PP was close a couple of times last night.
Maybe the luck turns soon and they start scoring again.

It could also have looked better because Nashville was a depleted team.
Will see on the next 5 games.
- Marc D

Yup. Road trip is going to be a challenge. Winnable games in Minnesota, Dallas, and Ottawa. Game in Chicago will be near impossible, and Detroit is a house of horrors.

I think the focus on team D has also cut back their scoring.
They typically don't have a defenseman jump in like Mez did until they are behind.
Sure they pinch still at times, but they don't get into joining the cycle down low very much.

Also the forwards are more cautious on the forecheck.

I like the changes, it fits the team and players skill set better then the way Lavi had them playing.

Just means a lot of 2-1 games.
It also makes scoring in the PP more important.
They are really limiting other teams at even strength which is great.
- Marc D

I like the changes also. It certainly fits the D core better, not sure that the forwards are enjoying it. I like one forward staying high in the zone on the forecheck. I'm getting tired of the look on this PP. I think it has run it's course. They can always go back to it but the first unit needs another look.

And the 5 vs 3 is awful, something needs to be done there, they are failing miserably on capitalizing there.

I like the changes also. It certainly fits the D core better, not sure that the forwards are enjoying it. I like one forward staying high in the zone on the forecheck. I'm getting tired of the look on this PP. I think it has run it's course. They can always go back to it but the first unit needs another look.

And the 5 vs 3 is awful, something needs to be done there, they are failing miserably on capitalizing there.
- Just5

powerplay did everything but score last night. good possession, decent shots. if not for jake we would have had at least 1 goal. i really don't mind the style but if they are going to be a defense first type of team they need to capitalize on the great chances they get.

Getting the win was obviously the best thing about last night's game. Mason's stellar performance was next. And then, for me at least, it was great to see Mezaros have a positive impact. He really made a great play on that goal!

Yup. Road trip is going to be a challenge. Winnable games in Minnesota, Dallas, and Ottawa. Game in Chicago will be near impossible, and Detroit is a house of horrors.
- PLindbergh31

They will have to be at their best to win 3 of the next 5.
Even winning two is going to be hard. It is a good measuring stick for them.

I wonder how many games and which ones Emery gets.
Probably Chicago which seems almost cruel but I bet Ray wants that one.

I like the changes also. It certainly fits the D core better, not sure that the forwards are enjoying it. I like one forward staying high in the zone on the forecheck. I'm getting tired of the look on this PP. I think it has run it's course. They can always go back to it but the first unit needs another look.

And the 5 vs 3 is awful, something needs to be done there, they are failing miserably on capitalizing there.
- Just5

At least the forwards seem to be buying into it.
I'm sure they would rather open things up, but this style plus Mason means they have a shot at winning the majority of games.

How many times do they go into the third either tied or just with a one goal difference in the score? That is why scoring on the PP is a must, especially late in the game.

This is really the same team as last year. Their playing a different way on the ice. But the collective group of players are pretty much the same. Outstanding goaltending will make them a bubble team. Crappy goaltending and their a bottom 6-7 team in the league.

The only difference has been the far superior goaltending to last year.
- Just5

The goaltending is certainly improved, but I also think they are benefitting from adding Lecavalier and Downie and also the more defensive oriented system they employ under Berube. They sometimes drift away from that discipline and the team D suffers, but I think overall they have shown they can compete with most teams in the league as constructed. With the goaltending, younger guys like Schenn and Couturier seemingly breaking out, and some good young players in the system, it bodes well for the future imo.

nice to see nashville fans are following the devils lead of yelling "you suck" after they score instead of cheering for the goal

so charming

The goaltending is certainly improved, but I also think they are benefitting from adding Lecavalier and Downie and also the more defensive oriented system they employ under Berube. They sometimes drift away from that discipline and the team D suffers, but I think overall they have shown they can compete with most teams in the league as constructed. With the goaltending, younger guys like Schenn and Couturier seemingly breaking out, and some good young players in the system, it bodes well for the future imo.
- exlund

For next year, would you stay the course and wait for the defenseman in the system to develop, or look to trade some of the youth to upgrade the D, or sign and overpay a UFA defenseman this summer?

Coburn
Grossmann
Streit
Gusty
Luke Schenn

And ???

nice to see nashville fans are following the devils lead of yelling "you suck" after they score instead of cheering for the goal

so charming
- -davies-

I'm hoping that nice play by Mez gets him going.
That was sweet.

I'm hoping that nice play by Mez gets him going.
That was sweet.
- Marc D

he was so happy

but yeah i don't know how long it will take for him to get back into anything even resembling a groove, i doubt he gets the opportunity in philly. maybe the nice assist will keep him out of the press box for a couple more games.

he was so happy

but yeah i don't know how long it will take for him to get back into anything even resembling a groove, i doubt he gets the opportunity in philly. maybe the nice assist will keep him out of the press box for a couple more games.
- -davies-

You never know.
Luke and Gusty are really struggling too, so Mez might get an extended look.
He needs more games to get back up to speed, that's for sure.

You never know.
Luke and Gusty are really struggling too, so Mez might get an extended look.
He needs more games to get back up to speed, that's for sure.
- Marc D

i wanted to see the pairing of mez/schenn but so far it has been a little scary. they each messed up and left their partner going back on a 2 on 1 on consecutive shifts in the first. luckily they settled a little bit after that but man it didn't look good.

nice to see nashville fans are following the devils lead of yelling "you suck" after they score instead of cheering for the goal

so charming
- -davies-

That's sad. And pretty embarassing tbh. Hopefully it doesn't stick. Cant stand that goal song no matter who is playing.

PP was close a couple of times last night.
Maybe the luck turns soon and they start scoring again.

It could also have looked better because Nashville was a depleted team.
Will see on the next 5 games.
- Marc D

They are pressing/trying to hard to making it work on the power play.

nice to see nashville fans are following the devils lead of yelling "you suck" after they score instead of cheering for the goal

so charming
- -davies-

they did cheer schenn after he was hit with the puck. i thought that was nice

For next year, would you stay the course and wait for the defenseman in the system to develop, or look to trade some of the youth to upgrade the D, or sign and overpay a UFA defenseman this summer?

Coburn
Grossmann
Streit
Gusty
Luke Schenn

And ???
- Marc D

I think for the most part you let nature take its course...after this season, Timonen goes out to pasture (or in his case, to stud, lol) and Mez goes who knows/cares where. That gives the team an opportunity to bring in new blood on the blueline and they have options. They could promote a prospect or two and both UFA and trades are on the table. If a deal for a top-pairing/producing D man under 30 comes along, I'd consider trading a good young player, but I would try and hold onto the youth...all of it. Phaneuf is a UFA, but the pricetag would certainly be high. Girardi is a UFA and an interesting player...Pitkanen could come cheap coming off injury...but I think we (should) just stand pat and be patient until the right moves become more evident.

I could be into Phanuef coming as UFA, even at a 7mil or so price tag. He's a top flight dman.

That said, I'm not sure Toronto lets him walk

I could be into Phanuef coming as UFA, even at a 7mil or so price tag. He's a top flight dman.

That said, I'm not sure Toronto lets him walk
- eshake

I can't stand Phaneuf... I'm not sure whether to put any credence into the rumblings that were heard (around the time that Luke Schenn was traded to Philly) that he was a divider and not a uniter in the clubhouse. If that were true, then I'd be totally opposed to bringing him into Philly.

For what its worth, you can add that to the list of unsourced rumors that I am skeptical about.

I was really worried they'd let the game slip from them late. Good to see a goalie being the team's MVP but he's not facing an odd man rush every shift or an open shooter to his blindside. Mason is making huge stops when needed too tho and emery has been solid as well... They still need to get the offense going and find some consistent pressure. Too many long lulls of going through the motions.

I can't stand Phaneuf... I'm not sure whether to put any credence into the rumblings that were heard (around the time that Luke Schenn was traded to Philly) that he was a divider and not a uniter in the clubhouse. If that were true, then I'd be totally opposed to bringing him into Philly.

For what its worth, you can add that to the list of unsourced rumors that I am skeptical about.
- Doc_Sarcasm

Well...pending the validity of that statement, what are your feelings on his play?

Exactly. I also loved that Mason battled through the adversity. Not sure if Mason was screened or not on the Fisher goal. Either way, he was still the biggest reason why the Flyers got one point, let alone two.
- bmeltzer

Absolutely. He gets past a goal & doesn't allow it to balloon to a second or third goal.

He might have seen it or not...we were drinking & playing Cards Against Humanity while watching, and I was explaining to my stepmom what a "taint" is.

Well...pending the validity of that statement, what are your feelings on his play?
- eshake

He's big, tough and physical and he's got no shortage of guts, those are the positives.

He makes a lot of dumb mistakes, he seems to chase plays rather than anticipate them, and is prone to take himself out of position going for the big hit. He also doesn't seem to have nearly the offensive impact he once did.

He is only 28 years old and probably has a fair bit of tread left on the tires.

Forgetting how I feel about him personally, I still think the Flyers would have to overpay to get him and that probably should be the deal breaker right there.

Some observations as we head into December:

Steve Mason is the real deal. Case closed

To me, the Flyers lack of offense mainly stems from the inability of the D to move the puck quickly through the neutral zone and some god awful shot selections. Too many forwards pass up good shooting opportunities to try and make a cute play.

Not a fan of Hartnell and Simmonds playing on the same pp unit. Would rather replace one with someone with better puck skills and creativity.

Watching the development of Sean Couturier has been a treat!

Jake Voracek needs to simplify his game. Use your speed and go to the net!

Coburn is quietly having an excellent season, I shudder to think where their D would be without him.

And finally, I am really enjoying today's Eagles game so far!!

They are pressing/trying to hard to making it work on the power play.
- ob18

looking for the perfect shot too much?
although I think the PP looked OK last night, very close a couple of times

Berube seems reluctant to use the 2nd unit, I think the 2nd PP could use Gus to their advantage