Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Flyers Hang on for 4-3 Win vs. Rangers

Thanks for the wrap Bill. The third was tough to watch. Too much rope-a-dope. I have a soft spot for Gudas, but he really does seem to offer up a lot of late game, bad icing plays in close games. Not a fan of that.

Watching Lyon has been enjoyable. He seems really steady, mentally. I hope Hak gives him the start against the Pens.

Giroux with 90 points and a +18.
Who would have thought that after last year.

Benched Konecny.

No words.

*sigh*

Lyon saved this game for the Flyers, who played way too loose. I would ride Lyon as long as possible. Sunday's game against the in Pittsburgh will be a big test for Lyon.

Tonight's 2 points were huge, especially since Columbus refuses to lose a game. It would be nice to see the Flyers win a game without having to hold on for dear life.

Need to stay right in this WC1 spot. Setup with Washington

Need to stay right in this WC1 spot. Setup with Washington
- Just5

i think this is their best play as well.

Lyon saved this game for the Flyers, who played way too loose. I would ride Lyon as long as possible. Sunday's game against the in Pittsburgh will be a big test for Lyon.

Tonight's 2 points were huge, especially since Columbus refuses to lose a game. It would be nice to see the Flyers win a game without having to hold on for dear life.
- Thors-Hammer

3-0-1 in their last 4 ain't bad. still, it ain't been pretty either. way too loose below their own dots. i hate the benching of tk, i hate the scratching of hagg.

they should get in...florida with 3 games against boston won't go 3-0. flyers finding a way to beat pittsburgh who manages to find a way to win almost every night would be a nice boost. lyon's been pretty good, but i could see him just getting shredded against them. maybe his unconventional style will throw them off.

The flyers are playing tight in these 3rd periods this month.Especially when they have the lead or tied.The fear of losing takes over.You lose your legs your not strong on pucks your not strong on your clears.Its all because your thinking of what getting these pts you have right now mean.Your not thinking about playing your game.When your down in a 3rd you go all out because there isnt any fear you have nothing to lose you become determined.The pressure is on them to get in.They dont want to blow this.I think if they get in they will play more loose after the 1st game.imo

Cue the moaning and gnashing of teeth over the Konecny benching.

Not the most impressive win, but I’ll take the 2 points and move on. Re Konecny: benching a young player while protecting a slim lead during the latter half of the 3rd period is far from uncommon in the NHL, get over it.

Also, assuming this team makes the playoffs, Giroux not being a finalist for the Hart trophy would be a travesty.

Not the most impressive win, but I’ll take the 2 points and move on. Re Konecny: benching a young player while protecting a slim lead during the latter half of the 3rd period is far from uncommon in the NHL, get over it.

Also, assuming this team makes the playoffs, Giroux not being a finalist for the Hart trophy would be a travesty.
- BiggE

He's a Flyer, therefore he'll be lucky to get nominated and even if he does, he won't win. Damn shame, but that's par for the course

Not the most impressive win, but I’ll take the 2 points and move on. Re Konecny: benching a young player while protecting a slim lead during the latter half of the 3rd period is far from uncommon in the NHL, get over it.

Also, assuming this team makes the playoffs, Giroux not being a finalist for the Hart trophy would be a travesty.
- BiggE

Lets discuss the candidates.

Kucherov.

Leading scorer in the league for the top team in the Eastern Conference. A team everyone expected to be a contender. But his votes may be split somewhat by...

Steven Stamkos.

Connor McDavid.

Second in the league in scoring but hasn't elevated his team to the level of where he should be considered a Hart candidate. Not even close.

Claude Giroux.

Definitely a candidate for comeback player of the year. Leading the league in assists while playing a new position. Leading the way for a team that not many people thought had much of a playoff pedigree. Both players that spent the majority of their time on his line having breakout seasons.

Nathan MacKinnon.

Having an insane scoring year for an Avalanche team that some thought may be the 28th best team in the league. Instead they are in the playoff hunt with a good chance of making it in.

Evgeni Malkin.

Leading scorer for the defending champs who are quietly making a solid push for a third straight cup.


My choices would be MacKinnon, Kucherov, and Giroux for the finalists.

Now, does Lyon get the start against the Pens on Sunday? I think he should

Lets discuss the candidates.

Kucherov.

Leading scorer in the league for the top team in the Eastern Conference. A team everyone expected to be a contender. But his votes may be split somewhat by...

Steven Stamkos.

Connor McDavid.

Second in the league in scoring but hasn't elevated his team to the level of where he should be considered a Hart candidate. Not even close.

Claude Giroux.

Definitely a candidate for comeback player of the year. Leading the league in assists while playing a new position. Leading the way for a team that not many people thought had much of a playoff pedigree. Both players that spent the majority of their time on his line having breakout seasons.

Nathan MacKinnon.

Having an insane scoring year for an Avalanche team that some thought may be the 28th best team in the league. Instead they are in the playoff hunt with a good chance of making it in.

Evgeni Malkin.

Leading scorer for the defending champs who are quietly making a solid push for a third straight cup.


My choices would be MacKinnon, Kucherov, and Giroux for the finalists.
- MBFlyerfan

Kind of see it the same, but since I believe the award is most valuable to their team, my finalists would be MacKinnon, Giroux and Malkin. As good as Kucherov has been, Tampa is likely still a playoff team without him. However if you remove any of my finalists from their teams, they would all be in the lottery.

Either way, my guess is MacKinnon wins it.

Now, does Lyon get the start against the Pens on Sunday? I think he should
- 3flyerkids

Absolutely he should and most likely he will.

Cue the moaning and gnashing of teeth over the Konecny benching.
- MBFlyerfan

Oh the humanity!

Kind of see it the same, but since I believe the award is most valuable to their team, my finalists would be MacKinnon, Giroux and Malkin. As good as Kucherov has been, Tampa is likely still a playoff team without him. However if you remove any of my finalists from their teams, they would all be in the lottery.

Either way, my guess is MacKinnon wins it.
- BiggE

Nobody will like it but Marchand deserves to be in the convo

Nobody will like it but Marchand deserves to be in the convo
- Just5

No I don’t like it, but yeah it’s legit. However I’d still have him below my finalist picks and Kucherov, but he’d be ahead of McDavid and anyone else in the league.

Kind of see it the same, but since I believe the award is most valuable to their team, my finalists would be MacKinnon, Giroux and Malkin. As good as Kucherov has been, Tampa is likely still a playoff team without him. However if you remove any of my finalists from their teams, they would all be in the lottery.

Either way, my guess is MacKinnon wins it.
- BiggE

I can agree with that. I chose Kucherov over Malkin for the sole reason he is leading the league in scoring and has been for most of the season.

I also think MacKinnon wins it, with Giroux finishing 2nd.

On one hand I get it, play a forward who is good in the D Side of the puck. On the other hand it is playing it safe, you are no longer driving the play and they they tend to sit back. Watch Pitt, they have a lead and they pour it on. Flyers are a young team, Hak has the best info to make the best call

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Not the most impressive win, but I’ll take the 2 points and move on. Re Konecny: benching a young player while protecting a slim lead during the latter half of the 3rd period is far from uncommon in the NHL, get over it.

Also, assuming this team makes the playoffs, Giroux not being a finalist for the Hart trophy would be a travesty.
- BiggE

a win is a win at this time of year. The Flyers aren't playing great, but their not that bad either. As far as Konecny, I'm fine with that although Read on that line really didn't look very good either. I guess Konecny's speed really makes that line pop.
Giroux probably won't be nominated but what a year this guy has had. Did I see this coming ? no. I thought he was better then what he had shown in the last couple years, but figured injury and age had caught up with him. It's not like he would have been the first to have that happen, but he got that one step back that was missing and looks like the 26 year old Giroux. Fantastic.

Nobody will like it but Marchand deserves to be in the convo
- Just5

Marchand deserves it. Yes he's a turd....but he is lights out this year.

edit: to be in convo.

Now, does Lyon get the start against the Pens on Sunday? I think he should
- 3flyerkids

I would think so.