It absolutely started with lack of execution... and from there things just unraveled. They were skating, working hard, hitting, etc.. in the first period. They just couldnt complete passes, they couldnt get continued puck possession, and then they caved. I remember specifically because I tweeted about 15 minutes in that they were working hard, just not executing. The 2nd and 3rd periods were just garbage.
- jak521

This is where I've been.

They have so much trouble moving out of their own end. Bad passes. Forcing passes into traffic or making a high risk pass. Passing to a stationary forward who then gets swarmed upon(which might be the most common issue last night).

That leads to chasing the play/puck. It's a huge waste of energy and effort and it has an effect on the mental approach, as guys get discouraged or fatigued.

Are there games where the other team simply goes at things harder? Sure. But in almost all those games, the first sign of trouble is a failed execution.

It absolutely started with lack of execution... and from there things just unraveled. They were skating, working hard, hitting, etc.. in the first period. They just couldnt complete passes, they couldnt get continued puck possession, and then they caved. I remember specifically because I tweeted about 15 minutes in that they were working hard, just not executing. The 2nd and 3rd periods were just garbage.
- jak521

I disagree. The Flyers had nothing in that game from the opening puck drop. They flat out didn't show up.

You go, Sisyphus!


- tangent_man

You're on fire today

if I'm making a pitch for Schultz, I'm lowballing Edmonton. if I'm trading significant assets, I'm targeting an Eberle, not spare parts.
- BulliesPhan87

Not interested in crybaby Schultz.

I disagree. The Flyers had nothing in that game from the opening puck drop. They flat out didn't show up.
- MJL

That's what I was going to say.. it's the effort, that I feel wasn't there at all..

This is where I've been.

They have so much trouble moving out of their own end. Bad passes. Forcing passes into traffic or making a high risk pass. Passing to a stationary forward who then gets swarmed upon(which might be the most common issue last night).

That leads to chasing the play/puck. It's a huge waste of energy and effort and it has an effect on the mental approach, as guys get discouraged or fatigued.

Are there games where the other team simply goes at things harder? Sure. But in almost all those games, the first sign of trouble is a failed execution.
- Jsaquella

Agreed. The breakouts are just terrible. We can beat some teams based on Jake and Giroux playing out of their minds and/or a goalie stealing a game (more or less). But their lack of execution is quite alarming.

I'm not there yet. I think Hexy probably believes that there wasn't much chance of this team winning this season, at least to the point of firing a coach. But he does make some head scratching moves like putting RJ on the power play rather than Laughton. Though that may also have to do with who works with who in practice and maybe Laughton hasnt worked on the power play yet. I don't know.

But his insistence of playing Umberger.......lets see what happens when Raffl returns and then I will make a judgement based on how that plays out.

What is wrong with Matt Read? He just doesn't seem like the same player.
- MBFlyerfan

I'm there, but I don't want it done right now. If they make a change the immediate pressure to win is gonna doom whomever takes over. If you fire Berube, wait until later, so the FNG isn't immediately just trying to win now, because that's counter productive to the long term vision.

That's what I was going to say.. it's the effort, that I feel wasn't there at all..
- WarriorHockey21

RJ Umberger is capable of scoring 25 goals... he just needs to try harder.

Agreed. The breakouts are just terrible. We can beat some teams based on Jake and Giroux playing out of their minds and/or a goalie stealing a game (more or less). But their lack of execution is quite alarming.
- jmatchett383

Agreed. The breakouts are just terrible. We can beat some teams based on Jake and Giroux playing out of their minds and/or a goalie stealing a game (more or less). But their lack of execution is quite alarming.
- jmatchett383

Even possession of the puck up the ice is a issue. Giroux was out, for a D-zone draw in the first, they went through 2 failed clears. Giroux got the puck and skated it up and out, got into the Isles zone carrying the puck and passed it off to Umberger, and went for a change. 15 seconds later, Mason was making a save.

RJ Umberger is capable of scoring 25 goals... he just needs to try harder.
- jak521

How many do you think he's capable of scoring as an NHL player?

This is where I've been.

They have so much trouble moving out of their own end. Bad passes. Forcing passes into traffic or making a high risk pass. Passing to a stationary forward who then gets swarmed upon(which might be the most common issue last night).

That leads to chasing the play/puck. It's a huge waste of energy and effort and it has an effect on the mental approach, as guys get discouraged or fatigued.

Are there games where the other team simply goes at things harder? Sure. But in almost all those games, the first sign of trouble is a failed execution.
- Jsaquella

Its so evident. I have been beating this drum all season long. Good teams- The Kings, Hawks, Pens, Ducks, etc... They execute much better. They posses the puck at a higher rate. When you do that, you wear on teams, and it looks as though the other team lacks effort.

Alarming numbers of failed clears, bad passes/ missed passed, lack of puck possession are not things that just "get better if you have more intensity"... they are fundamentals.

Even possession of the puck up the ice is a issue. Giroux was out, for a D-zone draw in the first, they went through 2 failed clears. Giroux got the puck and skated it up and out, got into the Isles zone carrying the puck and passed it off to Umberger, and went for a change. 15 seconds later, Mason was making a save.
- Jsaquella

So you're saying it's Giroux's fault for not winning the faceoff and not gathering the won puck, passing it off to Giroux, and then feeding Giroux for a tap-in?

But no, you're right. The lack of breakouts and failed clears is maddening.

How many do you think he's capable of scoring as an NHL player?
- jmatchett383

Working hard? 12
Not working hard? -12

So you're saying it's Giroux's fault for not winning the faceoff and not gathering the won puck, passing it off to Giroux, and then feeding Giroux for a tap-in?

But no, you're right. The lack of breakouts and failed clears is maddening.
- jmatchett383

Should have won the draw to Mason, gone up ice for the home run pass and elevated the puck

Should have won the draw to Mason, gone up ice for the home run pass and elevated the puck
- Jsaquella

SHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!

Its so evident. I have been beating this drum all season long. Good teams- The Kings, Hawks, Pens, Ducks, etc... They execute much better. They posses the puck at a higher rate. When you do that, you wear on teams, and it looks as though the other team lacks effort.

Alarming numbers of failed clears, bad passes/ missed passed, lack of puck possession are not things that just "get better if you have more intensity"... they are fundamentals.
- jak521

My worry from last night-and the last few games they lost-was that they had decent puck support from the forwards, and the breakout passing was so bad, it was immaterial

SHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!
- jmatchett383

HIT SUMBUDDEEEE!

I would aim big.

Coburn, Read, Schenn, 2nd rounder for Hall and Schultz


- J35Bacher

if theyre just giving things away, ill take eberle for scuderi

I would aim big.

Coburn, Read, Schenn, 2nd rounder for Hall and Schultz


- J35Bacher

delete

if theyre just giving things away, ill take eberle for scuderi
- stayinthefnnet

Umberger and VL for Crosby.

You're getting 2 players for one. But I'm in the giving spirit.

My worry from last night-and the last few games they lost-was that they had decent puck support from the forwards, and the breakout passing was so bad, it was immaterial
- Jsaquella

And you are right.. However, I dont pin that solely on the Defense (even though they were horrid). The forwards have also made a complete mess out of passing and receiving.

I know some are not fans of advanced stats, but look at the top 10 teams in CF% this season...

Chi, Nash, Minn, NYI, Bos, TB, Det, Stl, SJ, Pit... is that surprising?


Look at the bottom 10

Buf, Cgy, Col, Tor, Ott, Phi, Ari, CBJ, Flo, Dal, Mon.

The only one there surprising is Montreal

Love the way that islanders team is put together. I will be rooting for them this spring against the likes of the bruins, pens, rangers etc. they are a really fun team to watch. Okposo

Love the way that islanders team is put together. I will be rooting for them this spring against the likes of the bruins, pens, rangers etc. they are a really fun team to watch. Okposo
- Just5

They're a surprisingly physical team, too. They pushed the Flyers around.

But I hate Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck.

My worry from last night-and the last few games they lost-was that they had decent puck support from the forwards, and the breakout passing was so bad, it was immaterial
- Jsaquella

The defenseman were under seige the entire game. And the majority of the game was spent in the Flyers end of the ice. The Forwards lost their fair share of puck battles, made their share of missed passes, and turnovers. It was a team breakdown.