Bill Meltzer: Flyers ECQF Gameday: Game 5 vs. MTL (8/19/20)

Any team that’s forced to play the trap against the Montreal Canadiens should be kicked out of the bubble lol especially when it’s top seed against #24. Embarrassment to hockey imo. But it’s AV coaching, I wouldn’t expect any less.

Any team that’s forced to play the trap against the Montreal Canadiens should be kicked out of the bubble lol especially when it’s top seed against #24. Embarrassment to hockey imo. But it’s AV coaching, I wouldn’t expect any less.
- QuickSCF

Yeah, the five-time Jack Adams Award finalist (who very well may have won it this season for the second time), and has taken teams in both conferences to the Stanley Cup Finals, is a lousy coach because anonymous message board poster guy says so.

The Flyers do not -- and are not -- playing the trap.

The Canadiens were the NHL's No. 2 puck possession team this season (both by Corsi and shot-on-goal measures), and No. 3 in expected goal differential. They are a very good forechecking team. The Flyers have generally limited their high-quality chances in Games 1, 3 and 4, and Hart has taken care of the rest.

The Flyers were 7th in goals-per-game in the NHL this season (also 7th in GAA). They can win different ways. In this series, they've had to win low-scoring games. That's fine. When you give up 1-1-1-1-5-0-0 goals over a seven-game stretch, the five-goal one is the outlier, not the others.

Now go back to your troll hole.

{SNIP} Now go back to your troll hole.
- bmeltzer

Excellent retort and an epic own, Bill. It's almost not worth your time. But I'll still always appreciate it. Thanks as always for the great work. You're the best!

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Anyway, I posted this on the last blog but I'm repeating it here in case anyone missed it:

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Some more record stats shown on the NHLN ticker during NHL Tonight last night:

1) Hart is the 2nd youngest goalie in NHL history to record consecutive shutouts in the Playoffs (Harry Lumley, 18yo, with Detroit in 1945).

2) He is 3rd goalie in franchise history to get the back-to-back playoff shutouts (Bernie Parent and Michael Leighton).

3) The Habs were shutout for the first time in consecutive games since 2010: Games 1 and 2 of the ECF with the Flyers (not sure if this is only for the Playoffs or for all games played since then).

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NBC Philly's game-time broadcast showed a graphic right after the end of the game. Something like Hart is now only the 5th goalie under the age of 23 to record back-to-back shutouts in the playoffs (Felix Potvin was the 4th in 1994).

EDIT: Another source that lists the most of the same record stats:
https://triblive.com/spor...-leads-flyers-to-victory/

Big game tonight. Hopefully they can get it looked after, but it’s always tough to get the last one. As Bill has suggested the Flyers have been much better defensively in the last two games....they aren’t letting the Habs get to front of the net without paying a price, which is how you win.

Yeah, the five-time Jack Adams Award finalist (who very well may have won it this season for the second time), and has taken teams in both conferences to the Stanley Cup Finals, is a lousy coach because anonymous message board poster guy says so.

The Flyers do not -- and are not -- playing the trap.

The Canadiens were the NHL's No. 2 puck possession team this season (both by Corsi and shot-on-goal measures), and No. 3 in expected goal differential. They are a very good forechecking team. The Flyers have generally limited their high-quality chances in Games 1, 3 and 4, and Hart has taken care of the rest.

The Flyers were 7th in goals-per-game in the NHL this season (also 7th in GAA). They can win different ways. In this series, they've had to win low-scoring games. That's fine. When you give up 1-1-1-1-5-0-0 goals over a seven-game stretch, the five-goal one is the outlier, not the others.

Now go back to your troll hole.
- bmeltzer

Attaboy.

Yeah, the five-time Jack Adams Award finalist (who very well may have won it this season for the second time), and has taken teams in both conferences to the Stanley Cup Finals, is a lousy coach because anonymous message board poster guy says so.

The Flyers do not -- and are not -- playing the trap.

The Canadiens were the NHL's No. 2 puck possession team this season (both by Corsi and shot-on-goal measures), and No. 3 in expected goal differential. They are a very good forechecking team. The Flyers have generally limited their high-quality chances in Games 1, 3 and 4, and Hart has taken care of the rest.

The Flyers were 7th in goals-per-game in the NHL this season (also 7th in GAA). They can win different ways. In this series, they've had to win low-scoring games. That's fine. When you give up 1-1-1-1-5-0-0 goals over a seven-game stretch, the five-goal one is the outlier, not the others.

Now go back to your troll hole.
- bmeltzer

Any team that’s forced to play the trap against the Montreal Canadiens should be kicked out of the bubble lol especially when it’s top seed against #24. Embarrassment to hockey imo. But it’s AV coaching, I wouldn’t expect any less.
- QuickSCF

Haha OMG this makes me laugh. Speaking of embarrassments, let's talk Ottawa. Eugene Melnyk has mismanaged that team so egregiously, the franchise should be revoked from him.

Flyers have had to make adjustments based on their opponent. Pitt decided to play the way you describe, and they are going home. This seems to be working, but I guess as an Ottawa fan you aren't focused on winning.

Yeah, the five-time Jack Adams Award finalist (who very well may have won it this season for the second time), and has taken teams in both conferences to the Stanley Cup Finals, is a lousy coach because anonymous message board poster guy says so.

The Flyers do not -- and are not -- playing the trap.

The Canadiens were the NHL's No. 2 puck possession team this season (both by Corsi and shot-on-goal measures), and No. 3 in expected goal differential. They are a very good forechecking team. The Flyers have generally limited their high-quality chances in Games 1, 3 and 4, and Hart has taken care of the rest.

The Flyers were 7th in goals-per-game in the NHL this season (also 7th in GAA). They can win different ways. In this series, they've had to win low-scoring games. That's fine. When you give up 1-1-1-1-5-0-0 goals over a seven-game stretch, the five-goal one is the outlier, not the others.

Now go back to your troll hole.
- bmeltzer

Haha well played Bill.

PP improved yesterday by actually winning some faceoffs and having a couple quality chances. Today, they finally get one or maybe two on the PP

I thought the studio crew was unreasonably hard on the Flyers. I get that it wasn't a real fun game to watch, the offense just hasn't been there. But to say Montreal didn't play well (OK) and that neither did the Flyers. JFC they just won a playoff game 2-0!

I thought the studio crew was unreasonably hard on the Flyers. I get that it wasn't a real fun game to watch, the offense just hasn't been there. But to say Montreal didn't play well (OK) and that neither did the Flyers. JFC they just won a playoff game 2-0!
- backfire

Sportsnet basically framed it that Montreal played terribly, and not that the Flyers did anything at all other than Hart. It's a conscious effort to play this way by the Flyers to counter what Montreal brings. People want wide open fire wagon hockey I get that, but we are looking to win, and that would play to Montreal's strengths.

Bill Meltzer: Flyers ECQF Gameday: Game 5 vs. MTL (8/19/20)
- bmeltzer

1. If we’re lucky enough to make it to the Stanley Cup Final, hands down Carter Hart wins a Conn Smyth if we win.

2. Yeah, get Hägg out of the line up. Guy is out there taking Shea Weber slap shots to the head

3. Okay, so we won, life is great but one thing I don’t understand....Vigneault inserts Farabee into the line up and the coaching staff finally makes power play adjustments that seems to suit a first year rookie. Why? You mean to tell me JvR is playing so poorly and doesn’t deserve the PP time, while Farabee who is scratched every other game does deserve the PP time?

I know I’m gonna get pooped on. I’m too negative, focus on the fact we’re winning. I’m gonna be accused of favoring JvR, Schenn, Simmonds or whoever. I’m sorry but you can’t tell me this isn’t a little funny. JvR plays with freakin Nate Thompson, Tyler Pitlick and Derek Grant. Farabee plays with Sean Couturier, Claude Giroux or Kevin Hayes instantly.

Haha OMG this makes me laugh. Speaking of embarrassments, let's talk Ottawa. Eugene Melnyk has mismanaged that team so egregiously, the franchise should be revoked from him.

Flyers have had to make adjustments based on their opponent. Pitt decided to play the way you describe, and they are going home. This seems to be working, but I guess as an Ottawa fan you aren't focused on winning.
- Hextall271

But hey, according to Melnyk, "we're a team," so that's exciting.

Anybody watch the isles cheap shot ovi and then he basically hulked out and washington took over the game. Here's hoping that series can go another game or two. Not thrilled to be aligning to face the isles. Feels like the flyers are going to get the 3 teams (if we advance) we struggled with this year. Montreal isles tampa.

Anybody watch the isles cheap shot ovi and then he basically hulked out and washington took over the game. Here's hoping that series can go another game or two. Not thrilled to be aligning to face the isles. Feels like the flyers are going to get the 3 teams (if we advance) we struggled with this year. Montreal isles tampa.
- Tfaehner

My view is that you play who you play. There are no easy outs. Eventually have to play whoever is still standing, anyway.

1. If we’re lucky enough to make it to the Stanley Cup Final, hands down Carter Hart wins a Conn Smyth if we win.

2. Yeah, get Hägg out of the line up. Guy is out there taking Shea Weber slap shots to the head

3. Okay, so we won, life is great but one thing I don’t understand....Vigneault inserts Farabee into the line up and the coaching staff finally makes power play adjustments that seems to suit a first year rookie. Why? You mean to tell me JvR is playing so poorly and doesn’t deserve the PP time, while Farabee who is scratched every other game does deserve the PP time?

I know I’m gonna get pooped on. I’m too negative, focus on the fact we’re winning. I’m gonna be accused of favoring JvR, Schenn, Simmonds or whoever. I’m sorry but you can’t tell me this isn’t a little funny. JvR plays with freakin Nate Thompson, Tyler Pitlick and Derek Grant. Farabee plays with Sean Couturier, Claude Giroux or Kevin Hayes instantly.
- SuperSchennBros

It’s how many days in a row with the JVR question, I think it’s time to give it a rest. You obviously aren’t going to hear whatever you’re looking for. AV clearly does not like what he’s bringing to the table .

My view is that you play who you play. There are no easy outs. Eventually have to play whoever is still standing, anyway.
- bmeltzer

That's how I look at it. I am not even looking past next game here. Montreal could easily win tonight and it's a new series. Hope Hart is up to the 3 in 4 nights here. he's young so I expect that he is. Thankfully, I am sure AV has us focused.

Let’s wrap it up tonight! A nice bonus would be seeing a couple of PP goals

Let’s wrap it up tonight! A nice bonus would be seeing a couple of PP goals
- funmaster18

But what would we talked about if they played well?

But hey, according to Melnyk, "we're a team," so that's exciting.
- Sublime55

It seems like there is a controversy every other day with that team. The new arena deal falls apart. Lawsuit. CEO fired because he disagreed with Melnyk. Trade Karlsson and others for essentially nothing.. and on and on it goes.

But what would we talked about if they played well?
- ClaudeFather

I’m not concerned about a lack of debates

Let’s wrap it up tonight! A nice bonus would be seeing a couple of PP goals
- funmaster18

.. at this point, one PP goal seems like a bridge too far.

I’m not concerned about a lack of debates
- funmaster18

Lol PT21 and MJL entering shortly

Thanks Bill! Hart was solid, team defense was solid. I liked how AV mixed all the lines up at the start. They are definitely trying to be too perfect on the PP as well too stationary. Price is in their heads! Looks like they are back on track with team defense, just have to get some confidence offensively. Let’s Go Flyers!