Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Flyers Pull Away in 3rd Pd, Beat Boston 6-3

Apologies to AV for whining about the Jones start. Last years team crumbles in that game, nice to see them just play through it. Shots were obviously lopsided but I thought we didn’t give up the back door slam dunks of 20-21. Jones didn’t have any 10 bell saves but he was solid and made the ones he needed to, great start for him.

Impressive so far. Similar to the beginning of last year, they are giving up a lot of shots and capitalizing on a high percentage of their chances, not sure that is sustainable.

Swayman was just so-so in goal for Boston on this night, getting outplayed by Jones.
- bmeltzer

That's gotta sting.

I still like Ed Hospodar

The Flyers lost the possession battle but watching in person they played pretty tight in their own zone even when hemmed in. They didn't allow many real tough looks and kept Boston out of the danger zones for the most part.

The Flyers lost the possesion battle but watching in person they played pretty tight in thier own zone even when hemmed in. They didnt allow many real tough looks and kept Boston out of the danger zones for the most part.
- MBFlyerfan

Agreed, much more controlled, obviously you are going to look lost and chase at times against the Bs top line.

Last night kind of reminded me of the beginning of last year. Remember that they started last year 11-4-4, but weren't really playing well. Timely scoring and good goal tending got them through that stretch before things fell apart. The "FAB" line looks great and has been carrying them so far! I thought the first line was pretty badly outplayed by the Bruins first line for most of the game and I thought Risto had an unimpressive opener, but overall good stuff. I'll admit that I was wrong about Jones so far. No weak goals and he made the stops he needed to make.

That's gotta sting.
- Tomahawk

Kids 12th start ever, didn’t realize he was that green.

Impressive so far. Similar to the beginning of last year, they are giving up a lot of shots and capitalizing on a high percentage of their chances, not sure that is sustainable.
- backfire

As long as they don't make a habit out of playing this way... they were actually controlling play for the most part against Seattle and Vancouver. But Boston's always been tough for them.

People are mentioning it looked like last year but I think it’s night and day, the Dzone last year was abysmal. Take some of those fluky goals back in the Vancouver game and we aren’t giving up many.

The Flyers lost the possesion battle but watching in person they played pretty tight in thier own zone even when hemmed in. They didnt allow many real tough looks and kept Boston out of the danger zones for the most part.
- MBFlyerfan

There were a few times where they left a guy all alone in front Jones, but they weren't burned by it.

Overall, containment was pretty decent.

They need to do a better job of getting the puck out with possession under pressure instead of defaulting to high glass and feeble flips. Bruins, Isles, Tampa love it when you just hand the puck right back to them.

Boston's top line was better than our top line. Jones kept us in the game until we got going. Strong showing from our back up. I like this team thus far. Not to tighten up turnovers. Boston is a good team. We seemed to have survived being outplayed for some of the game.

Risto! Big hits. Big mistakes. I thought he played okay despite the line change snafu.

MacEwen looked okay. Fast and physical. Nice 4th line addition.

2nd line is rolling.

Morning flyers fans. How we doing today?

Boston's top line was better than our top line. Jones kept us in the game until we got going. Strong showing from our back up. I like this team thus far. Not to tighten up turnovers. Boston is a good team. We seemed to have survived being outplayed for some of the game.

Risto! Big hits. Big mistakes. I thought he played okay despite the line change snafu.

MacEwen looked okay. Fast and physical. Nice 4th line addition.

2nd line is rolling.
- cdearth23

Big hits and big mistakes haha. The coverage on the Marchand goal was awful, spinning around no stick no man. But outside of those two blunders he was good and got us some momentum with the big hit that made Coyle turn into an idiot

There were a few times where they left a guy all alone in front Jones, but they weren't burned by it.

Overall, containment was pretty decent.

They need to do a better job of getting the puck out with possession under pressure instead of defaulting to high glass and feeble flips. Bruins, Isles, Tampa love it when you just hand the puck right back to them.
- Tomahawk

Still think Sanheim needs to get stronger. I haven't seen a difference in his game yet. Only 3 games in. Hopefully he settles into his pairing with Risto.

People are mentioning it looked like last year but I think it’s night and day, the Dzone last year was abysmal. Take some of those fluky goals back in the Vancouver game and we aren’t giving up many.
- ClaudeFather

I agree, I think the Flyers played a smart game, I think Provy had 9 blocks. It never felt like it was just a matter of time before Boston scored, like last season. Even Risto had the right instincts with Marchands goal, he just needed to get his stick on the ice. To Marchands credit, his stick was solid on the ice and ready to bury the puck, that guy does the little things so well.

Big hits and big mistakes haha. The coverage on the Marchand goal was awful, spinning around no stick no man. But outside of those two blunders he was good and got us some momentum with the big hit that made Coyle turn into an idiot
- ClaudeFather

I think that is how Buffalo teaches to defend:-)

It was Risto's first game and we knew we were going to have to take some bad with the physical play. I think he will be fine on the 2nd pair.

I agree, I think the Flyers played a smart game, I think Provy had 9 blocks. It never felt like it was just a matter of time before Boston scored, like last season. Even Risto had the right instincts with Marchands goal, he just needed to get his stick on the ice. To Marchands credit, his stick was solid on the ice and ready to bury the puck, that guy does the little things so well.
- wcorvette

Yup, no inevitable feeling of the goals against are coming

Thoughts on Ristos play?

4th line on the ice every game for goals against so far. Not a good pattern.

I need a Nolan Patrick update

People are mentioning it looked like last year but I think it’s night and day, the Dzone last year was abysmal. Take some of those fluky goals back in the Vancouver game and we aren’t giving up many.
- ClaudeFather

The atrocious defensive zone play didn't snowball until later in the season than in the first month or so last year. However it is much improved. Kind of hard not to. It was rock bottom.

Boston's top line was better than our top line. Jones kept us in the game until we got going. Strong showing from our back up. I like this team thus far. Not to tighten up turnovers. Boston is a good team. We seemed to have survived being outplayed for some of the game.

Risto! Big hits. Big mistakes. I thought he played okay despite the line change snafu.

MacEwen looked okay. Fast and physical. Nice 4th line addition.

2nd line is rolling.
- cdearth23

I agree with all of this. Not every win is a Picasso. Risto isn’t Rod Langway in his own end but still upgrades the D overall. 2nd line is playing really, really well. As far as the first line, it looked like they were on the defensive the entire game against what probably the best line in hockey. Nice to see Jones turn in a steady performance, because the Flyers need him to play that way all year. I to liked MacEwen’s debut.

Big hits and big mistakes haha. The coverage on the Marchand goal was awful, spinning around no stick no man. But outside of those two blunders he was good and got us some momentum with the big hit that made Coyle turn into an idiot
- ClaudeFather

First game back from injury and is he 100%? I don't know. Initial impression is that I'll repeat a post I made last night. All the tools a defenseman needs from the neck down.

Thoughts on Ristos play?

4th line on the ice every game for goals against so far. Not a good pattern.
- hello it's me 2050

Couple of Gaffes…steady and physical for a good part of the game. It would be huge if he and Sanheim can for a solid 2nd pairing.