Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 3/1/12 vs. Islanders

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!!!

Bill there was a discussion yesterday about how the Flyers simply aren't physical enough in their bottom 6 forwards which is a big reason why they can't grind with teams in many games. This leaves the other team's defense rather fresh to concentrate on pounding our top lines. Your thoughts?

Bill there was a discussion yesterday about how the Flyers simply aren't physical enough in their bottom 6 forwards which is a big reason why they can't grind with teams in many games. This leaves the other team's defense rather fresh to concentrate on pounding our top lines. Your thoughts?
- Just5

As I see it, the problem is that you can't have everything -- if you want to have three lines that can score (i.e., more skill and offensive depth), you are probably going to be sacrificing some physicality and probably some defense as well. If you want a bottom six full of big, physical grinders and/or defensive specialists, the complaint is that the scoring depth isn't there if either of the top two lines isn't clicking at the moment.

h. We go....
wake up and play some dam good hockey....

As I see it, the problem is that you can't have everything -- if you want to have three lines that can score (i.e., more skill and offensive depth), you are probably going to be sacrificing some physicality and probably some defense as well. If you want a bottom six full of big, physical grinders and/or defensive specialists, the complaint is that the scoring depth isn't there if either of the top two lines isn't clicking at the moment.
- bmeltzer

It would also help to get a full, sixty minute effort from all hands. Being physical isn't the only way to wear a team out. If you have an offensively capable third line, and the first two lines are working well, then the cycling and skating can also wear down a defense.

Also, guys like Schenn, Simmonds and Talbot provide a bit of physicality.

Bill, your link to the quiz doesn't work...

Bill, your link to the quiz doesn't work...
- Ondrej F

http://flyersfaithful.com...hful-pub-quiz-fundraiser/

they need to rename the Wells Fargo center....maybe the Spectrum 2?

As I see it, the problem is that you can't have everything -- if you want to have three lines that can score (i.e., more skill and offensive depth), you are probably going to be sacrificing some physicality and probably some defense as well. If you want a bottom six full of big, physical grinders and/or defensive specialists, the complaint is that the scoring depth isn't there if either of the top two lines isn't clicking at the moment.
- bmeltzer

ty

Bill there was a discussion yesterday about how the Flyers simply aren't physical enough in their bottom 6 forwards which is a big reason why they can't grind with teams in many games. This leaves the other team's defense rather fresh to concentrate on pounding our top lines. Your thoughts?
- Just5

They're really missing Sestito down there on the 4th line no doubt. You also have to look at our defense as well. Not very physical. It's a big problem, but as Bill said the only real way to address it results in giving up scoring depth.

they need to rename the Wells Fargo center....maybe the Spectrum 2?
- vejim

If anything needs to be renamed it's Xfinity Live.

They're really missing Sestito down there on the 4th line no doubt. You also have to look at our defense as well. Not very physical. It's a big problem, but as Bill said the only real way to address it results in giving up scoring depth.
- hereticpride

I don't think they're missing Sestito. He looks like he's going to be a solid 4th liner, who can bang and fight, but what they need is the Giroux and Briere lines to start producing and the team to continue it's improvements on defense. That the upswing in goaltending needs to continue doesn't need to be mentioned. we all know it has to be better than it has been for most of the year.

I don't think they're missing Sestito. He looks like he's going to be a solid 4th liner, who can bang and fight, but what they need is the Giroux and Briere lines to start producing and the team to continue it's improvements on defense. That the upswing in goaltending needs to continue doesn't need to be mentioned. we all know it has to be better than it has been for most of the year.
- Jsaquella

Thats about what most teams say. We need to be better all around. The teams that dont make the adjustment usually dont make it to the SCF.

I don't think they're missing Sestito. He looks like he's going to be a solid 4th liner, who can bang and fight, but what they need is the Giroux and Briere lines to start producing and the team to continue it's improvements on defense. That the upswing in goaltending needs to continue doesn't need to be mentioned. we all know it has to be better than it has been for most of the year.
- Jsaquella

Well obviously. I'm just saying I was very pleased with the play of Sestito just prior to his injury. If he can play a little smarter he'll go a long way to bringing more grit to the team.

They need to give Timmonen a few days off to recover from whatever is ailing him. It's no good keeping him in the lineup now if it's going to cost you down the road.

I'm truly surprised Bob isn't in net. Bryz had a pretty good road trip. I was happy with his play. His confidence must be coming back around . At a very good time.

I'm truly surprised Bob isn't in net. Bryz had a pretty good road trip. I was happy with his play. His confidence must be coming back around . At a very good time.
- Deasr1

Have to keep playing Bryzgalov. I been looking around the league and most teams (playoff bound) have been playing their number one goalies for an extended period of time. Time to ride the Bryz train home.

I'd think that from among the locals on here we could come up with a pretty good Flyers pub quiz team. Anyone else interested (I'm not sure I'd be much good at the trivia, I'll admit, but it's a fun thing to do.) If I could find a team willing to donate their half of the dough back to the charity as well, that would be a pretty rewarding night.

They're really missing Sestito down there on the 4th line no doubt. You also have to look at our defense as well. Not very physical. It's a big problem, but as Bill said the only real way to address it results in giving up scoring depth.
- hereticpride

I think the Flyers' D is reasonably physical between Meszaros (underrated in that department but doesn't always pick his spots well), Coburn (sporadic but can be effective) and Grossman (physical but clean; not a big board rattler often but never shies away from contact). Kubina is huge and more sneaky-dirty than a banger but is tough to outmuscle in front.

That leaves Carle and Timonen as the finesse/smaller defenseman.

A much, much bigger problem than lack of physicality on defense is the gap between the forwards and D. That causes d-men to have to back in and also limits chances to take the body when there's too much real estate to cover.

Watch the Rangers and other defensively excellent teams: it always seems like there are two of their players in the vicinity of the puck and those passes over the middle just aren't there. Philly's forwards provide defensive puck support only sporadically. Hell, they aren't even that good about rotating someone up high when a D-man pinches.

they need to rename the Wells Fargo center....maybe the Spectrum 2?
- vejim

Moving backward in time . That was the building's original (pre-opening) name before they sold the naming rights.

Phil Coffey (former NHL.com editorial director) calls it the CSFUWWF Center.

The flyers are due to play a complete game and win convincingly even if not necessarily blowing out a team.
I vote for tonight but after coming off a western road trip and playing at home I sense another slow start and struggle to score game.
The first game back from these trips is usually a tough one on teams.
Hope I am wrong. Bryz needs to start.

Well obviously. I'm just saying I was very pleased with the play of Sestito just prior to his injury. If he can play a little smarter he'll go a long way to bringing more grit to the team.
- hereticpride

He was playing solid hockey prior to being hurt. He does need to learn to pick his spots better.

They need to give Timmonen a few days off to recover from whatever is ailing him. It's no good keeping him in the lineup now if it's going to cost you down the road.
- Flyers_01

I agree, MAB will be fine for a couple days. I 'd like to see Kimo given a whole week off...

The flyers are due to play a complete game and win convincingly even if not necessarily blowing out a team.
I vote for tonight but after coming off a western road trip and playing at home I sense another slow start and struggle to score game.
The first game back from these trips is usually a tough one on teams.
Hope I am wrong. Bryz needs to start.
- bird_dog

The tidbit Bill had in his blog was nothing short of astounding. One lead in the first 10 minutes of a game over the last 35 games. That is truly unreal. It indicates to me that this team isn't ready to play at the drop of the puck. How many times over those 35 games have the Flyers given up a goal in the first 10 minutes? Without looking it up I would say 8 at the minimum, and probably more.

Yielding the first goal 8 games in a row, and 11 of the last 12 will grind a team into dust. Constantly playing from behind chasing the game is taxing to every player.

I have been a pretty staunch advocate of Laviolette, but it is fair to ask if the team has tuned him out and this point. He has also lacked in making in-game adjustments all season.