Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Solid Start But a Fade at Finish for Flyers
- bmeltzer

The new format is great, Bill....provides great insight and a ton of information.

Bernier played a great game, and the Flyers got good pressure early. I am concerned about 5 on 5 play. For all the penalties they drew, the Flyers were not the better team at even strength. They didn't get as many shots as the Leafs and the chances were usually one and dones, where the Leafs goals were all either second chances or really bad defensive breakdowns.

When the Leafs got ahead, they started trapping, and as usual, the Flyers had no answer for an effective trap. Their transition game bogged down and they had numerous issues entering the zone when they did manage to get through the neutral zone.

Overall, they didn't play bad, and Mason deserved a better fate.

That's exactly right. He played calm and controlled and did well. The flyers made it easy on him
- Just5

Agreed. If a goalie is making it look easy, not only is he positionally sound, but the shots are coming from the outside with little screens or rebound attempts. The flyers pinned the leafs in their zone for the first half of the game but didn't generate quality scoring chances 5 on 5, just like last year. Zone time means nothing if you don't score. Either it's the system or the flyers forward are overrated.

A couple thoughts...

Not sure if I'm in favor of their new pp entry play. When it works it looks nice, they have options, when it doesn't work you have G flying in on a sling shot and everyone else having to try and catch up from a mostly still position. It will be interesting to see how it looks a few weeks down the road.

Is Voracek still banged up? It looked to me like he missed some shifts late in the second period and early in the third.

Do the Leafs have an overly large defense? It seemed that after about halfway through the second period every time we went into the O-zone at least one of our players was getting put on the ground behind the Toronto net.

Overall, I liked the way the Flyers played, they didn't seem to sit back and spent much more time in Toronto's end of the ice.
- shekkie

That drop the puck to Giroux and stand at the blue line while he skates into the midst of four defenders really got aggravating.

That drop the puck to Giroux and stand at the blue line while he skates into the midst of four defenders really got aggravating.
- Jsaquella

I made this same comment last night during the second power play and several people around me agreed that they are tired of it as well. Its like they don't trust anyone else to bring the puck up ice. Didn't we sign a guy this year specifically for that reason???

I appreciate all the information in the be format. However I dont come here for an in depth synopsis since I watch most of the games. I kind of like the old format and more of your respected opinion Bill!

FWIW I thought Timonen had an AWFUL game. He whiffed on keeping several pucks in the offensive zone, got spun around once or twice defending the rush, and then the penalties. Not good.

I appreciate all the information in the be format. However I dont come here for an in depth synopsis since I watch most of the games. I kind of like the old format and more of your respected opinion Bill!
- Just5

Agreed. Bill's opinion and analysis > Bill stating facts about the game. That's where his true value-add lies.

Bill,
I really like the new format. The in depth breakdown of each period was especially well done! As usual, you are a diamond in the rough amongst most of the bloggers on the site and I appreciate the time and dedication you put in to each and every piece you write. Bravo!

As far as my observations from the game, I thought Bernier played one hell of a game. The Flyers, particularly Hartnell had some glorious chances to finish and couldn't do it. Thought Coots, yet again, did nothing to show any improvement from last season as he lost almost every puck battle he was in. Not sure what L. Schenn was doing on that second goal, but Vinny had the man behind the net, so why not cover the guy out in front? The ineffectiveness of the power play lost them the game, plain and simple.

FWIW I thought Timonen had an AWFUL game. He whiffed on keeping several pucks in the offensive zone, got spun around once or twice defending the rush, and then the penalties. Not good.
- Tartan69

He didn't have a good game, got burned a couple of times and seemed to be fighting things a bit.

Still, Kimmo's a guy I don't worry too much about

I made this same comment last night during the second power play and several people around me agreed that they are tired of it as well. Its like they don't trust anyone else to bring the puck up ice. Didn't we sign a guy this year specifically for that reason???
- Tartan69

Well considering that Streit is on the second unit, which Giroux is generally not on, he would probably be bringing the puck up the ice!

Trying something a bit different with the post-game analysis/recap format. Let me know if you like this better or prefer the previous continuous narrative plus notes at the end.
- bmeltzer

I love it Bill... You are incredibly thorough... and we thank you for that

I was really hoping we'd get off to a good start this year, and to top it off, I am surrounded by Leafs fans planning the parade.

A little worried about the game in Montreal Saturday. We haven't played well against them recently.

Part of my worry is I think the team needs to get off to a solid start to build up some positive momentum, and if we are 0-2 to start, doubts and pressure mount. I say by the 15 game mark, if we're not a .500 unfortunately Lavy gets the axe.

The flyers just aren't very good. Leafs are a more complete team top to bottom. How is it that the team on a back to back is the one stepping on the throat at the end of the game

This game had nothing to do about systems and everything to do with talent level and team cohesion. The leafs have it over the flyers

Bernier I didn't think was spectacular. Positionally he was very sound, but I dont recall many highlight saves
- Just5

I agree that is had zero to do with systems, but I don't agree on talent level or team cohesion. The Leafs had as many breakdowns defensively as the Flyers did. That the Flyers had 6 PP's to the Leafs 2 is telling. All that happened in this game is that Bernier bailed the Leafs out early in the game. And they took advantage of a few Flyer breakdowns. The Flyers outplayed the Leafs for the majority of the game. The Flyers couldn't work through it when the Leafs got the early 3rd period goal, and then sat back. The Leafs don't have talent or cohesion over the Flyers.

Well considering that Streit is on the second unit, which Giroux is generally not on, he would probably be bringing the puck up the ice!
- aantny88

Streit played some shifts with Giroux, both at 5 on 5 and on the PP, where he carried the puck up and dropped it to Giroux when he got to the blue line(Streit, not Giroux) and then they had 4 guys standing at the line while Giroux entered the zone against 4 Leafs

Streit played some shifts with Giroux, both at 5 on 5 and on the PP, where he carried the puck up and dropped it to Giroux when he got to the blue line(Streit, not Giroux) and then they had 4 guys standing at the line while Giroux entered the zone against 4 Leafs
- Jsaquella

I watched the game but thanks for the recap. I was stating that Giroux is the primary puck carrier on the first unit where Streit does the same on the second unit. It appears reading is a lost art...

Streit played some shifts with Giroux, both at 5 on 5 and on the PP, where he carried the puck up and dropped it to Giroux when he got to the blue line(Streit, not Giroux) and then they had 4 guys standing at the line while Giroux entered the zone against 4 Leafs
- Jsaquella

Yeah, that was not a great entry plan IMO. Biggest issue was you could feel that once they went down 2-1 they had trouble generating any attack with the Leafs playing conservative.

I watched the game but thanks for the recap. I was stating that Giroux is the primary puck carrier on the first unit where Streit does the same on the second unit. It appears reading is a lost art...
- aantny88

I guess you missed where I mentioned that there were shifts that Streit and Giroux were on the ice together during a power play.
Ironic you bring up the lost art of reading

Yeah, that was not a great entry plan IMO. Biggest issue was you could feel that once they went down 2-1 they had trouble generating any attack with the Leafs playing conservative.
- Hextall271

They struggled against the Leafs when they went into shut down mode, for sure.

EDIT: It just seems they're confounded when a opposing team clogs the neutral zone.

Yeah, that was not a great entry plan IMO. Biggest issue was you could feel that once they went down 2-1 they had trouble generating any attack with the Leafs playing conservative.
- Hextall271

I don't mind that if it's timed better. But you can't have the initial puck carrier skate all the way to the blueline and basically stop, along with the other 3 players who are now motionless and standing still. Then pass back to Giroux who now has to stick handle through the entire defensive box, and can be easily swarmed upon because he is basically all alone.

Talbot was awful on the third line last night. That pass that led to their first goal was a shockingly poor decision from a veteran.

Anyone else think b schenn looked awful despite his ppg? If voracek was on the top in the first period this could have had a very different outcome. Bad coaching decision.

I don't mind that if it's timed better. But you can't have the initial puck carrier skate all the way to the blueline and basically stop, along with the other 3 players who are now motionless and standing still. Then pass back to Giroux who now has to stick handle through the entire defensive box, and can be easily swarmed upon because he is basically all alone.
- MJL

I think it can be effective once or twice a game, but every time?

Talbot was awful on the third line last night. That pass that led to their first goal was a shockingly poor decision from a veteran.
- Feanor

Not just that, but he completely compounded the error when he basically picked up, well nobody, on the Leafs transition. And had a nice view of Kessel potting the rebound right in front of him. This team has enough individual breakdowns. Can't have a veteran player who is supposed to be one of their best defensive forwards, making horrendous plays like that.

So.. after last nights game the Flyers projected 82 game season looks prettttttty pooptttty

0-82-0 82 GF 246 GA

I think there are a few points we can all agree on coming out of this game:

1. The Flyers, on the whole, played a solid game. I don't know who said it on the last thread, but he (or she) put it nicely: If they play like this every night, they'll win a lot of games.

2. Bernier was incredible. Sometimes you run into a hot goalie and boy we did tonight

3. Mason also had himself a great game

4. Vinny and Read are really, really fun to watch play the game together. I'm excited to see those 2 be part of offensive threat #1b. Both players played excellent hockey.

5. Gotta score on the powerplay
- Giroux_Is_God

I agree completely. They'll be fine. Bernier was way too solid