Bill Meltzer
@billmeltzer
"Very honored and humbled to be presenting Yanick Dupre Award tonight on behalf of Philadelphia PHWA."
- CaptEO

Awesome!!

Here's something I never really got as far as positions and being tired. I played some hockey as a kid, goalie for a bit, but stopped in high school, so guys who have played all their lives might be able to chime in.

The goalie pretty much stands there all game, unless the puck is in their end the entire night, but let's say for the sake of argument the average the time of possession is split between both teams. The players are out there skating and checking and shooting for 18-22 minutes per game, hopefully skating hard and giving it all they got for each shift, so why does a goalie who has played so many games in a row get a pass for being tired but the rest of the team doesn't? There's no back up for Giroux, I'm sure he's played more games in a row than Mason has. Never really made sense to me. Is it because the players are expected to be better conditioned than the goalie?

I agree with your lineup. Can't quote posts on the first page for some reason. Using firefox, or Explorer.

I would definitely sit MacDonald for Medvedev, but I think I'd substitute Laughton for VDV.
- PLindbergh31

I don't think Hak will mess with the 4th line and VDV is also one of his regulars on the PK. Honestly, I think Read has been playing worse than any of the other forwards. I'm wondering if he's nursing an injury.

Ghost fires the puck on his own net with a Redwing crashing the crease and it's MacDonald's fault.
- Feanor

AMac's gaffe came right after the faceoff when he stuttered forward, almost ready to challenge for the puck, then remembered who he was and retreated backwards.

Just an awkward, unfortunate play all around. And definitely a penalty, especially with the crap they called later.

I don't think Hak will mess with the 4th line and VDV is also one of his regulars on the PK. Honestly, I think Read has been playing worse than any of the other forwards. I'm wondering if he's nursing an injury.
- BiggE

Read hasn't been good, no argument there. I guess Read is yet another bad contract at this point.

Well... despite the loss, you guys still control your own destiny

I would make a few lineup changes for tonight's game. AMac did not look good even for him last night, and I'm pretty sure he's feeling some lingering effects from the hit in the Pens game. So change #1 would be subbing Medvedev for him. My D pairs would be:

Schultz-Streit
Medvedev-Gudas
Manning-Ghost

Up front, I'd sit Read who seems to be really struggling and get Laughton, and his fresh 21 year old legs, into the game. I'd also tweak the lines a bit and go with:

Schenn-G-Jake
Raffl-Coots-Simmonds
Laughton-Cousins-Gagner
the usual 4th

Thoughts?
- BiggE

I think they need to switch Couturier and Giroux. Neither Line is creating right now and it would re-unite lines that have had success in the not so distant past.

I would ainsert Laughton for Gagner or Cousins. Read is still playing important roles on the PK & PP despite questionable 5 on 5 play which could be said about many of the Flyers right now.

standing there like a cigar store indian
- PLindbergh31

That was Bobby Taylor's job before he went to the broadcast booth. It made his nickname all that more appropriate. I would bet his career save %, if calculated, would be below .850.

Here's something I never really got as far as positions and being tired. I played some hockey as a kid, goalie for a bit, but stopped in high school, so guys who have played all their lives might be able to chime in.

The goalie pretty much stands there all game, unless the puck is in their end the entire night, but let's say for the sake of argument the average the time of possession is split between both teams. The players are out there skating and checking and shooting for 18-22 minutes per game, hopefully skating hard and giving it all they got for each shift, so why does a goalie who has played so many games in a row get a pass for being tired but the rest of the team doesn't? There's no back up for Giroux, I'm sure he's played more games in a row than Mason has. Never really made sense to me. Is it because the players are expected to be better conditioned than the goalie?
- Tomfan365

It's probably not just the games themselves but the travel, the constant interviews and practices, and the length of the season itself...all on top of the physical aspects of the game.

I don't think Hak will mess with the 4th line and VDV is also one of his regulars on the PK. Honestly, I think Read has been playing worse than any of the other forwards. I'm wondering if he's nursing an injury.
- BiggE

PK was good last night. Game could have been finished a lot earlier than it was with a 3rd goal.

AMac's gaffe came right after the faceoff when he stuttered forward, almost ready to challenge for the puck, then remembered who he was and retreated backwards.

Just an awkward, unfortunate play all around. And definitely a penalty, especially with the crap they called later.
- wolfhounds

MacDonald should tape this to his stick.....

Here's something I never really got as far as positions and being tired. I played some hockey as a kid, goalie for a bit, but stopped in high school, so guys who have played all their lives might be able to chime in.

The goalie pretty much stands there all game, unless the puck is in their end the entire night, but let's say for the sake of argument the average the time of possession is split between both teams. The players are out there skating and checking and shooting for 18-22 minutes per game, hopefully skating hard and giving it all they got for each shift, so why does a goalie who has played so many games in a row get a pass for being tired but the rest of the team doesn't? There's no back up for Giroux, I'm sure he's played more games in a row than Mason has. Never really made sense to me. Is it because the players are expected to be better conditioned than the goalie?
- Tomfan365

I've never played professional hockey, let alone professional goalie, but here is my take:

As a goalie you have to keep your eyes on the puck and pay attention to where it is on the ice at all times. Then while the play is in your zone, you're moving side to side, up and down (whether the shot gets through or not), you're kicking, stretching, and up and down with all the equipment.

I think the mental portion of the position is far more exhausting then the physical which is pretty tough too.

I've had days at the office where I've sat on my a$$ but have gone home more tired than if I was in and out of office all day on jobs. Only because the mental stress of the day was more tiring than the physical.

I think they are going to destroy the Leafs, but by a miracle they don't you will see plenty of excuses.
- PLindbergh31

If they don't win the only " excuse" is they are not ready to be a playoff team.
There is no exceptions tonight.. It is " seek and destroy" to use a title from a great Metallica tune

MacDonald should tape this to his stick.....


- PLindbergh31

Here's something I never really got as far as positions and being tired. I played some hockey as a kid, goalie for a bit, but stopped in high school, so guys who have played all their lives might be able to chime in.

The goalie pretty much stands there all game, unless the puck is in their end the entire night, but let's say for the sake of argument the average the time of possession is split between both teams. The players are out there skating and checking and shooting for 18-22 minutes per game, hopefully skating hard and giving it all they got for each shift, so why does a goalie who has played so many games in a row get a pass for being tired but the rest of the team doesn't? There's no back up for Giroux, I'm sure he's played more games in a row than Mason has. Never really made sense to me. Is it because the players are expected to be better conditioned than the goalie?
- Tomfan365

I think you've understated the actual physical demands on a goaltender during a game. Additionally goaltending is mentally challenging. He can't take a mental break like a player can while on the bench.

I agree with your lineup. Can't quote posts on the first page for some reason. Using firefox, or Explorer.

I would definitely sit MacDonald for Medvedev, but I think I'd substitute Laughton for VDV.
- PLindbergh31

They def gotta get laughton back in.

MacDonald should tape this to his stick.....


- PLindbergh31

Last night's game in a word: sloppy

Hoping for a better word for tonight.
- Scoob

Was a bit sloppy, but I think it had more to do with the aggressive forecheck of the Wings. They were hungry like I expected the Flyers to be. Flyers need to adapt to opposing teams' forecheck pressure. It looks like they still haven't figured it out. They were also a bit too lackadaisical for my liking last night. I saw a lot of coasting. They had a couple days off and they were desperate to get two points. I don't want to hear about playing X number of games in X number of days. As pro athletes, you find that other gear.

well, as a leaf fan, i truly hope the Flyers win this game as it gaurentees us 30th in the draft

That was Bobby Taylor's job before he went to the broadcast booth. It made his nickname all that more appropriate. I would bet his career save %, if calculated, would be below .850.
- GeorgeBailey

Bobby Taylor was actually a very highly regarded prospect coming out of junior. However, early in his career he suffered a severe muscle tear (it was either hamstring or groin) and he never regained his full mobility. From then on, he was just a journeyman.

MacDonald should tape this to his stick.....


- PLindbergh31

I thought Bellemare was the Frenchman

well, as a leaf fan, i truly hope the Flyers win this game as it gaurentees us 30th in the draft
- southpaww82

Oilers getting a new building, need another 1st overall pick to christen it.

I thought Bellemare was the Frenchman
- dragonoffrost

well played, Sir


Lets face it, the French national pastime is running away from Germans!

Tried to read Sam Hinkie's 13 page resignation letter....

Couldn't get through the Thinking about thinking part.

This game is a total layup. With the flyers playing to make the playoffs and Toronto playing for nothing, this is an easy and guaranteed win tonight.