Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Takeaways from Game 4

terrible game all around....but the thing is, it's one game. they have to win 3 more against us. We need to bounce back and come ready to play on friday -- they didn't seem ready to play last night. Any idea why no elbow to Malkin on his hit on Grossmann?

Truly embarrassing.

Bill, what are your thoughts on Rinaldo? Not only do I feel he SHOULD be suspended, but even if he's not, to me he's now proven how dangerous it is to have him in the lineup. It just seem inevitable that he'll do something stupid.

The Flyers can't risk stupidity in game 5 ... or beyond.

Truly embarrassing.

Bill, what are your thoughts on Rinaldo? Not only do I feel he SHOULD be suspended, but even if he's not, to me he's now proven how dangerous it is to have him in the lineup. It just seem inevitable that he'll do something stupid.

The Flyers can't risk stupidity in game 5 ... or beyond.

- FlyerGuy

I agree. About to add a section on Rinaldo to main blog.

Well, last nights game was poop.

Turn the page and lets look forward to game 5.

Terrible game by the flyers. I hope this serves as a wake up call to play better team defense. I dont know how they are going to do that if they are missing grosmann. That was a cheap hit by Malikin with the intent to injure very clear! My question is:

How do you get the pens to stop targeting our players? They have been targeting certain individuals all series. Shannafail is just that fail. Nothing will happen to malkin because he is malkin. So what do the flyers do? I for one would understand if they tried to take Crosbys head off next game. Maybe thats how you get them to stop because at this point the league disciplinary is a JOKE!

Well, last nights game was poop.

Turn the page and lets look forward to game 5.


- ggunky

That's what I'm doing gunk. Can't let one bad loss kill all the joy in the post season. Win it tomorrow.

I agree. About to add a section on Rinaldo to main blog.
- bmeltzer

rinaldo and malkin should both be suspended.

How serious is Nicklas Grossmann concussion?

Just felt like the flyers came out thinking the pens would just lay down.

Grossman out is a major concern going forward. Especially when crease clearing issues are front and center again. I seem to remember a key player the flyers knocked out of the bruins series that allowed us to come from behind and win it. Pressure is on

Truly embarrassing.

Bill, what are your thoughts on Rinaldo? Not only do I feel he SHOULD be suspended, but even if he's not, to me he's now proven how dangerous it is to have him in the lineup. It just seem inevitable that he'll do something stupid.

The Flyers can't risk stupidity in game 5 ... or beyond.

- FlyerGuy

I believe Rinaldo was acting on the injury to Grossmann....Good for him! You dont win the cup by playing nice....

That's what I'm doing gunk. Can't let one bad loss kill all the joy in the post season. Win it tomorrow.
- bodiva88

yeah, I keep telling myself would I take a 3-1 lead going into Pittsburgh.....the answer is hell yes every single time!! who cares if we lose 1-0 or 20-0. It only counts for one win.

I like that Giroux apologized to the fans and said it won't happen again. Can't wait for Friday.

Terrible game by the flyers. I hope this serves as a wake up call to play better team defense. I dont know how they are going to do that if they are missing grosmann. That was a cheap hit by Malikin with the intent to injure very clear! My question is:

How do you get the pens to stop targeting our players? They have been targeting certain individuals all series. Shannafail is just that fail. Nothing will happen to malkin because he is malkin. So what do the flyers do? I for one would understand if they tried to take Crosbys head off next game. Maybe thats how you get them to stop because at this point the league disciplinary is a JOKE!
- Philly1980

I wouldn't. I want them to win game 5 and end this freakin' series ... not exact revenge for real or perceived dirty play.

Let's get to round 2, boys.

I wouldn't. I want them to win game 5 and end this freakin' series ... not exact revenge for real or perceived dirty play.

Let's get to round 2, boys.
- FlyerGuy

This.

And although I often joke about finishing quick to save me money. I do NOT want this going 6 because I do not want to pay good money to see that freakin' team that I hate AGAIN! WIN TOMORROW BOYS!

Grossman out is a major concern going forward. Especially when crease clearing issues are front and center again. I seem to remember a key player the flyers knocked out of the bruins series that allowed us to come from behind and win it. Pressure is on
- Just5

yes -- i was hoping nobody would bring that up, but you had to go there. Still can't believe there was no call on Malkin -- didn't he leave his feet, lead with his elbow and direct contact with the head? oh yeah, his name is malkin and he plays for pittsburgh, my fault.

What is up with Bryz?? He looks like a pilon out there?
- JimHughson

He's struggled to varying degrees in all but one game (vs. Buffalo, who had no legs to get him moving) since returning to the lineup one week after suffering a chip fracture in his right foot. The fracture is NOT healed yet, but he's trying to play through the discomfort.

Lateral movement is only part of the issue, though. He rebound control in the last two games has been non-existent, and his puck handling has been awful.

After the first-period debacle in Game 1, he was very good the rest of the way. In Game 2, he was adequate to win. In Game 3, he was shaky but the team scored so many goals it didn't matter. He was shaky again last night, and it did matter.

I love how Rinaldo is sending out twitter messages hours after he embarrassed himself, and his team was completely humiliated. Shows his maturity level and where his priorities are. He shouldn't see the ice again in the playoffs. If JVR isn't ready to go Friday dress Harry Z.

The rest of the series may likely be played with a defense core that includes Lilja, a crippled Kubina, and either Manning or Gustafsson. Not to mention Matt Carle who has been awful. Throw in a goaltender who has the lateral movement of a sloth, and things are about to get mighty interesting.

I wouldn't. I want them to win game 5 and end this freakin' series ... not exact revenge for real or perceived dirty play.

Let's get to round 2, boys.
- FlyerGuy

So do I. i dont like how the penguins are taking runs at our guys and nothing is being done. By the end of this all well have half the phantoms playing in round 2, if we get that far.

Truly embarrassing.

Bill, what are your thoughts on Rinaldo? Not only do I feel he SHOULD be suspended, but even if he's not, to me he's now proven how dangerous it is to have him in the lineup. It just seem inevitable that he'll do something stupid.

The Flyers can't risk stupidity in game 5 ... or beyond.

- FlyerGuy

I suggested this prior to Game 3 and was told that it would be abhorrent to make such a move.

How serious is Nicklas Grossmann concussion?

Just felt like the flyers came out thinking the pens would just lay down.
- moonwasaloon

No way to know. He could be out for less than a week -- especially if the team never officially calls it a concussion -- or he could be out a long time. Such is the nature of concussions, especially in the playoffs.

I love how Rinaldo is sending out twitter messages hours after he embarrassed himself, and his team was completely humiliated. Shows his maturity level and where his priorities are. He shouldn't see the ice again in the playoffs. If JVR isn't ready to go Friday dress Harry Z.

The rest of the series may likely be played with a defense core that includes Lilja, a crippled Kubina, and either Manning or Gustafsson. Not to mention Matt Carle who has been awful. Throw in a goaltender who has the lateral movement of a sloth, and things are about to get mighty interesting.
- PLindbergh31

Matt Carle has been outstanding (discounting everyone's game 4). He's been playing big defensive minutes and has played them very well.

I love how Rinaldo is sending out twitter messages hours after he embarrassed himself, and his team was completely humiliated. Shows his maturity level and where his priorities are. He shouldn't see the ice again in the playoffs. If JVR isn't ready to go Friday dress Harry Z.

The rest of the series may likely be played with a defense core that includes Lilja, a crippled Kubina, and either Manning or Gustafsson. Not to mention Matt Carle who has been awful. Throw in a goaltender who has the lateral movement of a sloth, and things are about to get mighty interesting.
- PLindbergh31

I'm ok with Gus and Lilja as a third D unit.

Just have to rely hard on the top 4 -- 24 minutes and up for them.

I love how Rinaldo is sending out twitter messages hours after he embarrassed himself, and his team was completely humiliated. Shows his maturity level and where his priorities are. He shouldn't see the ice again in the playoffs. If JVR isn't ready to go Friday dress Harry Z.

The rest of the series may likely be played with a defense core that includes Lilja, a crippled Kubina, and either Manning or Gustafsson. Not to mention Matt Carle who has been awful. Throw in a goaltender who has the lateral movement of a sloth, and things are about to get mighty interesting.
- PLindbergh31

I dont see what rinaldo did was wrong after the hits by Malkin and kennedy to grosmann. Im only upset that he didnt send Crosby to early retirement. The penguins with the reckless way they are playing are going to have to pay the pipper sooner or later.

I suggested this prior to Game 3 and was told that it would be abhorrent to make such a move.
- bradleyc4

I've defended the guy a lot during the regular season ... but my opinion on him has changed. He's not only a punk, but he's a selfish player who is VERY immature.

That's a bad thing ... especially in the playoffs.

Matt Carle has been outstanding (discounting everyone's game 4). He's been playing big defensive minutes and has played them very well.
- bradleyc4

Yeah, he was outstanding when he collided with Lilja on Neal's goal in game 3, as well as being turnstyled by Crosby in the first minute of game 2. How bout his turnover that nearly enabled the Penguins to tie the game in game 1. His two penalties and pathetic clearing attempt that lead to a Penguins goal were particularly stellar last night. Clearly all the ineptitude I have mentioned here is scapegoating.