I'll be surprised if he is suspended, but who the hell knows what will happen at this point

Do you really think that he hasn't told them to do that? The Flyers turnover issues are not due to the forwards leaving the zone early, it's more due to the Flyers trying to force things through the Devils coverage.

The Flyers have consistently forced clears up the boards, right to the Devils point men. They have also tried way too many low percentage outlet passes, rather than attacking the Devils where they are vulnerable. That's not coaching, it's execution.

You don't beat an aggressive forecheck by playing hot potato, you force them to overpursue and then get them chasing you. The problem is, the Flyers are being way too careless with the puck to exploit the Devils...and that's on the players, not the coach.
- Jsaquella

It's on both. Lavi is as responcible as the players. He is a good coach, but he is being out coached right now.

He's been yapping at the refs for most of the series. Every time he's been impeded, clipping bumped away from the puck, he's been looking for a call.
- Jsaquella

Yea he beat Crosby I didn't think he'd become him wtf...

The flyers are mentally shot and it is showing in their play. They are playing undisciplined, panicked, and lazy.
Can they turn the series around? Maybe but they would have to have everything go right for them tomorrow to even get the ball rolling.

This teams youth and lack of experience is showing. Sorry, despite whatever happened in the pens series doesn't mean squat now.

The average age of the flyers lineup last night is 27 years old. That includes Jagr-40, Kimmo-37, and Lilja-36.

They had 9 guys 25 and younger playing last night, Out of that 9, 5 of them are rookies.
Four other guys are under 30. 2 guys 30 and older.

If Jagr, Kimmo, and Lilja are taken out of the equation the average age is about 25 years old.

Out of the young guys that aren't rookies take a look at Jake and Simmonds. How much playoff experience do these guys have?

So basically the forwards are a very young core. Two vets in Jagr, Briere, Hartnell, and Talbot are the veteran forwards. That's basically 3/4's of your forwards being pretty inexperienced. The D is young for the most part but should know what the deal is. From last night 4 Dmen were under 30 and one of those (Gus) is a rookie. Kimmo and Lilja are older and Kimmo has to be spent.
Out of that D group Grossmann is really the only guy that is considered a physical dman. Coburn sort of plays physical but doesn't seem to use his size to punish people.

To sum it up, the youngish forward core is not playing defensively responsible thus putting stress on the not very physical Dmen and resulting in a chinese fire drill.

I did not include Bryz in calculating the average ages.
- bird_dog

And when you bounce the SC-favorite Penguins in the first round, knowing full well that 75% of that team was part of the cup-winning Pens team a few years ago, everything you say goes out the window. We all knew that the Flyers beat the better team when they beat the Pens. They're losing this series because the coaches/players have not adjusted yet. That's all it comes down to.

The Flyers are capable of winning three straight IF they can get it together. Two of the three games are at home.
- stveshdy

I havent' seen any signs of the Flyers "getting it together" in the last three games. Tuesday's game feels like a blowout to me. Like game 6 vs. Buffalo in 2006

I havent' seen any signs of the Flyers "getting it together" in the last three games. Tuesday's game feels like a blowout to me. Like game 6 vs. Buffalo in 2006
- Dkos

Just trying to stay positive. After the last three games I dont know if it can get any worse but I suppose it could.

But they aren't forechecking at all. Not a lick. And haven't the entire series. They had 6 days off. There is no way they would be gassed if that is what it was. They are gassed because they are constantly trying to cover up for mistakes in their own zone.
- MBFlyerfan

And they know it. Because I've heard Hartnell talk about it for himself (after game two) and for all of them (last night).

I havent' seen any signs of the Flyers "getting it together" in the last three games. Tuesday's game feels like a blowout to me. Like game 6 vs. Buffalo in 2006
- Dkos

Ahhh the good ol days...

It's on both. Lavi is as responcible as the players. He is a good coach, but he is being out coached right now.
- RooNosHockey

When the coach devises a system and the players fail to execute that system competently, it's more on the players than the coach.

The constant errors prevent the smooth running of the system, both by causing it to be interrupted and also by stealing energy when the mistakes cause them to expend extra effort to correct.

It's not as simple as the coach not telling guys to do things. I agree Laviolette deserves blame, but by no means does he deserve as much as the players.

I havent' seen any signs of the Flyers "getting it together" in the last three games. Tuesday's game feels like a blowout to me. Like game 6 vs. Buffalo in 2006
- Dkos

I don't think I could handle that. I don't leave early, but that would be a real test of my ability to take pain. I don't want a handshake with the Devils winning here. Either lose it in six or win the damned thing in seven.

by the way...I hated the way Barkan was trying to drum up some goalie controversy after the game last night. He was reading into Bryz's body language. Implying that Bryz wasn't being a good teamate with his antics (eye rolling, looks of exasperation, etc.). To me Bryz has been the best player for the Flyers lately. I didn't read anything into the way he behaved after he was scored on other than he was dissapointed that he got scored on.

When the coach devises a system and the players fail to execute that system competently, it's more on the players than the coach.

The constant errors prevent the smooth running of the system, both by causing it to be interrupted and also by stealing energy when the mistakes cause them to expend extra effort to correct.

It's not as simple as the coach not telling guys to do things. I agree Laviolette deserves blame, but by no means does he deserve as much as the players.
- Jsaquella

They have to figure out a way to beat the pressure. Time is running out and the players need to stop talking about what they need to do and actually start doing it.

by the way...I hated the way Barkan was trying to drum up some goalie controversy after the game last night. He was reading into Bryz's body language. Implying that Bryz wasn't being a good teamate with his antics (eye rolling, looks of exasperation, etc.). To me Bryz has been the best player for the Flyers lately. I didn't read anything into the way he behaved after he was scored on other than he was dissapointed that he got scored on.
- Dkos

I believe that was addressed earlier...he is a douche

- matman31

i hate saying that, but it's the simple truth. i underestimated the compete level from the devils and really believed the flyers depth and rest would carry them in 6. it's clear they can score on brodeur, but it's also clear the devils have the puck or are breaking up opportunities before they even happen most of the time. eventually the damn breaks.

can they come back? yes. they have the personnel to do so. it's not likely, because they've to do a complete 180 3 games straight. it would be nice to see SOME fight from them instead of another meek dismissal in the 2nd round.

When the coach devises a system and the players fail to execute that system competently, it's more on the players than the coach.

The constant errors prevent the smooth running of the system, both by causing it to be interrupted and also by stealing energy when the mistakes cause them to expend extra effort to correct.

It's not as simple as the coach not telling guys to do things. I agree Laviolette deserves blame, but by no means does he deserve as much as the players.
- Jsaquella

Sure Lavy gets some blame. But in the end lack of execution is killing them the most like you said.

by the way...I hated the way Barkan was trying to drum up some goalie controversy after the game last night. He was reading into Bryz's body language. Implying that Bryz wasn't being a good teamate with his antics (eye rolling, looks of exasperation, etc.). To me Bryz has been the best player for the Flyers lately. I didn't read anything into the way he behaved after he was scored on other than he was dissapointed that he got scored on.
- Dkos

Leight

Yes I am with you. Very lame if you ask me to fabricate a way to rip the best player in this series for the Flyers. We can win with this guy, the media has to back the (frank) off and the team needs to play better.

Did you see the one clip where bryz had the puck in his blocker hand and they were saying he was throwing his hands up in the air? That one had thoroughly frustrated.

They have to figure out a way to beat the pressure. Time is running out and the players need to stop talking about what they need to do and actually start doing it.
- stveshdy

Take what the pressure gives you. Short, smart passes to guys on the move should be open. Hard skating the other way will get guys caught and create opportunity.

When you try to make a low percentage outlet pass or clear into the teeth of the forecheck or a point spot that's covered, you just bought yourself 20 more seconds of having to bust your ass in your own end, rather than attacking their goal.

Take what the pressure gives you. Short, smart passes to guys on the move should be open. Hard skating the other way will get guys caught and create opportunity.

When you try to make a low percentage outlet pass or clear into the teeth of the forecheck or a point spot that's covered, you just bought yourself 20 more seconds of having to bust your ass in your own end, rather than attacking their goal.
- Jsaquella

THIS

Sure Lavy gets some blame. But in the end lack of execution is killing them the most like you said.

- MBFlyerfan

Lavy gets every single oz. of blame that can be mustered up. Every oz. It's all his fault . . . while John Stevens is wolfing down WCF cake.

i hate saying that, but it's the simple truth. i underestimated the compete level from the devils and really believed the flyers depth and rest would carry them in 6. it's clear they can score on brodeur, but it's also clear the devils have the puck or are breaking up opportunities before they even happen most of the time. eventually the damn breaks.

can they come back? yes. they have the personnel to do so. it's not likely, because they've to do a complete 180 3 games straight. it would be nice to see SOME fight from them instead of another meek dismissal in the 2nd round.
- hammarby31

I agree mostly because this team has not been able to put together consistent 60 minute efforts. Why, I don't know, but it would seem unlikely that they would start at this point. Their collective body language tells me they will go rather meekly. The 2 things they need to work on for next year is getting more consistency game to game and tightening up that awful team defense.

i hate saying that, but it's the simple truth. i underestimated the compete level from the devils and really believed the flyers depth and rest would carry them in 6. it's clear they can score on brodeur, but it's also clear the devils have the puck or are breaking up opportunities before they even happen most of the time. eventually the damn breaks.

can they come back? yes. they have the personnel to do so. it's not likely, because they've to do a complete 180 3 games straight. it would be nice to see SOME fight from them instead of another meek dismissal in the 2nd round.
- hammarby31

Be something if the Flyers flipped the script on them like they did to the Flyers in that ECF's way back when

Be something if the Flyers flipped the script on them like they did to the Flyers in that ECF's way back when
- JoeRussomanno

they certainly have my permission to do so

Take what the pressure gives you. Short, smart passes to guys on the move should be open. Hard skating the other way will get guys caught and create opportunity.

When you try to make a low percentage outlet pass or clear into the teeth of the forecheck or a point spot that's covered, you just bought yourself 20 more seconds of having to bust your ass in your own end, rather than attacking their goal.
- Jsaquella

there were many mindboggling plays yesterday, but one that sticks out in my mind is a play where a Flyer is in the offensive zone battling two Devils on the half boards. Briere is standing about 8 feet away just watching and hoping that the puck will somehow come to him for an offensive opportunity. I have no idea where the other forward was. The puck was won by the Devils and out they came.

they certainly have my permission to do so
- matman31

I think they need Barkaan's permission to do so but hopefully yours will suffice

gotta win tomorow night and see what happens