Howie58

My take on the game:

1. Swayman was better than Hart, who should or could have stopped at least one of the three that got by him.

2. Our PP has been inept all season but tonight, with the shortie, it reached new lows.

3. Ghost was one of our best players.  

4.  The number of missed shots was unnerving.

It isn't just time to sell.  CF has to really think about what is worth keeping, now and for next season.  

If Ghost goes, fine.  But he isn't is bad as others, and his work with Morin isn't bad either.  Ghost should not be a scapegoat for collective incompetence.  

1 minute ago, OccamsRazor said:

 

Wow so they're getting shutout tonight with a 57 save performance.

 

Awesome.

 

Yep!  Maybe we should counter with Lyon. It might put too much pressure on the old farts, particularly Hart!

We are facing a first-time NHL starter tonight:

https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/need-to-know-bruins-at-flyers/c-323327614

In a sense, that puts more pressure on the Flyers and/or Hart.  Wait and see, the kid throws a shutout!!!

1 hour ago, mojo1917 said:

He never jokes, don't call him Shirley

My doctor is telling me to lay off daily wine.  Maybe a Shirley Temple is better.  

2 hours ago, Podein25 said:

 

Shirley you jest?

Dear Pods:

Look, I agree two or three goals may not be great.  But...it is heckuva lot better than six or nine.  For our D, success may be very, very relative!

Howie

If you can hold your opponent to two goals, you stand a chance of winning.  Maybe the embarrassment factor was beginning to set in and make them angry enough to compete.  

Greetings:

We go into the game as mild underdogs despite last night's win:

https://www.oddsshark.com/nhl/boston-philadelphia-odds-april-6-2021-1367166

The Flyers have actually played acceptable D the last two games.  Will it continue?

Based on what we've gotten from the D brigade this year, he's a winner.  I agree with Occ--his penalty was not smart and resulted in a goal.  But that kid is engaged and big.  Another thing in his favor, and this is cynical--we can probably keep him at relatively low cost given his injury history and the fact we haven't given up on him.  I am sure he and his agent get that.  

Greetings:

We are heavy underdogs.  We are also 0-5 against Boston this year, and go into the game 2-6 overall:

https://sportschatplace.com/nhl-picks/2021/04/05/boston-bruins-vs-philadelphia-flyers-nhl-picks-odds-predictions

This is a consequential week.  Trade deadline aside, I wonder if we will be below .500 by tax day? 

It wasn't a bad game. Hart looked competent. Not scoring on a two-man advantage was costly. I am never surprised at losing a shootout. 

1 hour ago, mojo1917 said:

I interpreted Howie's post to have a more moribund than usual outlook for the lad.

Dear Mojo:

You are absolutely right.  I think it is amazing that he's on the squad, period.  I hope we see more of him and the other young players who may be a part of the team in coming years.  I suspect the team is resting Lindblom to allow for a longer-term rehab.  I was scared when he actually fought a month or so ago--it's hard to believe an oncologist is happy to see that.  

1 hour ago, OccamsRazor said:

 

Hart is back in the saddle too.

 

So it would be huge to get this kid back playing like we know he can.

 

It be nice if his team showed up for him.

Greetings:

First, thanks to Occ for relieving me of thread duty.  

Next, we are fairly significant underdogs:

https://www.docsports.com/free-picks/nhl-hockey/2021/philadelphia-flyers-vs-new-york-islanders-prediction-4-3-2021-nhl-pick-tips-and-odds.html

That is no surprise given our bad play.  It is Varlamov in goal for the Isles, who has been darn good.  Hopefully, Hart doesn't come unglued with an inept defense.  As for Ghost--hope he scores a game winner.

Sadly, I think this is a lost season for the squad.  The best part of this game is giving the youngins a chance to show something.  Shelving Lindblom makes me sad too.  He has fought and won against a potential killer--you hope he returns to old form for his sake and the team. 

Playing Gustafsson is the real head scratcher.  Ghost was on the mend and looked fairly decent with Sam.  

5 minutes ago, OccamsRazor said:

Well for now i haven't seen anything for certain or who would go.

Occ:

I apologize--got sucked in by the earnest delivery until the end.  I didn't do my source check........

8 minutes ago, mkscrewy said:

dammit, you just ruined my day

I was a bit pissed as well. Sometimes the truth hurts.

Sorry!

9 minutes ago, Howie58 said:

Folks, I am glad Rad freezed my thread. It was a very serious sounding post--I apologize for the post.

 

No, AV and CF are not fired....

Shoot--I think froze is appropriate grammar. 

1 minute ago, radoran said:

And well hey, if you’ve gotten this far, happy April Fools day!

I am sorry for the thread and posted an apology. 

My bad,

Howie

Folks, I am glad Rad freezed my thread. It was a very serious sounding post--I apologize for the post.

No, AV and CF are not fired....

They should start Lyon a few times.  He can't be any worse than our current tandem.  His only goal was really not his fault--he made a great save but the rebound went to a player nobody was watching.  

CF has seen a lot on the player side to work on.  I wonder if he is beginning to question the coaching?  If the youngins aren't playing, we really don't know if they can learn and grow.  I am not sure about scratching Patrick and Lindblom--is the real reason sparing them losing habits?

Why do I watch this? 

It is hard to watch. So much for the Ghost Message.

I seem to recall that until he signed Brett Burns, GM Doug Wilson of San Jose believed it was not in the best interests of the franchise to sign more than five years.  I think he is correct, particularly in the NHL, where the kind of contract adjustments you see in the NFL or NBA aren't available.  

I don't blame players or agents for wanting to maximize their income--that's human.  I might say the "problem" is a CBA that forces a buy-out late in the contract that may not help a franchise that much.  That's one guy's take.  

Part of me says this is cap clearing more than performance or signaling.  They could have waived Gus to send a signal.  Thank G-d he's off the books this year.

I agree with Occ that he probably clears waivers, but wonder if someone might pick him up as a form of expansion protection for other prospects? He's on contract next year.  This season is an audition. If they don't click, he is part of the Kraken pool.  Who knows?  

It's kinda of sad.  I was with my brother for the Black Friday game against Nashville--maybe 2017--and he scored the overtime winner.  I thought we had a special player on our hands.  Statistically, he's been in the top 4 of our D-men the last month.  That isn't saying much, but he was actually beginning to look like the Ghost of Old.  But, as his teammates said, it's a business, and what they are paying him as a third pairing may be too much.  

Florida makes sense given Ekblad's fracture which keeps him out for what appears to be the regular season.  If nothing else, Ghost can quarterback a power play.

We are surprisingly heavy favorites:

https://www.docsports.com/free-picks/nhl-hockey/2021/philadelphia-flyers-vs-buffalo-sabres-prediction-3-31-2021-nhl-pick-tips-and-odds.html

After Monday's squeaker, that seems strange.  I wonder what the Ghost waiver does, for better or worse?  

1 hour ago, murraycraven said:

 

It has been a s**t show for far too long. It is really difficult being a fan of this organization. The s**t show will continue.. stuck in perpetual mediocrity.

The "stuck in perpetual mediocrity" is spot on.  We have multi-game win streaks followed by multi-game losses.  Last night was an example of "intra-game" mediocrity--two periods of sub-human performance topped off by a decent period against a team that's lost whatever games in a row.  I think you've described a "Systems" issue with players, coaching, scouting, and execution. We ended last year playing well but saw the usual suspects in the playoffs.   It is grim.

The press coverage of this game is uniformly negative. Coaching, players,.....the whole shebang. I agree that CF needs to do something. He can't bless this excrement with eyes closed. I was amazed at how angry the Comcast broadcast team got. They pulled no punches.