Yes, the party who believes in alternate facts is the one in touch with reality
- PhillySportsGuy

Hahahaha! Biggest inauguration crowd ever!

That defensive juggernaut Kings team with career schlub Peter Budaj are really throttling the Caps today. Looks like a replay of yesterdays game.
- PLindbergh31

Do you ever look at stats before you complain?
Kings lead the league in least amount of shots given up.

As far as the whining about Jakes contract goes, he's shown plenty of times this season why he's one of the premier wingers in the game. He's caught in a cold spell right now but I see no cause for the concern with his abilities. Did he maybe get paid a million bucks more a year than he's worth? Sure, maybe but that's the risk you take when signing the stars of the NHL. Easy to say they could've traded him for a premium package or signed him after a disappointing season last year but that is all theoretical. Who the hell would be filling his shoes now and for the future for the Flyers? There is no one in the system and hasn't been via free agency that is close close to Jake's level.

Do you ever look at stats before you complain?
Kings lead the league in least amount of shots given up.
- opeth_pa

I posted a stat before. Averaging 1.76 goals per game over the last 21 games. Playing boring hockey and losing games is fun isn't it?

Talk about hindsight and doom and gloom in here. When Giroux signed his deal he followed it up with a hart trophy worthy season. If they tried to sign him after that he would've been worth more than the price they got him for. Yet because he's had an underwhelming calendar year of Hockey 3 years later they should've never paid him like a franchise player which he has been for 5 of the past 6 years? I get people are upset with this team being the bubble team they were expected to be but the lack of loyalty to Giroux because he's "too much on the perimeter" or missed a few back checks is getting ridiculous. How about some hope and support for tha captain instead of reserving his spot in the morgue.
- Baxter27

Well said. Giroux has made our team relevant and competitive while carrying our team over the last several seasons dating back to trading Richards and Carter. The whole fanbase would have had their pitchforks out had we never resigned Giroux. Snider would have never allowed a homegrown franchise center walk away unsigned.

This is the biggest load of bullpoop I've ever heard. Culture doesn't matter in the NBA, but it does matter in hockey? Clearly the culture in Pittsburgh was too much for Crosby. And Edmonton! Those Oilers were a laughingstock and now McDavid is ruined! How about those tanking Leafs with Matthews. What a disaster!

I'm not saying winning culture isn't important, but building a winning culture starts with acquiring talented players who can, ya know, win hockey games.
- PhillySportsGuy

It's almost like you can have a winning culture long-term and not win in the present. And the young kids survive!

All purely hypothetical though....

I posted a stat before. Averaging 1.76 goals per game over the last 21 games. Playing boring hockey and losing games is fun isn't it?
- PLindbergh31

Coaches would rather lose 1-0 than 4-3. There is something in their brains that makes them believe the lower the score, the better their own team played.

Coaches would rather lose 1-0 than 4-3. There is something in their brains that makes them believe the lower the score, the better their own team played.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think you are right about that. The coach's job is to try and win with the hand he's been dealt. Scratching two of your higher end skilled players isn't the right formula for that imo. Especially when you are struggling to create chances and score goals.

Do you ever look at stats before you complain?
Kings lead the league in least amount of shots given up.
- opeth_pa

Also 4th in league in GA/G

I think you are right about that. The coach's job is to try and win with the hand he's been dealt. Scratching two of your higher end skilled players isn't the right formula for that imo. Especially when you are struggling to create chances and score goals.
- PLindbergh31

I wonder what the perception is if the Kings are able to bury a couple of their chances in regulation

Yes, the party who believes in alternate facts is the one in touch with reality
- PhillySportsGuy

Why am I not shocked!

I enjoy how Ghost had 10 points in 17 games to start the year. Then was scratched for the first time. And has 11 points in 31 games since.

It doesn't make ANY sense.....the scratch should have worked. It always works! Second one didn't work either. But he came back in after a win, and it was only 1 game. Mistake on Hakstol's part. So, logic would dictate being scratched a handful of games should get his game going again. If that doesn't work, he'll probably have to be traded because you can't have players to whom the message doesn't get through.

Coaches would rather lose 1-0 than 4-3. There is something in their brains that makes them believe the lower the score, the better their own team played.
- PhillySportsGuy

so true

Coaches would rather lose 1-0 than 4-3. There is something in their brains that makes them believe the lower the score, the better their own team played.
- PhillySportsGuy

The less goals and quality scoring chances a team gives up, is a strong indicator in how a team has played. Pretty simple.

I wonder what the perception is if the Kings are able to bury a couple of their chances in regulation
- PhillySportsGuy

Nuevirth played a really strong game. Kings easily could have won 3-0 in regulation. Flyers did absolutely nothing offensively in the entire game. It's like playing a game of tic tac toe and hoping you tie.

I enjoy how Ghost had 10 points in 17 games to start the year. Then was scratched for the first time. And has 11 points in 31 games since.

It doesn't make ANY sense.....the scratch should have worked. It always works! Second one didn't work either. But he came back in after a win, and it was only 1 game. Mistake on Hakstol's part. So, logic would dictate being scratched a handful of games should get his game going again. If that doesn't work, he'll probably have to be traded because you can't have players to whom the message doesn't get through.
- Mononoke

The message definitely got through. You're ignoring that is ultimately the player who is responsible for positive change to actually happen. A coach cannot just sit back and let young players continue to make the same mistakes over and over, without any consequences.

The less goals and quality scoring chances a team gives up, is a strong indicator in how a team has played. Pretty simple.
- MJL

Flyers were doubled in almost every category 5v5 and were 1 spectacular goalie performance away from a probable 3-0, 4-0 loss.

Yes, suppressing shots and chances (which they only half did) is a good barometer of how you do in your own zone. Except hockey is played outside the d-zone too. You do have to score yourself.

The less goals and quality scoring chances a team gives up, is a strong indicator in how a team has played. Pretty simple.
- MJL

What about creating your own chances?

What if you give up just 4 great scoring chances in a game, but generate just 2 or 3?

Why is that considered worse than giving up 7-8 prime scoring chances and generating 6-7 yourself?

It's just different styles of hockey, both executed poorly. I'd argue that playing low-event hockey with less scoring chances for both teams leaves more room for a single lucky bounce to decide the outcome of the game.


*in before you say that there isn't luck in hockey*

Flyers were doubled in almost every category 5v5 and were 1 spectacular goalie performance away from a probable 3-0, 4-0 loss.

Yes, suppressing shots and chances (which they only half did) is a good barometer of how you do in your own zone. Except hockey is played outside the d-zone too. You do have to score yourself.
- Mononoke

My comment was not about the Kings game, but rather a general statement. Suppressing shots and chances can lead to transition offense and more puck possession.

Are you (frank)ing retarded?
- PhillySportsGuy

I graduated with top honors from obedience school

Can we get this conversation back on track to the Flyers's forward core and their contention window and how they will acquire more Elite talon.

There is a strong correlation between allowing 0 goals and winning. More to come.

What about creating your own chances?

What if you give up just 4 great scoring chances in a game, but generate just 2 or 3?

Why is that considered worse than giving up 7-8 prime scoring chances and generating 6-7 yourself?

It's just different styles of hockey, both executed poorly. I'd argue that playing low-event hockey with less scoring chances for both teams leaves room for a single lucky bounce to decide the outcome of the game.


in before you say that there isn't luck in hockey*
- Nucker101

I think a team has to grow into a style of play. The Flyers made some adjustments in how they played, and I think in some points of the game, they were too cautious, so I think that if they're going to play this style , there is some corrections that can be made. We can't discount the opponents role in this game. LA is a strong checking and puck pressure team that limits shots and goals against. I agree, it is a fine line where in a 0-0 game, one lucky bounce or mistake can lose the game.

I think what Hakstol is trying to do here is find a way to correct the season long defensive issues that the team has had. They just can't keep bleeding quality chances against. They need to correct a lot of bad habits that this team has, and once hopefully they tighten up coverage and puck management issues, they can gradually become more aggressive again. I think this is a short term change looking for long term growth.

Can we get this conversation back on track to the Flyers's forward core and their contention window and how they will acquire more Elite talon.
- Mononoke

The Elite Talon bowling glove.

What now?

I graduated with top honors from obedience school
- Mononoke

I bit the trainer and peed on the carpet. Thankfully I'm cute so I can get away with it.