Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Flyers Can't Close, Lose in OT to Caps

why did Washington have to dress 17 players, is everyone on the taxi squad out too?

Thank you, Bill. The last few weeks have been like watching the Titanic slowly, inevitably sinking to the bottom of the ocean. My fingers are crossed that this off-season produces change where needed, and that we don’t have to listen to Fletch say things like, “we like our team,” or “deals are hard to come by in this era, blah, blah, blah...”

Flyers outscore Washington 5-4 over the course of two games. Patrick manages to be -4. How is this remotely possible?

As the season has progressed what improvements has he made?

This BS that he didn’t play last year isn’t going to fly. He’s played 50 games this year and he contributes absolutely nothing. I’m sick of watching him skate around like he’s part of Disney on ice.

Strong outing by Lyon. Shame, as usual, there weren't enough goals to seal it. Turnovers everywhere. Undisciplined penalties. Predictable outcome.

Bring on the off-season.

We need to blow this thing up, despite what the brass is saying.

I wasn't ever on the fire AV bandwagon, but damn... why is Coots not on the ice protecting a lead with a minute left??? Who thought it would be smart to put NP and JVR out there for the final min of OT??

The entire team has disappointed this season, but the coaching has to be right up there as one of the biggest issues.

Patrick needs to be walked out to the field

Patrick needs to be walked out to the field
- Just5

A rural exit off the turnpike

I feel for him but this is the National Hockey League. NOT National Hockey Friends.

Flyers outscore Washington 5-4 over the course of two games. Patrick manages to be -4. How is this remotely possible?

As the season has progressed what improvements has he made?

This BS that he didn’t play last year isn’t going to fly. He’s played 50 games this year and he contributes absolutely nothing. I’m sick of watching him skate around like he’s part of Disney on ice.
- PLindbergh31

It’s like AV wants to be able to say ”we gave that kid EVERY opportunity”...he’s on the ice for pp’s, even some Pk’s I thought I saw, he’s been out there in many key situations and one thing about AV he’s been consistent....He kept coming back to him.
His numbers are atrocious....he has offered nothing offensively and is a liability defensively....his play has not warranted anywhere close to the role they have given him. Mistakes like this all year by the coach are just one of the slew of reasons this team is where they are.

A rural exit off the turnpike

I feel for him but this is the National Hockey League. NOT National Hockey Friends.
- DrMidnite

It’s just not working. I can’t believe he has remained in the lineup

The veteran players once again let the Flyers down, so what else is new? With the Flyers up 1-0 midway through the 3rd, the Flyers get a PP and a chance to ice the game, but AV instead once again sends out Provey-JRV-G-Jake-Hayes. Not only did these so-called top players look like they never played together before, not only could they not even sustain pressure in the o-zone to at least gain momentum, they instead gave up several odd-man rushes and almost allowed the Caps to score; in fact Lyon saved the day a few times during that Flyers PP. To cap it all off, Jake takes a lazy back-check penalty with about 3 minutes left, paving the way for the Caps to eventually tie the score with their goalie pulled.

At this stage in the season, it should be about giving big moments to players like Allison, Farabee and York to help them get some experience, but instead AV continues to roll out these dogs who just fail time and time again! If Fletcher does not significantly shake up the veterans on this team this off season, he should be fired!

It’s just not working. I can’t believe he has remained in the lineup
- Just5

Yep. It's over. Or should be, depending on their thinking.

Flyers outscore Washington 5-4 over the course of two games. Patrick manages to be -4. How is this remotely possible?

As the season has progressed what improvements has he made?

This BS that he didn’t play last year isn’t going to fly. He’s played 50 games this year and he contributes absolutely nothing. I’m sick of watching him skate around like he’s part of Disney on ice.
- PLindbergh31

Did you see Patrick in the OT? First he loses an o-zone draw and then doesn't even skate hard to try to retrieve the puck, allowing a long pass up ice for the eventual game winner! The Flyers can't get him out of here fast enough as far as I am concerned.

I wasn't ever on the fire AV bandwagon, but damn... why is Coots not on the ice protecting a lead with a minute left??? Who thought it would be smart to put NP and JVR out there for the final min of OT??

The entire team has disappointed this season, but the coaching has to be right up there as one of the biggest issues.


- Tomahawk

Spot on! That Flyers PP in the 3rd, where was Couts? Where was Farabee? Where was Allison? Where was York? In OT, where was Allison? Where was York? Does AV understand his team has been eliminated from the playoffs??

Flyers outscore Washington 5-4 over the course of two games. Patrick manages to be -4. How is this remotely possible?

As the season has progressed what improvements has he made?

This BS that he didn’t play last year isn’t going to fly. He’s played 50 games this year and he contributes absolutely nothing. I’m sick of watching him skate around like he’s part of Disney on ice.
- PLindbergh31

Patrick does not skate well enough to make Disney on Ice! 51 games, 9 points, MINUS 29!!! Anyone want to see him back next year?

Spot on! That Flyers PP in the 3rd, where was Couts? Where was Farabee? Where was Allison? Where was York? In OT, where was Allison? Where was York? Does AV understand his team has been eliminated from the playoffs??
- jd250

Can’t wait for Tuesday when all the excuses are rolled out.

Patrick does not skate well enough to make Disney on Ice! 51 games, 9 points, MINUS 29!!! Anyone want to see him back next year?
- jd250

With all the PP time it’s hard to comprehend how 9 points is even possible

It’s time to hit the reset button for the Flyers. Do what you can to get rid of the jakes and JVRs and go young next year, we have a ton of possible guys for the next regime, time to find out what we have.

With all the PP time it’s hard to comprehend how 9 points is even possible
- Just5

Jeff Carter has 9 goals since joining the Penguins.

Wishing Aube-Kubel a speedy recovery

I wasn't ever on the fire AV bandwagon, but damn... why is Coots not on the ice protecting a lead with a minute left??? Who thought it would be smart to put NP and JVR out there for the final min of OT??

The entire team has disappointed this season, but the coaching has to be right up there as one of the biggest issues.


- Tomahawk

Honestly to what end? Its not like they were playing for anything except pride, and maybe he was trying to get them some of that by having them out there.

With all the PP time it’s hard to comprehend how 9 points is even possible
- Just5

I hope something changes with him soon. He just skates around having no impact on anything every shift. He needs a complete mental reset this offseason.

Spot on! That Flyers PP in the 3rd, where was Couts? Where was Farabee? Where was Allison? Where was York? In OT, where was Allison? Where was York? Does AV understand his team has been eliminated from the playoffs??
- jd250

I agree with you to a point. I think I did see York in OT though...maybe I imagined it. I just don’t think you can have it both ways. You can’t be mad about AV playing Patrick or NAK or someone you aren’t keen on when he is doing that to get a young guy experience.

I think everyone must have been aware for quite sometime that we would miss the playoffs. I do think during this finish not enough has been done to get as much experience as possible for young players.

I try to use the last few meaningless games to focus on players l know I'm biased in favor and tend to defend.

I really liked what Hayes brought in the first season. There were probably 10 games back then where he was a difference maker. Regardless of being overpaid, he seemed like a good second line center. Since then I really try to see the glass full. So I watched him closely last night. My lord, what a disaster. If his name were Aube-Kubel he'd be let go from the team after the game. Overtime play was like he made a bet against the team. I was speechless.

Patrick. I admit I thought the kid needed time. Now I think I was a victim of the Moneyball "the kid LOOKS like a hockey player" syndrome. Though a lot of this discussion board is massively silly, I admit the discussion about Patrick's health got to me. He looks like he's on medication that is affecting his play. He's a step behind mentally, which I didn't see before the time being treated. He's done. Maybe he's Euroleague ready, or retire. (I don't feel bad for him. He's already made enough money to live off the interest for the rest of his life... I feel bad for the minor league guys who never get the nhl contract.)

Also, there was a time I just thought Provorov was going to be the Russian bear Ovi-like on defense. It's sad to see the game he played last night. It were Hagg, this board would be saying he should never play another game in a Flyers uniform.