After that crappy start, it was nice to see the Flyers start being more aggressive pursuing the puck. Through the first four periods of this series, I got really sick of watching them kind of watch a puck they should be going after, or two guys in range of the puck waiting for the other to grab it. It's like they resigned themselves to impending turnovers.

I'm liking Akeson's play, he belongs.

Please explain how having Mason in net would have stopped the Flyers from having only 1 shot on goal in that 3rd period. Mason would have had to pitch a shutout for the Flyers to win that game and that was NOT going to happen.
- Daveflyers36

Mason has better movement than Emery, but I think even Mason would really have had no chance at those two power play goals by New York in Game 1. Maybe the outcome would have been 2-1 Rangers or 3-1 Rangers, but I don't believe the way the offense was playing that Mason could have 'stole' Game 1.

I have to agree. I feel the team plays better with Mason in net.... Look at his record and Emerys record. They play with more confidence in their goaltender. That being said..... the flyers played a god awful game in game 1 and even if Mason was at his best he would have had to pitch a shutout to win the game, which I dont think would have happened. Didnt matter how averge Emery was that game.
- GOA88

the general difference seems to be goal support for mason. even if the flyers play a lousy game, they often at least give him some help on the scoreboard. with emery, not so much, which was what concerned me with the 2-0 early hole. it was great to see the top line get things started and have the 2nd/3rd goals contributed by a rookie and a dman who doesn't score very often - that's what it takes to get it done in the playoffs.

i agree that mason likely wouldn't have made any difference in game 1. hard to win with 15 shots on goal and parade to the box in the 3rd period.

Please explain how having Mason in net would have stopped the Flyers from having only 1 shot on goal in that 3rd period. Mason would have had to pitch a shutout for the Flyers to win that game and that was NOT going to happen.
- Daveflyers36

Besides the obvious that Mason is a much better puck handler which would have changed the NYR forecheck...

Akeson's a great story -- some guys just need a chance!
- AllInForFlyers

We have to see how he plays long term. Earlier in the Season, McGinn came up and had a few goals and played well, only to fade over time. So far so good with Akeson, and I hope he keeps playing well. Gives the Flyers more offensive depth.

After that crappy start, it was nice to see the Flyers start being more aggressive pursuing the puck. Through the first four periods of this series, I got really sick of watching them kind of watch a puck they should be going after, or two guys in range of the puck waiting for the other to grab it. It's like they resigned themselves to impending turnovers.

I'm liking Akeson's play, he belongs.
- BulliesPhan87

he has looked good.....makes you wonder why it has taken till now for this kid to get a decent look? He put up decent #s in the A, with out a lot of skill around him.

morning fellas!! always better waking up 1-1 then 0-2, especially on a freaking Monday - can't wait for tuesday - more ice for Giroux and the rowdy crowd!!

he has looked good.....makes you wonder why it has taken till now for this kid to get a decent look? He put up decent #s in the A, with out a lot of skill around him.
- landros 2

Maybe they wanted him to get consistent time in top minute situations. He was a scoring player down there (citation needed), up here the crucial minutes in which we need a goal would've gone to Giroux's line.

Either way, it's working out fine, eh?

A few things:

First, that game was a microcosm of the Flyers' season. Down 2-0 ten minutes in, just like being 1-7 to start the season, and being vastly outplayed. Then, they weather the storm, start doing yoeman's work, and Jake scores a huge goal. He tells everyone to settle down, the guys listen, and they settle in and do what they're capable of doing. They battled through adversity just like the whole season, came from behind, and pulled off a- frankly- improbable feat of stymieing the 3rd period loving Rangers in the 3rd period.

Secondly, and more importantly, THAT IS HOW YOU BEAT THAT (frank)ING TEAM. Just look at the differences...how does the first Rangers goal happen? Well I'll tell you.

Step one: The Rangers clog up the neutral zone
Step two: Coburn gathers the puck in front of the Flyers bench, and slings a cross ice pass to Hall on the opposite boards
Step three: The pass is botched, and out of Hall's reach
Step four: Rangers Dman corrals it, fires it up the ice from his blue line, and springs a 3-2 that results in Emery getting left out to dry

Not enough? Ok, let's take a look at the second goal then.

Step one: Hartnell gains the offensive blue line
Step two: He forces a cross ice pass into the slot intended for G
Step three: The Rangers clog up the slot
Step four: The Rangers pick it off, and on the ensuing rush, Grossmann gets called for interference
Step Five: The Rangers score on the PP

Allllllllllllrighty. So, common denominator? CROSS ICE EAST WEST poop DOES NOT WORK AGAINST THIS TEAM.

Was it a coincidence that the Flyers started to dictate the flow of the game, gained momentum, and outplayed the Rangers when they cut that east-west poop out of their game, and drove through the neutral zone with speed and played a north south game?

Jake's goal came from a pass from G who flipped the puck, north south, so Jake could use his speed, pick up the disc, and fly down the boards and make a power move. North south. The third goal off Schenn's stick came off of a no nonsense line rush rebound, 3-3, where the puck was carried through the neutral zone, down the boards, and muscled on net. North south.

I can't remember that Stralman interference on Hartnell that led to the PP Akeson scored on for goal #2, but I'm curious to see if it was because the Flyers entered the neutral zone playing a north-south game.

It's not hard to beat this team. The problem is the Flyers like to be cute, and that plays RIGHT into the Rangers' game.

Cut the poop and drive the puck forward. Forecheck. Hit MikDunnuh, and beat these bumholes.

/soapbox
- Giroux_Is_God

Well done. You're taking over for Mike Milbury for the next game. Much better analysis then he would offer.

And it reminds me of something I've said before. Hockey isn't a complicated game.

We have to see how he plays long term. Earlier in the Season, McGinn came up and had a few goals and played well, only to fade over time. So far so good with Akeson, and I hope he keeps playing well. Gives the Flyers more offensive depth.
- MJL

McGinn was able to pot a few goals, but Akeson is driving possession, which is a much stronger indicator of sustainable future production.

Well done. You're taking over for Mike Milbury for the next game. Much better analysis then he would offer.

And it reminds me of something I've said before. Hockey isn't a complicated game.
- MJL

But...but.. Corsi says...

Emery should and will start game 3. Mason will of not played in over a week coming off a concussion...why risk it ? He may not be ready to go anyways... Now if the Flyers drop Game 3, then maybe the door opens up.... Emery kept a poor performing team in game one for 2 1/2 periods...and out dueled the "king" yesturday....absolutely no reason to make a change for game 3.

Emery at 100% is just as good as Mason at 80%.

But...but.. Corsi says...
- Streit2ThePoint

That if you out-shoot your opponents, you probably have the puck more, and that means your chances of winning are better.

Nothing complicated there.

Maybe they wanted him to get consistent time in top minute situations. He was a scoring player down there (citation needed), up here the crucial minutes in which we need a goal would've gone to Giroux's line.

Either way, it's working out fine, eh?
- BulliesPhan87

He has something you cant teach....skill.

Emery should and will start game 3. Mason will of not played in over a week coming off a concussion...why risk it ? He may not be ready to go anyways... Now if the Flyers drop Game 3, then maybe the door opens up.... Emery kept a poor performing team in game one for 2 1/2 periods...and out dueled the "king" yesturday....absolutely no reason to make a change for game 3.

Emery at 100% is just as good as Mason at 80%.
- landros 2

if Mason is 100%, he plays - if not, Emery will start.

We have to see how he plays long term. Earlier in the Season, McGinn came up and had a few goals and played well, only to fade over time. So far so good with Akeson, and I hope he keeps playing well. Gives the Flyers more offensive depth.
- MJL

I take the long view with such things -- Akeson's one of those guys who is always going to have someone looking over his shoulder, but when I speak of him at this present time, it's under the aegis of a rookie who simply put in the time in the minors as an undrafted player and earned a shot on the roster.

No clue how long it lasts, or how it ends. Just think it's great that young players who aren't Grade-A prospects can overcome labels and open a few eyes.

McGinn was able to pot a few goals, but Akeson is driving possession, which is a much stronger indicator of sustainable future production.
- Tomahawk

Akeson isn't going to stay in the lineup based on a very small sample size of Corsi stats. If he doesn't play well enough away from the puck. And doesn't provide some offense.

And looking at the team wide Corsi stats, and seeing the huge discrepancy between Akeson and the rest of the team, only further points out how flawed they are.

He has something you cant teach....skill.
- landros 2

I'm more impressed with how the puck always seems to find him... some guys just have a knack for always being in the right place at the right time. I'm pretty excited about the kid.

Emery should and will start game 3. Mason will of not played in over a week coming off a concussion...why risk it ? He may not be ready to go anyways... Now if the Flyers drop Game 3, then maybe the door opens up.... Emery kept a poor performing team in game one for 2 1/2 periods...and out dueled the "king" yesturday....absolutely no reason to make a change for game 3.

Emery at 100% is just as good as Mason at 80%.
- landros 2

I don't beleive the injury that Mason has is a concussion.

I take the long view with such things -- Akeson's one of those guys who is always going to have someone looking over his shoulder, but when I speak of him at this present time, it's under the aegis of a rookie who simply put in the time in the minors as an undrafted player and earned a shot on the roster.

No clue how long it lasts, or how it ends. Just think it's great that young players who aren't Grade-A prospects can overcome labels and open a few eyes.
- AllInForFlyers

Akeson isn't going to stay in the lineup based on a very small sample size of Corsi stats. If he doesn't play well enough away from the puck. And doesn't provide some offense.

And looking at the team wide Corsi stats, and seeing the huge discrepancy between Akeson and the rest of the team, only further points out how flawed they are.
- MJL

I'm not getting started today, especially after a win, but this post...wow.

Some people just can't bear to say, "You know what? Jason Akeson's been the Flyers' two or three best forwards in the first two games, and I didn't think he could do it."

It's always gotta be something where what the player does or doesn't do on the ice has to be damned with faint praise for the overall narrative that diminishes what they accomplished.

I'm more impressed with how the puck always seems to find him... some guys just have a knack for always being in the right place at the right time. I'm pretty excited about the kid.
- Tomahawk

but but but....he's small, and undrafted and didn't get called up until game 82!

I'm more impressed with how the puck always seems to find him... some guys just have a knack for always being in the right place at the right time. I'm pretty excited about the kid.
- Tomahawk

so far, for sure...the puck does seem to find him...no matter what level it takes a certain "hockey sense" to produce like that. maybe ...just maybe that translates to the NHL....so far Im impressed...

Mason is the better goalie....he proved it all year. With that said I doubt he gets the start in Game 3 from what I've read. Certainly sounds like a concussion. We have to get behind Emery hes good enough to do the job
- Just5

Nobody is questioning who the better goalie is. My arguement is that the outcome of the series so far would be the same no matter who was in net. Some like to think that Mason could have "stole" game 1. Mason in net was not going to stop the Flyers from the constant stroll to the penalty box and Mason in net wasn't going to get the Flyers more than 1 shot on goal in the 3rd period. If Mason is ready to play then yes he should play. I am not making the arguement that Emery should start ahead of Mason.

I don't beleive the injury that Mason has is a concussion.
- MJL

I'm starting to think that as well.