nice to see them win, but they have to start being consistent if they want any chance of a post season.

elliott needs a rest and neuvirth is going to have to be good. he's capable. but will he be? or will he get hurt again just from breathing?
- hammarby31

Elliott does look like he needs a rest but they also need points so I can understand the coach trying to find the right spot. I might play Elliott against the Blues Saturday and then Neuvirth Sunday against the Sabres. That gives Elliott 6 days before the next game against the Devils.

Based on their post game quotes, I'm skeptical that the Flyers' ability to get to the scoring areas last night was a reflection of their own play and think it has more to do with the Isles being god awful defensively. Most GA, worst PK, 2nd worst ESGA.

Hopefully some guys use it as a building block or something, because they still need to do it against good defensive teams

in other news Ghost continues to be one of the best players on the ice. They have no one who can fill his role, he still makes mistakes but what D doesn't? By the way a good reason to get Sanheim in, all the D makes mistakes

In this league very few D can run the point on the PP like Ghost
- wcorvette

The way he kept the puck in the zone to set up the first 2 goals was beautiful. I love Ghost.

Patrick, Simmonds and Weal I thought had one of their best games as a line.

I don’t get the Amac hate. He was really solid last night. Sure he has his rough spots and a few turnovers. Whatever.

The way he kept the puck in the zone to set up the first 2 goals was beautiful. I love Ghost.
- Marc D

But we need to trade him or make him a winger or something.

He's still the most dynamic player on our back-end. He's not the best, but he's a game breaking type and his puck skills are still top-end. He'll never be a great defensive player, but as long as he's not making terrible reads (like the turnover in the 3rd) consistently, you just hope he can be on the positive end more often than not.

they gave up the blue line like is what an xmas gift
- wcorvette

Not just that, their d-zone coverage was spotty. I really like Hagg, but he's had a few rough games in a row and could probably use a game or 2 off. Also, Sanheim needs to be playing, whether it's in the NHL or AHL.

But, as we all know, Hakstol has shown over his tenure that he prefers to keep the same lineup when the team wins more often than not. I hope that next game is one of the "not" times, as Elliott needs a game off if nothing else.

nice to see them win, but they have to start being consistent if they want any chance of a post season.

elliott needs a rest and neuvirth is going to have to be good. he's capable. but will he be? or will he get hurt again just from breathing?
- hammarby31

The effort last night and the way they played vs Tampa as another example is how they have to play to win. But imho it’s just not sustainable for this team over 82 games. They have to skate with playoff level intensity every night, because otherwise they lose. They have too many holes in the line up at this point for them to coast to a win.

hey, thanks guys.

But we need to trade him or make him a winger or something.

He's still the most dynamic player on our back-end. He's not the best, but he's a game breaking type and his puck skills are still top-end. He'll never be a great defensive player, but as long as he's not making terrible reads (like the turnover in the 3rd) consistently, you just hope he can be on the positive end more often than not.
- jmatchett383

He’s a joy to watch. I know he’s sometimes high risk, but I hope to watch him as a Flyer for many more years. I think as he matures, the defensive side of his game will improve. He will hopefully get close to where Kimmo was, using his speed and intelligence to get great D position. Small players can become good defenders but it takes a while to master it.

He’s a joy to watch. I know he’s sometimes high risk, but I hope to watch him as a Flyer for many more years. I think as he matures, the defensive side of his game will improve. He will hopefully get close to where Kimmo was, using his speed and intelligence to get great D position. Small players can become good defenders but it takes a while to master it.
- Marc D

Never going to happen. Imho, of course.

He’s a joy to watch. I know he’s sometimes high risk, but I hope to watch him as a Flyer for many more years. I think as he matures, the defensive side of his game will improve. He will hopefully get close to where Kimmo was, using his speed and intelligence to get great D position. Small players can become good defenders but it takes a while to master it.
- Marc D

I doubt Ghost will ever even be in Timonen's stratosphere defensively. Matt Carle may be his defensive ceiling.

Based on their post game quotes, I'm skeptical that the Flyers' ability to get to the scoring areas last night was a reflection of their own play and think it has more to do with the Isles being god awful defensively. Most GA, worst PK, 2nd worst ESGA.

Hopefully some guys use it as a building block or something, because they still need to do it against good defensive teams
- YuenglingJagr

I think it was pretty clear that the Flyers were a more determined team last night. Certainly the Isles weak defensive play presented opportunities for the Flyers to take advantage of. Agree totally that the same effort and determination needs to be there against better defensive teams.

He’s a joy to watch. I know he’s sometimes high risk, but I hope to watch him as a Flyer for many more years. I think as he matures, the defensive side of his game will improve. He will hopefully get close to where Kimmo was, using his speed and intelligence to get great D position. Small players can become good defenders but it takes a while to master it.
- Marc D

Marc, Timonen was a true #1 defender. I seriously doubt that Gostisbehere gets anywhere close to that level defensively. The best hope is that he continues to be adequate defensively along with his elite puck and playmaking skills.

nice to see them win, but they have to start being consistent if they want any chance of a post season.

elliott needs a rest and neuvirth is going to have to be good. he's capable. but will he be? or will he get hurt again just from breathing?
- hammarby31

Just like my wife says. It’s nice while it lasted

Marc, Timonen was a true #1 defender. I seriously doubt that Gostisbehere gets anywhere close to that level defensively. The best hope is that he continues to be adequate defensively along with his elite puck and playmaking skills.
- MJL

I think Provorov develops with the qualities that Timonen brought(quiet leadership, dependable, brilliant hockey IQ) with better size and tools.

Ghost skates like Scott Niedernayer and has a pretty high hockey IQ himself. So I'd be hesitant to put a ceiling on him. Agree with your point that I'm not expecting him to be a #1 defender.

Sanheim cannot replace MacDonald on the Flyers defense corps now. MacDonald plays too big of a role on the Flyers.

Accepting that argument as true for a minute, Sanheim should still be playing LHD in the next game and Hagg or Manning should be sitting out. It's not OK for a prospect like Sanheim to be healthy scratched for an extended period.

while I don't think ghost will ever be an elite defender...His last few games he has showed he can be very good in his own end. So we know it's in there. A high end scoring D man who plays responsibly in his own end. Him paired with Provy could be an elite first pairing for years.

Accepting that argument as true for a minute, Sanheim should still be playing LHD in the next game and Hagg or Manning should be sitting out. It's not OK for a prospect like Sanheim to be healthy scratched for an extended period.
- Feanor

I agree and right now in my opinion, Hagg needs a reset and should sit in favor of Sanheim. The issue then becomes that Sanheim can't play with MacDonald in the current strategy of usage and deployment.

I agree and right now in my opinion, Hagg needs a reset and should sit in favor of Sanheim. The issue then becomes that Sanheim can't play with MacDonald in the current strategy of usage and deployment.
- MJL

Sanheim could play with MacDonald, and that pairing would work better than the current one because Hagg and MacDonald are too similar.

I agree and right now in my opinion, Hagg needs a reset and should sit in favor of Sanheim. The issue then becomes that Sanheim can't play with MacDonald in the current strategy of usage and deployment.
- MJL

You would almost have to do something like this:

Provorov - Gostisbehere
Manning - MacDonald
Sanheim - Gudas

I agree and right now in my opinion, Hagg needs a reset and should sit in favor of Sanheim. The issue then becomes that Sanheim can't play with MacDonald in the current strategy of usage and deployment.
- MJL

why? it's not like the Mac/Hagg pairing is achieving the shut down role.

Based on their post game quotes, I'm skeptical that the Flyers' ability to get to the scoring areas last night was a reflection of their own play and think it has more to do with the Isles being god awful defensively. Most GA, worst PK, 2nd worst ESGA.

Hopefully some guys use it as a building block or something, because they still need to do it against good defensive teams
- YuenglingJagr

I get what you are saying, and agree to some extent, but on the other side of the coin, they still needed to execute, regardless of who they were playing against. The opportunity was there and they took it. They came out motivated, ready to play, and very physical.

But yes, let's see if they actually come out like that on Saturday.

Sanheim could play with MacDonald, and that pairing would work better than the current one because Hagg and MacDonald are too similar.
- Feanor

The MacDonald-Hagg pairing is seeing a lot of ice time against top lines with heavy D zone starts. I don't see Sanheim doing well in that role and I don't think it would be fair or good for his development. I don't think it's great for Hagg either.

You would almost have to do something like this:

Provorov - Gostisbehere
Manning - MacDonald
Sanheim - Gudas
- J35Bacher

these look good. But Hagg, while hitting a bump, has played pretty good this year. I don't think he'll sit for long if Hak goes that way.

You would almost have to do something like this:

Provorov - Gostisbehere
Manning - MacDonald
Sanheim - Gudas
- J35Bacher

That would be likely with Hagg out.