Bill Meltzer: Wrapup: Disastrous 2nd Pd Costly in 4-3 Loss in Pittsburgh

They desperately missed Sean Couturier tonight. The Giroux line got overworked and buried and the other 3 lines were basically varying degrees of ineffective.

Flyers rallied and made a game of it, but a disappointing result from a poorly played game. Small consolation after a second straight strong start turned to ashes. Props to Mason, don't think he had a chance on any of the Penguins goals.

They desperately missed Sean Couturier tonight. The Giroux line got overworked and buried and the other 3 lines were basically varying degrees of ineffective.

Flyers rallied and made a game of it, but a disappointing result from a poorly played game. Small consolation after a second straight strong start turned to ashes. Props to Mason, don't think he had a chance on any of the Penguins goals.
- Jsaquella

Thats not what Carchidi told me

Is this an accurate listing of the forward group right now?

Jake-G-Simmer
Raffl-Coots-Schenn
R

e



a





d

it's too bad they fell apart like that in such a key game. with a strong 2nd half of the first period and a 2-0 lead, you want to see them really hold the fort and just pressure the puck all over the place and wait for their chances. a turnover in the final minute of the minute of the period leads to a scramble which leads to a penalty by white which carries over into the 2nd and turns into the first pens goal as time was elapsing on the pk, and that was it.

mason was really good, too. no chance on any of the 4 goals.

puck luck goes against the flyers in the final seconds in each of the last 2 games. despite the uneven performance (putting it kindly) they were that close to gaining at least a point in each game.

Thats not what Carchidi told me
- PhillySportsGuy

i'm sure if the game were on nbc, douchebury would be blaming for him for everything including the stale popcorn in the mario suite and sarah palin's son's domestic violence.

i'm sure if the game were on nbc, douchebury would be blaming for him for everything including the stale popcorn in the mario suite and sarah pain's son's domestic violence.
- hammarby31

Thats not what Carchidi told me
- PhillySportsGuy

Sam changed his tune after seeing replay.

If your goalie has allowed 4 goals and still has a 910 save%, your team really (frank)ed the pooch.

Can we ditch a couple D and get Morin and Alt up in a month or two?

Can we ditch a couple D and get Morin and Alt up in a month or two?
- mayorofangrytown

Nope. Let them percolate. Bring up amac

Watching the replay. Laughton needs to be kept up and given more ice. I've watched him serve Corpseburger twice on a silver platter golden scoring chances. Laughton won't get anything out of the A. He could use another NHL linemate.

Laughton went 0-10 on faceoffs tonight

Watching the replay. Laughton needs to be kept up and given more ice. I've watched him serve Corpseburger twice on a silver platter golden scoring chances. Laughton won't get anything out of the A. He could use another NHL linemate.
- Just5

Send VandeVelde & Gagner back, bring up Straka & Cousins, bench Umberger & White.

Send VandeVelde & Gagner back, bring up Straka & Cousins, bench Umberger & White.
- Jsaquella

That's fine. So what are your lines?

Straka-cousins-read
Laughton-bellemare-weal

Send VandeVelde...back
- Jsaquella

You ain't in college, Jsaq...

VDV will get sent down right after Giroux does.

Straka will be out for the next 4-6 weeks after a LBI blocking a shot btw

Straka will be out for the next 4-6 weeks after a LBI blocking a shot btw
- Mononoke

Ahh (frank) it, Leier then

Ahh (frank) it, Leier then
- Jsaquella

Worth a shot

Though if I remember correctly, he looked a little outmatched in his cup of coffee call up a couple months ago. He could skate though -- that's for sure.

Bill,
I would like to ask for your opinion on Hakstol's personnel utilization.
There is an emotional discussion on some forums that he has been overplaying Bellmare-white-vdv line thus causing loses to TML and pens. I do not think that ES playing time supports that perception, however, both VDV and White playing PK that gave up 2 crucial goals last night.
Would realy appreciate if you shared your take on this.
Thank you.

Laughton went 0-10 on faceoffs tonight
- PVL29

That was less than helpful.

Also less than helpful: RJ Umberger playing on your NHL roster.

Watching the replay. Laughton needs to be kept up and given more ice. I've watched him serve Corpseburger twice on a silver platter golden scoring chances. Laughton won't get anything out of the A. He could use another NHL linemate.
- Just5

Yeah, probably.

I've mentioned sending Laughton down before but, at this point, I'd like to see him with NHL caliber talent.

Laughton went 0-10 on faceoffs tonight
- PVL29

Missed the game but dear god?? 0 for 10? I haven't seen anything from him in recent times. Maybe he should be scratched for a few here.

Missed the game but dear god?? 0 for 10? I haven't seen anything from him in recent times. Maybe he should be scratched for a few here.
- Hextall271

And Vinny went what, 13 of 16 his first game as a King? Who cares.

Ebbs and flows of the season…we all knew this team was not a contender, but most of us thought they would at least fight for a playoff spot. We all know the holes in the roster, no number 1 dman, lacking a vaiable scoring threat in the bottom 6, lacking a bit of speed as well as grit.

All that being said, you still expect them to be better than they were last night, regardless if Couts is not dressed. You still expect them to keep their feet moving, to keep the gaps shorts, to properly backcheck. It seemed that they were not interested in playing at all. Quite honestly, I thought when they went up 2-0, they were lucky to be in that position.

So Umberger is needed to provide structure, but is kept to only 7:25 of ice time.

Yup, makes perfect sense.


Also if Couturier isn't back soon, draft talk may as well begin