Matt Ross: Another Crack at Philly

It's a shame that Patrick seems to be injury prone because I really like his game. I was hoping he would be healed up and ready to go tonight to see him play.
- Matt Ross

You may want to do some digging and find out why Patrick hasn't played this season. It's not an injury, and there's no "healing up" to do.

It's a genetic migraine disorder that he's been dealing with all his life. They'd subsided the last 2 years, but came back this offseason. He's been getting different treatments, and just now returned to the team and is participating in team skates in some capacity.

You may want to do some digging and find out why Patrick hasn't played this season. It's not an injury, and there's no "healing up" to do.

It's a genetic migraine disorder that he's been dealing with all his life. They'd subsided the last 2 years, but came back this offseason. He's been getting different treatments, and just now returned to the team and is participating in team skates in some capacity.
- jmatchett383

Wow. Thanks for the heads up. I did not know that. That’s a shame to hear. Like I said, I enjoy seeing him play. I heard he practiced about three times recently, but since I don’t follow PHI, I thought he was recovering from a recent injury.

Hopefully he/they can get that subsided again.

I kind of like Matheson and Pysyk as forwards. Matheson has the skating ability, hitting ability, and physical confidence to go to the net. I don't think he has to do the same level of thinking with the same high stakes as he does on defense. I think he might thrive there. For Pysyk, I think the game becomes much simpler. He is usually fastest down the ice on the forecheck, handles the boards well, and seems comfortable in front of the net. Johnny-on-the-spot positioning can get a lot of goals.

The majority of the "regular" forwards (exception Acciari, maybe Vatrano) prefer the perimeter and passing/shooting through traffic or want fast breaks.

I think Q is sending a pretty strong message that the forward group has its holes too; it's not all on defense and goalies. This chain has weak links in multiple places. And, it doesn't seem to be getting any better. The recent powerplay performance is not just concerning, it's time for drastic action. I personally think the iron man streak needs to end with a weekend in the press box to re-establish a proper sense of urgency, motivation, and accountability.

Go Panthers!

I kind of like Matheson and Pysyk as forwards. Matheson has the skating ability, hitting ability, and physical confidence to go to the net. I don't think he has to do the same level of thinking with the same high stakes as he does on defense. I think he might thrive there. For Pysyk, I think the game becomes much simpler. He is usually fastest down the ice on the forecheck, handles the boards well, and seems comfortable in front of the net. Johnny-on-the-spot positioning can get a lot of goals.

The majority of the "regular" forwards (exception Acciari, maybe Vatrano) prefer the perimeter and passing/shooting through traffic or want fast breaks.

I think Q is sending a pretty strong message that the forward group has its holes too; it's not all on defense and goalies. This chain has weak links in multiple places. And, it doesn't seem to be getting any better. The recent powerplay performance is not just concerning, it's time for drastic action. I personally think the iron man streak needs to end with a weekend in the press box to re-establish a proper sense of urgency, motivation, and accountability.

Go Panthers!
- JimboCoppertone

Great analysis, Jimbo! You have me looking at things a bit differently now...

There is something seriously wrong when you have 2 underperforming defensemen playing upfront. Shows they can't play effectively on the back. Why, if you have such promising talent in the minors, would you not bring up a real forward and let him play. Panthers show they have no confidence in either their defense or 3rd and 4th lines. As I said before, why are Hawyrchuk and Malgin on the Panthers and Tippett is in the minors?

There is something seriously wrong when you have 2 underperforming defensemen playing upfront. Shows they can't play effectively on the back. Why, if you have such promising talent in the minors, would you not bring up a real forward and let him play. Panthers show they have no confidence in either their defense or 3rd and 4th lines. As I said before, why are Hawyrchuk and Malgin on the Panthers and Tippett is in the minors?
- edge1

This was my thought as well, Edge 👍

Struggle as an offensive defenseman, shine as a defensive "offenseman"...
I think Q first put Pysyk up front to send a message to the defensively slacking forwards he was scratching for Pysyk. Then Pysser just took the ball and ran... The shift that ended with Matheson's goal was a thing of beauty. They held possession in NJ zone for an eternity and generated multiple shots before Math scored. Pysyk did a lot to keep the pressure on that shift.
He's getting better with every game he plays up front.
Matheson is such a smooth skater, he just may be better suited to play wing rather than D. Who knows what'll happen with him.

There is something seriously wrong when you have 2 underperforming defensemen playing upfront. Shows they can't play effectively on the back. Why, if you have such promising talent in the minors, would you not bring up a real forward and let him play. Panthers show they have no confidence in either their defense or 3rd and 4th lines. As I said before, why are Hawyrchuk and Malgin on the Panthers and Tippett is in the minors?
- edge1

Tippett isn't going to be brought up to play the 3rd/ 4th line role that Pysyk is playing.
Hawryluk just isn't getting it done, Q seems to have no faith in him. Idky they don't send him down and bring Hunt back up. He'd probably clear waivers as he hasn't shown too much in his opportunities to play.
Malgin maybe is better suited for top6 rather than a more defensive role. Malgin should be traded, if they waive him he will probably be claimed, so he keeps sitting in the pressbox.

Malgin has had plenty of opportunities net front, but he doesn't finish; he just doesn't get the stick down in time or have the strength to keep it in position. When moving with the puck, he is easily/frequently knocked off balance and loses control. He doesn't seem to have the acceleration to get by the large bodies either. I think he's hit his ceiling.

Matt, how did you play the first game back after being benched? Need it say more?

Matt, how did you play the first game back after being benched? Need it say more?
- harveykline

Hey Harv -

Are you saying that Matheson played well simply because he was finally back in the lineup?

I’d agree that that is certainly a part of it. That boost when you come back after being press-boxed.

Come on line 1 snap out of it we are going to need it tonight since the Flyers fans seem unwilling to just let us have this win. I thought 1 and 1 on the week was a pretty fair deal but guess I'm mistaken

Like wtf weve completely forgot how to play hockey everyone is terrible.

Turning it over inside the line like crazy

just left Philly game at 3-0 after 1 period. Think we should have a line of Yandle centering Ekblad and Brown. They certainly can't play defense. Embarrassing to say the least.

just left Philly game at 3-0 after 1 period. Think we should have a line of Yandle centering Ekblad and Brown. They certainly can't play defense. Embarrassing to say the least.
- edge1

I’m telling you guys...a shakeup needs to happen before the deadline.

Ive had it with toninato. He cant even carry the puck without losing it. My goodness and yet ANOTHER terrible powerplay

Ive had it with toninato. He cant even carry the puck without losing it. My goodness and yet ANOTHER terrible powerplay
- Shynes57

I don’t see this current crop of guys getting the job done. Hard to believe they’ll put it all together.

I think if they take the gamble and stick with the what they have now, it could be a bad move. I’d rather see them take a chance on bringing pieces in than being content with this inconsistency/sub par play.

Brutal.

Fire quenneville hes lost the room haha. Toronto better lose tonight holy smokes

Turning it over inside the line like crazy
- Shynes57

It's as bad as they were at beginning of the season. They are playing like crap all around. But Bob is just totally killing them. That was the worst display, just utterly horrible. He's gotten a lot of flack so far this season, some that was undeserved. But tonight he not only didn't look like a 10 million goalie, he didn't even look like an NHL goalie. Totally Unacceptable.
The whole team sucks tonight, it's embarrassing through two periods. Totally unacceptable. They better wake the (frank) up. All around suck ass effort.

Let's fukking GO!

Only goal 2 was on bob although very terrible. The turnovers cost the other goals weegar completely misses the clear attempt on that 3rd goal. Coulda used a save there by monty to keep us in it

It's as bad as they were at beginning of the season. They are playing like crap all around. But Bob is just totally killing them. That was the worst display, just utterly horrible. He's gotten a lot of flack so far this season, some that was undeserved. But tonight he not only didn't look like a 10 million goalie, he didn't even look like an NHL goalie. Totally Unacceptable.
The whole team sucks tonight, it's embarrassing through two periods. Totally unacceptable. They better wake the (frank) up. All around suck ass effort.
- Ratsreign

You know it’s bad when Rats is criticizing!