Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Just Enough to Lose to Anaheim, Quick Hits

Berube happy with the Flyers effort, well there you go then.

Despite the outcome, this was actually a really fun game to watch. It got pretty nasty in the second, and Simmonds was like a bull in a china shop. I wish they could have won, but again, they played hard and just got beat by a better team. I know the same old crew will be here in mere minutes to pick apart every single player for having a horrible game, but I thought it was one of their best efforts of the year, and they just came up short.

Despite the outcome, this was actually a really fun game to watch. It got pretty nasty in the second, and Simmonds was like a bull in a china shop. I wish they could have won, but again, they played hard and just got beat by a better team. I know the same old crew will be here in mere minutes to pick apart every single player for having a horrible game, but I thought it was one of their best efforts of the year, and they just came up short.
- jmatchett383

I agree, I thought they played hard and had some good moments, could've been a different game if Hartnell and Vinny buried their chances and Mason had a little less traffic/bad luck.

Despite the outcome, this was actually a really fun game to watch. It got pretty nasty in the second, and Simmonds was like a bull in a china shop. I wish they could have won, but again, they played hard and just got beat by a better team. I know the same old crew will be here in mere minutes to pick apart every single player for having a horrible game, but I thought it was one of their best efforts of the year, and they just came up short.
- jmatchett383

In order to beat Anaheim, the Flyers had to have their A+ game with virtually no mistakes defensively and burying every open scoring chance. They had more of a B+/A- game and it wasn't enough.

Despite the outcome, this was actually a really fun game to watch. It got pretty nasty in the second, and Simmonds was like a bull in a china shop. I wish they could have won, but again, they played hard and just got beat by a better team. I know the same old crew will be here in mere minutes to pick apart every single player for having a horrible game, but I thought it was one of their best efforts of the year, and they just came up short.
- jmatchett383

+1 with a few minor exceptions. I really didn't notice the top line having much of anything other than the missed Hartnell opportunity in the 2nd. They seemed to be nullified pretty well. Also on the shortie, sure seemed like Giroux mailed it in getting back unless Winnick is some speedster I'm unaware of.

All in all a good effort in hostile territory. I would hope a similar effort could yield a point or 2 tomorrow.

In order to beat Anaheim, the Flyers had to have their A+ game with virtually no mistakes defensively and burying every open scoring chance. They had more of a B+/A- game and it wasn't enough.
- bmeltzer

What bothers me though, and I'm by no means blaming him is... If Mason could just find a way to make more stops we can win games like that 3-2. He just isnt coming up big. It doesnt really matter how many shots or what kind of shots are being taken the elite goalies find a way to save the puck. Mason is good, but we can't ride him. He needs a lot of help.

What bothers me though, and I'm by no means blaming him is... If Mason could just find a way to make more stops we can win games like that 3-2. He just isnt coming up big. It doesnt really matter how many shots or what kind of shots are being taken the elite goalies find a way to save the puck. Mason is good, but we can't ride him. He needs a lot of help.
- GOA88

In today's NHL, the difference between an elite goalie and a mid-tier one is primarily the team in front of him. Put Jonathan Quick on the Flyers and Mason in LA and the perception of which one is elite and which is slightly above-average would change in a hurry.

Bill Meltzer: Samuel Morin, the Flyers' first-round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, is facing a suspension in the QMJHL for his actions at the end of a game on Wednesday. Frustrated at the end of a 5-2 loss by his Rimouski Oceanic team, Morin angrily broke his stick and then heaved the remnants into the stands. Fortunately, no one was hurt but a wheelchair-bound spectator was nearly struck. Morin received a game misconduct with time expired. It is unlikely that the player will avoid supplemental discipline.
- bmeltzer

born to be a Flyer

born to be a Flyer
- watsonnostaw

That's right.

No teenager has ever overreacted to anything in the history of ever.

In today's NHL, the difference between an elite goalie and a mid-tier one is primarily the team in front of him. Put Jonathan Quick on the Flyers and Mason in LA and the perception of which one is elite and which is slightly above-average would change in a hurry.
- bmeltzer

This POV is exactly what most national hockey writers miss when writing about Steve Mason.

+1 with a few minor exceptions. I really didn't notice the top line having much of anything other than the missed Hartnell opportunity in the 2nd. They seemed to be nullified pretty well. Also on the shortie, sure seemed like Giroux mailed it in getting back unless Winnick is some speedster I'm unaware of.

All in all a good effort in hostile territory. I would hope a similar effort could yield a point or 2 tomorrow.
- bgratch

Good high tempo game, playoff-like. Rinaldo is an important part of the lineup. Still, Philly was never going to win that game. Take away the mistakes, and Anaheim would have found some other ways to score. The Ducks are thirty points ahead of the Flyers, in the much tougher West, and they don't lose at home.

Realistically, the Flyers will be lucky to get one point out of this road trip.

Good high tempo game, playoff-like. Rinaldo is an important part of the lineup. Still, Philly was never going to win that game. Take away the mistakes, and Anaheim would have found some other ways to score. The Ducks are thirty points ahead of the Flyers, in the much tougher West, and they don't lose at home.

Realistically, the Flyers will be lucky to get one point out of this road trip.
- element_104

the Flyer GM has alot of work to do...I would love to see an entire D makeover in the off season and please no more 35 yo players in any position..grassiass

Okay, thought so. I'm done with this blog.

Bill, thanks for being a fantastic writer, I'll continue to read it every day.

What bothers me though, and I'm by no means blaming him is... If Mason could just find a way to make more stops we can win games like that 3-2. He just isnt coming up big. It doesnt really matter how many shots or what kind of shots are being taken the elite goalies find a way to save the puck. Mason is good, but we can't ride him. He needs a lot of help.
- GOA88

The first two goals were deflections. Stopping a puck deflected two feet in front of you is blind luck. It either hits you, or it doesn't. The reason some teams seem to score on more of those is that their point men can get those shots through to the front of the net, instead of blasting off the guy right in front of them.

Okay, thought so. I'm done with this blog.

Bill, thanks for being a fantastic writer, I'll continue to read it every day.
- jmatchett383

Despite the outcome, this was actually a really fun game to watch. It got pretty nasty in the second, and Simmonds was like a bull in a china shop. I wish they could have won, but again, they played hard and just got beat by a better team. I know the same old crew will be here in mere minutes to pick apart every single player for having a horrible game, but I thought it was one of their best efforts of the year, and they just came up short.
- jmatchett383

I think we found out why Western conference games are so much more entertaining. The refs do not call anything. I like it that way though. More physical play.

If the flyers keep playing like that they might get 3 out of the next 4 points.
I know they won't but Streit really needs to replace Kimmo on the 1st PP unit. Kimmo cant keep pucks on the wall anymore.

I watched the 3rd and was very happy with their play. Anaheim just so much quicker and deeper. New NHL vs. Jurassic age NHL

Pretty lazy backcheck by Giroux on the short handed goal. I believe that has happened before on a few of the those short handed goals this year yet he seems to avoid any blame.

Coburn and Hartnell for Eberle and either Nurse or Klefbom.

Would Oilers make this trade?

Bill, trust me when I say the Kings have not been a determined bunch in several weeks. We are a mess right now, part of it is Sutter has just screwed with the lines so bad players have 0 chemistry. This from a team who have virtually the same players for over 2 years.

Kings are abysmal right now and I don't see that changing until Sutter goes back to the lines that have gotten them to the dance the last couple of years.

Needs to put Carter back with Richards, needs to put Brown and Williams back with Kopitar. Maybe then they will start potting goals again.

Coburn and Hartnell for Eberle and either Nurse or Klefbom.

Would Oilers make this trade?
- mickel25

8 days of the week

Hi Guys, Just wanted to give a quick update from yesterday. Thank you all for the support. Shortly after I wrote the post a co-worker came back after his shift and let me go home. My wife was shaken up a bit but eventually calmed down.

She had a biopsy in New Haven Conneticut on Monday, and the results came back as 90% chance the growths are cancerous. The good new is it is Thyroid cancer and this type of cancer has a 95% recovery rate... or so says the internet. Another set of good new is that she is seeing the best surgeron. They will have to remove the Thyroid either way, but this Dr. did the same surgery on Tipper Gore...(of course right... That would be my Liberal wife and her mother....). And she will be treated by a doctor at John Hopkins pre and post surgery.

While it still sucks, we are going to remain upbeat and optomistic. Again, thank you everyone for your well wishs. Now back to hockey...

8 days of the week
- Just5

Ok, would the Flyers?