Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 2/6/12

first

Been reading through yesterdays thread, and I think most people are missing a simple point.

The Flyers aren't a great defensive team, there are breakdowns that occur often, with no Pronger and 7-8 rookies in the lineup every game, that is to be expected. No way around it. Sure they can tighten up, and limit the mistakes which would go a long way.

What's being missed is this, in the four game season series with the Rangers, Lundqvist has allowed zero soft goals. ZERO. while Flyers goaltenders have allowed at least 5, maybe more. That is the difference in the Flyers posting zero points, instead of 3-4. It's that simple. The Flyers aren't going to beat elite teams giving up soft goals.

Been reading through yesterdays thread, and I think most people are missing a simple point.

The Flyers aren't a great defensive team, there are breakdowns that occur often, with no Pronger and 7-8 rookies in the lineup every game, that is to be expected. No way around it. Sure they can tighten up, and limit the mistakes which would go a long way.

What's being missed is this, in the four game season series with the Rangers, Lundqvist has allowed zero soft goals. ZERO. while Flyers goaltenders have allowed at least 5, maybe more. That is the difference in the Flyers posting zero points, instead of 3-4. It's that simple. The Flyers aren't going to beat elite teams giving up soft goals.
- PLindbergh31

I could just as easily say that you are missing an even bigger point. Lack of execution on golden opportunities by your forwards, standing around like pylons in your own zone and the inability to help your team mates when there is two blue sweaters on one of your own end up in the other team lighting the lamp soft goals or not. The Flyers have
always had inferior goaltending to the rangers since the 1990's and yet they owned them.

Been reading through yesterdays thread, and I think most people are missing a simple point.

The Flyers aren't a great defensive team, there are breakdowns that occur often, with no Pronger and 7-8 rookies in the lineup every game, that is to be expected. No way around it. Sure they can tighten up, and limit the mistakes which would go a long way.

What's being missed is this, in the four game season series with the Rangers, Lundqvist has allowed zero soft goals. ZERO. while Flyers goaltenders have allowed at least 5, maybe more. That is the difference in the Flyers posting zero points, instead of 3-4. It's that simple. The Flyers aren't going to beat elite teams giving up soft goals.
- PLindbergh31

Agree completely. Soft goals are like turnovers in football.

This quote basically says it all.....

“It didn’t go our way,” Timonen added. Then, when asked what he thought the difference was in the game, Timonen quietly but just as quickly responded, “the goalie.”

Agree completely. Soft goals are like turnovers in football.
- MBFlyerfan

Perfect analogy. That is exactly what a soft goal is. Nothing deflates a team more, and it's so hard to overcome.

i think our boys have hit the "rookie wall"...to many injuries to key players this year...i think the way this team is built, it will be a serious contender in two years. Next year bryzgalov will get accustomed to our system hopefully! I dont think he is as bad as he is playing.

This quote basically says it all.....

“It didn’t go our way,” Timonen added. Then, when asked what he thought the difference was in the game, Timonen quietly but just as quickly responded, “the goalie.”
- Jack-Meoff

why is it OK for Timonen to say this and not OK for the goalie to comment on the defense?

This quote basically says it all.....

“It didn’t go our way,” Timonen added. Then, when asked what he thought the difference was in the game, Timonen quietly but just as quickly responded, “the goalie.”
- Jack-Meoff

Before this turns into a huge thing about throwing Bryz under the bus what he's saying is that Hank was the difference. Flyers had plenty of solid chances. Hank stopped them.

Before this turns into a huge thing about throwing Bryz under the bus what he's saying is that Hank was the difference. Flyers had plenty of solid chances. Hank stopped them.
- hereticpride

so, it would be OK for Bryz to say the difference in the game is that the Rangers D was better than ours?

This quote basically says it all.....

“It didn’t go our way,” Timonen added. Then, when asked what he thought the difference was in the game, Timonen quietly but just as quickly responded, “the goalie.”
- Jack-Meoff

Unfortunately. The fact is, it's been a hell of a lot easier for the Rangers to overcome a deficit than than it has for the Flyers. It's mental lapses on the defense, and it's soft goals. Backbreaking.

Agree completely. Soft goals are like turnovers in football.
- MBFlyerfan

Bryzgalov was holding the Flyers in the game, before the Gaborik goal. The Rangers were outplaying them by a pretty good margin, until Schenn's nice breakaway goal. The game evened out a little after that until the previously mentioned Gaborik tally.

Can't hang this loss on Bryzgalov solely though. The Rangers played a strong game, as did Lundqvist and the Flyers defense is average at best without Pronger.

Timonen(sp?) is excellent but after that it gets a little dicey. Do any of you think a big trade for a blueliner is imminent?

This quote basically says it all.....

“It didn’t go our way,” Timonen added. Then, when asked what he thought the difference was in the game, Timonen quietly but just as quickly responded, “the goalie.”
- Jack-Meoff

He's not throwing Bryzgalov under the bus, Timonen was asked a question, and responded with the truth.

so, it would be OK for Bryz to say the difference in the game is that the Rangers D was better than ours?
- Dkos

Well it was.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 2/6/12
- bmeltzer

The closer we come to the realization that this team is not a stanley cup team (contender...possibly, but a few pieces away from being a winner), the easier it will be come playoff time. Yes, they're dealing with injuries.....yes, they're playing with, what seems to be a roster full of rooks...yes, they're winning in spite of poor goaltending. Simply put....i just don't see this team getting very far in the playoffs.

I'm not giving Lavy a free pass anymore as I have in the past. AM i saying it's time for a coaching change - hell no. Let's just say that he needs to prove that he is capable of inspiring these guys a little better than what we have been seeing so far.

Just disappointed seeing the Flyers play half-assed when we all know they are capable of so much more. During the devils game, when they were down 6-0....why did it take that long for them to dig in and battle back? If they had showed that tenacity early on, it wouldn't have been too late to come back and the devil's lead wouldn't have been that huge.

Sometimes, they just leave me scratching my head.

This quote basically says it all.....

“It didn’t go our way,” Timonen added. Then, when asked what he thought the difference was in the game, Timonen quietly but just as quickly responded, “the goalie.”
- Jack-Meoff

The goalie was big part of it, but as Bill pointed out the goalie didn't miss the wide open net or give the puck away in bad spots.

The Rangers also play really solid defense, get rid of rebounds in front of their goalie and let him see the puck without being molested.

The part that concerns me is, Timonen often speaks for the team. If they have no faith in the goalie...

why is it OK for Timonen to say this and not OK for the goalie to comment on the defense?
- Dkos

Because it's pretty damn hard to point out where Timonen hasn't been a factor towards success this season, for starters.

Bryzgalov was holding the Flyers in the game, before the Gaborik goal. The Rangers were outplaying them by a pretty good margin, until Schenn's nice breakaway goal. The game evened out a little after that until the previously mentioned Gaborik tally.

Can't hang this loss on Bryzgalov solely though. The Rangers played a strong game, as did Lundqvist and the Flyers defense is average at best without Pronger.

Timonen(sp?) is excellent but after that it gets a little dicey. Do any of you think a big trade for a blueliner is imminent?
- MidnightMarauder

Rangers were the better team yesterday without question. But sometimes a team needs their goaltender to steal them points. How many times has Lundqvist done that this year? Countless.

The closer we come to the realization that this team is not a stanley cup team (contender...possibly, but a few pieces away from being a winner), the easier it will be come playoff time. Yes, they're dealing with injuries.....yes, they're playing with, what seems to be a roster full of rooks...yes, they're winning in spite of poor goaltending. Simply put....i just don't see this team getting very far in the playoffs.

I'm not giving Lavy a free pass anymore as I have in the past. AM i saying it's time for a coaching change - hell no. Let's just say that he needs to prove that he is capable of inspiring these guys a little better than what we have been seeing so far.

Just disappointed seeing the Flyers play half-assed when we all know they are capable of so much more. During the devils game, when they were down 6-0....why did it take that long for them to dig in and battle back? If they had showed that tenacity early on, it wouldn't have been too late to come back and the devil's lead wouldn't have been that huge.

Sometimes, they just leave me scratching my head.
- Flyer_Nation71

A lot of us realized they weren't a Stanley Cup team awhile ago, despite still being a contender.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 2/6/12
- bmeltzer

From a team-wide perspective, one of the most striking things about yesterday's game overall, apart from all the shots the Rangers blocked, was the contrast between New York's level of puck support and Philadelphia's. For most of this game, it seemed as if there were two white sweaters to every one Philadelphia one around the puck. That was also the case in two of the previous three meetings.

this is a huge point, and frankly, is something that has been plaguing the flyers for awhile now, regardless of their opponent. they simply don't play a committed puck support game for 60 minutes. they have to start playing the game a different way, and if they do that it will probably help to minimize the breakdowns and mistakes.
and beyond that, bryz has to stop giving up bad goals. period.

Well it was.
- Philly1980

I don't disagree. The Rangers' goalie and defense is better than the Flyers. I'm just pointing out that everyone jumps on every word that comes out of Bryz's mouth.

Because it's pretty damn hard to point out where Timonen hasn't been a factor towards success this season, for starters.
- BulliesPhan87

So now Timonen is "the defense"? All by himself?

edit: though to be fair it does sometimes seem like that...

Because it's pretty damn hard to point out where Timonen hasn't been a factor towards success this season, for starters.
- BulliesPhan87

lol lets bring up leighton then. Seriously though, lets be patient. We have a young team and a goalie who is having a down year.Same poop happened to Thomas once he was playing like crap. Hell be better next year you can bet your ass on it.

I could just as easily say that you are missing an even bigger point. Lack of execution on golden opportunities by your forwards, standing around like pylons in your own zone and the inability to help your team mates when there is two blue sweaters on one of your own end up in the other team lighting the lamp soft goals or not. The Flyers have
always had inferior goaltending to the rangers since the 1990's and yet they owned them.
- JoeRussomanno

Not sure if the Flyers owned the Rangers in 94' when they won the President's Tropy and Cup. I would have to check the season series.