Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Flyers to Fall 5-3 to Columbus, Lead Down to a Tiebreaker

Lyon to start the next game?

Lyon to start the next game?
- Sublime55

Why not really?

Did the team go out and get drunk?

(frank)ing yowza

Maybe they should have they would have played better.

Did the team go out and get drunk?
- Hatchet

Do you mean TANKed?

Been trying to keep a level head through the skid, but last night was unacceptable. Unfortunately I have no idea how they go about correcting the issue. Could try some line changes, but unless the players pull their heads out of their butts not much will change.

Well looking at the standings they'll probably still make the playoffs but it's hard to have any confidence that they'll be going on any kind of run. Yes, I'm aware anything can happen in the playoffs and I'd be thrilled for them to prove me wrong but I'm not getting my hopes up given the last few games I've seen. Oh well, didn't expect them to compete this year anyway. At least they didn't suck the entire year.

But it's looking like the Blues pick won't be any higher than 12th. And if the season ended today we'd be picking 17th. That's pretty exciting.

At least they had fun.

I don't think we are making playoffs at this point Florida with games in hand is red hot it's likely devils or flyers miss and who is playing better ?

Looks like we will have 2 picks 11 to 16.

My frustration is everyone got hyped up when we beat bad teams and crowned hak coach of the year. We are now playing good teams and losing winnable games due to system break downs, coming out slow, lazy defense, bad mistakes, etc. We knew we were a bubble team and that's right where we are.

The pros are lindblom Patrick sanheim tk provy gost continue to be some our best players down the stretch run. I love that part. The cons are some our worst players on this stretch are our vets. We need to change the bottom 6 faces drastically next year and especially our bottom pairing on d.

I was the only one who didn't believe.

I don't think we are making playoffs at this point Florida with games in hand is red hot it's likely devils or flyers miss and who is playing better ?

Looks like we will have 2 picks 11 to 16.

My frustration is everyone got hyped up when we beat bad teams and crowned hak coach of the year. We are now playing good teams and losing winnable games due to system break downs, coming out slow, lazy defense, bad mistakes, etc. We knew we were a bubble team and that's right where we are.

The pros are lindblom Patrick sanheim tk provy gost continue to be some our best players down the stretch run. I love that part. The cons are some our worst players on this stretch are our vets. We need to change the bottom 6 faces drastically next year and especially our bottom pairing on d.
- Tfaehner

At this point, I’d be surprised if Simmonds doesn’t get moved in the off-season given the play of Lindblom. Weise could very well be a buyout candidate also.

Yyz

I don't think we are making playoffs at this point Florida with games in hand is red hot it's likely devils or flyers miss and who is playing better ?

Looks like we will have 2 picks 11 to 16.

My frustration is everyone got hyped up when we beat bad teams and crowned hak coach of the year. We are now playing good teams and losing winnable games due to system break downs, coming out slow, lazy defense, bad mistakes, etc. We knew we were a bubble team and that's right where we are.

The pros are lindblom Patrick sanheim tk provy gost continue to be some our best players down the stretch run. I love that part. The cons are some our worst players on this stretch are our vets. We need to change the bottom 6 faces drastically next year and especially our bottom pairing on d.
- Tfaehner

On a more serious note -- Even during that stretch of hot hockey, they didn't consistently play well against playoff teams. They had a couple of wins against really good teams, particularly on the road, that I think had people elevating their expectations, but their overall record against teams currently in playoff position is 11-12 (maybe a few OTLs, but you get the drift).

Given where we are and have been in the standings, I will be disappointed at not making the playoffs this season. I think they have enough talent on this roster to get there.

At this point, I’d be surprised if Simmonds doesn’t get moved in the off-season given the play of Lindblom. Weise could very well be a buyout candidate also.
- Sublime55

I'd let Weise rot in the AHL for two years instead of buying him out.

Reviewing comments in yesterday's blog, I see all the fun people are back.

The young players will get 4 nice games of post season experience this year. It's a start.

Need to find a way to get a useful third line. Also, need to mix up the D pairings to find a useful second pairing. Also would be nice to get a save here and there.

Not going to call out specific players. They know who they are.

I'd let Weiss rot in the AHL for two years before instead of buying him out.
- FlyerFan16

I just hope Hexy learned his lesson and doesn't go sign a veteran 3/4C for longer than 1 year. There's no one in FA that I think fills that role, but if it's only for a year okay.

If they decide to bring back Filp, I would like to see a reduction is role and ice time next season, preferably on the wing.

I just hope Hexy learned his lesson and doesn't go sign a veteran 3/4C for longer than 1 year. There's no one in FA that I think fills that role, but if it's only for a year okay.

If they decide to bring back Filp, I would like to see a reduction is role and ice time next season, preferably on the wing.
- VladDrag

The bottom six needs to be revamped. I would keep Raffl and Laughton and trade/buyout/AHL the rest. If they get a talented center maybe Weal would work as well. Other than that they all can go. Should have a few guys to fill from within. Maybe trade for a specific player. Don't care how it is done just needs to be done.

The only downside to moving G to wing is that this team now sorely needs a 3C. Are any of the center prospects ready to step up next year? I'm not sure. I suppose they should run with Laughton in that spot to start next year and go from there.

And to echo others I suspect some shakeup to the bottom 6 this off-season. They're just not cutting it, be it at even strength or on the PK. It's not like the bottom 6 is even full of rookies. They're vets. No excuses.

Another excellent summary Bill.

I had really two, maybe biased take aways from the game:

1. Mrazek was only truly to blame for the 4th goal. There was one other that he might have had on a good night...but really only the 4th goal. And he owned it. He came right out and said they needed that save and he didn't make it. It was clear he was leaning to play the pass and that was also why that shot was taken...Not in love with how he played in that game but really respect how he responded afterwards.

2. The Flyers need help on the blue line long term. Manning and Gudas and AMac are killing them. Yes, AMac scores a clutch goal, but he is also a turnover machine. Gudas and Manning who are supposed to be the rugged in the trenches players both got out muscled and positioned on goals.

"if we make the playoffs or not" ??

I missed the beginning of the game, but did Hakstol switch Filppula and Laughton?