Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 2/5/12 @ Rangers

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 2/5/12 @ Rangers
- bmeltzer

Here's the part of the season that makes me hate the all star break and NHL schedule makers. In each of the first two weekends of February, the Flyers finish a set of 3 games in 4 days with back to backs. This weekend they got a tough divisional game, then the top team in the East. Next weekend, they have the top two teams in the NHL in Detroit and the Rangers.

If you look at March, the Flyers play 16 games in 31 days, including back to backs and 3 games in 4 days a couple times.

Here's the part of the season that makes me hate the all star break and NHL schedule makers. In each of the first two weekends of February, the Flyers finish a set of 3 games in 4 days with back to backs. This weekend they got a tough divisional game, then the top team in the East. Next weekend, they have the top two teams in the NHL in Detroit and the Rangers.

If you look at March, the Flyers play 16 games in 31 days, including back to backs and 3 games in 4 days a couple times.
- Jsaquella

Regardless of what happened in yesterday's game, the deck is stacked against the Flyers today (even if they were 3-0 instead of 0-3 against the Rangers this season). It's a joke that this is one team's third game in less than four days and the other side has had three days off. Both from an energy management and preparation standpoint, that's a mighty big built-in advantage for one side.

Regardless of what happened in yesterday's game, the deck is stacked against the Flyers today (even if they were 3-0 instead of 0-3 against the Rangers this season). It's a joke that this is one team's third game in less than four days and the other side has had three days off. Both from an energy management and preparation standpoint, that's a mighty big built-in advantage for one side.
- bmeltzer

It is. The one benefit or the Flyers is that the Rangers might be a little off to start the game, because of the time off.

Also, as Anthony Mingioni pointed out on Twitter, why is Matt Read playing on the 4th line?

I wonder if Rinaldo gets banished today like Harry Z did.

Here's the part of the season that makes me hate the all star break and NHL schedule makers. In each of the first two weekends of February, the Flyers finish a set of 3 games in 4 days with back to backs. This weekend they got a tough divisional game, then the top team in the East. Next weekend, they have the top two teams in the NHL in Detroit and the Rangers.

If you look at March, the Flyers play 16 games in 31 days, including back to backs and 3 games in 4 days a couple times.
- Jsaquella

Devils play 17 games in 31 days.

Most teams had like 6 day breaks earlier in the season (which is stupid), and now it's biting them in the ass.

Devils play 17 games in 31 days.

Most teams had like 6 day breaks earlier in the season (which is stupid), and now it's biting them in the ass.
- _Zippy_

It's so stupid. And every team faces it, but it's just piss poor planning

It is. The one benefit or the Flyers is that the Rangers might be a little off to start the game, because of the time off.

Also, as Anthony Mingioni pointed out on Twitter, why is Matt Read playing on the 4th line?


- Jsaquella

That lineup seemed to work real well against Nashville. But Read had less ES icetime in yesterday's game then Rinaldo did. I like Rinaldo a lot, but he's not the player that Read is. I think that has to change. I guess there is a lack of Centers. Well then call up Holmstrom and let him Center the 4th line, until Briere comes back. And scratch one of Sestito or Shelley.

It's so stupid. And every team faces it, but it's just piss poor planning
- Jsaquella

The worse part is the NHL actually sits down and does the schedule.

That lineup seemed to work real well against Nashville. But Read had less ES icetime in yesterday's game then Rinaldo did. I like Rinaldo a lot, but he's not the player that Read is. I think that has to change. I guess there is a lack of Centers. Well then call up Holmstrom and let him Center the 4th line, until Briere comes back. And scratch one of Sestito or Shelley.
- MJL

Read also played with Zolnierczyk against Nashville. I'd rather have Holmstrom up centering the 4th line than Zolnierczyk sitting.

The worse part is the NHL actually sits down and does the schedule.
- _Zippy_

I think they hired a herd of chimpanzees, give them 6 cases of Red Bull and a pencil

I think they hired a herd of chimpanzees, give them 6 cases of Red Bull and a pencil
- Jsaquella

.....Well isn't Bettman a chimpanzee?

It is. The one benefit or the Flyers is that the Rangers might be a little off to start the game, because of the time off.

Also, as Anthony Mingioni pointed out on Twitter, why is Matt Read playing on the 4th line?


- Jsaquella

I have no friggin clue

edit: makes as much sense as starting Casey Matthews at MLB

That lineup seemed to work real well against Nashville. But Read had less ES icetime in yesterday's game then Rinaldo did. I like Rinaldo a lot, but he's not the player that Read is. I think that has to change. I guess there is a lack of Centers. Well then call up Holmstrom and let him Center the 4th line, until Briere comes back. And scratch one of Sestito or Shelley.
- MJL

The change I'd make isnt with Rinaldo Rinaldo role isnt the same as Read. Rinaldo is to stir things up. I'd keep him on Schenn's line. I'd like see Talbot and Read swap. Read seems to have great chemistry with Coots.

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 2/5/12 @ Rangers
- bmeltzer

today is a day where i would have liked to read your musings instead of a gameday blog, although i'm happy they're playing again immediately and have a chance to rid themselves of yesterday's performance. but as you said, the cards are stacked against them today due to a variety of reasons.

yesterday's game made me sick. the afternoon game, home game, 5-6 goal blowouts (forget their 4 goal comeback in the 3rd) are not the mark of a cup caliber team. i don't think anyone felt they were good enough to be in that class at the beginning of the year and are happy with their overall progress and position in the standings, however, i'd like to see them be prepared at this point in the season, and learn from earlier drubbings. ASG is over. it's February. time to get to (frank)ing work.

I have no friggin clue

edit: makes as much sense as starting Casey Matthews at MLB
- isaiah520

Read also played with Zolnierczyk against Nashville. I'd rather have Holmstrom up centering the 4th line than Zolnierczyk sitting.
- Jsaquella

Why Shelley is even still on the team remains a mystery to me. Zolnierczyk provides energy and a bit of skill where Shelley is a wasted body. Sestito at least provides some size with passable mobility. I know Harry Z is a fourth line player and there are other factors in a game, but who is the more effective player, the guy who labors to move between the zones and plays 6-7 minutes a game, or the guy who can forecheck and backcheck at top speed and play three times the ice time while providing some offense to boot? When your fourth line can get in deep and grind out some offense, even if they don't get a goal they're still breaking up Giroux's 25+ minutes and tiring the other team out. I'd like to see a stat of the Flyers record with Shelley in the lineup this year. I can't imagine it is good.

As for the Rangers, if the Flyers can play like they did in the third against the Devils and the game against Boston, they should have a shot.

Seems to me if the Flyers win today it will be of the "we caught them cold because of the long break and held on to win" variety.

But I seriously doubt the Rangers will fall in to that trap.

Wayne Simmonds will be a key today. The Rangers do a great job of owning the front of the net at both ends of the ice, and Simmonds seems to be he only one who consistently wants to go there.

Why Shelley is even still on the team remains a mystery to me. Zolnierczyk provides energy and a bit of skill where Shelley is a wasted body. Sestito at least provides some size with passable mobility. I know Harry Z is a fourth line player and there are other factors in a game, but who is the more effective player, the guy who labors to move between the zones and plays 6-7 minutes a game, or the guy who can forecheck and backcheck at top speed and play three times the ice time while providing some offense to boot? When your fourth line can get in deep and grind out some offense, even if they don't get a goal they're still breaking up Giroux's 25+ minutes and tiring the other team out. I'd like to see a stat of the Flyers record with Shelley in the lineup this year. I can't imagine it is good.

As for the Rangers, if the Flyers can play like they did in the third against the Devils and the game against Boston, they should have a shot.
- Netmindless

Zolnierczyk averages 7:43 in ice time, Shelley averages 5:22. It's not like Harry Z is sniffing a ton of ice time when he plays.

I agree about not having an enforcer, obviously the Flyers feel he serves some kind of purpose. But I do agree that I'd rather have a guy with the speed and skill Zolnierczyk brings

Zolnierczyk averages 7:43 in ice time, Shelley averages 5:22. It's not like Harry Z is sniffing a ton of ice time when he plays.

I agree about not having an enforcer, obviously the Flyers feel he serves some kind of purpose. But I do agree that I'd rather have a guy with the speed and skill Zolnierczyk brings
- Jsaquella

I would rather see Scrabble and Sestito in the lineup as well. But you can almost guarantee he starts Shelley in place of Scrabble. I guess Lavi sees the rangers as coming hard and he wants that toughness, though Scrabble is a pretty gritty sandpaper type guy.

We shall see.

I would rather see Scrabble and Sestito in the lineup as well. But you can almost guarantee he starts Shelley in place of Scrabble. I guess Lavi sees the rangers as coming hard and he wants that toughness, though Scrabble is a pretty gritty sandpaper type guy.

We shall see.
- MBFlyerfan

I think he might have been sending a message to Harry after his ill advised play that led to the Preds only goal the other night

I think he might have been sending a message to Harry after his ill advised play that led to the Preds only goal the other night
- Jsaquella

Refreshing my memory, that was the cross ice pass in the offensive zone on the rush that missed everyone far side and resulted in a rush the other way.....

Ive seen worse plays....but he needed to be more aware of the game situation.

The change I'd make isnt with Rinaldo Rinaldo role isnt the same as Read. Rinaldo is to stir things up. I'd keep him on Schenn's line. I'd like see Talbot and Read swap. Read seems to have great chemistry with Coots.
- leon neon

Obviously Read and Rinaldo aren't the same kind of players. Rinaldo belongs on the 4th line. Neither Read or Talbot belong there.

Why Shelley is even still on the team remains a mystery to me. Zolnierczyk provides energy and a bit of skill where Shelley is a wasted body. Sestito at least provides some size with passable mobility. I know Harry Z is a fourth line player and there are other factors in a game, but who is the more effective player, the guy who labors to move between the zones and plays 6-7 minutes a game, or the guy who can forecheck and backcheck at top speed and play three times the ice time while providing some offense to boot? When your fourth line can get in deep and grind out some offense, even if they don't get a goal they're still breaking up Giroux's 25+ minutes and tiring the other team out. I'd like to see a stat of the Flyers record with Shelley in the lineup this year. I can't imagine it is good.

As for the Rangers, if the Flyers can play like they did in the third against the Devils and the game against Boston, they should have a shot.
- Netmindless

Again there's this myth that's been invented among some of the fanbase that Shelley can't keep up with the play, or labors between zones. Simply not the case. Who had a better game yesterday, Shelley or Sestito? I'd say Shelley.

The boys better bring a better effort then yesterday or the result will be even worse. The first two periods they were asleep. Was it a case of looking ahead?

They need a strong first period, because they don't want to be trying to play catch up. They won't have the energy to do that.

Let's go boys no more b.s.