Yup. Flyers routinely get outplayed between the pipes. Mason was fine last night, didn't have much of a chance on any of the 3 goals, but Bernier was better.
- PLindbergh31

Well, Bernier faced just one similar chance (2nd goal) and the outcome was the same..
Where's the difference then??

Bill do you think we REALLY need Hartnell and Simmonds on the top PP unit together? They are both the same type of player, but when the power play is moving the puck around they both have a problem keeping possession of the puck and lack the passing/creativity that is needed. I just think that they are both suited as 1 on each pp, not together. Seen so many turnovers from them last night on the PP together.
- Buzzo

I'm with you on this, I would rather see:
PP1: Giroux, Hartnell, Couturier (the kid has skill, lets give him a chance to show it), Voracek and Timonen

PP2: Lacavalier, Simmonds, B. Schenn, Read (can be replaced by Mez late in the pp if possible) and Streit

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.


- Giroux_Is_God

I didnt feel that Giroux played with any fire last night, and Schenn doesnt belong on G's line. No chemsitry, Vinny looked great.
- GOA88

I personally thought he was trying to do way too much

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 think we watched a different game. I thought Bernier had to make quite a few difficult saves. he was the difference maker in that game

Bernier was better than Mason. FACT
Lets argue semantics in a circle jerk for 4 hours.
- PLindbergh31

Personally i think the Leafs did a better job at minimizing second chances on rebounds then the flyers did. Both 2nd and third goal were off rebounds. Regardless Bernier did out play mason.

I'm with you on this, I would rather see:
PP1: Giroux, Hartnell, Couturier (the kid has skill, lets give him a chance to show it), Voracek and Timonen

PP2: Lacavalier, Simmonds, B. Schenn, Read (can be replaced by Mez late in the pp if possible) and Streit
- BiggE

I'm not ready to break up the PP unit just yet. They were really good last year. The first unit was unbelievable when you consider they ranked in the top 5 despite getting very little from the 2nd unit.

I think we watched a different game. I thought Bernier had to make quite a few difficult saves. he was the difference maker in that game
- nastyflyergirl

Yep, and the Flyers weren't quite as sharp offensively as I think they're going to be in a week or so. Especially Giroux. I think he played well, but he's not 100% game sharp yet. That won't take long. Still have to clean up some individual mistakes. But I was very enthused in how the Flyers played in terms of style. Very different from last year.

Personally i think the Leafs did a better job at minimizing second chances on rebounds then the flyers did. Both 2nd and third goal were off rebounds. Regardless Bernier did out play mason.
- PhillaBully

Flyers had 3 costly breakdowns that the Leafs killed them on. Leafs did do a better job limiting 2nd chances. That's where the Flyers need to improve. Offensively and defensively.

Personally i think the Leafs did a better job at minimizing second chances on rebounds then the flyers did. Both 2nd and third goal were off rebounds. Regardless Bernier did out play mason.
- PhillaBully

I just thought Bernier was great. The Flyers had deflections, screens and lots of traffic, but he was able to absorb everything or block it out of play or to the corner. He played like a world class goalie last night. That happens sometimes.

Yep, and the Flyers weren't quite as sharp offensively as I think they're going to be in a week or so. Especially Giroux. I think he played well, but he's not 100% game sharp yet. That won't take long. Still have to clean up some individual mistakes. But I was very enthused in how the Flyers played in terms of style. Very different from last year.
- MJL

I only had a problem with their lack of adjustment after Toronto changed up what they were doing defensively. It got very frustrating.

MaiN thing I'm looking for is effort and progress in our younger players. Definitely saw a lot of that last night. If they play like that all season I will be happy. Could really use a tOp scoring winger like a gaborik. Thinks that would have made a difference last night

MaiN thing I'm looking for is effort and progress in our younger players. Definitely saw a lot of that last night. If they play like that all season I will be happy. Could really use a tOp scoring winger like a gaborik. Thinks that would have made a difference last night
- SMS4016

Yeah, it really seems that we are having trouble burying chances. I think Giroux may not yet be in tip top shape which is understandeable, and once he's firing on all cylinders, it will help.

I only had a problem with their lack of adjustment after Toronto changed up what they were doing defensively. It got very frustrating.
- MBFlyerfan

Technically, I don't think there's any adjustments to make in that situation. I think you just have to chip and chase and outwork the other team. The Flyers energy sagged in that 3rd period. And I don't see any reason for that to happen. Maybe it's mental and they were deflated by the early 3rd period goal. But the best thing to do is not give up that early goal, and continue to play your game. And not have to face a team sitting back in a defensive posture on a road game.

MaiN thing I'm looking for is effort and progress in our younger players. Definitely saw a lot of that last night. If they play like that all season I will be happy. Could really use a tOp scoring winger like a gaborik. Thinks that would have made a difference last night
- SMS4016

I'm not sure if there is a team that couldn't use a top scoring winger.

I think on most nights when the Flyers out chance another team by that much, they will win.

Technically, I don't think there's any adjustments to make in that situation. I think you just have to chip and chase and outwork the other team. The Flyers energy sagged in that 3rd period. And I don't see any reason for that to happen. Maybe it's mental and they were deflated by the early 3rd priod goal. But the best thing to do is not give up that early goal, and continue to play your game. And not have to face a team sitting back in a defensive posture on a road game.
- MJL

I think the 2nd Leaf goalie deflated them. In the 2nd period, when the Flyers were ahead 1-0, I felt that if the Flyers got 1 more goal before the Leafs, the game would be over.

I get what Lavy was doing with balance on the lines but I don't think I was all that thrilled with the lines overall. I do know I like Jake with G and Hartnell.

I'm not sure if there is a team that couldn't use a top scoring winger.

I think on most nights when the Flyers out chance another team by that much, they will win.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'd really love to see vanek in a Philly uniforn next year. Man he'd be a complete beast with g

Before I read what anyone is saying in here, I have to say I really enjoyed watching the team last night. They looked good IMO for most of the game. They just ran into one hell of a goalie performance. I don't think we should nit-pick much because overall the team looks really good.

I get what Lavy was doing with balance on the lines but I don't think I was all that thrilled with the lines overall. I do know I like Jake with G and Hartnell.
- nastyflyergirl

Yea, I think Voracek will eventually be reunited with Giroux. And although I certainly like Read with Lecavalier, I would play Read with Talbot and Couturier. And put Schenn on the wing with Lecavalier.

I'd really love to see vanek in a Philly uniforn next year. Man he'd be a complete beast with g
- SMS4016

Who are you willing to get rid of to add Vanek?

I get what Lavy was doing with balance on the lines but I don't think I was all that thrilled with the lines overall. I do know I like Jake with G and Hartnell.
- nastyflyergirl

I was in favor of moving Jake off the first line in order to balance things out. I thought moving him down to the third line was too much though. He needs to be on the ice more.

Even though Schenn scored the loan goal last night, it seems like the team is constantly trying to find the right place for him. He doesn't seem to have an identity as a player yet. What does he want to be? A PF type, a setup man, two way forward?

Why does it feel like after the first game we are already feeling a sense of desperation? It seems like we are critiquing every skate stride. The team had jam in the first half of the game and when TO tied it you could hear a collective, audible "uh oh". It seems as though there was so much time evaluating talent in the preseason that their was little time to develop chemistry. Jake and G's injuries have them a step behind with Jake being dropped to the 3rd line. Already trying to play catch up at game one. It seems this teams biggest problem now is collective confidence. They are pressing and gripping sticks to tightly already. And for having the most expensive blue line in the NHL, it sure doesn't feel that way in action. Just play one game at a time with 60 minutes of effort PLEASE.
- section32

Because this is just a continuation of last year and last year sucked eggs.

I'd really love to see vanek in a Philly uniforn next year. Man he'd be a complete beast with g
- SMS4016

I don't think they'll have the money to do that. I'm sure they will try though. Keep in mind that Kimmo will either retire and need a replacement or come back at $6M.

I only had a problem with their lack of adjustment after Toronto changed up what they were doing defensively. It got very frustrating.
- MBFlyerfan

Tough to adjust to a good defensive team clamping down defensively. They tried different kinds of zone entries to no avail.