they are playing better, Ghost needs a blast to go in.
- wcorvette

And it’s not to say Lindblom or Couts and Ghost are playing poor. They just aren’t getting the points to win the tight / close games that’s we’ve been in as of late. It’s easy to forget the good performances with all these losses. Hell I thought we played the Pens fairly well outplayed them 2nd and 3rd period but the Pens got the bounces. We played very well on Saturday too. Reset and come back hot Thursday. Must win game imo.

they are playing better, Ghost needs a blast to go in.
- wcorvette

He needs one of his PP Point shots to go in without any deflection off the opponent.

I would like to recommend switching Filppula and Laughton
- YuenglingJagr

I have been saying that for a while. Laughton's usage is ridiculous. I don't particularly dislike Filp, still think he can be a bottom 6 winger, but his days as a center are over in my mind.

Yes, the team played hard, but moral victories mean squat this time of year. Especially when all the teams you're chasing and the ones chasing you are all winning! This team needs contributions from the bottom six, which they are not getting and better d zone coverage from Manning and MacDonald. A momentum/10 bell save from Mrazek would be nice every now and then too. The PK is simply a poop show on ice and has prevented the team from earning valuable points on too many occasions this season.

At this point, they may not even make the playoffs
- aantny88

MacDonald's defensive zone coverage play is among the best on the team.

I have been saying that for a while. Laughton's usage is ridiculous. I don't particularly dislike Filp, still think he can be a bottom 6 winger, but his days as a center are over in my mind.
- VladDrag

yes but give him positive MO as Hak loves him and he is the key to being in the playoffs...

playing Jackets while they are hot, then the Canes, Flyers dont necessarily match well against either team but need 3 points.

I have been saying that for a while. Laughton's usage is ridiculous. I don't particularly dislike Filp, still think he can be a bottom 6 winger, but his days as a center are over in my mind.
- VladDrag

Yeah, I have wanted it for a while too.

Fun fact: they have similar rate scoring stats (Laughton leading slightly)

Filppula has spent roughly 85% of his ice time with one or both of Simmonds, Voracek, and/or Konecny

Laughton has spent roughly 1% of his ice time with one or both of Simmonds, Voracek, and/or Konecny

MacDonald's defensive zone coverage play is among the best on the team.
- MJL

MAC was caught due mostly to Flip just doing nothing, Gliding along the wall, after the turnover.

MacDonald's defensive zone coverage play is among the best on the team.
- MJL

Really??? Do explain.

Really??? Do explain.
- mace14

No explanation needed. Watch him play.

MAC was caught due mostly to Flip just doing nothing, Gliding along the wall, after the turnover.
- wcorvette

There are numerous culprits on the GW goal.

No explanation needed. Watch him play.
- MJL

Watch the game winning goal from last night playing goalie is the goalies job not his. He was up against the post not out front where he should have been. Those few feet are the difference between getting to the guy in the slot and not.

Watch the game winning goal from last night playing goalie is the goalies job not his. He was up against the post not out front where he should have been. Those few feet are the difference between getting to the guy in the slot and not.
- mace14

I think you should watch the game winning goal and why MacDonald was where he was. If MacDonald moves out and covers Carpenter, who would've marked Eakins behind the net? Eakins would've been free to come right out in front and then you probably would've blamed MacDonald for that also.

Watch the game winning goal from last night playing goalie is the goalies job not his. He was up against the post not out front where he should have been. Those few feet are the difference between getting to the guy in the slot and not.
- mace14

The three guys losing the battle in the corner didn't help AMac's case.

The Flyers got out worked and outmuscled at the end of the game, just like in the Boston game. On a side note, since Mrazek has been in Philly his rebound control has been close to non existent. Hopefully the Flyers get things straightened out soon or they will limp into the playoffs?
- Thors-Hammer

He does seem to give up a disproportionate amount of big rebounds, but I admit, my only experience with Mrazek has been since he's been with the Flyers. I don't know if rebound control is one of his weaknesses or if this is more of a recent thing.

I think you should watch the game winning goal and why MacDonald was where he was. If MacDonald moves out and covers Carpenter, who would've marked Eakins behind the net? Eakins would've been free to come right out in front and then you probably would've blamed MacDonald for that also.
- MJL

Im not saying he should be high in the slot but out front where he can play both the guy coming from behind the net and the guy in the slot. Who is more dangerous the guy behind the net or the guy sitting in the slot. Hugging the post is the goalies job not his. i much rather take the guy in the slot then the wrap around. which do you think has a better chance of scoring?

It's all Lindblom and Sanheim's fault
- Mordecai

I just hope Lindblom gets more points over the next 3 games than Villanova gets wins this weekend in the NCAA tournament this weekend.

MAC was caught due mostly to Flip just doing nothing, Gliding along the wall, after the turnover.
- wcorvette

Simmonds also lost a 50-50 battle. Plenty of blame to go around.

He does seem to give up a disproportionate amount of big rebounds, but I admit, my only experience with Mrazek has been since he's been with the Flyers. I don't know if rebound control is one of his weaknesses or if this is more of a recent thing.
- johndewar

consistency, rebound control, but mostly overplaying the shot

The three guys losing the battle in the corner didn't help AMac's case.
- dragonoffrost

Unfortunately, this late game sloppiness is a symptom of bigger issue.
Hopefully, they (both players and coaches) investigate and correct this soon.

consistency, rebound control, but mostly overplaying the shot
- YuenglingJagr

I haven't watched a game since the Tampa loss but have not been impressed with Mrazek. Hasn't really done much to show he's vastly better than Lyon in my eyes.

More than average (gasp) goaltending would go a long way down the stretch.

My game observations:

- Too many times the Flyers have a chance to clear the zone and they don't and it almost always seems to hurt them. Failed clears on the PK and zone exits at 5 on 5 seem to always result in a goal when they don't clear the zone.

- Thought Sanheim has looked good. There looks to be more confidence in his game. He's made some really nice breakout passes and stretch passes.

- Damn Lindblom is snakebitten. I think once he gets that first one we will see a little streak of goals He is always in the right spot.

- Would love to see Couturier get 30 as i think he'll get back on a scoring role again. Not too worried as he is still getting chances and still picking up assists.

- Gostisbehere could use a goal on the PP. When he can score on the PP it seems to open up more lanes.

- What we are seeing is a bubble team. Team can get hot but also it still has warts and they show up. I still feel they make the playoffs and could win a round depending on the matchup. Other then Tampa, no team in the EAST is scary. And the Flyers have played well against the better teams this year.

Unfortunately, this late game sloppiness is a symptom of bigger issue.
Hopefully, they (both players and coaches) investigate and correct this soon.
- missingmike

Like they've done with the PK?

So last message board, Bill posted the following, I wanted to respond, but by the time I read it the game was on and did not want to take the time to write the response below.

So, earlier this season (Nov. 4 game against Colorado), there was a casual gathering in the press box between periods -- a couple of pro scouts a national broadcaster and a couple other guys -- and the subject turned to Hägg, who was having a particularly strong game in all of their estimations.

Long story short: They collectively thought he is emerging as a real good young physical shutdown defenseman (yes, they still care about that role to varying extents) who would continue to improve. They credited the Flyers for how they developed him into such after a few years of him struggling to find an identity as a player. There's also a belief that a bit more offense will come in time. Two of the people talking admitted they'd grown skeptical of him a a couple years ago, but said the Flyers obviously had a better read and were smart to be patient.

Go on the message boards or the analytics-heavy takes and he gets clobbered.
There are some who think he's not even an NHL-caliber player and some who think the Flyers don't see what everyone else sees.

I'm not saying one group is wrong and the other is right.

What I am saying is that hockey people still, for the most part, see the game through their own eye test. Also, those who believe that only Flyers see something in Hägg are wrong because I heard it with my own ears that people outside the organization like him, too.

I'll chip in my own opinion here: I don't think he's been as good in more recent months as he was early in the season -- and I think how well Ghost was playing certainly helped Hägg as well -- but I do think he's generally done well overall in the things the organization cares about with him.
- bmeltzer

Most analytic-based users will say that the prototypical shutdown d-man is good at 'generating defense' (I've seen people use this term here as well as other sites). Basically, the thought is if one cannot add to the offensive side of the puck with a good breakout pass, or a decent pinch, then you are hurting your team just as much by stifling potential offensive scoring chances (if the puck isn't in the offensive zone you can't score).

With the way the NHL has been trending the past few years, one could make a valid argument that different types of skillsets, not just the skill set of a the physical shutdown d-man, may be overvalued by talent evaluators in the NHL. This has most recently been seen in how well Vegas has done with a bunch of left overs. Some teams missed the mark so bad, they traded draft picks to keep certain players over others.

Now, I'm not calming to be smarter than NHL pro scouts, commentators or media members, but what I am saying is there is a valid argument can be made both ways.

My personal view on Hagg is that he's got more than he's showing right now in the NHL. He can play a more mobile game than he's shown thus far in the NHL. He has more puck skills than he's shown so far in the NHL. There are things he does that he has done at lower levels that suggest he can become competent on the offensive side of the puck. There are also things that don't show up on fancy stats, such as board pins and crease clears, that he does that help the team win. He also has a bit of a physical edge, and NHL players know that. They know they are going to get hit when the go into the corner with Hagg. However, if he doesn’t show a bit more offensive ability at the NHL level, I think he becomes more disposable than other d-men prospects.

My biggest gripe with Hagg is not himself but his usage relative to other younger players, not just Sanheim. I understand the logic behind why Hagg was given more leeway, but I do think there is room for reevaluation.

Like they've done with the PK?
- aantny88

If Lappy is back next season it really would be comical. That would be favoritism to a former player pure and simple.

Dont give a rats ass if he can relate to the guys or he is loved in the room. PK has been a passive trash box his whole tenure.

Im not saying he should be high in the slot but out front where he can play both the guy coming from behind the net and the guy in the slot. Who is more dangerous the guy behind the net or the guy sitting in the slot. Hugging the post is the goalies job not his. i much rather take the guy in the slot then the wrap around. which do you think has a better chance of scoring?
- mace14

So you're blaming the guy who was forced to try and cover two opposition players rather than Fillppula who turned the puck over and then failed to cover anyone, Simmonds who lost a 50-50 puck battle and was on the wrong side of Bellemare and Gudas who also got outworked by Bellemare? If MacDonald wasn't where he was, Eakins walks right out to the net. Defense is a team game.