Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Not Ready for Broadway

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Not Ready for Broadway
- bmeltzer

Great blog as usual.

Last night was an extremely frustrating game to watch.

They really controlled the game. I know they contributed offensively, but even without the goal, they dominated last night. They showed a a true shutdown pairing can do in a big game.
- PhillySportsGuy


I think maybe 1 or 2 battles were won against those two all night.

They were overskating pucks rather than stopping on them and battling.

This. I hate this.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Not Ready for Broadway
- bmeltzer

I was really disappointed in the overall effort they showed last night. I have to wonder if fatigue is becoming an issue considering the run of games against tough opponents that they are in right now. It seemed that older players like VL and Timonen really struggled last night. Also it was reported that Grossmann, who I also thought played poorly last night, came to the rink in some type of walking boot. If he is injured, would it make sense to give him a night off? I would hope Gill could fill his role for one game. Also perhaps it would be wise to sit Timonen for one game soon and let Gus fill in for him.

They really need to come out with their "A" game tomorrow and take it to a reeling Leafs club. A loss Friday, and they could really be in trouble.

Last night was an extremely frustrating game to watch.



I agree, and they better be up for the Leafs on Friday because they are getting bashed BIG time by the media for " being too soft" and falling out of playoff race. They will come out hard. I live in Toronto and I can't stand it when the Flyers loose to them. Giroux has to come out and play like he is possessed. Phaneuf is getting roasted in Toronto for his lack of leadership and toughness. Flyers have to score early.... And hopefully often!

They're saying the right things; they need to act on it. These games are much too important. From http://www.csnphilly.com/...enough-fight-loss-rangers -

“We didn’t play our game,” Claude Giroux said. “It’s like we didn’t have any energy. Some lines did play well, did the right things. Our line wasn’t doing the right things out there, we were doing a lot of bad things.

“We’ve got to do a better job of getting ready and play better games.”


And...

“We got away from what was making us successful,” Steve Mason said. “You look at the intensity that we brought in games against Pittsburgh, and I just feel that it wasn’t there tonight. These are huge games for us, and for us to not come out with our best effort, we need better.”

Granted, the goalie can't control how the team plays in front of him, but he does have a voice in the room.

I was really disappointed in the overall effort they showed last night. I have to wonder if fatigue is becoming an issue considering the run of games against tough opponents that they are in right now. It seemed that older players like VL and Timonen really struggled last night. Also it was reported that Grossmann, who I also thought played poorly last night, came to the rink in some type of walking boot. If he is injured, would it make sense to give him a night off? I would hope Gill could fill his role for one game. Also perhaps it would be wise to sit Timonen for one game soon and let Gus fill in for him.

They really need to come out with their "A" game tomorrow and take it to a reeling Leafs club. A loss Friday, and they could really be in trouble.
- BiggE

Grossmann has been hurting since the STL game. Was limping after the game, played vs LA but then took a maintenance day on Tuesday.

Did anyone see the tweets directed towards Simmonds last night? (not sure if it was from Rangers fans or just some random idiot) that told him to "go and slash a banana instead. Douche"? Simmonds handled it well and basically called the person classless, but wow.. I thought that comment was completely offside.

Grossmann has been hurting since the STL game. Was limping after the game, played vs LA but then took a maintenance day on Tuesday.
- bmeltzer

Do you think it would be in his/the team's best interests to rest him for a game and give Gus a call up?

Yeesh

Do you think it would be in his/the team's best interests to rest him for a game and give Gus a call up?
- jmatchett383

Yes to both. I know players try to play through most everything, especially this time of year, but he was not effective last night.

Yeesh
- Giroux_Is_God

'Bout sums it up.

Yes to both. I know players try to play through most everything, especially this time of year, but he was not effective last night.
- bmeltzer

He got one really solid shot off last night. Too bad it nailed Hartnell (bet he's feeling that one today).

Have to disagree with some points. I think the Flyers problem wasn't a lack of assertiveness in the offensive zone. They had possession in the Rangers end for a decent amount of time and had quite a number of shifts that cycled and held the puck in. Lundqvist made a number of key saves. Many of which involved fighting through traffic and screens in front and making the saves off big open point shots. The reason the Flyers lost was a lack of assertiveness in the defensive zone which is really where the inconsistency of their game lies. Dorsett's first goal was due to a lack of crease protection, not only did he get to the front of the net, he had enough time to knock down the point shot and take another swipe lifting it over Mason. Sure, the sudden change of direction threw Mason off, Dorsett was given too much time uncontested. The second goal by McDonagh was a thing of beauty but again, caused by a lackluster effort getting the puck out and then all the Flyers just stood and watched as McD coasted through the high slot and took his time picking his target. The Flyers were just too slow with their breakouts and lack of support for outlet passes caused the Rangers to hound them all night with the offensive zone forecheck. A few missed coverages also led to the Rangers often standing uncontested in high scoring chance areas.

'Bout sums it up.
- tangent_man

Yes it does.

I really feel that some guys could use a game off: Timonen and Grossmann for sure.

I know Timonen hates missing games, but tough poop. He's 39 and subbing Gus in for him for one friggin game so he can get 3 days in a row off would not be a bad idea. Also Grossmann is hurt and clearly struggling so either sit him for Gill for a game or if Gill has nothing left, than bring up Lauridsen. Keeping injured and/or exhausted players in the lineup is not doing the team any favors.

He got one really solid shot off last night. Too bad it nailed Hartnell (bet he's feeling that one today).
- tangent_man

Hopefully he doesn't wake up with a swollen foot and a hairline fracture, that was nasty!

Have to disagree with some points. I think the Flyers problem wasn't a lack of assertiveness in the offensive zone. They had possession in the Rangers end for a decent amount of time and had quite a number of shifts that cycled and held the puck in. Lundqvist made a number of key saves. Many of which involved fighting through traffic and screens in front and making the saves off big open point shots. The reason the Flyers lost was a lack of assertiveness in the defensive zone which is really where the inconsistency of their game lies. Dorsett's first goal was due to a lack of crease protection, not only did he get to the front of the net, he had enough time to knock down the point shot and take another swipe lifting it over Mason. Sure, the sudden change of direction threw Mason off, Dorsett was given too much time uncontested. The second goal by McDonagh was a thing of beauty but again, caused by a lackluster effort getting the puck out and then all the Flyers just stood and watched as McD coasted through the high slot and took his time picking his target. The Flyers were just too slow with their breakouts and lack of support for outlet passes caused the Rangers to hound them all night with the offensive zone forecheck. A few missed coverages also led to the Rangers often standing uncontested in high scoring chance areas.
- xcheckmajor

Sometimes I think they're too assertive in their own zone and they get to running around, which screws everything up. If they have to switch things up and play a passive box + 1 once in a while just to keep things to the outside, it might help them stabilize...just a thought.

Did anyone see the tweets directed towards Simmonds last night? (not sure if it was from Rangers fans or just some random idiot) that told him to "go and slash a banana instead. Douche"? Simmonds handled it well and basically called the person classless, but wow.. I thought that comment was completely offside.
- Hextall271

Must have been one of those horrible Philadelphia fans.

Did anyone see the tweets directed towards Simmonds last night? (not sure if it was from Rangers fans or just some random idiot) that told him to "go and slash a banana instead. Douche"? Simmonds handled it well and basically called the person classless, but wow.. I thought that comment was completely offside.
- Hextall271

I am a big Simmonds fan (aka I hate him cause he is Flyer) but that was an unnecessary and dirty play.

But whoever made the above comment needs to be tarred and feathered. I guess you can take refuge in knowing he is a classless chickenpoo 40 year old sitting in his moms basement.

Otherwise, it was a really good game. Rangers got some bounces, that was the difference.

Did anyone see the tweets directed towards Simmonds last night? (not sure if it was from Rangers fans or just some random idiot) that told him to "go and slash a banana instead. Douche"? Simmonds handled it well and basically called the person classless, but wow.. I thought that comment was completely offside.
- Hextall271

well racist comments are always out of line, but hopefully when he speaks to Shanahan today about attempting to injure McDonagh he only hears the word suspension.

Did anyone see the tweets directed towards Simmonds last night? (not sure if it was from Rangers fans or just some random idiot) that told him to "go and slash a banana instead. Douche"? Simmonds handled it well and basically called the person classless, but wow.. I thought that comment was completely offside.
- Hextall271

It was some Rangers fan "KyleManger24". He tried to delete the tweet, but it's obvious he was reported, his account is now deleted..

well racist comments are always out of line, but hopefully when he speaks to Shanahan today about attempting to injure McDonagh he only hears the word suspension.
- jimbro83

As long as he gets the same suspension for Nash' flying elbow on Kopecky, I'm cool with it.

The way the Flyers played yesterday coupled with having to listen to Doc and Pierre

It was some Rangers fan "KyleManger24". He tried to delete the tweet, but it's obvious he was reported, his account is now deleted..
- Ondrej F

huh what a idiot...has his name in his handle....