They need to work on team defense.

Look at the goals last night.
Elias scores on the PP after Carle squats down and lets him use the screen.

Kovalchuk scores after Hartnell commits and missed on a hit in the offensive zone and a 3-2 is created.. Grossmann misreads the play, over commits and hits Coburn. Kovalchuk has all day to pick his spot.

Parise scores after Carle fails to get the puck down deep, the Devil dumps the puck into the corner where Parise forces Carle to make a bad pass to a covered Lilja, who loses a battle to Elias. Elias feeds a wide open Parise at the goal mouth after Carle doesnt get back in time.

OT goal is scored after the team makes one of the worst line changes in the history of Hockey. Its a virtual 4-1 with dominant 2-1 positioning. Lilja takes the pass.. Pony winds up a wrister which is saved, but buries the rebound.


The PP goal aside.. each of those plays could have been prevented the team defense done its job. Kovalchuks goal was started because of a mistake by a forward... and compounded when forwards failed to get back. Parise's goal was started by Carle, however there was zero forward support on that play.

I dont even need to talk about the OT winner.
- jak521

Still, Bryz should have scored on one of the OT powerplays. We aren't paying him to stand around.

If Coots can't go on Sunday, then i'm fine with inserting Rinaldo into the game. He'll have fresh legs, and who knows maybe he goads a devil into a penalty.

Then again maybe he explodes on the ice and we lose by 8 pp goals.

They need to work on team defense.

Look at the goals last night.
Elias scores on the PP after Carle squats down and lets him use the screen.

Kovalchuk scores after Hartnell commits and missed on a hit in the offensive zone and a 3-2 is created.. Grossmann misreads the play, over commits and hits Coburn. Kovalchuk has all day to pick his spot.

Parise scores after Carle fails to get the puck down deep, the Devil dumps the puck into the corner where Parise forces Carle to make a bad pass to a covered Lilja, who loses a battle to Elias. Elias feeds a wide open Parise at the goal mouth after Carle doesnt get back in time.

OT goal is scored after the team makes one of the worst line changes in the history of Hockey. Its a virtual 4-1 with dominant 2-1 positioning. Lilja takes the pass.. Pony winds up a wrister which is saved, but buries the rebound.


The PP goal aside.. each of those plays could have been prevented the team defense done its job. Kovalchuks goal was started because of a mistake by a forward... and compounded when forwards failed to get back. Parise's goal was started by Carle, however there was zero forward support on that play.

I dont even need to talk about the OT winner.
- jak521

I'll even go a little further and bring up the big saves you are getting. There was a break away last night that could have went in the net and a handful of others. If people want to know why you're paying x amount of dollars for a goalie that's why. Hate to go back to this but the save he made on Letang might have saved the whole damn series looking back now.

I dont know why anyone is so shocked to be down. The devils are a good team and finished just 1 point behind us. When they beat Pittsburgh it seemed everyone forgot we had to play 3 more rounds, including the flyers. The devils are beatable, but they will not lay over for the flyers.

They can't get too frustrated. Perfect time for a 3 day break. Cool off the Devils and the flyers can screw their heads in.
- funmaster18

it's surprising because the devils won fewer games in regulation/ot than anyone in the playoffs besides the team they--thanks to ridiculous seeding rules--beat in the first round.

I don't think you can decipher between the two. Scoring chance and shots. I've watched Phoenix and they blanket the other team. Smith has made big saves but so has Bryzgalov. I don't know i listened to two former players one of which coached for a time, and they both agreed the Flyers aren't playing the level of defensive hockey they need to. Defensive hockey isn't just about the defensemen, in fact I hate calling them that, because it makes people all of sudden pull up how many shots the actual defensemen block. NO it's a collective team effort. IMO the Flyers don't have enough forwards commited to it. I've brought up names and people jumped down my throat i'll let the team handle it and when players aren't here in the near future I won't even say I told you so.

You want another example? How does Biron go from a plus 2.5 gaa average with the Flyers to below that with the Rangers? explain that one.
- JoeRussomanno

I'll even go a little further and bring up the big saves you are getting. There was a break away last night that could have went in the net and a handful of others. If people want to know why you're paying x amount of dollars for a goalie that's why. Hate to go back to this but the save he made on Letang might have saved the whole damn series looking back now.
- JoeRussomanno

There were a couple of those in that series.

But his numbers suck, so he's awful.

I'll even go a little further and bring up the big saves you are getting. There was a break away last night that could have went in the net and a handful of others. If people want to know why you're paying x amount of dollars for a goalie that's why. Hate to go back to this but the save he made on Letang might have saved the whole damn series looking back now.
- JoeRussomanno

Psshhh. Luck.

Even a blind, rigid, completely aloof, handicapped Russian makes a save.

There were a couple of those in that series.

But his numbers suck, so he's awful.
- jd342

can you guarantee me this hammar bro?
- 2Real

I must have turned the game off too early last night because I missed the handshakes since the Devils eliminated them in the best of 3 they are playing.

1. Lets sit Jagr and JVR ...i see and who are you going to replace them with? Rinaldo, Holmstrom, Sestito ?

2. Bryz has been average..neither horrible nor great in this series. I must be missing all the 2-1, a top goal scorer of the past 5 years having clean one one shots from the slot that Quick and Lundquist are dealing with . The goals have been a failure on the team as much as him.

3. We know Hartnell is banged up from the shot. Grossman doesnt seem to be himself probably trying to play through the concussion. It would not surprise me if something is wrong with Giroux either based on how he is playing.

4. Nothing changes with many Philly fans..its feast or famine with them..We are either sweeping the team we are playing or we suck. To this point they have lost exactly the same amount of games that they lost in the first series. If anyone thought this was giong to be a 5 game series then they clearly do not watch any hockey beyond watching just Flyers games.

All of the above being said..Pretty much everything rides on Sunday night..Bringing their A game will not be good enough..They need to bring the game 6 vs the Pens style game..Top to bottom..Lavy, Bryz, everyone needs to play their best game of the playoffs

If Coots can't go on Sunday, then i'm fine with inserting Rinaldo into the game. He'll have fresh legs, and who knows maybe he goads a devil into a penalty.

Then again maybe he explodes on the ice and we lose by 8 pp goals.
- deligirl83

he will be in the lineup on Sunday imo.

couts update ty

he will be in the lineup on Sunday imo.
- wilsonecho91

supercoots

I don't think you can decipher between the two. Scoring chance and shots. I've watched Phoenix and they blanket the other team. Smith has made big saves but so has Bryzgalov. I don't know i listened to two former players one of which coached for a time, and they both agreed the Flyers aren't playing the level of defensive hockey they need to. Defensive hockey isn't just about the defensemen, in fact I hate calling them that, because it makes people all of sudden pull up how many shots the actual defensemen block. NO it's a collective team effort. IMO the Flyers don't have enough forwards commited to it. I've brought up names and people jumped down my throat i'll let the team handle it and when players aren't here in the near future I won't even say I told you so.

You want another example? How does Biron go from a plus 2.5 gaa average with the Flyers to below that with the Rangers? explain that one.
- JoeRussomanno

Its not the spectatular saves that I am looking for from Bryzgalov. Its the average one's. Cant continue the bleeding and be giving up questionable goals. That is murder in the playoffs. Personally I am moving on from this topic from today, the fact that we even have to converse about goaltending is a joke. We shouldnt just be "hoping" for average.

In terms of team defense. The Flyers are a team whose strength is the offense. You have to play to your strenghts. I do not for one second think they will be as good of a team if they go into a defense first mindset. With the questionable goaltending and very inconsistent defensive play you are asking for trouble.

As it stands the team needs either the goaltending to step up and cover up some of the mistakes, which is far more a reason why the Rags, Preds, Coyotes, Kings are a good team than their "great defensive play" imo.

Or they need the forwards and D to play better defensively. Unfortunately you have Kimmo up there in age, and Carle/Coburn who have never been very consistent. Grossmann is still foggy. The forwards as a group aren't that great defensively. Even Giroux for that matter.

Until they can fix some of the issues in the off-season they need to play to their strenghts. Get physical for (frank)s sake, outwork the other team and drive the net.

Psshhh. Luck.

Even a blind, rigid, completely aloof, handicapped Russian makes a save.
- jak521

That is a part of it but that door swings both ways, i mean the Rangers got lucky on a few the other night, I know someone mentioned it can't remember if that was you or not. Also even the great lundqvist has pucks going through his five hole in these playoffs. So all this, well he lets in a soft goal a game stuff, imo is just a way to shift blame and feel better. The Zajac goal in game in is the type of stuff I get mad about. He lolligagged on that play and it went in the back of the net. Didn't get mad about the Sykora goal because like I said at the time, he's going to make that save about 50/50 then low and behold last night same opportunity and he makes it. How about this? Don't give up break aways odd man rushes and stupid line changes? They aren't exactly conducive to winning imo.

This is a conversation i think i've listened to since 1985 and started participating in around 95 or so. It's getting old.

I must have turned the game off too early last night because I missed the handshakes since the Devils eliminated them in the best of 3 they are playing.

1. Lets sit Jagr and JVR ...i see and who are you going to replace them with? Rinaldo, Holmstrom, Sestito ?

2. Bryz has been average..neither horrible nor great in this series. I must be missing all the 2-1, a top goal scorer of the past 5 years having clean one one shots from the slot that Quick and Lundquist are dealing with . The goals have been a failure on the team as much as him.

3. We know Hartnell is banged up from the shot. Grossman doesnt seem to be himself probably trying to play through the concussion. It would not surprise me if something is wrong with Giroux either based on how he is playing.

4. Nothing changes with many Philly fans..its feast or famine with them..We are either sweeping the team we are playing or we suck. To this point they have lost exactly the same amount of games that they lost in the first series. If anyone thought this was giong to be a 5 game series then they clearly do not watch any hockey beyond watching just Flyers games.

All of the above being said..Pretty much everything rides on Sunday night..Bringing their A game will not be good enough..They need to bring the game 6 vs the Pens style game..Top to bottom..Lavy, Bryz, everyone needs to play their best game of the playoffs
- opeth_pa

I agree with all of this. The all need to, especially the wingers, do a better job beating the forecheck. I don't know how many times Simmonds and JvR could not make a meaningful play on the wall on the breakout. Either they need to figure out how to breakout in another manner or the wingers need to win those battles and make a play. I thought Simmonds was downright awful last night.

it's surprising because the devils won fewer games in regulation/ot than anyone in the playoffs besides the team they--thanks to ridiculous seeding rules--beat in the first round.
- OrangeBlack27

But many looked past them. Every team in the playoffs can win.

There were a couple of those in that series.

But his numbers suck, so he's awful.
- jd342

If you think Bryzgalov has played well in the playoffs as a whole, you are watching different games than I am. He's played well in Game 5 & 6 vs. Pittsburgh, and well in game 2 vs. NJ. The rest of the games have either been average, or below average.

Some of this is laid at the skates of the defensive zone coverage, (forwards and d-men) and some is attributed directly to Bryzgalov. He's being plagued by soft goals. A Flyers staple for 2 decades now.

Its not the spectatular saves that I am looking for from Bryzgalov. Its the average one's. Cant continue the bleeding and be giving up questionable goals. That is murder in the playoffs. Personally I am moving on from this topic from today, the fact that we even have to converse about goaltending is a joke. We shouldnt just be "hoping" for average.

In terms of team defense. The Flyers are a team whose strength is the offense. You have to play to your strenghts. I do not for one second think they will be as good of a team if they go into a defense first mindset. With the questionable goaltending and very inconsistent defensive play you are asking for trouble.

As it stands the team needs either the goaltending to step up and cover up some of the mistakes, which is far more a reason why the Rags, Preds, Coyotes, Kings are a good team than their "great defensive play" imo.

Or they need the forwards and D to play better defensively. Unfortunately you have Kimmo up there in age, and Carle/Coburn who have never been very consistent. Grossmann is still foggy. The forwards as a group aren't that great defensively. Even Giroux for that matter.

Until they can fix some of the issues in the off-season they need to play to their strenghts. Get physical for (frank)s sake, outwork the other team and drive the net.
- flyer_nutter

SO if what I'm saying is underrated why is it the Rangers basically throw themselves on a sword everygame to block shots and smother opposing forwards? They have one of the best goalies in hockey do they not? Yet their commitment to team defense seems as if it fades just a bit their lives will end. There's a reason for that and yes Lundqvist still gives up a sloppy one here and there even in the playoffs.

Its not the spectatular saves that I am looking for from Bryzgalov. Its the average one's. Cant continue the bleeding and be giving up questionable goals. That is murder in the playoffs. Personally I am moving on from this topic from today, the fact that we even have to converse about goaltending is a joke. We shouldnt just be "hoping" for average.

In terms of team defense. The Flyers are a team whose strength is the offense. You have to play to your strenghts. I do not for one second think they will be as good of a team if they go into a defense first mindset. With the questionable goaltending and very inconsistent defensive play you are asking for trouble.

As it stands the team needs either the goaltending to step up and cover up some of the mistakes, which is far more a reason why the Rags, Preds, Coyotes, Kings are a good team than their "great defensive play" imo.

Or they need the forwards and D to play better defensively. Unfortunately you have Kimmo up there in age, and Carle/Coburn who have never been very consistent. Grossmann is still foggy. The forwards as a group aren't that great defensively. Even Giroux for that matter.

Until they can fix some of the issues in the off-season they need to play to their strenghts. Get physical for (frank)s sake, outwork the other team and drive the net.
- flyer_nutter

Bryz is playing well, but still giving up goals that shouldn't go in. His foot is probably bothering him so I chalk up the slower movement to the third and fourth goals. The first goal was the worst of the bunch. It reminded me of all those Kovalev goas from basically the same spot. You know where it's going and it goes in anyway.

couts update ty
- Crimsoninja

Sorry i love b-pooping on here instead of mugging homer in the locker room for updates. Let me run into the trainers office and see what's going on.

I agree with all of this. The all need to, especially the wingers, do a better job beating the forecheck. I don't know how many times Simmonds and JvR could not make a meaningful play on the wall on the breakout. Either they need to figure out how to breakout in another manner or the wingers need to win those battles and make a play. I thought Simmonds was downright awful last night.
- wilsonecho91

See the thing is, I would at least like them to beat the Devils.

They have consistently shown this year that they have trouble beating "trap" or very defensive teams. Simply because they get too cute.

At least show that you have the ability. As it stands right now however they will have to play two more of these "kinds" of teams. Who have a better goaltender, and more depth.

I'm out for now as it is, however as I said before if they cannot win at least one game in a must win scenerio they do not deserve to win the cup anyway. Win Sunday, and make it a best of 3.

I dont know why anyone is so shocked to be down. The devils are a good team and finished just 1 point behind us. When they beat Pittsburgh it seemed everyone forgot we had to play 3 more rounds, including the flyers. The devils are beatable, but they will not lay over for the flyers.

They can't get too frustrated. Perfect time for a 3 day break. Cool off the Devils and the flyers can screw their heads in.
- funmaster18

The only reason I'm shocked is because whenever the puck goes near Broduer he seems out of position, or late on a movement. The guy looks lost out there, and the only thing saving him is the Flyers cant get shots on goal, and even if they do, they dont have anyone in front for the rebounds. The Flyers should smell blood and be feasting on this guy. He is a shell of what he used to be. It's just smoke and magic out there holding this Devils team together. If the Flyers could just see through the strenght, they should see nothing but weakness.

I must have turned the game off too early last night because I missed the handshakes since the Devils eliminated them in the best of 3 they are playing.

1. Lets sit Jagr and JVR ...i see and who are you going to replace them with? Rinaldo, Holmstrom, Sestito ?

2. Bryz has been average..neither horrible nor great in this series. I must be missing all the 2-1, a top goal scorer of the past 5 years having clean one one shots from the slot that Quick and Lundquist are dealing with . The goals have been a failure on the team as much as him.

3. We know Hartnell is banged up from the shot. Grossman doesnt seem to be himself probably trying to play through the concussion. It would not surprise me if something is wrong with Giroux either based on how he is playing.

4. Nothing changes with many Philly fans..its feast or famine with them..We are either sweeping the team we are playing or we suck. To this point they have lost exactly the same amount of games that they lost in the first series. If anyone thought this was giong to be a 5 game series then they clearly do not watch any hockey beyond watching just Flyers games.

All of the above being said..Pretty much everything rides on Sunday night..Bringing their A game will not be good enough..They need to bring the game 6 vs the Pens style game..Top to bottom..Lavy, Bryz, everyone needs to play their best game of the playoffs
- opeth_pa

In my defense I mentioned sitting jvr and Jagr. I said the Jagr thing was kind of tongue in cheek and youhave to admit his play has been less than impressive. Jvr was sat sporadically for the 2010 playoffs and it didn't seem to hurt the team. He's been almost awol since game 1 even bill said so in the blog. Otherwise I agree with all this.