Eklund: Eklund: My "Ek Factors" for the Bruins vs. Flyers Home and Home Series.

Eklund: Eklund: My "Ek Factors" for the Bruins vs. Flyers Home and Home Series.
- Eklund

Thanks Billy

they suck

The Rags are a better team than the Flyers right now and the scary part is that they are the youngest team in the league by a large margin. The Pens are dealing with lots of injuries and still holding their own. These are both scary images for the Flyers considering that they are healthy and still looking hap hazard most nights. How do you lose a must win game when the other team is missing their top d guy on an already weakened defense core and add to that the fact that the Bruins were down to their 4th string goalie. The Flyers have it bass ackwards!! Last night they should have been trying to set up off angle chances instead of just blasting away cause that dude was waaaaaaay out of his net cutting down the angles. Thanks!

I think your assessment that the penguins playoff spot is in danger is way off. 9 of their last 17 games are against the sabres and devils. It’s not a difficult stretch for them.

Like in the Islanders playoff series a year ago, the Flyers were once again out-coached in a huge game. Philly played an incredibly strong second period and headed into the third with all the momentum, tied 2-2...The game was there to be taken...But instead of continuing with what gave them success, they played “not-to-lose” conservatively in the third, while Boston, on the road and perfectly content with getting to overtime, sat back and allowed the Flyers to pass the puck around and not accomplish much.
-Eklund

How were the Flyers outcoached? You made this statement and then did nothing to back it up! Every observation you posted after this statement I agree with, however it has nothing to do with coaching. The fact that the Flyers played conservatively and the Bruins just waited for their opportunity and when it came took advantage of it has everything to do with the players, not the coaching. Since March, the Flyers every single game generate shots but score very few goals. They create opportunities but rarely convert. They get Power players and give up short handed goals. This has nothing to do with coaching, and everything to do with the quality of players. The Bruins' top end talent is true top end talent. The Flyers's "best" players are nowhere close to true top end talent, and it shows again, and again, and again.

How were the Flyers outcoached? You made this statement and then did nothing to back it up! Every observation you posted after this statement I agree with, however it has nothing to do with coaching. The fact that the Flyers played conservatively and the Bruins just waited for their opportunity and when it came took advantage of it has everything to do with the players, not the coaching. Since March, the Flyers every single game generate shots but score very few goals. They create opportunities but rarely convert. They get Power players and give up short handed goals. This has nothing to do with coaching, and everything to do with the quality of players. The Bruins' top end talent is true top end talent. The Flyers's "best" players are nowhere close to true top end talent, and it shows again, and again, and again.
- jd250

This is comical, the bruins were just as close to blowing a PP and letting Laughton score short handed

How were the Flyers outcoached? You made this statement and then did nothing to back it up! Every observation you posted after this statement I agree with, however it has nothing to do with coaching. The fact that the Flyers played conservatively and the Bruins just waited for their opportunity and when it came took advantage of it has everything to do with the players, not the coaching. Since March, the Flyers every single game generate shots but score very few goals. They create opportunities but rarely convert. They get Power players and give up short handed goals. This has nothing to do with coaching, and everything to do with the quality of players. The Bruins' top end talent is true top end talent. The Flyers's "best" players are nowhere close to true top end talent, and it shows again, and again, and again.
- jd250

Shows up again and again? How about Couturier's 3rd period goal in the previous game to tie the score and get it to OT? Claude Giroux scoring two goals in the 3rd period of the Isles game to get it to OT? Voracek had 2 assists in that game and a goal and a assist last night. Konecny has been playing very well lately.

This is comical, the bruins were just as close to blowing a PP and letting Laughton score short handed
- ClaudeFather

You are making my point! The Flyers' Laughton didn't convert on the opportunity, however Bergeron and Marchand did!

Shows up again and again? How about Couturier's 3rd period goal in the previous game to tie the score and get it to OT? Claude Giroux scoring two goals in the 3rd period of the Isles game to get it to OT? Voracek had 2 assists in that game and a goal and a assist last night. Konecny has been playing very well lately.
- MJL

Its not that the Flyers can't score a goal, its their conversion rate, i.e. how many chances they need before they score versus a team like the Bruins. Last night the Flyers outshot the Bruins almost 2 to 1, yet the Bruins won the game 4-2. Is this the first time we have seen this happen, this season, or in past seasons? No, IMO this happens quite frequently to the Flyers. They always seem to hit a post, or catch the but end of the goalie's stick. Is it just puck luck or a whole lot more?

You are making my point! The Flyers' Laughton didn't convert on the opportunity, however Bergeron and Marchand did!
- jd250

Actually it doesn't. Voracek converted last night and he set up Gostisbehere for a goal. Laughton is not one of the Flyers high end offensive players.

Its not that the Flyers can't score a goal, its their conversion rate, i.e. how many chances they need before they score versus a team like the Bruins. Last night the Flyers outshot the Bruins almost 2 to 1, yet the Bruins won the game 4-2. Is this the first time we have seen this happen, this season, or in past seasons? No, IMO this happens quite frequently to the Flyers. They always seem to hit a post, or catch the but end of the goalie's stick. Is it just puck luck or a whole lot more?
- jd250

What you're describing there is puck luck. What's hurting the Flyers offensively is the PP. They lost last night because they didn't play a good 3rd period. They didn't get enough big saves from Hart.

I think how the teams are aligned in the standings right now will be the same at the end of the season.

You are making my point! The Flyers' Laughton didn't convert on the opportunity, however Bergeron and Marchand did!
- jd250

And couturier scored, Voracek set up GHost, our big guys showed up

You want to know why the Flyers lose these games? Consider the Bruin's first goal; how is it possible that Braun is up on the blue line trying to guard Marchand while Couturier is stuck down in the slot trying to contain Bergeron? One rebound later, the puck is in the back of our net. Disciplined teams do not have defenseman up at their own blue line trying to guard one of the best players in the league. Now consider the Bruins 3rd goal, the short handed goal. How is it possible that the Flyers could allow a short handed 2 on 1 break with two of the best players in the league (Bergeron and Marchand) going against Ghost (one the worst defensive defenseman in the league)?? Well looking at the replay, I see Giroux, Couturier and TK all down low in one corner, Jake V who is supposed to be at the point all the way down into the other corner, and only Ghost on top in the middle of the zone. Marchand takes out G, Bergeron takes out Couturier and now you got Bergeron and Marchand against Ghost. Jake and TK both trapped low in opposite corners. Disciplined teams don't allow this to EVER happen!! EVER!! This pisses me off more than I want to say! What the F*** is Jake V doing so far down low? And how is it, knowing you are playing the Bruins and how good Bergeron and Marchand are on the ice, that you counter with Jake and Ghost playing the points?? This to me is why the Flyers lose these games. Bad players .. and in this case bad coaching!

And couturier scored, Voracek set up GHost, our big guys showed up
- ClaudeFather

You keep telling yourself that. How did they look on that 3rd period PP?

You keep telling yourself that. How did they look on that 3rd period PP?
- jd250

The same as the Bruins big guys when they let up a short handed break away chance

I got to think theres a little coaching issue with how flat this team comes out of the gates so often......How they can play possibly the best period of hockey in the season in yesterdays 2nd period and come out and crap the bed in the third not even getting a shot until half way through. The players have to perform but it just seems like there is a certain lacking element. I expected so much more in that third period.

You want to know why the Flyers lose these games? Consider the Bruin's first goal; how is it possible that Braun is up on the blue line trying to guard Marchand while Couturier is stuck down in the slot trying to contain Bergeron? One rebound later, the puck is in the back of our net. Disciplined teams do not have defenseman up at their own blue line trying to guard one of the best players in the league. Now consider the Bruins 3rd goal, the short handed goal. How is it possible that the Flyers could allow a short handed 2 on 1 break with two of the best players in the league (Bergeron and Marchand) going against Ghost (one the worst defensive defenseman in the league)?? Well looking at the replay, I see Giroux, Couturier and TK all down low in one corner, Jake V who is supposed to be at the point all the way down into the other corner, and only Ghost on top in the middle of the zone. Marchand takes out G, Bergeron takes out Couturier and now you got Bergeron and Marchand against Ghost. Jake and TK both trapped low in opposite corners. Disciplined teams don't allow this to EVER happen!! EVER!! This pisses me off more than I want to say! What the F*** is Jake V doing so far down low and how is it knowing you are playing the Bruins and how good Bergeron and Marchand are on the ice that you counter with Jake and Ghost playing the points?? This to me is why the Flyers lose these games. Bad players .. and in this case bad coaching!
- jd250

This post is full of hyperbole and a lack of understanding of hockey systems. You frequently mention that you played high school or pee wee hockey or whatever. This is the NHL. I've mentioned to you numerous times that the Flyers play man to man in the defensive zone. That is why Braun, who is an experienced veteran NHL defenseman, is where he is. Unless you think Braun just doesn't know how to play hockey. The blown coverage on that play is with Couturier and Provorov who let Bergeron behind them.
You're partially correct on the SH goal against. Voracek didn't belong down low. He should've drifted up for better spacing and positioning. As far as personnel deployment. The Flyers have a PP in the 3rd period of a game with the score tied 2-2. If you think that the Flyers coaches should be coaching there to not let up a goal rather than to try and score a PP goal, you would be wrong. Why would a team not put out it's regular PP unit there?

The same as the Bruins big guys when they let up a short handed break away chance
- ClaudeFather

Yes, what happened here? The Flyers didn't convert! Laughton could not beat the Bruins rookie goalie playing his first NHL game.

Yes, what happened here? The Flyers didn't convert! Laughton could not beat the Bruins rookie goalie playing his first NHL game.
- jd250

Disciplined teams don't allow this to EVER happen!! EVER!!

Yes, what happened here? The Flyers didn't convert! Laughton could not beat the Bruins rookie goalie playing his first NHL game.
- jd250

STFU...a goalie who won 8 of his first ever 9 AHL starts with ridiculous numbers.

Yes, what happened here? The Flyers didn't convert! Laughton could not beat the Bruins rookie goalie playing his first NHL game.
- jd250

The goalie played well , why does it matter if he’s a rookie, find a new slant this was garbage

This post is full of hyperbole and a lack of understanding of hockey systems. You frequently mention that you played high school or pee wee hockey or whatever. This is the NHL. I've mentioned to you numerous times that the Flyers play man to man in the defensive zone. That is why Braun, who is an experienced veteran NHL defenseman, is where he is. Unless you think Braun just doesn't know how to play hockey. The blown coverage on that play is with Couturier and Provorov who let Bergeron behind them.
You're partially correct on the SH goal against. Voracek didn't belong down low. He should've drifted up for better spacing and positioning. As far as personnel deployment. The Flyers have a PP in the 3rd period of a game with the score tied 2-2. If you think that the Flyers coaches should be coaching there to not let up a goal rather than to try and score a PP goal, you would be wrong. Why would a team not put out it's regular PP unit there?
- MJL

Yes, I played through high school but was not good enough, or big enough to play college. However never in my limited experience playing or the mountains of pro games that I have watched over the centuries have I seen so many instances where the Flyers Dmen are drifting so high in the defensive zone. I played center in HS but I frequently practiced with the defense on zone coverage, and never were we coached to do this, Never!

I'm glad you at least agree with me regarding Jake. And normally I would say put your 5 best offensive players out there and get a goal on the PP. But as coach you do have to consider who your opponent is. The Flyers were not playing the Sabres here, they are playing the Bruins who have two of the best players in the league killing their penalty. You have to take this into account and maybe put another defenseman out there to guard against what actually happened!

Yes, I played through high school but was not good enough, or big enough to play college. However never in my limited experience playing or the mountains of pro games that I have watched over the centuries have I seen so many instances where the Flyers Dmen are drifting so high in the defensive zone. I played center in HS but I frequently practiced with the defense on zone coverage, and never were we coached to do this, Never!


- jd250

Your experiences in HS or pee wee or whatever are irrelevant. The Flyers defensive system coverage is similar to many teams in the NHL.

I'm glad you at least agree with me regarding Jake. And normally I would say put your 5 best offensive players out there and get a goal on the PP. But as coach you do have to consider who your opponent is. The Flyers were not playing the Sabres here, they are playing the Bruins who have two of the best players in the league killing their penalty. You have to take this into account and maybe put another defenseman out there to guard against what actually happened!
- jd250

Disagree. You don't play to not lose. You put your normal PP units out there and try and score the go ahead goal.