When the Flyers were on the PP last night. Carolina while on the PK registered more scoring chances for and had 3 high danger scoring chances for to the Flyers zero.

Seems watching the games the flyers arent getting pushed around and bullied like they did last year. That goes a long way. There was a few games last year, teams were almost laughing at the flyers being bullied

Ristolianen was not a beast. He played well and made the plays you would expect a top 4 defenseman to make. Including the routine 10 foot pass to a wide open Laughton on the breakout. Laughton with the bank pass and Farabee with the deke made the goal happen.
- MJL

yes, that "routine" 10 foot pass was only possible because once again Risto won a huge puck battle in the corner and moved the puck up ice. Against fast teams that is how you have to play them, move the puck quickly up ice north to south and Risto did that. Hey, if you are at least admitting he is playing like a top 4 D-man, that is at least a good step.

yes, that "routine" 10 foot pass was only possible because once again Risto won a huge puck battle in the corner and moved the puck up ice. Against fast teams that is how you have to play them, move the puck quickly up ice north to south and Risto did that. Hey, if you are at least admitting he is playing like a top 4 D-man, that is at least a good step.
- jd250

It wasn't a huge puck battle. He intercepted a pass and made a routine outlet pass. He played well but you keep using adjectives such as beast or huge and great that just aren't accurate. He deserves credit for turning his game around and playing well the last 3 games. Versus the mediocre to poor play previously.

When the Flyers were on the PP last night. Carolina while on the PK registered more scoring chances for and had 3 high danger scoring chances for to the Flyers zero.
- MJL

Yes, the Flyers' PP last night was the worst I have seen it in a while, even worse than last year. I don't have a problem with 4 forwards on the PP, however when you are nursing a 1 goal lead late in the game, I would rather see 2 D out there. Last night, no one on the PP seemed to want to get into the high slot and be ready for a quick shot, except I saw Lindblom doing it a bit, everything was on the outside. All in all, it was a big step back for them.

Seems watching the games the flyers arent getting pushed around and bullied like they did last year. That goes a long way. There was a few games last year, teams were almost laughing at the flyers being bullied
- bradster

I have thought MacEwen has played well and was a nice pick up by Fletcher. A friend of mine who is a Canucks fan said the fanbase was very disappointed to loose him. He works hard every shift and had a well deserved goal

Yes, the Flyers' PP last night was the worst I have seen it in a while, even worse than last year. I don't have a problem with 4 forwards on the PP, however when you are nursing a 1 goal lead late in the game, I would rather see 2 D out there. Last night, no one on the PP seemed to want to get into the high slot and be ready for a quick shot, except I saw Lindblom doing it a bit, everything was on the outside. All in all, it was a big step back for them.
- jd250

The Flyers were set up in a double screen setup all game. One guy at the net and the other in the high slot area. The Flyers issue on the PP was zone entries and not getting the puck to the net. While I understand the idea of putting 2 defenseman out, a PP goal ices the game. I like aggressiveness rather than sitting back. I can see both sides.

It wasn't a huge puck battle. He intercepted a pass and made a routine outlet pass. He played well but you keep using adjectives such as beast or huge and great that just aren't accurate. He deserves credit for turning his game around and playing well the last 3 games. Versus the mediocre to poor play previously.
- MJL

When I say "huge" I mean important. In the corners is where games are won and lost, and based on what I watched and tracked, Risto was winning about 80% of those battles, which is a great result. To me this is best part of his game and most important to the Flyers. Yes I would like him to continue to be more involved in the offense, but right now his contribution to defense is what he does best.

The Flyers were set up in a double screen setup all game. One guy at the net and the other in the high slot area. The Flyers issue on the PP was zone entries and not getting the puck to the net. While I understand the idea of putting 2 defenseman out, a PP goal ices the game. I like aggressiveness rather than sitting back. I can see both sides.
- MJL

Good point, with about 7 minutes left, a PP goal there puts the game away. Maybe that unit just needs more practice time, but I really do want them to not settle for point shots.

When I say "huge" I mean important. In the corners is where games are won and lost, and based on what I watched and tracked, Risto was winning about 80% of those battles, which is a great result. To me this is best part of his game and most important to the Flyers. Yes I would like him to continue to be more involved in the offense, but right now his contribution to defense is what he does best.
- jd250

He's played well the last 3 games. No major gaffes, no coverage mistakes and made the routine plays. At least at that level, he has some value. Still not a player worth the cost in my opinion and still not a player that I would re-sign to a long term deal. The issue is they don't have a RH replacement in the wings.
We have to see how Ellis plays but when you watch top teams play. Teams like Carolina and even Toronto to an extent. They have a element in their defense that the Flyers just don't have. What they'll need to become a top team. That's what the Flyers need to use cap space for.

The Flyers were set up in a double screen setup all game. One guy at the net and the other in the high slot area. The Flyers issue on the PP was zone entries and not getting the puck to the net. While I understand the idea of putting 2 defenseman out, a PP goal ices the game. I like aggressiveness rather than sitting back. I can see both sides.
- MJL

When you have a one goal lead against a speedy team such as the Canes late in a game and you're on the PP it is simple coaching 101 to have two defenders on the ice. That was a terrible decision and would have cost them the lead if not for Hart saving their bacon when Giroux made that brutal turnover. Their PP was awful all night so why would they think they were going to magically turn things around with 4 forwards on the ice in that situation. Bad decision by AV there IMO and you know everyone on here would be killing him if the Canes would have scored and ended up winning the game in OT or whatever.

Good point, with about 7 minutes left, a PP goal there puts the game away. Maybe that unit just needs more practice time, but I really do want them to not settle for point shots.
- jd250

Point shots can be effective shots on the PP. Always have been. But you need traffic in front. Point shots with clear sight lines for the goaltender are not effective.

He's played well the last 3 games. No major gaffes, no coverage mistakes and made the routine plays. At least at that level, he has some value. Still not a player worth the cost in my opinion and still not a player that I would re-sign to a long term deal. The issue is they don't have a RH replacement in the wings.
We have to see how Ellis plays but when you watch top teams play. Teams like Carolina and even Toronto to an extent. They have a element in their defense that the Flyers just don't have. What they'll need to become a top team. That's what the Flyers need to use cap space for.
- MJL

Can you explain this more, what does say Toronto's D have that the Flyers don't? And would Ellis add that element back to the mix?

When you have a one goal lead against a speedy team such as the Canes late in a game and you're on the PP it is simple coaching 101 to have two defenders on the ice. That was a terrible decision and would have cost them the lead if not for Hart saving their bacon when Giroux made that brutal turnover. Their PP was awful all night so why would they think they were going to magically turn things around with 4 forwards on the ice in that situation. Bad decision by AV there IMO and you know everyone on here would be killing him if the Canes would have scored and ended up winning the game in OT or whatever.
- Phillywhiteout

That's playing not to lose. Putting a PP unit out to try and win the game is not a terrible decision. Giroux made a terrible play. That was the only thing terrible there. I agree that the expectation was not high, but I like going for it versus playing conservatively. I don't think you're wrong about the 2 defenseman. It's reasonable but I like trying to score to win.

Point shots can be effective shots on the PP. Always have been. But you need traffic in front. Point shots with clear sight lines for the goaltender are not effective.
- MJL

Personally, I think given the size and techniques of a modern goalie, point shots have become less relevant on the PP. At one time, if you could get pucks through and screen the goalie, there was more room to sneak pucks past the goalie. Now with the size of the goalies and the pads, plus the techniques to take away pretty much all low shots, more pucks are hitting goalies than ever before. That is why top PPs attack the high slot with bumper plays and one timers.

He's played well the last 3 games. No major gaffes, no coverage mistakes and made the routine plays. At least at that level, he has some value. Still not a player worth the cost in my opinion and still not a player that I would re-sign to a long term deal. The issue is they don't have a RH replacement in the wings.
We have to see how Ellis plays but when you watch top teams play. Teams like Carolina and even Toronto to an extent. They have a element in their defense that the Flyers just don't have. What they'll need to become a top team. That's what the Flyers need to use cap space for.
- MJL

i think more that those teams have an element on the offense the flyers dont have

Anyone else notice in the last few game that Coots looks like he just picked up a stick? He has been making some lousy plays, bad passes, curious decisions, etc. wonder if he is nursing some injury?

Can you explain this more, what does say Toronto's D have that the Flyers don't? And would Ellis add that element back to the mix?
- jd250

Look at what DeAngelo adds. He attacks with the puck. Reilly attacks with the puck. Slavin attacks with the puck. Top teams have that. Provorov has that ability but hasn't shown it this year. The best defenseman in the league are play drivers as well as playing well defensively. Ellis makes subtle plays but I haven't seen him enough to know if he can be that play driver.

When you have a one goal lead against a speedy team such as the Canes late in a game and you're on the PP it is simple coaching 101 to have two defenders on the ice. That was a terrible decision and would have cost them the lead if not for Hart saving their bacon when Giroux made that brutal turnover. Their PP was awful all night so why would they think they were going to magically turn things around with 4 forwards on the ice in that situation. Bad decision by AV there IMO and you know everyone on here would be killing him if the Canes would have scored and ended up winning the game in OT or whatever.
- Phillywhiteout

Good point, if the Flyers' PP was at least generating chances and building momentum earlier in the game maybe it makes sense to play aggressive there. But given how Carolina's PK was actually generating high danger chances against, it made sense to go for a PP goal but to have a bigger margin of error there with 2 D.

Look at what DeAngelo adds. He attacks with the puck. Reilly attacks with the puck. Slavin attacks with the puck. Top teams have that. Provorov has that ability but hasn't shown it this year. The best defenseman in the league are play drivers as well as playing well defensively. Ellis makes subtle plays but I haven't seen him enough to know if he can be that play driver.
- MJL

Yes, I get it. I think Sanheim has the best chance of becoming that type of Dman, but he just does not do it consistently. Last night he seemed much more involved in the rush, would like to see more of that from him.

Personally, I think given the size and techniques of a modern goalie, point shots have become less relevant on the PP. At one time, if you could get pucks through and screen the goalie, there was more room to sneak pucks past the goalie. Now with the size of the goalies and the pads, plus the techniques to take away pretty much all low shots, more pucks are hitting goalies than ever before. That is why top PPs attack the high slot with bumper plays and one timers.
- jd250

Goaltenders have had size and have played the way they do now for a decade or more. That hasn't changed the effectiveness of a good PP shot with traffic. It remains a staple of a good PP. What do you think those point shots do? They open up opportunities for higher percentage shots. Take that away and the PKers have less to be concerned about.

Yes, I get it. I think Sanheim has the best chance of becoming that type of Dman, but he just does not do it consistently. Last night he seemed much more involved in the rush, would like to see more of that from him.
- jd250

Sanheim has shown he can put up solid point totals at ES but he's never going to be a consistent play driver. Like you said, doesn't do it consistently and doesn't have the ability to do it consistently.

Goaltenders have had size and have played the way they do now for a decade or more. That hasn't changed the effectiveness of a good PP shot with traffic. It remains a staple of a good PP. What do you think those point shots do? They open up opportunities for higher percentage shots. Take that away and the PKers have less to be concerned about.
- MJL

if you can get pucks through traffic and generate rebounds, yes, but that's a lot harder than it used to be. I'm not saying it should be completely eliminated, just that I think the Flyers have had a history of settling for it instead of working pucks down low, or to the half-wall, and then executing quick passes into the slot area for one timers. The Bruins PP is an example of one that does this very well.

Sanheim has shown he can put up solid point totals at ES but he's never going to be a consistent play driver. Like you said, doesn't do it consistently and doesn't have the ability to do it consistently.
- MJL

So, in hindsight, would you have taken a risk on DeAngelo instead of Yandle this past off-season?

if you can get pucks through traffic and generate rebounds, yes, but that's a lot harder than it used to be. I'm not saying it should completely eliminated, just that I think the Flyers have had a history of settling for it instead of working pucks down low, or to the half-wall, and then executing quick passes into the slot area for one timers. The Bruins PP is an example of one that does this very well.
- jd250

Well Bergeron is one of the best in the league at moving and finding soft spots in the coverage. The Flyers haven't had that since Brayden Schenn.