Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Flyers Beat Oilers via shootout, 2-1 (2-1)

Thanks, Bill, for the quick recap!

Best game as a Flyer for Morgan Frost in my opinion. Has nothing to do with the shootout goal. He was engaged on every shift! Torts get lots of creds too. The Oil live off of their dynamic PP and they have drawn the most PP's in the league. The fact that the Flyers gave them no PP's is creds to Tort's coaching. This team is engaged almost every night which is a breath of fresh air from the last few seasons. I still want this team to SELL at the deadline though.

Bill I really noticed Cates last night for his defense. He must have stripped McDavid four times and made some nice defensive plays.

Bill I really noticed Cates last night for his defense. He must have stripped McDavid four times and made some nice defensive plays.
- Angus4444

Cates was outstanding last night, including a couple scoring chances. He always defends well but doing it against McDavid is next level stuff. The only area where Cates routinely struggles is the faceoff circle.

Glad to see Frosty getting rewarded for his night of hard work with a chance on the SO. And credit to him for coming thru in the clutch there.

Glad to see Frosty getting rewarded for his night of hard work with a chance on the SO. And credit to him for coming thru in the clutch there.
- Tomahawk

Agreed. Now get him back with Tippett at 5-on-5 and get Allison back with Hayes and Laughton.

Now it'd be great to sell DeAngelo if anyone is buying.

Best game as a Flyer for Morgan Frost in my opinion. Has nothing to do with the shootout goal. He was engaged on every shift! Torts get lots of creds too. The Oil live off of their dynamic PP and they have drawn the most PP's in the league. The fact that the Flyers gave them no PP's is creds to Tort's coaching. This team is engaged almost every night which is a breath of fresh air from the last few seasons. I still want this team to SELL at the deadline though.
- Phillywhiteout

I could have done without all the spin orama passes, he had that shift where he kind of put Nugent-Hopkins Hopkins on skates and then it went to his head he was gonna try and dance around all night and didn’t really do much

Very underwhelming performance by McDavid and Draisaitl, was expecting a lot more. McDavid was cheating a lot, always breaking the zone hoping a puck got chipped by

Cates was outstanding last night, including a couple scoring chances. He always defends well but doing it against McDavid is next level stuff. The only area where Cates routinely struggles is the faceoff circle.
- bmeltzer

Cates struggles offensively in the center spot.

Hart was really good last night. Frost was very confident last night. We need 2023 TK to come back. He is very much 2021 TK right now.

Last night was the first night I got to see McDavid live. His speed is terrifying. He is on another level.

Side note, all credit transactions at the stadium is annoying.

Cates struggles offensively in the center spot.
- MJL

I obviously don’t think he’s a #1 Center but this move to center by Torts is clearly working out. If he can be a matchup guy down the road slotted as a third line center, that’s a great hole to fill on a team. What exactly do you think he’s gonna do on the wing? I’ll take a defensively sound center putting up 35 points rather than a winger that puts up 45

I obviously don’t think he’s a #1 Center but this move to center by Torts is clearly working out. If he can be a matchup guy down the road slotted as a third line center, that’s a great hole to fill on a team. What exactly do you think he’s gonna do on the wing? I’ll take a defensively sound center putting up 35 points rather than a winger that puts up 45
- ClaudeFather

Some seem to forget he’s a rookie. A defensive Center who can also chip in offensively, which he obviously can are worth their weight in gold. Factor in learning a new position….crazy how good a year he is having. I agree he is not a top line Center, but on this team.

I obviously don’t think he’s a #1 Center but this move to center by Torts is clearly working out. If he can be a matchup guy down the road slotted as a third line center, that’s a great hole to fill on a team. What exactly do you think he’s gonna do on the wing? I’ll take a defensively sound center putting up 35 points rather than a winger that puts up 45
- ClaudeFather

He's not a center. He's good defensively but doesn't have the puck skills. He'll score more playing wing. I don't want a checking center. That's archaic. To be a championship level team you need 3 scoring lines and all lines need to be defensively responsible. Tortorella is putting the needs of the team before the development of the player. Cates is 8th on the team among the regular forwards in scoring rate. Despite playing with the teams top offensive players and getting first line icetime.

Very underwhelming performance by McDavid and Draisaitl, was expecting a lot more. McDavid was cheating a lot, always breaking the zone hoping a puck got chipped by
- ClaudeFather

It’s almost like he’s thinking the game quicker then his own guys. With his speed he doesn’t need to cheat. Although it looks like that. That play at the end of OT, we’re it looked like he was going to just run the clock? He bolted past Provy from almost a glide with 3 or 4 strides. I watch a bunch of his games and wish the Flyers got to see him more. It’s a challenge.

Very underwhelming performance by McDavid and Draisaitl, was expecting a lot more. McDavid was cheating a lot, always breaking the zone hoping a puck got chipped by
- ClaudeFather

Agreed. Was happy they were held in check but expected more. Edmonton does not play a sound game of hockey. They need to change.

Glad to see Frosty getting rewarded for his night of hard work with a chance on the SO. And credit to him for coming thru in the clutch there.
- Tomahawk

He seemed to win more puck battles last night…which is great, because he ends up with the puck more. The last 30 games are huge for him.

Same old Oilers, take away their space and get some key saves when McDavid goes off, and the Oilers are toast. This is a great game for anyone who thinks getting Bedard is somehow going to make the Flyers a real contender. Clearly having two generational talents like McDavid and Draisaitl is not enough for Edmonton. You still need other elements for a team to get to the next level, just ask Toronto fans.

I thought Cates was excellent last night, just completely frustrated McDavid for almost the entire night, winning battles and taking away his space. Frost was great last night also, amazing what he can do when he has space and actually moves his feet. Hart once again made the key stops when he had to. At this point we can't say teams are approaching the Flyers lightly this far into the season.

He seemed to win more puck battles last night…which is great, because he ends up with the puck more. The last 30 games are huge for him.
- landros 2

Yeah it would be great for him to produce at a middle six center rate for the rest of the season.

Cates was outstanding last night, including a couple scoring chances. He always defends well but doing it against McDavid is next level stuff. The only area where Cates routinely struggles is the faceoff circle.
- bmeltzer

I didn't see a replay yet of Cates' chance at an open net near the end of regulation. Did he just miss it or was the puck deflected or maybe off the post?

I didn't see a replay yet of Cates' chance at an open net near the end of regulation. Did he just miss it or was the puck deflected or maybe off the post?
- jd250

I thought Skinner made the save live. I have not seen the replay though.

I obviously don’t think he’s a #1 Center but this move to center by Torts is clearly working out. If he can be a matchup guy down the road slotted as a third line center, that’s a great hole to fill on a team. What exactly do you think he’s gonna do on the wing? I’ll take a defensively sound center putting up 35 points rather than a winger that puts up 45
- ClaudeFather

Honestly, the work Cates did on McDavid last night was Bergeron-like, it was that good!

Same old Oilers, take away their space and get some key saves when McDavid goes off, and the Oilers are toast. This is a great game for anyone who thinks getting Bedard is somehow going to make the Flyers a real contender. Clearly having two generational talents like McDavid and Draisaitl is not enough for Edmonton. You still need other elements for a team to get to the next level, just ask Toronto fans.

I thought Cates was excellent last night, just completely frustrated McDavid for almost the entire night, winning battles and taking away his space. Frost was great last night also, amazing what he can do when he has space and actually moves his feet. Hart once again made the key stops when he had to. At this point we can't say teams are approaching the Flyers lightly this far into the season.
- jd250

You do know Edmonton went to the conference finals last year? And lost to the eventual cup champs? I still think they need to upgrade the D but they aren’t that far away. Their goaltending is a tad sketchy as well, all tough Skinner has been good of late.

Honestly, the work Cates did on McDavid last night was Bergeron-like, it was that good!
- jd250

You don’t find having a rookie Center who’s good defensively archaic?