My eye test disagrees. I felt they were in "hang on for dear life and hope for a break" mode most of the time when in even strength.
- Scoob

They played pretty well at ES in Games 1 and 2. Games 3-6 were just "pray the goalie makes a save and we can get a fluke goal," for the most part.

The Macdonald-Ghost pairing was critical to getting the Flyers into playoffs. Why do you think it was so god awful in playoffs? Was it the even plus minus rating against the biggest offensive juggernaut in the league?
- Baxter27

Gostisbehere especially. The Flyers were very fortunate that they had MacDonald when Del Zotto went down.

They played pretty well at ES in Games 1 and 2. Games 3-6 were just "pray the goalie makes a save and we can get a fluke goal," for the most part.
- jmatchett383

I think Washington carried a lot of the play, but they still only gave up 6 goals at ES in 6 games. Goaltending had a lot to do with that.

My eye test disagrees. I felt they were in "hang on for dear life and hope for a break" mode most of the time when in even strength.
- Scoob

Well your eyes missed some long stretches of play where the Flyers were in the driver's seat. They certainly had their hold on for dear life stretches as well but it wasn't "most of the time". We all knew they were going into a series they'd have to hold on for dear life at times.

The only part of the team that let me down was the power play and that was explained by injuries. Adjustments needed to be made to the PK quicker than they were but that doesn't mean I wasn't impressed with guys like Schultz giving up their bodies time after time.

My eye test disagrees. I felt they were in "hang on for dear life and hope for a break" mode most of the time when in even strength.
- Scoob

At all times. Especially that Ghost/Mac pair. The Caps completely controlled the play pretty much at all times. Lots of diving around losing their men type stuff.

Well your eyes missed some long stretches of play where the Flyers were in the driver's seat. They certainly had their hold on for dear life stretches as well but it wasn't "most of the time". We all knew they were going into a series they'd have to hold on for dear life at times.

The only part of the team that let me down was the power play and that was explained by injuries. Adjustments needed to be made to the PK quicker than they were but that doesn't mean I wasn't impressed with guys like Schultz giving up their bodies time after time.
- Baxter27

So you are saying if they were healthy they would have won that series? Not sure if my eyes need to be checked, but thats not how I saw it at all.

I think Washington carried a lot of the play, but they still only gave up 6 goals at ES in 6 games. Goaltending had a lot to do with that.
- MJL

Thats also a huge part of it as well.

If Mase and Neuvy dont completely play out of their minds for the most part.. its an ugly series.

So you are saying if they were healthy they would have won that series? Not sure if my eyes need to be checked, but thats not how I saw it at all.
- jak521

i think we would have easily gotten to a game 7 if we score on any of 20 of 21 opportunities we missed. id say we shouldve won game 1, not couldve. and if it werent for a goose egg on the powerplay in game 6, we couldve won that game too. the only game i think that we totally had our asses handed to us was game 3. game 2 we let go towards the end after "the goal." i dont think its completely asinine to think we couldve won the series tho had we been healthy.

Thats also a huge part of it as well.

If Mase and Neuvy dont completely play out of their minds for the most part.. its an ugly series.
- jak521

well, yes, also very very true

i think we would have easily gotten to a game 7 if we score on any of 20 of 21 opportunities we missed. id say we shouldve won game 1, not couldve. and if it werent for a goose egg on the powerplay in game 6, we couldve won that game too. the only game i think that we totally had our asses handed to us was game 3. game 2 we let go towards the end after "the goal." i dont think its completely asinine to think we couldve won the series tho had we been healthy.
- sjk540

I'd like their chances a lot better with Giroux and Voracek in better condition.

Where did I suggest not playing him? I'm suggesting playing him in the best spot and role to succeed. I'd play the crap out of Gostisbehere, in offensive situations, as much as possible.
- MJL

since the other teams best players will be used the most...he will be up against them if they play him as much as possible

I'd like their chances a lot better with Giroux and Voracek in better condition.
- MJL

missed #14

that was a big loss

since the other teams best players will be used the most...he will be up against them if they play him as much as possible
- YuenglingJagr

le
Lt's look at a simple number. Evander Kane led all NHL forwards is ES ice time per game at 17:22 per game. Is there any ice time left over? As I stated previously, he will see some time against top lines. You can't always get the matchups you want especially on the road. Other teams will be targeting Gostisbehere defensively, and trying to get their top lines out against him. I'll reiterate that I'd keep him out of matchups against top lines, as much as possible, and play him in offensive situations, as much as possible. There will also be some games where the Flyers feel they can take advantage of other teams top lines, if they feel they're weak defensively, so that's a possibility also, of playing Gostisbehere in that situation.

missed #14

that was a big loss
- Marc D

Absolutely. Neglected to include that.

missed #14

that was a big loss
- Marc D

Injured Giroux, a 75% Voracek. No Couturier. Make do defense pairs with out Del Zotto. Far from a healthy team. Also had a grueling stretch run with loads of games in a tight time frame

So you are saying if they were healthy they would have won that series? Not sure if my eyes need to be checked, but thats not how I saw it at all.
- jak521

I'm not saying that. But I like their chances much better with a healthy Giroux, Voracek and Ghost. I think it was amazing how close they played with a President's Trophy winner despite those injuries. I do not think the Ghost-Macdonald pairing was something that hurt the Flyers in the series.

le
Lt's look at a simple number. Evander Kane led all NHL forwards is ES ice time per game at 17:22 per game. Is there any ice time left over? As I stated previously, he will see some time against top lines. You can't always get the matchups you want especially on the road. Other teams will be targeting Gostisbehere defensively, and trying to get their top lines out against him. I'll reiterate that I'd keep him out of matchups against top lines, as much as possible, and play him in offensive situations, as much as possible. There will also be some games where the Flyers feel they can take advantage of other teams top lines, if they feel they're weak defensively, so that's a possibility also, of playing Gostisbehere in that situation.
- MJL

its funny you say that though because its exactly the opposite...ghost is one of the best on the team at breakups and failed entries

pairing him with macdonald, the worst on the team, means teams target macdonald. ghosts best defensive ability comes from preventing plays from happening, not necessarily stopping them while they are happening. putting the two of them together results in each of their weaknesses being exploited

Injured Giroux, a 75% Voracek. No Couturier. Make do defense pairs with out Del Zotto. Far from a healthy team. Also had a grueling stretch run with loads of games in a tight time frame
- Jsaquella

getting in the playoffs was kind of their victory this year

I really enjoyed the stretch run, fun to watch games and be a fan again

the fall/early season blew

Gostisbehere especially. The Flyers were very fortunate that they had MacDonald when Del Zotto went down.
- MJL

That was the point I was trying to make. Ghost no doubt had the biggest impact but Macdonald stepping in from the minors and meshing well with him gave them stability down the stretch.

its funny you say that though because its exactly the opposite...ghost is one of the best on the team at breakups and failed entries

pairing him with macdonald, the worst on the team, means teams target macdonald. ghosts best defensive ability comes from preventing plays from happening, not necessarily stopping them while they are happening. putting the two of them together results in each of their weaknesses being exploited
- YuenglingJagr

I put zero stock in any of those zone entry stats. Can you tell me where they get the data for those stats?

As far as the pairing, MacDonald is solid position wise, and reliable. He plays a low risk, safe game, which compliments Gostisbehere well, and allows him to use his anticipation skills, to pinch and step up, knowing that MacDonald will be in position to cover for him.

That was the point I was trying to make. Ghost no doubt had the biggest impact but Macdonald stepping in from the minors and meshing well with him gave them stability down the stretch.
- Baxter27

No question.

I put zero stock in any of those zone entry stats. Can you tell me where they get the data for those stats?

As far as the pairing, MacDonald is solid position wise, and reliable. He plays a low risk, safe game, which compliments Gostisbehere well, and allows him to use his anticipation skills, to pinch and step up, knowing that MacDonald will be in position to cover for him.
- MJL

the same place all the NHL teams get them

I put zero stock in any of those zone entry stats. Can you tell me where they get the data for those stats?

As far as the pairing, MacDonald is solid position wise, and reliable. He plays a low risk, safe game, which compliments Gostisbehere well, and allows him to use his anticipation skills, to pinch and step up, knowing that MacDonald will be in position to cover for him.
- MJL

im sorry, ive listened to people defend AMac, and thats all well and good with advanced stats, but how you can say he is solid position wise is beyond me. The guy is an absolute turn style. he gives up the blue line like kirstie alley gave up diets. he is constantly getting caught out of position behind the net or high in the circles, he continuously turns the puck over in his own zone, and he doesnt have the mentality behind taking any gambles, the occasional pinch, etc.

he is unequivocally the problem, not the solution.

the same place all the NHL teams get them
- YuenglingJagr

That's a failed answer. You don't know where they get them from. What's the criteria they use, for what's a successful zone entry and what's not.

If a forward enters the zone, and a defenseman wedges him off the puck 15 feet inside the blueline, and his defense partner gets the puck and transitions the other way, is that a successful zone entry?

im sorry, ive listened to people defend AMac, and thats all well and good with advanced stats, but how you can say he is solid position wise is beyond me. The guy is an absolute turn style. he gives up the blue line like kirstie alley gave up diets. he is constantly getting caught out of position behind the net or high in the circles, he continuously turns the puck over in his own zone, and he doesnt have the mentality behind taking any gambles, the occasional pinch, etc.

he is unequivocally the problem, not the solution.
- sjk540

His coverage inside the defensive zone is one of his best traits. He very rarely looses his coverage or his man. I don't see where he constantly turns the puck over in his own zone. He has been charged with 45 giveaways in his last 78 regular season games over two seasons. That's the problem with a lot of the criticism towards MacDonald. Lots of exaggeration and hyperbole. He certainly has his faults, and at times plays too conservative, but it's over blown. I think that's a product of being misused for so many year with the Isles, and he's struggled to correct and become more aggressive to make an bigger impact on the game. He's signed to a bad contract and is overpaid, but he remains what he's always been. A reliable puck mover and defender, and an average 2nd pair defenseman.