That team had 2 lock down centers in the defensive zone though in Bolland and Toews. I think the Flyers can get there with the development of Schenn and Couturier. Right now those two are way to inconsistent and it's to be expected
- Just5

See my thing is this.

If you are going to go with a core of JVR, Giroux, Schenn and Cooties. Hell throw Briere in there.

Those are not guys who are known for a strong physical game, or really shutdown guys. Those are not guys like Kesler for example.

If you choose to build around a core of primarily skill, you need the big wingers who provide solid defensive play. Guys like Voracek, Read and Jagr, are valuable but I think the offense really needs another big body that plays well defensively.

I like a lot of the forwards on this team but a lot of the time it seems like they have just been thrown together and may not really mesh.

I leave the TV on CSN during the post game and come back to basketball.

Now, I don't watch a lot of college hoops, but I can't believe what I'm seeing on the Oregon court...they painted a forest on the interior of the playing surface? Really?

The Flyers make it look impossible to play good defense. Basic fundamentals. How hard is it to backcheck and be defensive minded as a forward? 20 games left and the same issues continue to happen. Take pride in being good at both ends.
- stveshdy

Lot of youth, with youth comes mistakes. Not to mention they are still integrating 2 new dmen into the lineup. Laviolette's system isn't going to exactly cover any defensive flaws a team might have.

And oh yeah, the loss of Pronger is just enormous.

I leave the TV on CSN during the post game and come back to basketball.

Now, I don't watch a lot of college hoops, but I can't believe what I'm seeing on the Oregon court...they painted a forest on the interior of the playing surface? Really?
- tangent_man

Some late night Pac 12 hoops huh? LOL. I'm watching Blues/Canucks. These teams are flying.

Lot of youth, with youth comes mistakes. Not to mention they are still integrating 2 new dmen into the lineup. Laviolette's system isn't going to exactly cover any defensive flaws a team might have.

And oh yeah, the loss of Pronger is just enormous.
- PLindbergh31

To me a lot of it is basically fundamentals. Too often do forwards just stare at the play or glide instead of keeping pace with their man. Or forget about lanes.

It obviously has to be an area that is coached to improve. However a player is who a player is. I do hope the forwards figure it out, but I dont really believe coaching is the only issue.

Overall they arent a group that is really great defensively. Its who they are.

Lot of youth, with youth comes mistakes. Not to mention they are still integrating 2 new dmen into the lineup. Laviolette's system isn't going to exactly cover any defensive flaws a team might have.

And oh yeah, the loss of Pronger is just enormous.
- PLindbergh31

Even after all you posted I still dont understand why its that complicated to backcheck. These guys have been doing it since they were probably five years old. Im not saying you have to be a defensive guru but just play basic fundamentals.

Good win tonight by the Flyers just wish they could be alittle better in their own end. Their a good team and I just want to see them succeed, especially in the playoffs.

To me a lot of it is basically fundamentals. Too often do forwards just stare at the play or glide instead of keeping pace with their man. Or forget about lanes.

It obviously has to be an area that is coached to improve. However a player is who a player is. I do hope the forwards figure it out, but I dont really believe coaching is the only issue.

Overall they arent a group that is really great defensively. Its who they are.
- flyer_nutter

Yep. Right now it's who they are. As players like Couturier, Schenn, Read get more experience they will improve.

Lot of youth, with youth comes mistakes. Not to mention they are still integrating 2 new dmen into the lineup. Laviolette's system isn't going to exactly cover any defensive flaws a team might have.

And oh yeah, the loss of Pronger is just enormous.
- PLindbergh31

Its their style. At least they have an identity. But their just not good enough to win with it this year at least.

Even after all you posted I still dont understand why its that complicated to backcheck. These guys have been doing it since they were probably five years old. Im not saying you have to be a defensive guru but just play basic fundamentals.

Good win tonight by the Flyers just wish they could be alittle better in their own end. Their a good team and I just want to see them succeed, especially in the playoffs.
- stveshdy

If only it were that easy. Obviously it's not. We are seeing the same breakdowns and poor coverage we saw in game 1, in game 62.

Yep. Right now it's who they are. As players like Couturier, Schenn, Read get more experience they will improve.
- PLindbergh31

I just hope they really put a lot of thought into thinking what the core they will build around this time will be.

Guys who dont take too many nights off and are hard to play against. Flipping the switch was the hope last time. I hope management has learned.

A team of Kesler's will always beat a team of Sedins. I will admit, even though they are young I do have doubts of this assembled core. We will see.

Some late night Pac 12 hoops huh? LOL. I'm watching Blues/Canucks. These teams are flying.
- PLindbergh31

That's what was on when I came back to it. Just odd.

I was reading some of the D-zone talk. I did notice during the game that the forwards were staying a little tighter with the D on the breakouts, but I wish they had some course of action when the Isles had the puck in there. It seems like they're in a free-form stagnant zone most of the time.

And welcome back, MJL.

Its their style. At least they have an identity. But their just not good enough to win with it this year at least.
- Just5

I def agree with you. But who knows what can happen when the playoffs start.

It is hard to see a team with this many flaws, flaws that are fatal in playoff hockey lasting very long.

That's what was on when I came back to it. Just odd.

I was reading some of the D-zone talk. I did notice during the game that the forwards were staying a little tighter with the D on the breakouts, but I wish they had some course of action when the Isles had the puck in there. It seems like they're in a free-form stagnant zone most of the time.

And welcome back, MJL.
- tangent_man

They worked hard, especially in the third period. A lot of what is lacking is fundamentals. A player doesn't have to be a Selke candidate to be responsible defensively. Flyers are an offense first team.

They worked hard, especially in the third period. A lot of what is lacking is fundamentals. A player doesn't have to be a Selke candidate to be responsible defensively. Flyers are an offense first team.
- PLindbergh31

Like you mentioned above, it's probably going to be a short post-season if they don't get back to basics. I hope they work it out.

I def agree with you. But who knows what can happen when the playoffs start.

It is hard to see a team with this many flaws, flaws that are fatal in playoff hockey lasting very long.
- PLindbergh31

On the first goal tonight. A couple things happened. Im placing most of the culpability on Rinaldo. He needed to engage in the puck battle in the corner. He had a chance to get on it much sooner than Coots to win that battle. Coots got over late, lost the puck battle while managing to get his stick caught in Grossmans legs, I thought he was lazy trying to keep up with Bailey.

More upset with the second goal. Hartnell is not a defenseman but hes got to be better than that

Out west its setting up to either be a Detroit/St Louis first round matchup with Nashville....thats as good as it gets for first round action.

When are we going to begin to take soldier stomps? We're a month and half away from the playoffs.
- roenick97

They'll be Toddling by the next Pens game.

He made some tough saves, didn't allow any soft goals. Even when he plays fairly well his save % goes down.
- PLindbergh31

Flyers weird combo of blocking a ton of shots, while at the same time having frequent, horrid coverage gaffes is a sure fire way to crush a goalie's stat line.

Out west its setting up to either be a Detroit/St Louis first round matchup with Nashville....thats as good as it gets for first round action.
- Just5

Winnipeg beat Florida 7-0 tonight.

Wont lie, living in the city, it would be damn cool for them to be a playoff opponent for the Flyers.

Winnipeg beat Florida 7-0 tonight.

Wont lie, living in the city, it would be damn cool for them to be a playoff opponent for the Flyers.
- flyer_nutter

Its so nice to see a team move to a city where they can be appreciated by the majority of the people there. And yes that would be awesome from your vantage point. Despite the struggles the flyers have had with the jets this year that would be an intriguing first round matchup.

Winnipeg beat Florida 7-0 tonight.

Wont lie, living in the city, it would be damn cool for them to be a playoff opponent for the Flyers.
- flyer_nutter

Pavlec with another shutout. He looks to be for real.

great game by read and bryzgalov tonight

There are a lot of issues that can only be cleaned up if the team works together on those issues. However, what's interesting to me is that Voracek has spent most of this season on the first unit on the right side of the umbrella and has zero PP goals on the season. Personally I feel they should switch things up a bit so the Power Play becomes more constant. We're still scoring but I feel we could be much better. Too many shorthanded goals as of late due to the predictability of the PP.

To me a lot of it is basically fundamentals. Too often do forwards just stare at the play or glide instead of keeping pace with their man. Or forget about lanes.

It obviously has to be an area that is coached to improve. However a player is who a player is. I do hope the forwards figure it out, but I dont really believe coaching is the only issue.

Overall they arent a group that is really great defensively. Its who they are.
- flyer_nutter

That is certainly who they are now. However a player can improve, and they can be a much better team then they are now defensively. And a player who isn't a good defensive player, can become a better defensive player.

That is certainly who they are now. However a player can improve, and they can be a much better team then they are now defensively. And a player who isn't a good defensive player, can become a better defensive player.
- MJL

I think the most important thing that can happen now is team wide commitment to defense.. Guys like G need to get back on defense.. know where you are supposed to be and get there.. Last nights tic-tac-toe goal for the Isles 2nd goal G got caught staring at the puck... allowed Bailey to slide right by him and set up at the back post... The Isles third goal had Schenn taking the wrong path, and more or less picking Bryz. dont go between the d-man and the goalie.. go in front.. pick up Okposo and there is no goal.

Its stuff like that that needs serious work...

Bryz looked solid last night, and his play continues to impress me..