Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Flyers Earn a Point, Lecavalier and Mason Earn a Second

Flyers really catch a break these next two games. In the 4 games Minnesota has played without Parise, they are 0-4-0, and have averaged 1 goal a game.

And I believe Datsyuk is concussed. And will miss the game Wednesday night.

What we call an "uneven" night for Mason this year, we would've called "normal" for Bryzgalov last year. Its really nice to have a goalie who delivers consistently superior play.

What we call an "uneven" night for Mason this year, we would've called "normal" for Bryzgalov last year. Its really nice to have a goalie who delivers consistently superior play.
- Doc_Sarcasm

Only Price, Harding, and Rask have higher save %'s than Steve Mason. Scrivens and Lehner do as well, but they aren't starters.

What we call an "uneven" night for Mason this year, we would've called "normal" for Bryzgalov last year. Its really nice to have a goalie who delivers consistently superior play.
- Doc_Sarcasm

If it was a normal Bryzgalov game, there would be one more in the back of the net and we would never have gotten to the shootout. If they HAD gotten to the SO, it still would have looked nothing like what Mason pulled off. Bryz is...not so good on breakaways.

Hopefully the cold in Minnesota wakes up the drowsy Philadelphia offense cause it's been a little sleepy since the trip to Florida...probably too many tasty Mojitos!

Penalties and Turnovers...the Flyers need to cut back on both of them on this road trip if they want to compete against the better teams in the league.

What we call an "uneven" night for Mason this year, we would've called "normal" for Bryzgalov last year. Its really nice to have a goalie who delivers consistently superior play.
- Doc_Sarcasm

This is really the same team as last year. Their playing a different way on the ice. But the collective group of players are pretty much the same. Outstanding goaltending will make them a bubble team. Crappy goaltending and their a bottom 6-7 team in the league.

The only difference has been the far superior goaltending to last year.

Hopefully the cold in Minnesota wakes up the drowsy Philadelphia offense cause it's been a little sleepy since the trip to Florida...probably too many tasty Mojitos!

Penalties and Turnovers...the Flyers need to cut back on both of them on this road trip if they want to compete against the better teams in the league.
- wolfhounds

Great. Now I want a drink and its 10 AM. Hey, yourself allowed to start early on game day, right?


Yeah, the offense has to pick it up again before they officially slide back into a funk. To be fair, they did have/make some chances, they just couldn't bury them. There were a few occasions I thought "man. That's usually in the back of the net".

I feel better knowing the opportunities were there. They'll eventually pot those. It's the nights when nothing ever seems to get manufactured that make me nervous.

Hopefully the cold in Minnesota wakes up the drowsy Philadelphia offense cause it's been a little sleepy since the trip to Florida...probably too many tasty Mojitos!

Penalties and Turnovers...the Flyers need to cut back on both of them on this road trip if they want to compete against the better teams in the league.
- wolfhounds

That game they had a large dose of stupid working.
Pretty sure if Weber was playing the Preds get at least one PP goal.

One thing about the colder climates you mentioned, the ice should be a lot better.
Lots of pucks seemed to jumping off sticks during the last three games in the South.
Maybe that will help too.

The lead lasted exactly one minute. Mason did not get fully squared as Mike Fisher shot from the circle to the goalie's right. Hörnqvist, who passed the puck to Fisher from the corner, earned the lone assist. This was not an especially dangerous chance and was, arguably, just the second "soft" goal that Mason has allowed this season -- the other coming in the season's third game in Carolina (Peter Laviolette's final game as head coach).
- bmeltzer

I thought the use of Coburn as a screen by Fisher (and subsequent "nutmeg" shot through the legs) made that a tough shot. Unfortunate for Coby & Mase.

All in all, last night was one of those games where the goalie helped the team "steal" two points on the road. Take them and move on, focusing on playing a better game against Minnesota because playing sloppy against the Wild will probably not result in another win.

What we call an "uneven" night for Mason this year, we would've called "normal" for Bryzgalov last year. Its really nice to have a goalie who delivers consistently superior play.
- Doc_Sarcasm

I was a big Bryz defender, he wouldn't have made it into the third

Always better to critique a win than complain about a loss. It was an uneven effort, and at times they played stupid.

I do think on the Fisher goal, Coburn screened Mason & he really didn't see the shot until it was on top of him. Even so, he only got beat twice & was spectacular on many Nashville opportunities.

The last two games the Flyers have taken 12 minor penalties. They continue to take penalties at this rate, and the road trip will be a disaster.

I was a big Bryz defender, he wouldn't have made it into the third
- KINGKENZO

I wonder how many games it will take him to record a shutout playing behind that inept Oilers defense.

I thought the use of Coburn as a screen by Fisher (and subsequent "nutmeg" shot through the legs) made that a tough shot. Unfortunate for Coby & Mase.

All in all, last night was one of those games where the goalie helped the team "steal" two points on the road. Take them and move on, focusing on playing a better game against Minnesota because playing sloppy against the Wild will probably not result in another win.
- Flyskippy

We need to coordinate, because we end up typing the same damned thing too often

This is really the same team as last year. Their playing a different way on the ice. But the collective group of players are pretty much the same. Outstanding goaltending will make them a bubble team. Crappy goaltending and their a bottom 6-7 team in the league.

The only difference has been the far superior goaltending to last year.
- Just5

They are also playing generally better team D, with many fewer odd man rushes allowed compared to last season (and even the year before that when Flyers were often outscoring their mistakes).

Always better to critique a win than complain about a loss. It was an uneven effort, and at times they played stupid.

I do think on the Fisher goal, Coburn screened Mason & he really didn't see the shot until it was on top of him. Even so, he only got beat twice & was spectacular on many Nashville opportunities.
- Jsaquella

Exactly. I also loved that Mason battled through the adversity. Not sure if Mason was screened or not on the Fisher goal. Either way, he was still the biggest reason why the Flyers got one point, let alone two.

Flyers really catch a break these next two games. In the 4 games Minnesota has played without Parise, they are 0-4-0, and have averaged 1 goal a game.

And I believe Datsyuk is concussed. And will miss the game Wednesday night.
- PLindbergh31

i thought parise was back already

edit: from tsn write up for yesterday's game: " ... Wild LW Zach Parise played in his second straight game after missing one with a foot contusion."

looks like he missed one game. probably not 100% though with a foot injury

go flyers!

i thought parise was back already
- hogweed

You are correct. Just checked the boxscore he did play last night. I read a few days ago he was out 2-3 weeks. Odd.

I wonder how many games it will take him to record a shutout playing behind that inept Oilers defense.
- PLindbergh31

I'll bet my house he doesn't get another

I'll bet my house he doesn't get another
- KINGKENZO

Probably not. I found it amusing he did it in his first start.

You are correct. Just checked the boxscore he did play last night. I read a few days ago he was out 2-3 weeks. Odd.
- PLindbergh31

the initial report i heard was 2-3 weeks w/ a groin strain.

They are also playing generally better team D, with many fewer odd man rushes allowed compared to last season (and even the year before that when Flyers were often outscoring their mistakes).
- bmeltzer

I think the focus on team D has also cut back their scoring.
They typically don't have a defenseman jump in like Mez did until they are behind.
Sure they pinch still at times, but they don't get into joining the cycle down low very much.

Also the forwards are more cautious on the forecheck.

I like the changes, it fits the team and players skill set better then the way Lavi had them playing.

Just means a lot of 2-1 games.
It also makes scoring in the PP more important.
They are really limiting other teams at even strength which is great.

I think the focus on team D has also cut back their scoring.
They typically don't have a defenseman jump in like Mez did until they are behind.
Sure they pinch still at times, but they don't get into joining the cycle down low very much.

Also the forwards are more cautious on the forecheck.

I like the changes, it fits the team and players skill set better then the way Lavi had them playing.

Just means a lot of 2-1 games.
It also makes scoring in the PP more important.
They are really limiting other teams at even strength which is great.
- Marc D

I think 2 key reasons why they are struggling to score are quite simple.

The PP is 23rd in the NHL.
Flyers are shorthanded more than any team in the NHL.

Take those factors into account, and it's been a real struggle putting the puck in the net.

I think 2 key reasons why they are struggling to score are quite simple.

The PP is 23rd in the NHL.
Flyers are shorthanded more than any team in the NHL.

Take those factors into account, and it's been a real struggle putting the puck in the net.
- PLindbergh31

PP was close a couple of times last night.
Maybe the luck turns soon and they start scoring again.

It could also have looked better because Nashville was a depleted team.
Will see on the next 5 games.