Giroux aimed for the head, its was pretty obvious. He didnt leave his feet which is nice but he did give a nice upwards shrug to his jaw. I wouldnt be surprised if its a game suspension.
- Rally_Shots

I'm sorry but he had his vision facing away. I can't just say yes, he targeted the head, when if Zubrus isn't skating like Lindros he's almost a foot taller than Giroux.

I think you reset the lines to what they were originally. It's what got you here. I'm with you if Lavy is to blame for anything it's panicking. kinda what he did last year with the goalies. NEver the less the Flyers have to do the simple things to win this series. So the onus is still on the players.
- JoeRussomanno

You can't keep juggling and expect the execution to improve. Guys making mistake after mistake need to have their comfort level restored. Suddenly getting new linemates for the third time in three days doesn't do that.

The Players have to go back to the basics. The best thing Laviolette can do to help them get there is to get them comfortable.

You can't keep juggling and expect the execution to improve. Guys making mistake after mistake need to have their comfort level restored. Suddenly getting new linemates for the third time in three days doesn't do that.

The Players have to go back to the basics. The best thing Laviolette can do to help them get there is to get them comfortable.
- Jsaquella

So should he leave the lines as they are now, or put them back how they were in game 1. They did win with them like that.

If Laviolette has a fault in this series, it was reacting too violently to game two. His massive line juggling seems to have hurt the team's confidence, rather than sparking it.

If the Flyers avoid making simple mistakes, and then compounding them, they're not getting beat. It's asy to blame the coach for that, but if he benched every guy guilty of making a mistake, Eric Wellwood would probably be the lone guy left taking shifts.

Laviolette can't change a system overnight. He can't suddenly install a trapping system and he can't go out on the ice and play for the players.
- Jsaquella

But he can tell the forwards to stay below the blue line and make it easier for the defense to get it out of the zone. Lavi's offense has the forwards turning to rush down ice as soon as the defenseman gets the puck. With the way Devils are forechecking, the defense doesnt have time to set up those outlet passes that the team depends on. They need to keep the forwards down low, to provide the defense with a safety valve, which would let them make a short pass, away from the boards, and the fore-checking devil forwards.

True they beat Pitt without him, but NJ is a different team and their forecheck is better than Pittsburghs was.
- JoeRussomanno

Which means that you have to adjust to what they are doing and exploit it. I'm not saying that having Pronger wouldn't help, but he's not available.

I think you reset the lines to what they were originally. It's what got you here. I'm with you if Lavy is to blame for anything it's panicking. kinda what he did last year with the goalies. NEver the less the Flyers have to do the simple things to win this series. So the onus is still on the players.
- JoeRussomanno

agreed

sigh

I said before this series the Flyers owed the Devils a few more beatdowns. I guess they had revenge from 2000 in mind

WHO'S READY FOR A COMEBACK!!!!!!

I thought Weber was pretty pissed and the only point of contact was the head too...
- JoeRussomanno

Yes, we all know that was a miscarriage of justice. I don't think he's letting it happen again. But hey, you never know. Zubrus did stay in the game. That shouldn't factor in to it though. Giroux was late on the play and clearly wanted to send a message.

I still don't get why he was so pissed at the non-call on Marty. Something as small as that shouldn't take you off your game like that.

sigh
- Don'tForgetTocchet

The Flyers are capable of winning three straight IF they can get it together. Two of the three games are at home.

no practice today??

Yes, we all know that was a miscarriage of justice. I don't think he's letting it happen again. But hey, you never know. Zubrus did stay in the game. That shouldn't factor in to it though. Giroux was late on the play and clearly wanted to send a message.

I still don't get why he was so pissed at the non-call on Marty. Something as small as that shouldn't take you off your game like that.
- rockychocbill

Yes, his getting pissed about that is a major hiccup in his career. He's still young and I think last night is a big learning experience for him.

The flyers are mentally shot and it is showing in their play. They are playing undisciplined, panicked, and lazy.
Can they turn the series around? Maybe but they would have to have everything go right for them tomorrow to even get the ball rolling.

This teams youth and lack of experience is showing. Sorry, despite whatever happened in the pens series doesn't mean squat now.

The average age of the flyers lineup last night is 27 years old. That includes Jagr-40, Kimmo-37, and Lilja-36.

They had 9 guys 25 and younger playing last night, Out of that 9, 5 of them are rookies.
Four other guys are under 30. 2 guys 30 and older.

If Jagr, Kimmo, and Lilja are taken out of the equation the average age is about 25 years old.

Out of the young guys that aren't rookies take a look at Jake and Simmonds. How much playoff experience do these guys have?

So basically the forwards are a very young core. Two vets in Jagr, Briere, Hartnell, and Talbot are the veteran forwards. That's basically 3/4's of your forwards being pretty inexperienced. The D is young for the most part but should know what the deal is. From last night 4 Dmen were under 30 and one of those (Gus) is a rookie. Kimmo and Lilja are older and Kimmo has to be spent.
Out of that D group Grossmann is really the only guy that is considered a physical dman. Coburn sort of plays physical but doesn't seem to use his size to punish people.

To sum it up, the youngish forward core is not playing defensively responsible thus putting stress on the not very physical Dmen and resulting in a chinese fire drill.

I did not include Bryz in calculating the average ages.

I said before this series the Flyers owed the Devils a few more beatdowns. I guess they had revenge from 2000 in mind

WHO'S READY FOR A COMEBACK!!!!!!
- JoeRussomanno

I am, but I'm not so sure this team is...not sure what happened in just a weeks time

But he can tell the forwards to stay below the blue line and make it easier for the defense to get it out of the zone. Lavi's offense has the forwards turning to rush down ice as soon as the defenseman gets the puck. With the way Devils are forechecking, the defense doesnt have time to set up those outlet passes that the team depends on. They need to keep the forwards down low, to provide the defense with a safety valve, which would let them make a short pass, away from the boards, and the fore-checking devil forwards.
- RooNosHockey

Do you really think that he hasn't told them to do that? The Flyers turnover issues are not due to the forwards leaving the zone early, it's more due to the Flyers trying to force things through the Devils coverage.

The Flyers have consistently forced clears up the boards, right to the Devils point men. They have also tried way too many low percentage outlet passes, rather than attacking the Devils where they are vulnerable. That's not coaching, it's execution.

You don't beat an aggressive forecheck by playing hot potato, you force them to overpursue and then get them chasing you. The problem is, the Flyers are being way too careless with the puck to exploit the Devils...and that's on the players, not the coach.

no practice today??
- Don'tForgetTocchet

I wouldn't have them practice. Their problem is mental not physical. Time to look in the mirror. In fact Id have the training staff put mirrors in everyone's locker and have them all sit in front of it for an hour, but I'm not and never will be a NHL coach sooooo....

Seriously though, this is headcheck time.

no practice today??
- Don'tForgetTocchet

I'm sorry but he had his vision facing away. I can't just say yes, he targeted the head, when if Zubrus isn't skating like Lindros he's almost a foot taller than Giroux.
- JoeRussomanno

Bure was facing away when he elbowed Churla. Makes no difference. The intent was clearly there and Zubrus no longer had the puck. The "finishing my check" argument is weak. I'm sorry but this type of hit needs to be gone from the game.

Yes, we all know that was a miscarriage of justice. I don't think he's letting it happen again. But hey, you never know. Zubrus did stay in the game. That shouldn't factor in to it though. Giroux was late on the play and clearly wanted to send a message.

I still don't get why he was so pissed at the non-call on Marty. Something as small as that shouldn't take you off your game like that.
- rockychocbill

He's been yapping at the refs for most of the series. Every time he's been impeded, clipping bumped away from the puck, he's been looking for a call.

- PLindbergh31

If I am Lavi this is what i do for tomorrow.

1. If Giroux isn't suspended I put him and Briere on the same line so both cant be double teamed in the offensive zone, and to take away Briere's Defensive liability at center.

2. If Meszaros can play I put him in the line-up. I also play Kubina. The Flyers D is getting killed down low. Need 2 big D-man that can shrug off the forecheck, and clear the crease. Kubina is slow, but it's not the Devils speed that is beating us.

3. Couturier only played 7 minutes last game, he is obviously not healed. Plus Jagr has been awful. I would scratch both for at least the next game and add 2 guys that are fast, and will take the body, and create havok on the Flyers forecheck... Dress Rinaldo and Zulnerczyk.

4. And as far as systems, I would make the wingers stay at the face-off circles in the Defensive zone as a safety valve when the puck is down low. Give the Defense small pases that can be done quickly, with little chance of turn-over.

Hartnell-Giroux-Briere
JVR-Schenn-Voracek
Wellwood-Read-Simmonds
Zulnerczyk-Talbot-Rinaldo

Timonen-Coburn
Carle-Meszaros
Grossmann-Kubina
- RooNosHockey

1. That line would never see the offensive zone. Giroux has been just as brutal defensively, and Hartnell is hurt.

2. The Devils aren't beating us in front of the net, they are beating us on the sideboards and getting wide open looks. Kubina would be like a pylon against the Devils cycling game. And yes, the Devils are an excellent skating team. We have seen that much the whole series.

3. Not sure about this. Only to say that Rinaldo and Scrabble wouldn't be that much of an improvement over the decision making with the puck. This is a recipe for being shorthanded a lot more. But I do agree that Jagr has been largely invisible for the entire series. As for Rinaldo and Scrabble on the forecheck, first you have to get ON the forecheck. When you are hemmed in your own zone and cant get it past the opponents blueline with any regularity they would sort of be neutralized anyway.

4. This I can agree with to a point. However, since the d-men are getting outnumbered already, the wingers pretty much have to get down there to help. Giving them small quick passes is a good theory, but why haven't they been doing this already? IE the simple play. This last one is an adjustment the players have to make on their own. They are the ones making the low percentage passes trying to get out of the zone.

I just see your lines as being all poor defensively and all of the being able to generate zero offense.

Thanks for getting specific!

Giroux aimed for the head, its was pretty obvious. He didnt leave his feet which is nice but he did give a nice upwards shrug to his jaw. I wouldnt be surprised if its a game suspension.
- Rally_Shots

Weber smashed a guys head into the boards, and Malkin was running around throwing elbows. So why should G be suspended?

I'm sorry but he had his vision facing away. I can't just say yes, he targeted the head, when if Zubrus isn't skating like Lindros he's almost a foot taller than Giroux.
- JoeRussomanno

I agree Zubrus does lower his head a lot reaching for pucks. Just look up Myers hit on Zubrus earlier in the year, very similar hits. It just looked to me as though he knew what he was doing when he cut back into his and made contact with the head. Just my opinion though.

- PLindbergh31

An attitude that has killed 2 of the major 4 sports for me

Yes, his getting pissed about that is a major hiccup in his career. He's still young and I think last night is a big learning experience for him.
- JoeRussomanno

He looked Richards-like on that play. The part of Richards game I didn't really like. The head-shaking, complaining part.