Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 2/5/13 vs. Lightning

LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!

Will take our best game of the year to win this one.

Can they do it?

Im putting money on the lightning to ensure a flyers win.

The black jersey is up

I've added a new gameday feature: a reader poll on which team will win the game and whether it'll be in regulation or OT/SO. If we get good participation for tonight's game, I'll keep doing it for future games.

The black jersey is up
- JoeRussomanno

Yes. I did it accidentally on Saturday and the Flyers won. Figured I'd try it again .

Yes. I did it accidentally on Saturday and the Flyers won. Figured I'd try it again .
- bmeltzer

Didnt peg you as the superstitious type

I am forecasting a Flyers loss. I hope I am wrong but I am not convinced they are playing the right way yet.

Hoping for a good effort tonight! Solid defence, goaltending, and Briere with the hat trick! Go Flyers!

I would very much like to see them play a disciplined 2 or 3 penalty game just to see if/how much that changes the overall game for them.
Even if your pk works great, the energy spent on the pk takes its toll elsewhere

Yes. I did it accidentally on Saturday and the Flyers won. Figured I'd try it again .
- bmeltzer

It's worth a try.. although I don't think we stand much of a chance against tampa who we never seem to play well against, and who are playeing great so far this year.. Maybe Bryz can come up with a 50 save shutout!

I love seeing McGinn on that first line. The kid has really done just about everything right so far. Good hustle, positioning, smart on and off the puck... And I think working with Giroux/Briere is a great thing for his development.

Hoping for a big W tonight!

Didnt peg you as the superstitious type
- nails

Really I'm not. But, hey, can't hurt.

Really I'm not. But, hey, can't hurt.
- bmeltzer

Now you jinxed it.
Way to go.

Yes. I did it accidentally on Saturday and the Flyers won. Figured I'd try it again .
- bmeltzer

Whatever works!

I love seeing McGinn on that first line. The kid has really done just about everything right so far. Good hustle, positioning, smart on and off the puck... And I think working with Giroux/Briere is a great thing for his development.

Hoping for a big W tonight!
- WarriorHockey21

same here, i really like mcginn's attitude and approach to the game thus far, hes got nice size and good hands.

Bill, do you have any more detail about #17? It sounds like it may not be that serious and he could be back soon. Is that realistic?

Bill, do you have any more detail about #17? It sounds like it may not be that serious and he could be back soon. Is that realistic?
- FlyersFirst

Did you guys see Erskine's comments basically saying the hit was not reckless and implying that he thinks the suspension was too harsh because he hasn't had a history? What a clown. I actually thought it should be more than 3 games with the NHL's supposed stance on head shots. No idea when Simmonds will make it back, and not one ounce of remorse for knocking him out. Next time we play them, Rinaldo or Sestito need to have a little drop gloves session with him when the times is right.

Bill, do you have any more detail about #17? It sounds like it may not be that serious and he could be back soon. Is that realistic?
- FlyersFirst

If you didn't know what had happened on Friday, you wouldn't have known on Saturday that Simmonds had a concussion the previous night. He was at the game and then down in the locker room area afterward, talking and smiling with teammates (though he politely declined comment on his condition to the media).

He's been ruled out for tonight and probably Thursday as well, but it doesn't seem like it will be a long-term absence barring a setback.

If you didn't know what had happened on Friday, you wouldn't have known on Saturday that Simmonds had a concussion the previous night. He was at the game and then down in the locker room area afterward, talking and smiling with teammates (though he politely declined comment on his condition to the media).

He's been ruled out for tonight and probably Thursday as well, but it doesn't seem like it will be a long-term absence barring a setback.
- bmeltzer

That's fantastic news. Really need the night train back.

Did you guys see Erskine's comments basically saying the hit was not reckless and implying that he thinks the suspension was too harsh because he hasn't had a history? What a clown. I actually thought it should be more than 3 games with the NHL's supposed stance on head shots. No idea when Simmonds will make it back, and not one ounce of remorse for knocking him out. Next time we play them, Rinaldo or Sestito need to have a little drop gloves session with him when the times is right.
- Hextall271

The right time was last game when it happened.

Ive seen players jumped by entire teams for much less. I thought it looked like a lack of team spirit, but they might not have known what happened.. I dunno..

Erskine should have been beaten badly.

I hope, for their goaler's sake, that they focus on playing a solid team defensive game from start to finish, and on the offensive side, just hope to get a few bounces. Stay out of the penalty box and make your own power play opportunities count. They need to play boring and play hard, otherwise this could be a tough night for Bryz.

The right time was last game when it happened.

Ive seen players jumped by entire teams for much less. I thought it looked like a lack of team spirit, but they might not have known what happened.. I dunno..

Erskine should have been beaten badly.
- Flyersgod

Thing is too.. Wayne stands up for other teammates routinely. I guess Rinaldo tried, but should have waited and challenged Erskine.

I hope, for their goaler's sake, that they focus on playing a solid team defensive game from start to finish, and on the offensive side, just hope to get a few bounces. Stay out of the penalty box and make your own power play opportunities count. They need to play boring and play hard, otherwise this could be a tough night for Bryz.
- TS_Downes

If they play a more conservative game stay out of the box and support Bryz and he plays well like he has, I think we can at least get a point.

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 2/5/13 vs. Lightning
- bmeltzer

I just hope they play a smart, disciplined game. Tampa Bay is a tough out, but if the Flyers can eliminate the mistakes and get some offense from the big guns, they can get the W.

They have to avoid the same mental mistakes they made against the Hurricanes, though. Limiting the turnovers and trips to the sin bin are vital.