Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Lucky for One, Unlucky Not to Get Two

First.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Lucky for One, Unlucky Not to Get Two
- bmeltzer

I'm assuming Voracek wasn't injured on the Weber hit? I remember seeing him during OT.

BTW: Keep up the great work, you are far and away the best blogger on this site!

I'm not sure where this team should put vinny. Downie played one shift with read and couturier and it ended up being their best shift of the night. You can't break up schenns line and every time vinny plays with jake and g they struggle defensively. Not saying we need to get rid of him at all costs but he does appear to have no good place in the lineup right now

Chris VandeVelde had an open opportunity to clear the puck down the ice but elected instead to try and carry the puck up the right side.

VdV has been good on the PK, but that was an awful mistake.

Hey Bill, do you think that our slide in D is because of the forwards? They seem to be waiting for the puck to come to them, and no longer come down to help out the D as much as they used to. I frequently see guys standing around watching the puck, and waiting for a pass to get out of their own zone. In my opinion, when the pressure is on, they too frequently let the D handle the puck down low. In addition, many times the forwards are out of position, and forget to pick up the guy on the opposite side, or allow the other teams forwards to get between our forwards, and the D.
I know that Mace has been giving up some rebounds of late, and playing a little more back in net, but the goals last night were not his fault.
Also, do you think that Mace has to get used to carrying the load again? Has the team lost faith in Emery? I am surprised that he doesn't get more playing time.
Thanks.

I'm not sure where this team should put vinny. Downie played one shift with read and couturier and it ended up being their best shift of the night. You can't break up schenns line and everyone vinny plays with jake and g they struggle defensively. Not saying we need to get rid of him at all costs but he does appear to have no good place in the lineup right now
- PhillySportsGuy

trade him to Toronto for a winger?

VdV has been good on the PK, but that was an awful mistake.
- Feanor

He had the same scenario later in the game and made no mistake. When you have the chance to clear the puck in a 5v3 you clear it right away

Great summary Bill,

I was discouraged that Mason had 2 chances to close the door in the shootout, but did not...but can't put this on him...the team has been back to spending too much time in thier own defensive zone...

During the intermissions, I rewatch the period on my DVR on 8x speed and it is clear at high speed viewing how much time they have spent lately chasing the puck in thier own end...the lack os sustained pressure in the offensive zone has been the weaknes of this team all year...

I'm not sure where this team should put vinny. Downie played one shift with read and couturier and it ended up being their best shift of the night. You can't break up schenns line and every time vinny plays with jake and g they struggle defensively. Not saying we need to get rid of him at all costs but he does appear to have no good place in the lineup right now
- PhillySportsGuy

First line winger? The Raffl thing was fun, but he looked bad at both ends last night.

trade him to Toronto for a winger?
- BiggE

Why would Toronto want him?

I'm not sure where this team should put vinny. Downie played one shift with read and couturier and it ended up being their best shift of the night. You can't break up schenns line and every time vinny plays with jake and g they struggle defensively. Not saying we need to get rid of him at all costs but he does appear to have no good place in the lineup right now
- PhillySportsGuy

Back in Tampa for a 2nd rounder...

Great summary Bill,

I was discouraged that Mason had 2 chances to close the door in the shootout, but did not...but can't put this on him...the team has been back to spending too much time in thier own defensive zone...

During the intermissions, I rewatch the period on my DVR on 8x speed and it is clear at high speed viewing how much time they have spent lately chasing the puck in thier own end...the lack os sustained pressure in the offensive zone has been the weaknes of this team all year...
- JW98FlyerFan

Agreed with the second part. Nashville cycled the puck at will last night. I was actually calling the plays before they happened.

First line winger? The Raffl thing was fun, but he looked bad at both ends last night.
- jmatchett383

Vinny has struggled on the top line. He's struggled everywhere but center

Why would Toronto want him?
- PhillySportsGuy

Because he's better than Bozak.

Vinny has struggled on the top line. He's struggled everywhere but center
- PhillySportsGuy

Well, he needs to learn to deal with it.

Why would Toronto want him?
- PhillySportsGuy

Well, he would be their best center but it's not going to happen.

Great summary Bill,

I was discouraged that Mason had 2 chances to close the door in the shootout, but did not...but can't put this on him...the team has been back to spending too much time in thier own defensive zone...

During the intermissions, I rewatch the period on my DVR on 8x speed and it is clear at high speed viewing how much time they have spent lately chasing the puck in thier own end...the lack os sustained pressure in the offensive zone has been the weaknes of this team all year...
- JW98FlyerFan

Good points. As much as they can use more speed throughout the lineup and especially on D, they also could use more size up front. Giroux, Raffl, Schenn, simmonds, Couturier, Read and Downie are all under 200 lbs. More speed is a given, but they could use a Milan Lucic type or 2 up front as well

Why would Toronto want him?
- PhillySportsGuy

Well they are pretty thin at center. VL is still a good player, but he 's just not a winger. Put him at center with a couple wingers who can get him the puck and he could still be a 30 goal scorer.

Vinny has struggled on the top line. He's struggled everywhere but center
- PhillySportsGuy

Move him to center and let Giroux play right wing?

Move him to center and let Giroux play right wing?
- Streit2ThePoint

For a shift or 2 maybe, but I don't think moving your best player out of position is a long term answer

Move him to center and let Giroux play right wing?
- Streit2ThePoint

It's not an out-of-this-world thought. Giroux broke in as a winger and plays the half wall on the PP.

Because he's better than Bozak.
- jmatchett383

You might want to check the stat-sheet again.

Move him to center and let Giroux play right wing?
- Streit2ThePoint

This.

Although I'd put G on the left so Jake can stay on the right.

Well they are pretty thin at center. Briere is still a good player, but he 's just not a winger. Put him at center with a couple wingers who can get him the puck and he could still be a 30 goal scorer.
- BiggE

See what I did there?