I could see it going either way. I don't pretend to know how Lavi picks goalies.
- BulliesPhan87

get both of their feet wet and see how the team responds...

Agreed! Hartnell and G try to spice it up too much IMO. Simplify their game and they will get opportunities and they can pick their spots to be fancy. Saw too many last minute blind passes across the middle or through the slot instead of taking the shot and fighting for a rebound. The leafs were tired, we should have been able to crash the net and outwork the leafs in front.
- funmaster18

I'll second that. I think the frustration of only potting one against Bernier had something to do with it as well. They felt they needed the perfect play to beat him. (Their only goal came on beautiful play)

I think everyone needs to pull back a little bit and realize that it might take time to get this team to the next level like they should be. Mason played well. offense played well, excellent 1st period, but just couldn't finish but I think that will be a non issue this year. Few break downs last night and on the few break downs the leafs capitalized. this team will be fine and I feel finish well and be in a playoff spot in the east. they will get rolling. Funny last year had horrible 1st, this year we had a great 1st and ok rest of the game . We need a full game, and they will provide it.

I think everyone needs to pull back a little bit and realize that it might take time to get this team to the next level like they should be. Mason played well. offense played well, excellent 1st period, but just couldn't finish but I think that will be a non issue this year. Few break downs last night and on the few break downs the leafs capitalized. this team will be fine and I feel finish well and be in a playoff spot in the east. they will get rolling. Funny last year had horrible 1st, this year we had a great 1st and ok rest of the game . We need a full game, and they will provide it.
- steveromanowski

You can't expect them to dominate throughout an entire game. There is another team on the ice.

I think the bothersome part was they dominated for a period and a half, but only had a 1-0 lead. They should have had a multi-goal lead. You knew the Leafs would make a push at some point.

Let's face it. Bernier made some exceptional saves. If just 1 goes in the net, I think we have a different outcome.
- youarewrong

It's still early and bernier was great. Better than I saw in the preseason so hopefully they continue to gel and improve. If they do they will be pretty good this year.

I'm waiting for a clever gif
- funmaster18

Wait for it...

Wait for it...

thank you for disagreeing...
if they adjusted to the trap, I would think they would've had more pressure in the third period and scored maybe a second goal.
- phi1671

It took them some time to adjust, but IMO they did. Like someone else said they eventually willed themselves into the zone, and that is what they have to do, and what they didn't do last year. Its not going to come easy at first, but eventually it will come naturally and the puck will start going in.

I really didn't like the couts talbot Rinaldo line that always seemed to be out there right after our powerplays, which usually was against the Bozak line. Pretty big mismatch i think

I really didn't like the couts talbot Rinaldo line that always seemed to be out there right after our powerplays, which usually was against the Bozak line. Pretty big mismatch i think
- phatpat44

Well, the top 6 were being used on the PP, so they didn't really have much of an option. I like the idea of putting Couts and Talbot out against what will probably be the top for the Leafs.

You can't expect them to dominate throughout an entire game. There is another team on the ice.

I think the bothersome part was they dominated for a period and a half, but only had a 1-0 lead. They should have had a multi-goal lead. You knew the Leafs would make a push at some point.
- PhillySportsGuy

Yes, that is the problem and your right everyone knew a push was coming. If we finish a little more on beautiful chances they had. Once we start finishing, which I think they will, this team could string some wins together. It could of been a 3-4 goal lead in the first, they need to capitalize on the powerplay as well.

Wait for it...

Wait for it...


- BulliesPhan87

Well, the top 6 were being used on the PP, so they didn't really have much of an option. I like the idea of putting Couts and Talbot out against what will probably be the top for the Leafs.
- PhillySportsGuy

Ya, I understand why they were out there, and I think that it would be good against most top lines, just not against the speed of that one in particular

Im with you there, he would be a luxury not a need.
- twotoekenn

I think it's a big need... Maybe it's just me but last couple seasons seems like we have many scoring chances where we have 3 or more chances to put the puck home and just seem to be not able to. Yes hartnell had one really really good goal scoring season but that really can't be counted on. And Jake seems to be able to score in streaks and will put up 25 to 30 like hartnell but seems they need multiple chances and sustained pressure to put those type numbers up. With someone like vanek, if g gets them the puck in good scoring position bam it's in the net. No need for 3 or more chances. It's like Kane getting a pass in the slot. He's putting it in more times than not. We seem to get the shot on goal then get rebound and score when chaos insues. Not all the time but seems like most of the time

But we just cant beat them.....
- MBFlyerfan

I'll have to see more then 1 game to be the judge of that. From watching this game I think we are going to have a dynamic offense. Streit and Lecavalier add exactly what this team needed IMO. Again, it might have taken some time to make an adjustment, but I think they did. And I think it was Lecavalier that showed them how, on the ice last night. This team works a lot harder then last years team. That is what they need. Work hard, then make the "pretty" plays.

You can't expect them to dominate throughout an entire game. There is another team on the ice.

I think the bothersome part was they dominated for a period and a half, but only had a 1-0 lead. They should have had a multi-goal lead. You knew the Leafs would make a push at some point.
- PhillySportsGuy

Part of the late gate issues were probably from frustration as much as anything. Bernier was rock solid & they were probably letting him get in their heads a bit.

The overall result was bad, but they didn't play poorly at all

Yes, that is the problem and your right everyone knew a push was coming. If we finish a little more on beautiful chances they had. Once we start finishing, which I think they will, this team could string some wins together. It could of been a 3-4 goal lead in the first, they need to capitalize on the powerplay as well.
- steveromanowski

I think the only reason the leafs won was because of Bernier's play in the first 2 periods. I could have easily seen 3-4 of those goals going in.

I think the only reason the leafs won was because of Bernier's play in the first 2 periods. I could have easily seen 3-4 of those goals going in.
- youarewrong

Yeah, I pretty much agree. Mistakes happen in hockey. Toronto capitalized on the Streit and Talbot miscues, while philly didn't convert on any of the many toronto ones, mostly because of Bernier

Wait for it...

Wait for it...


- BulliesPhan87

Ahh.. Good old Polish arm wrastlin


Gave my buddy a mean shiner one time.. still pissed about it.

It's still early and bernier was great. Better than I saw in the preseason so hopefully they continue to gel and improve. If they do they will be pretty good this year.
- funmaster18

But it's so hip to PANIC!

Was nice also to see them move the puck around on the pp instead of the boring pass to g on the half wall and back to kimmo crap.

Ahh.. Good old Polish arm wrastlin


Gave my buddy a mean shiner one time.. still pissed about it.
- jak521

I presume he didn't attend the bonfire, then?

We need to keep Hartnell because of his age. He is a leader in that room. Cap friendly...for now... and is a vet. He played great last night and showed his dedication by coming into cap as fit as he has ever been.
- youarewrong

We could of resigned Shelley instead at a more cap friendly hit if were talking leadership in the room and dedication as main ingredients. I liked Hartnells hustle, but the man on skates sometimes drives fans and coaches nuts...he fumbles around out there so much, falling all over, going down on his knees for his one times..lets admit it here, he is no crosby in that situation.

- Winning

He's back!!!

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

Hey Bill,

In your last blog you mentioned you tried a new format for this one. Havent been an avid Flyer's follower or fan (although I do like their team and history), but I loved reading your blog. Really informative, the stats were really informative of how the game went. Good synopsis and quotes from the coaches.

Thanks, nice job. I felt that your analysis was very objective.

Good game and good luck to the Flyers and the Schenn's!

I presume he didn't attend the bonfire, then?
- BulliesPhan87

funny.. he was indeed a no show.