Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: Game 12 vs. BOS

They can't keep winning games like they have the past two games. That many blocked shots are going to leave them vulnerable to injuries. It's just not a healthy recipe for success (see what I did there?)

Good on Michkov for getting rookie of the month! He has struggled the past couple of games, but Torts has handled the situation surprisingly well so far.

What are they gonna do with Fedotov? It seems that Kolosov has passed him in the goalie rankings, so why hasn't Fedotov been sent to the Phantoms? No one is gonna take him off waivers and it might be a good thing if they did anyway. Thanks!

There must be stats out there for blocked shots. Do more blocked shots equal more wins? I’m not a big fan of blocking shots. I don’t think it should be the cornerstone of your defensive system. I understand getting yourself in front of the player so he can’t get a shot through I just don’t like leaving your skates to block a shot. Seems to me it’s a desperation play. If you play good defense you shouldn’t need to do all that sliding around and putting yourself in a position to get injured.

There must be stats out there for blocked shots. Do more blocked shots equal more wins? I’m not a big fan of blocking shots. I don’t think it should be the cornerstone of your defensive system. I understand getting yourself in front of the player so he can’t get a shot through I just don’t like leaving your skates to block a shot. Seems to me it’s a desperation play. If you play good defense you shouldn’t need to do all that sliding around and putting yourself in a position to get injured.
- Dkos

Playing defense has evolved as the league has evolved. Blocking shots is certainly a good thing. The best defenseman in the league are not the defenseman who just defend the best. The best defenseman in the league and the best defense don't defend so to speak. The best defenseman in the league, suppress shots, quickly end opposition offensive plays. Transition the puck to the offensive end quickly and efficiently and then join in and contribute to that offense. The more you tilt that scale from defense to offense, the better a defenseman you are. I don't care how well a defenseman defends, if all he can do and all he does is defend, you will not come out on the plus side. There is a role for a player like that in situation hockey but that's not the kind of player you want as your top defenseman. I don't know if this addresses your point but it's my view point.

boston will be looking to get back on track

There must be stats out there for blocked shots. Do more blocked shots equal more wins? I’m not a big fan of blocking shots. I don’t think it should be the cornerstone of your defensive system. I understand getting yourself in front of the player so he can’t get a shot through I just don’t like leaving your skates to block a shot. Seems to me it’s a desperation play. If you play good defense you shouldn’t need to do all that sliding around and putting yourself in a position to get injured.
- Dkos

Don’t know the stats as it pertains from game to game or year to year but, I do remember reading the year Vegas won the cup, they lead the league in blocked shots for that particular season.

Who get's the start for Boston, Swayman or Korpi?

5 on 5 has to improve greatly.

They need to be quicker, not skating, but puck movement.

They need to find a way to be more consistent getting the puck to danger zones, point shots are fine, but they have to get through with people in rebound/deflect position.

Transition needs to be more shorter and quicker passes, much tougher to defend. They always struggle when forwards and defensemen have too big of a gap.

Clean up puck clears. Stop limp wristing pucks.

5 on 5 has to improve greatly.

They need to be quicker, not skating, but puck movement.

They need to find a way to be more consistent getting the puck to danger zones, point shots are fine, but they have to get through with people in rebound/deflect position.

Transition needs to be more shorter and quicker passes, much tougher to defend. They always struggle when forwards and defensemen have too big of a gap.

Clean up puck clears. Stop limp wristing pucks.
- Glak18

This team really needs to be more cohesive when it comes to passing. I haven't watched many other games this year, but had a chance to watch some of that Dallas/Florida game yesterday on NHL Network and the one thing that really seemed to stand out was the was that their passing seemed other worldly compared to the Flyers.

Playing defense has evolved as the league has evolved. Blocking shots is certainly a good thing. The best defenseman in the league are not the defenseman who just defend the best. The best defenseman in the league and the best defense don't defend so to speak. The best defenseman in the league, suppress shots, quickly end opposition offensive plays. Transition the puck to the offensive end quickly and efficiently and then join in and contribute to that offense. The more you tilt that scale from defense to offense, the better a defenseman you are. I don't care how well a defenseman defends, if all he can do and all he does is defend, you will not come out on the plus side. There is a role for a player like that in situation hockey but that's not the kind of player you want as your top defenseman. I don't know if this addresses your point but it's my view point.
- MJL

I guess in a roundabout way I’m saying I don’t really take much pride in the Flyers’ shot blocking. It seems more a symptom than a strategy. No doubt it’s a brave and selfless act, but does it really make you a better team? I’d be interested to know if there’s a correlation between shot blocking and winning or goals against. Maybe it leads to giving up less shots on net, but also results in having less time in possession of the puck?

Who get's the start for Boston, Swayman or Korpi?
- Glak18

Korpisalo

Korpisalo
- bmeltzer

Thanks.

This team really needs to be more cohesive when it comes to passing. I haven't watched many other games this year, but had a chance to watch some of that Dallas/Florida game yesterday on NHL Network and the one thing that really seemed to stand out was the was that their passing seemed other worldly compared to the Flyers.
- Phillywhiteout

That's exactly what I see when watching other teams as well. Flyers look like their whole passing/decision game is paint by numbers and still have trouble.

Other teams seem to make passes that the Flyers don't even try to attempt and if they do they get called "amazing". Is it lack of skill? I don't know I watched the San Jose/Chicago game last night and I wouldn't call them the most skilled.

I guess in a roundabout way I’m saying I don’t really take much pride in the Flyers’ shot blocking. It seems more a symptom than a strategy. No doubt it’s a brave and selfless act, but does it really make you a better team? I’d be interested to know if there’s a correlation between shot blocking and winning or goals against. Maybe it leads to giving up less shots on net, but also results in having less time in possession of the puck?
- Dkos

I don't either. Shot blocking is great but I don't like when a team sits back passively and packs in around the net and shot blocks. I want a defensive mechanism to force offenses into trouble zones where they can be outnumbered and take the puck away from them. Transition the other way. Flyers spend too much time in their own end and far too many extended shifts for the opposition.

I don't either. Shot blocking is great but I don't like when a team sits back passively and packs in around the net and shot blocks. I want a defensive mechanism to force offenses into trouble zones where they can be outnumbered and take the puck away from them. Transition the other way. Flyers spend too much time in their own end and far too many extended shifts for the opposition.
- MJL

Funny Boosh and JJ were just saying the Flyers won the games they had more blocked shots in this season.

Funny Boosh and JJ were just saying the Flyers won the games they had more blocked shots in this season.
- Dkos

Yes, The last few games Tortorella has adjusted the defense and had them become less aggressive and pack in around the net more. It's tightened them up defensively but its not a long term solution and it's not good for development.

That's a bad call. That's not a trip

Ah geez. Tweaked something when his blade came off?

well that's not good

Oh boy, Kolosov is in.

They looked slow and disinterested

Yes, The last few games Tortorella has adjusted the defense and had them become less aggressive and pack in around the net more. It's tightened them up defensively but its not a long term solution and it's not good for development.
- MJL

🎯

Flyers pretty much got their ass kicked that period,

Michkov needs to stop those cross ice pass attempts in his own zone.

C’mon Coots! You haven’t scored a hat trick in a week!