Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Putaway Pitches

Malkin's antics sicken me. Dirty dirty player. If you're not wearing Pens colored glasses folks see it.

I'd have to say he's my most hated player in the NHL and I hope he gets his at some point.

2nd

The staal line is really exploiting a certain matchup. I don't care if guys are high octance goal scorers in the playoffs or not. At this point it's all hands on deck and the Flyers had better stop giving the Penguins the time and space they need to pick a corner.

They lock it down and win on Sunday.

Naturally the team has a slew of key injuries at the most inopportune time. Just once it would be nice to see this team enjoy some injury luck during a playoff run. It's the first round and their defense has been reduced to a skeleton crew.

I think the Flyers should consider going with 7 Dmen next game. With Grossmann out and Kubina ineffective to the point of being unusable, Lauridsen would be my 7th D for his size. However, Manning would be more likely to get the nod.

I really think if the Flyers didn't stop moving in the 2nd period last night the series would be over. Kubina has beebread terrible might as well bring up another guy.

Malkin is dirty and cheap, but the league clearly isn't going to do anything about it. Star player gets star treatment.

Great summary, Bill. My biggest concerns are that Philly has allowed MAF to find his game by giving away game 4. With that lack luster effort it allowed MAF to relax a bit and rediscover his confidence. Also, as you mentioned, the lack of even strength scoring is an issue. If Pitt can fix their PK and Philly all of a sudden goes cold on the man advantage it spells trouble for the Flyers. I won't even delve into the injury issues.

I keep replaying Danny's two golden opportunities to tie it up. Sure MAF was there but he just needed a little more air on it.

Also was it legal for brooks to sit on JvR and hold his head down on the ice?

Also was it legal for brooks to sit on JvR and hold his head down on the ice?
- LJF

That was total bs. He was on him for like :30 seconds plus.

Also was it legal for brooks to sit on JvR and hold his head down on the ice?
- LJF

I was thinking the same thing! Looked like he was grinding JvR's face into the ice. And that was after a few cross checks to his back. I can't believe how much garbage they are letting the penguins get away with in front of the net. I want to see one (or more) of Malkin, Crosby, Letang, or Orpik get absolutely destroyed with a legal hit before this is over.

I really can't believe there was nothing called on Brooks Oprik late in the third.

What a joke.

I was thinking the same thing! Looked like he was grinding JvR's face into the ice. And that was after a few cross checks to his back. I can't believe how much garbage they are letting the penguins get away with in front of the net. I want to see one (or more) of Malkin, Crosby, Letang, or Orpik get absolutely destroyed with a legal hit before this is over.
- FlyersInVA

Malkin nearly took care of that for the Flyers last night with his accidental crushing hit on Crosby.

I really can't believe there was nothing called on Brooks Oprik late in the third.

What a joke.
- KGBflyers10

Agree, because it went on forever. But refs gave Flyers an "even up non-call" late in the game when Coburn's blatant trip when unpenalized and the result of it allowed the Flyers to go right back to the attack.

I think the Flyers should consider going with 7 Dmen next game. With Grossmann out and Kubina ineffective to the point of being unusable, Lauridsen would be my 7th D for his size. However, Manning would be more likely to get the nod.
- bmeltzer

i said this last night after the first period. if you're playing JVR only 1 minute a period, it's a total waste. go with 7 dmen, especially in case of another injury to a top dman, and maybe cut the top 3 dmen minutes a bit overall. i don't buy the "have to get jvr up to speed" bit if he's only playing that much. let him get his practice in at full-bore, hope they make it to the next round, and put him in then at the start of a fresh series.
manning did a solid job. he's not going to be worse than what they have out there now.

last night was a massive wasted opportunity.

I keep replaying Danny's two golden opportunities to tie it up. Sure MAF was there but he just needed a little more air on it.
- FlyersFirst

danny is probably doing the same thing. i can't believe he didn't elevate either of those two chances. he's money in that situation.

] last night was a massive wasted opportunity.
- hammarby31

It really hurts. Score first, take a 2-1 lead to 1st intermission, keep both Malkin and Crosby off the scoreboard. Need to win a game like that.

It really hurts. Score first, take a 2-1 lead to 1st intermission, keep both Malkin and Crosby off the scoreboard. Need to win a game like that.
- bmeltzer

yep. i likened it to scoring 5 or 6 goals on thomas and still losing, which the flyers have done on more than one occasion.

speaking of the evil duo, didn't notice crosby much after the hit. he very well have been shaken by malkin. concussions are a funny thing. i know it's not nice to wish injury on other players, but malkin has continuously attempted and sometimes succeeded in injuring ours. sorry, but i want him crushed. not a lot of options to find someone who's capable. all the big boys are out of the series.

It really hurts. Score first, take a 2-1 lead to 1st intermission, keep both Malkin and Crosby off the scoreboard. Need to win a game like that.
- bmeltzer

What about game 4, that to me was a must win. The pens down a few key or at least one key player, that was the game to win. Give the team Time to rest up, but no they imploded.

The Flyers can beat the pens, they've been doing it all season, they just need to remember that.

I think the Flyers should consider going with 7 Dmen next game. With Grossmann out and Kubina ineffective to the point of being unusable, Lauridsen would be my 7th D for his size. However, Manning would be more likely to get the nod.
- bmeltzer

I said this yesterday before the game that they should insert Manning into the lineup. If Kubina cant move and is giving you absolutely nothing than they need to make the move.

I thought the Flyers played well but in the second period they lost focus that lead to a 2 on 1 (why Coburn jumped the play I have no idea) and then five Flyers down low and Kennedy had all day to fire a slapper from the dot.

Flyers need to generate more offense 5 on 5 and I think they do that by cycling the puck deep. Whenever the Flyers have done this they create great opportunities because Pittsburgh cant match them.

The Flyers can beat the pens, they've been doing it all season, they just need to remember that.
- LJF

They can definitely beat the Pens. Only need one. But I have the feeling they are going to need five or six goals to do it.... a minimum of 4.

quick turnaround....sunday at noon is the game right? Geez. They blew a golden opportunity last night. This series is right there for the pens now

danny is probably doing the same thing. i can't believe he didn't elevate either of those two chances. he's money in that situation.
- hammarby31

Him and Hartnell, they get those chances again they deliver.