Howie58

I went out for errands and we were down 3-1.  I got home with 12 minutes left in the third and we were tied at 3.  I thought, well, maybe another comeback win is in order.  Boy, was I wrong.  Elliott may have signed his own non-renewal warrant tonight.  Our D--WTF.  

Hopefully, CF is processing this very carefully.  As a long-time fan...it is awful. 

2 hours ago, CoachX said:

So in addition to drafting guys that arent really that good, the Flyers draft guys who cant stay healthy?

Yes, and I think Nolan Patrick may be the poster child. 

It looks like Lyon versus Backwood. Sanheim mentors Zamula....hopefully, on second D pair.

Greetings:

We go in as mild favorites in a battle of two struggling teams:

https://sportschatplace.com/nhl-picks/2021/04/27/new-jersey-devils-vs-philadelphia-flyers-nhl-picks-odds-predictions

With Ghost out for 7-10 days, Egor Zamula (nicknamed Big Z by Giroux) makes his NHL debut:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nhl/egor-zamula-to-make-nhl-debut-vs-devils/ar-BB1g4CCJ

Some would say he can't be any worse than other D-men we've put out there!

This was strange to watch.  I am happy for the two points.  Agreed with Sami about happiness for Elliott. The guy is a gamer.  

7 hours ago, CoachX said:

But the Flyers are top 5 in FO%. ... for all the good it does them

CoachX:

This has been a trademark of the squad for the last decade.  We have good face-off percentages...lousy PP, PK.  The other contrast is with lousy SO percentage.  That may speak to the type of players we draft and trade for.  They have "High Hockey IQ" and "Good 200 Feet Play."  Right, but they can't shoot worth poop or clear our porch or yes, control the neutral zone.  I guess they win faceoffs but their teammates can't do anything from there.  It is a troubling stat.  I hope CF and the gang take note.  It may be even worse than our tendency to outshoot but frequently underscore the opposition.  

Greetings:

I can't even find odds a day out.  The stats tell a story of two defensive dogs, with the O and B's faceoff wins and PP being edges:

https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/njd-vs-phi/2021/04/25/2020020216

Perhaps we see new faces on the audition list for '21-'22.  

1 hour ago, OccamsRazor said:

Earn that pay boys. No worries.

Occ:  It is not like me to forget a game post.  I even forgot the game.  This season and aging are catching up.  

One of the South Broad Nation writers said something both pathetic and true--he didn't want to keep writing the same thing over and over.  BTW, he (maybe she) said that we are probably learning that Lyon is a fine AHL goalie but probably nothing more than a spot starter in the Big League.  If nothing else, that may be something positive about these games.  The writer also thought Cates was OK but needs time in the A to develop.

Hopefully, I won't forget tomorrow but might not watch anyhow.

Stay thirsty my friend.

In addition to the Jake and G "Problem," I see another mess.  I don't see a real top line center.  I love Coots.  But he is not Barkov.  Hayes is probably cut from the same cloth.  Who knows about Patrick.  And we just signed Laughton.  I could live without G or V.  Then, we have to reconfigure our top line--along with D and whatever.  

G may be less of a problem given end of contract.  I really believe that if he stays with the club its on a lower salary and probably as a winger to extend his career. V is the bigger, longer mess.  I also think a potential Cup team might want to have a G around--yes, he is NMC, but G might actually want to end or reboot his career with a team on the upswing. Our next two years may not be so hot.  Sadly, FAs may not want to head here.  On the other hand, some folks might move on.

After watching highlights from the game last night, I'd say we send invitations to skate in, around, and through the crease with almost no opposition.  It is a trademark of this year's team. 

Greetings:

I am posting the YouTube highlights for those (like me) who didn't watch the game:

It looks like the commentators were right--we can't seem to follow through on a winning performance.  Lyon looked OK, except for one that channeled Leighton.  

I'll try not to forget this Sunday's game.  

I watched the bookend periods. It looked like a good effort.  Elliott was darn good.  I wish we saw more games like this earlier in the season.

47 minutes ago, Samifan said:

They should just shut Hart down the rest of the season. There are only 11 meaningless games left. Let him get right physically and mentally and be ready for camp in September 
 

Sami--thanks for the update.  I agree, end the crap. 

So, alternate between running Elliott into the ground or killing the psyche of Lyon, who by all accounts is a fierce competitor. Sheesh. 

Greetings:

The O&B are underdogs, and as this bookie notes, betting for them in that role hasn't made much money of late:

https://sportschatplace.com/nhl-picks/2021/04/22/new-york-rangers-vs-philadelphia-flyers-nhl-picks-odds-predictions

It looks like Hart versus Shesterkin, who has played well against us.  We cleaned up our defensive act last game but couldn't score.  Do we have balance in this effort?  

As I said a few games back, this is audition time. That makes me happy.  This squad needs a lot of work between now and October.  Let's target wisely. 

All in, I would probably let Hart and Lyon finish up.  Let's see if Alex has any value come next year.  On D--if York come up.  Fine.  

I wonder if they would hold out some of the forwards to see how well the team performs without them.  I like Allison.  Are there other youngins on the farm who rate a shot.  One game more or less with Hayes or JVR or whomever wont' phase me at this point.

NBC posted there have only been six 0-0 ties this season.  I can't remember the last time I witnessed this.  You feel for Elliott on a number of levels.  

It is not a good year in Flyerdom.  

Well, I think Pierre McGuire just laid cards on the table about the squad.  It was not what was expected going into the season.  Yep! Defense, goal, forwards...the whole shebang. 

14 minutes ago, OccamsRazor said:

I can't see why....

 

Van Riemsdyk 1 goal last 18 games
Hayes 0 goals last 10 games
Patrick 1 goal last 17 games
Laughton 0 points last 15 games
Farabee 1 goal last 13 games
Aube-Kubel 1 goal last 27 games

 

j/k man they are choking hard.

Boy, this really is system failure.  I can't even begin to compute if that is a talent issue or other?  If they really are snoozing, it's pathetic and AV needs to send some signals...and CF needs, yes, to purge as best we can.  Aube-Kubel is really hurting the team with penalties and  has regressed big time from last year.  He may be falling off the radar screen.  As for JVR...SOS taken to a new level.  

Greetings:

We are a moderate underdog.  As this bookie notes, that's a bit surprising given our recent play and how well the Islanders have played against us this year:

https://pickdawgz.com/nhl-picks/2021-04-18/new-york-islanders-at-philadelphia-flyers-4-18-21-nhl-picks-and-prediction

The Isles have lost three of four.  We are on a back-to-back.  I don't know how that shakes out.  It looks like Elliott for us between the pipes.  

My only comment:  I think we got a good indication of where the O and B was heading this season in our playoff series against NYI last year.  Our performance against the Isles is a good benchmark for whatever progress we make over the next year.  I hate to say it, that may also speak to coach and management, not just players. 

I agree that Jones is less of a homer than JJ, but truth be told, they are a bleep load better than the Panthers team (thank God Potvin is gone) and the Washington team.  Giving credit where it's due, JJ and Jones, particularly Jones, have been hard on the team this year in past weeks.  Jones has really been angry, perhaps reflecting a veteran and alum who has to swallow the roll-over, no fight issue of Flyers we've seen the past few months. 

Samsonov's save percentage was .880. Lyon's was .875.  But quality of shots matters. I felt sorry for Alex.  He was left out to dry.    

I only watched the second period. It looked like the team was almost inviting the Caps to score.  I was also taught to either block a shot or get out of the way.  It looked like the second goal bounced off a failed block attempt and Lyon couldn't handle the deflection.  Kuznetzov went in unopposed.  Aube Kubel follows up a great pass to JvR with a dumb penalty resulting in a PP goal.  AV needs to straighten his butt out or keep it out of games. 

The and O and B need an enema.  

Greetings:

It is too early for odds but this analyst's prediction puts the Caps on top, 4-3:

https://news.sportsinteraction.com/nhl/story/capitals-vs-flyers-odds-prediction-041721-141381

The Caps have manhandled us so far, going 4-1.  Hopefully, there's a spillover from our win over Pitt.  

Well, miracles never cease to happen. That may be their best game of the season. Allison may be a keeper. Hart misplayed the Crosby goal but very sharp otherwise. And we actually won a shootout. Let's see more of the youngins.

2 minutes ago, radoran said:

Really depends on whether the recreational skating club in front of him remembers they're actually a hockey team.

I hope he resolves.  Overall, the organ-eye-zhation needs to develop some depth.  Who steps in if Hart falters and Moose is incapable? 

Hart is between the pipes tonight.  Should we take bets on whether he gets past the first period?