Lavi is screwing the pooch on this one. Completely out coached.

The coach has juggled the lines in each of the last two games. It's not as if they're standing by. It's just not working. My worry is that the changes were too much and backfired, causing a lack of confidence rather than a spark.
- Jsaquella

I don't know whats going on but I cant imagine that the Devils forchecking is this legit. The Devils are a solid club but theres no way the Flyers should be getting handled like this.

The line juggling is obviously to try and get something to work but the Flyers look like their skating in quick sand and the Devils seem to have double the players out on the ice.

Its been a good season and there are a lot of positives but I'll worry about that when their eliminated. Right now they have to figure out a way to win hockey games.

Lavi is screwing the pooch on this one. Completely out coached.
- RooNosHockey

How exactly is Laviolette being outcoached? What should Laviolette do, to change this Series around?

Lavi is screwing the pooch on this one. Completely out coached.
- RooNosHockey

I doubt he's telling the players to stand around in their own zone, get beat to every loose puck, and dump-ins should be near Brodeur so he can stick handle them away.

From what I can see it has less to do with "adjustments" and more to do with effort. One goal yesterday JVR just let his man go and score. Another Hartnell completely blew his assignment. Devils players are getting loose around the net while the Flyer defenders watch them, that's why they're losing. If I was Bryz I would be pissed.
- canadianpenfan

I'm with you on the lack of effort. I think Lavy has to sit JVR at this point. Can't sit Hartnell he's too valuable. Put one of the phantoms in there and see what they can do, at this point there's nothing to lose. I'm not ripping JVR, in fact I;ve been one of his supporters through the season. This year just ain't happening for him.

Too many guys not committed to defending. The only way imo the Flyers can still win this thing is if they do in fact commit to defending. I think I've been saying this in a round about way all season actually. Look at the capitals, they're doing it and making a series over there. The opposing players being left wide open over and over is getting really old really fast for me. Defense wins championships and there's a reason that saying is around.

How exactly is Laviolette being outcoached? What should Laviolette do, to change this Series around?
- MJL

Lace his skates, get his hockey stick, and get some jam on it himself!

I don't know whats going on but I cant imagine that the Devils forchecking is this legit. The Devils are a solid club but theres no way the Flyers should be getting handled like this.

The line juggling is obviously to try and get something to work but the Flyers look like their skating in quick sand and the Devils seem to have double the players out on the ice.

Its been a good season and there are a lot of positives but I'll worry about that when their eliminated. Right now they have to figure out a way to win hockey games.
- stveshdy

Look at two players on the Devils. Parise and Zubrus. They refuse to be knocked off the puck. They refuse to lose the puck. They are more determined then the Flyers are. And it's not just those two. It's their entire team. Who on the Flyers is showing that same resolve? The Devils are legit.

I doubt he's telling the players to stand around in their own zone, get beat to every loose puck, and dump-ins should be near Brodeur so he can stick handle them away.

- FlyerGuy

Same thing in our thread since we were eliminated. Lets play the blame game. The Jack Adams coach forgot how to coach, it has nothing to do with the players on the ice.

After watching the games, I believe it's easiest to thwart the forecheck by finding that guy in the middle of the ice. What I mean is, when the puck is up against the boards and they're battling for it...Why isn't Philly finding that man in the middle of the ice, in front of the goaltender to start the break out? I feel like Philly keeps trying to jam the puck out along the boards. A defender or another forward is always there to keep the puck in. They have to know this, right? The Devils did it all last game to counter act the Flyers forecheck. It worked great and the Devils countered effectively every time.
- Shephardbd

Its because the forwards are at the blue line, trying to create a rush intot he offensive zone. Mean while the devils send 3 guys down low to create the turn-over and keep it in the Flyers zone. I cant stand it. We need to put a real checking line together next year....

I'm with you on the lack of effort. I think Lavy has to sit JVR at this point. Can't sit Hartnell he's too valuable. Put one of the phantoms in there and see what they can do, at this point there's nothing to lose. I'm not ripping JVR, in fact I;ve been one of his supporters through the season. This year just ain't happening for him.

Too many guys not committed to defending. The only way imo the Flyers can still win this thing is if they do in fact commit to defending. I think I've been saying this in a round about way all season actually. Look at the capitals, they're doing it and making a series over there. The opposing players being left wide open over and over is getting really old really fast for me. Defense wins championships and there's a reason that saying is around.
- JoeRussomanno

The team did it during March (seemed committed to defending). Now, not so much.

Look at two players on the Devils. Parise and Zubrus. They refuse to be knocked off the puck. They refuse to lose the puck. They are more determined then the Flyers are. And it's not just those two. It's their entire team. Who on the Flyers is showing that same resolve? The Devils are legit.
- MJL

Zubrus has really impressed me this series, Greene too.

Lace his skates, get his hockey stick, and get some jam on it himself!
- BulliesPhan87

It's much easier to blame the Coach rather then the players who are actually on the ice. And to look and see what's really happening out there.

"league sources say Shanny doesn't want to suspend Giroux. Shanny is not pleased but is not looking to make an example of stars. G has no record and Zubrus returned to the game"

probably looking at a fine.

Honestly, while G did hit him in the head, being Zubrus was behind him. I don't think one can prove Giroux intended to hit Zubrus in the head.

How exactly is Laviolette being outcoached? What should Laviolette do, to change this Series around?
- MJL

It's why Bill Parcells is my favorite coach in all of sports. He would call players out in a heartbeat! I'm not saying Lavy has to do that nor do I want him to.
What I'm getting at is he would always stress player execution. All the coaching and all the gameplanning is great but one thing the Tuna would stress, is players gotta play.

Now when I woke up this morning the thought crept into my head that maybe it is lavy. Talking to you guys in here has reassured me it is not and these guys just aren't getting it done.

I don't know whats going on but I cant imagine that the Devils forchecking is this legit. The Devils are a solid club but theres no way the Flyers should be getting handled like this.

The line juggling is obviously to try and get something to work but the Flyers look like their skating in quick sand and the Devils seem to have double the players out on the ice.

Its been a good season and there are a lot of positives but I'll worry about that when their eliminated. Right now they have to figure out a way to win hockey games.
- stveshdy

The first step is to ratchet up the intensity. No amount of adjustments is going to fix intensity. My issue with the line juggling was in the scale it was done after just one loss.

Also, FWIW, as badly as they have been outplayed, they're about 6 inches from being tied 2-2. Had Schenn's redirection in game two found twine...

Its because the forwards are at the blue line, trying to create a rush intot he offensive zone. Mean while the devils send 3 guys down low to create the turn-over and keep it in the Flyers zone. I cant stand it. We need to put a real checking line together next year....
- RooNosHockey

The Flyers have a real checking line this Season. With Couturier and Talbot.

The team did it during March (seemed committed to defending). Now, not so much.
- eayost

yes they sure did. I don't know what the problem is. I guess maybe in the offseason bring in some more defensive minded guys. Maybe the abundance of one way forwards is having an effect, I don't know...

It's much easier to blame the Coach rather then the players who are actually on the ice. And to look and see what's really happening out there.
- MJL

The question is, why would players who have not quit the entire season suddenly stop working hard? Philly has been amazingly resilient in staging comebacks. The same players who showed will and hustle: what happened to them?

The first step is to ratchet up the intensity. No amount of adjustments is going to fix intensity. My issue with the line juggling was in the scale it was done after just one loss.

Also, FWIW, as badly as they have been outplayed, they're about 6 inches from being tied 2-2. Had Schenn's redirection in game two found twine...
- Jsaquella

I still think the Flyers can win this series, but they have to commit to defending. like eayost just mentioned they did it in March why can't they do it now?

Lace his skates, get his hockey stick, and get some jam on it himself!
- BulliesPhan87

You rang?

It's much easier to blame the Coach rather then the players who are actually on the ice. And to look and see what's really happening out there.
- MJL

I think it's exactly what you said earlier: is what we're seeing indicative of the coach not making adjustments, or players not executing? I'm seeing the latter.

You rang?
- Rally_Shots

Yes, now go fix the Flyers please. They've stopped working, and I'm not ready to put this playoffs beard down just yet.

"league sources say Shanny doesn't want to suspend Giroux. Shanny is not pleased but is not looking to make an example of stars. G has no record and Zubrus returned to the game"

probably looking at a fine.

Honestly, while G did hit him in the head, being Zubrus was behind him. I don't think one can prove Giroux intended to hit Zubrus in the head.
- nastyflyergirl

I think one could make the argument that Giroux intended to hit Zubrus high on his chest, based on body position.

But still, it's a hit that the league rightfully wants to eliminate. G deserves a game, imo.

I doubt he's telling the players to stand around in their own zone, get beat to every loose puck, and dump-ins should be near Brodeur so he can stick handle them away.

- FlyerGuy

If you cant get the players to respond..... then thats on the coach. It's not like it's 1-2 guys losing this series. The whole team can't get anything done. And that has to fall on the coach either not making the right adjustments, or not being able to get the players to respond...

If you cant get the players to respond..... then thats on the coach. It's not like it's 1-2 guys losing this series. The whole team can't get anything done. And that has to fall on the coach either not making the right adjustments, or not being able to get the players to respond...
- RooNosHockey

Yea but Doboer had Lemaire and Robinson to consult, Lavi has Berube...