Early on, you could really see the rust and the nerves. He settled in as game went along. Incredibly, I thought Andrej Meszaros (who had back surgery last March and Achilles tendon repair surgery in August) was the Flyers' best shift-in and shift-out defenseman in the opener.
- bmeltzer

Agree on both points. Philly.com also is reporting the Schenn was limping noticeably after the game. Surprisingly, Holmgren said there were no injuries .

Hopefully nothing too serious.

Bill...don't wear out the white jersey

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 1/20/13 @ Sabres
- bmeltzer

Considering the way that the graybeards around the NHL played yesterday(Jagr 4 points, Kovalev 3 points, Selanne had a sweet goal) the Flyers may want to see if Mike Knuble wants a shot.

I was pleased with the way the defense played yesterday, by and large. For the most part the guys marketed as slower, plodding types kept the game in front of them and played smart, sound positional hockey. Ironically, the two guys expected to carry the most water were the two I feel struggled the most-Kimmo Timonen & Braydon Coburn.

In both their cases, it certainly looked more like rust than anything else, though

Considering the way that the graybeards around the NHL played yesterday(Jagr 4 points, Kovalev 3 points, Selanne had a sweet goal) the Flyers may want to see if Mike Knuble wants a shot.

I was pleased with the way the defense played yesterday, by and large. For the most part the guys marketed as slower, plodding types kept the game in front of them and played smart, sound positional hockey. Ironically, the two guys expected to carry the most water were the two I feel struggled the most-Kimmo Timonen & Braydon Coburn.

In both their cases, it certainly looked more like rust than anything else, though
- Jsaquella

God I miss Jags already, and man, I Never ever ever thought I'd say that.

Bill, your point about never having had an opinion about a player change so drastically as Jagr was 1000% spot on.

Enjoyed the game yesterday, thought they looked pretty good. Clearly both teams slowed in the third. Personally I would have rolled the 4th line for more of the third period. I thought Rinaldo had a very solid game.

Yesterday proved that playing from behind isn't a good thing since the team doesn't really have it's legs yet. Not that playing from behind is ever a good idea.
- LJF

I was impressed with Rinaldo as well. Lots of guys stood out... Mez, Laughton, Simmonds, and for me it was wellwood in particular that had me saying wow a few times. Enjoyed the game... Unfortunately no points for the flyers.

I will say I'm not sold on Jake yet.... Wasn't last season either.

I was impressed with Rinaldo as well. Lots of guys stood out... Mez, Laughton, Simmonds, and for me it was wellwood in particular that had me saying wow a few times. Enjoyed the game... Unfortunately no points for the flyers.

I will say I'm not sold on Jake yet.... Wasn't last season either.
- moylander

Agreed on Wellwood and Jake. Seemed that you heard Wellwood's name called a lot more than Jake's yesterday.

Agreed on Wellwood and Jake. Seemed that you heard Wellwood's name called a lot more than Jake's yesterday.
- TheGreat28

Yes didn't notice Jake much yesterday or Coburn.

Early on, you could really see the rust and the nerves. He settled in as game went along. Incredibly, I thought Andrej Meszaros (who had back surgery last March and Achilles tendon repair surgery in August) was the Flyers' best shift-in and shift-out defenseman in the opener.
- bmeltzer

he did look much better than i expected. early, but that's a very good sign for the flyers. they're gonna need big things from him and coburn this season

Yes didn't notice Jake much yesterday or Coburn.
- LJF

Here's how I'd rank the d play yesterday.

Mesz
Grossmann
Schenn
Kimmo
Coburn
Foster

Yes didn't notice Jake much yesterday or Coburn.
- LJF

Voracek led all Flyers in shots with 6.

Voracek led all Flyers in shots with 6.
- MJL

I think that's what leads to my doubts about him. He seems snakebit when it comes to finishing plays

Voracek led all Flyers in shots with 6.
- MJL

But did you ever really think he was close to scoring?

I guess my expectations are a little higher for him. In my mind yesterday he should have looked like the 5th or 6th best player on the ice (counting both teams) and he's not there yet.

This is as close to a must win game as any game two of a season can be

Voracek led all Flyers in shots with 6.
- MJL

Not sure how I missed that. I like Jake, but didn't think yesterday was a great game for him.

I think that's my problem with him. He seems snakebit when it comes to finishing plays
- moylander

Simmonds was snakebit on the potential tieing goal on the PP in the 3rd.

I thought overall, outside of the first period the Flyers played pretty well. Unfortunately, 40 minutes wasn't enough to win.

Let's hope, with the opening game jitters out of the way, that they play a full 60 minutes today.

Simmonds was snakebit on the potential tieing goal on the PP in the 3rd.

I thought overall, outside of the first period the Flyers played pretty well. Unfortunately, 40 minutes wasn't enough to win.

Let's hope, with the opening game jitters out of the way, that they play a full 60 minutes today.
- Flyers_01

A little snakebite but I thought he stood out the whole game. Apparently so did Lavi as Simmonds led all forwards in ice time.

I think that's what leads to my doubts about him. He seems snakebit when it comes to finishing plays
- moylander

He needs to finish better. That's the area of his game that needs to be improved.

But did you ever really think he was close to scoring?

I guess my expectations are a little higher for him. In my mind yesterday he should have looked like the 5th or 6th best player on the ice (counting both teams) and he's not there yet.
- TheGreat28

Absolutely. He had some real good looks on the PP.

Not sure how I missed that. I like Jake, but didn't think yesterday was a great game for him.
- LJF

I don't think he played great either. But he wasn't bad.

Not that long ago, but it feels that way.


- bmeltzer

Was waiting yesterday for them to put him out with the 1st unit PP just to try and use his point shot.

Important things I noticed from the game.

1. Bryz looked good. He made a lot of key stops and looked solid. Maybe the second goal he might want to have another shot at but all in all. He was the Netminder we want to see in net.

2. Scott Laughton looked good. I watched him buzzing around the opposing net and hitting & pressuring guys.

3. Kurtis Foster has a Cannon of a point shot. Maybe it's just been awhile since a Flyers D had a shot like that but I want him to use it more.

Philly is a young team. I think nerves might be a bigger issue than being pumped. Certainly now they'll be pumped to get that first win.
- flyler

Thanks for the overview. I missed the game and only got highlights, but generally, it doesn't seem to be all doom and gloom in here. Sounds like Bryz played well and there were def some positives.. It's a work in progress and we can't win em all. Let's get the win today and get rolling.. I'll be watchin so we will win..

Was waiting yesterday for them to put him out with the 1st unit PP just to try and use his point shot.
- ob18

At the very least, the 2nd PP unit needs to use that shot. Have Foster throw some bombs at the net, and crash the net. They never once tried to set up Foster for a point shot.

I don't think he played great either. But he wasn't bad.
- MJL

I was just expecting more from him. I know it was just one, but I'm looking for a big season from him.

Thanks for the overview. I missed the game and only got highlights, but generally, it doesn't seem to be all doom and gloom in here. Sounds like Bryz played well and there were def some positives.. It's a work in progress and we can't win em all. Let's get the win today and get rolling.. I'll be watchin so we will win..
- Hextall271

i'd like to think that people are just happy to have hockey back. for now at least

i'd like to think that people are just happy to have hockey back. for now at least
- FlyerMike18

I watched the Vancouver game last night and laughed my ass off watching Selanne rip them apart and Schneider get pulled hahah what a mess they have in Van city.