on the bubble.
- bmeltzer

I agree. They hung in there against a better team and they played much better than during that western road trip. It’s frustrating. They held that team to one goal. That game was not out of reach, but their PP was so ineffective

Trade giroux
- 2Real

Is he playing hurt or did he wake up old?

Is he playing hurt or did he wake up old?
- Bayareaflyer

The NHL is sticking it to Giroux. The travel that this team is faced with is totally unfair to the father of a newborn. I mean they went to Prague THEN western Canada. Imagine taking a steamer across the pond and back then a Trailways bus across North America.

The life of an NHL'er is horrific!

I know it's hard to believe but sometimes the other team beats you. I mean it's not like the Bolts have back to back shut outs or have won ten games In a row. Not like they are a ridiculously hot team right now.

Nah.. The Flyers are missing the playoffs, they suck as a team, burn it down.
- opeth_pa

It's not about a better team beating them. It's about not doing what is needed to score a single goal.

Hey, at least Harts GAA at home went down.

Hi Bill,

After seeing Stephen Johns finally get back on ice for Stars AHL last night, couldnt help but think NoPa. They call Johns situation traumatic headaches but ive never seen migraine mentioned. Do you know if they are similar scenarios? Can only hope Patrick lives symptom free but nice to see him play as well. Thanks.

It's not about a better team beating them. It's about not doing what is needed to score a single goal.
- MJL

I feel that in the end last night it was about the better team beating them and preventing them from scoring a single goal more than it was the Flyers not doing what was needed to score a goal.

It doesnt really matter though they still lost by one.

I wonder why Fletcher didn't waive Stewart and sign KovalchuK?

Must be one of two reasons. Didn't have the cap space, or couldn't compete with Montreal being way ahead of them in the standings.

Plus Kovalchuk producing on the ice, isn't as valuable as Stewart being a mascot/cheerleader.

I feel that in the end last night it was about the better team beating them and preventing them from scoring a single goal more than it was the Flyers not doing what was needed to score a goal.

It doesnt really matter though they still lost by one.
- opeth_pa

When a team is checking that well and clogging up the ice, you need to counter that. You need to do the same to them and transition. You aren't going to get many chances on the rush and you aren't going to beat Vasilevsky with the shots they took. You need traffic and shots at the net. It's a lesson for a lot of the younger players but the Flyers top players came up small. They needed more of a push in the 3rd.

Good god not a single day without Stewart....give it a rest. He’s not any part of an issue here.

I wonder why Fletcher didn't waive Stewart and sign KovalchuK?

Must be one of two reasons. Didn't have the cap space, or couldn't compete with Montreal being way ahead of them in the standings.

Plus Kovalchuk producing on the ice, isn't as valuable as Stewart being a mascot/cheerleader.
- PLindbergh31

Stewart's value to the team is imeasurable. It all the little things that he does that arent seen by common folk like you and I.

giroux will be 32 soon it's a waste to keep him on this team

I wonder why Fletcher didn't waive Stewart and sign KovalchuK?

Must be one of two reasons. Didn't have the cap space, or couldn't compete with Montreal being way ahead of them in the standings.

Plus Kovalchuk producing on the ice, isn't as valuable as Stewart being a mascot/cheerleader.
- PLindbergh31

Maybe Kovalchuk wanted to play for a Canadian team

Bill. Did you see any different camera angles of the goal last night. Maroon is the fastest skater. How the puck was flipped up he was pretty deep when he got the puck a second later. Was just curious. I’m sure they looked at it. But they only showed one angle on tv.

I give Tampa credit, they were in playoff mode last night like Bill said and were the better team.

With the way the current pp is designed, it seems like success is going to be somewhat dependent on JvR converting his chances. He had some looks but Vasilevskiy was very solid. Flyers could use another hot streak from JvR right now.

I like how our young D played for the most part, and love how Sanheim is getting up into the attack. His chance in the third was one of the better ones they had. He was also in front of the net on a real good chance that Myers had from the left circle.

It was good seeing Oskar last night.

I feel that in the end last night it was about the better team beating them and preventing them from scoring a single goal more than it was the Flyers not doing what was needed to score a goal.

It doesnt really matter though they still lost by one.
- opeth_pa

Agree. Bolts started the season slow and are catching fire. People forget the complete domination they had last year and have been underperforming this year. I don’t think they man handle md us like in years previous.

Hi Bill,

After seeing Stephen Johns finally get back on ice for Stars AHL last night, couldnt help but think NoPa. They call Johns situation traumatic headaches but ive never seen migraine mentioned. Do you know if they are similar scenarios? Can only hope Patrick lives symptom free but nice to see him play as well. Thanks.
- bgratch

Johns had post-concussion syndrome. Patrick's is a genetic predisposition toward chronic migraines (although concussions may have factored in, too).

They aren't firing Therrien in-season. Except in cases where there's a head coaching change or it involves something behavior-related or due to personal circumstances, it's rare for an assistant to be let go in-season.
- bmeltzer

Yeah I hear you, but the pp has been a dumpster fire under him. Take away a few seeing eye blasts by Provorov early in the season and it would look even worse.

Therrien cannot come back in 20-21, I don’t care how much AV likes him, he needs to go.

This was a tough game to lose on a poop freaky goal like that. I thought they played well. Should have gotten to OT.
While it was a loss, I enjoyed the game. They had a chance right to the last minute.

On a different note, it was great to see Oskar last night.
My family has been hit hard by cancer over the years. Lost my Dad very young. Lost my niece 2 years ago. I'm a cancer survivor.
CANCER (frank)ING SUCKS!!!!!
23 #OskarStrong!!!
Ordering my shirt today.

This was a tough game to lose on a poop freaky goal like that. I thought they played well. Should have gotten to OT.
While it was a loss, I enjoyed the game. They had a chance right to the last minute.

On a different note, it was great to see Oskar last night.
My family has been hit hard by cancer over the years. Lost my Dad very young. Lost my niece 2 years ago. I'm a cancer survivor.
CANCER (frank)ING SUCKS!!!!!
23 #OskarStrong!!!
Ordering my shirt today.
- jaws1955

Ordered mine last week. Cancer has taken way too many of our family and friends.

giroux will be 32 soon it's a waste to keep him on this team
- 2Real

All the Fly or Die and Now or Never poop they're marketing this season sure seems like we're in for a big change this off-season if they miss the playoffs again.

The way G is playing so far isn't going to yield a great return. He's like 90th overall in points. Outside of his face-off game he isn't bringing much to the table with that contract.

Not surprising after last night's shot block barrage that Maroon's sh!t goal would be the lone difference maker.

Kase returned to Phantoms, Bunnaman recalled. He’s clearly the answer.