The Flyers defense it too often the target for overall bad team defense. The forwards aren't getting back. This was a problem in the Jersey series last year as well. There is no consequences for not back checking either. Briere is one if the biggest culprits and he is suppose to be a veteran leader.

That was exactly my thought. As I was watching it I was getting pissed. I may be wrong, but TB had Crombeen in the FO circle to start that play.. he was tossed (presumably for a little jab of the stick) and then really went after him. It was BS. It literally lasted the full shift.
- jak521

Looked to me like G was yapping before, during, and after the draw. Crombeen must have the thin skin of Andre Roy.

Wait a minute. Those legs are actually getting that guy somewhere.
- Flyskippy

So we are thinking more along these lines...

I really think we need to look at this correctly. In the first few games, we saw quite a few players on the Flyers get off to a slow start out of the lockout. And have their timing and game off. This was the first game of the Season for Leighton. And while overall he didn't look great. He still made some quality saves.
- MJL

Yea, I actually made that same comment later on to a poster.. I agree.. Ill give him time, but last night was scary.

The Flyers defense it too often the target for overall bad team defense. The forwards aren't getting back. This was a problem in the Jersey series last year as well. There is no consequences for not back checking either. Briere is one if the biggest culprits and he is suppose to be a veteran leader.
- psuhockey

Except often in the playoffs he steps up his back checking. I noticed that in the two series last spring. He needs to do it now, though, or there will be no playoffs.

The Flyers defense it too often the target for overall bad team defense. The forwards aren't getting back. This was a problem in the Jersey series last year as well. There is no consequences for not back checking either. Briere is one if the biggest culprits and he is suppose to be a veteran leader.
- psuhockey

I agree, but i think with better team defense (im not talking a tweaking of the system either) they could overcome it. The defense has not been as bad as the record would indicate. The forwards defensively have been.
- jak521

Agreed. Same old, same old. Lack of team play and lack of team defense, makes defenseman look bad. It's like blaming the safety on a 60 yard touchdown for not making the game saving tackle. When they running back ran through half the defense.

Truth is that the Flyer 5 on 5 defense overall hasn't been that bad. It's the PK that is letting in a ridiculous amount of goals.

seems like with Lavy's system you get all or nothing from the team

The big save on Stamkos in the second period was actually just Stamkos slightly missing the mark. There was room to puck that puck through and Stamkos didn't direct it quite where he wanted it. Leighton got a little lucky on that one, but all goalies need a little good fortune to balance out some of the bad bounces.

My assessment of Leighton was based on an overall impression that he had no rhythm and was fighting the puck even when he did make stops.

So we are thinking more along these lines...


- BuffaloHardHat

In jest, yes. Not in reality.

Yea I thought about that one, but it deflected up high.. it wasnt like he was standing right in front. I wont say it was only Leightons fault, but he was super slow, chronically out of position, and terrible at reading the plays. Ill give him the benefit of the doubt because its been so long since he has seen game play, but damn... scary stuff.
- jak521

The 2nd goal deflected along the ice, not up high. Leighton had little chance on it.

In fairness to Leighton, the conditions going into the game were far from ideal for him. He was going to need his fair share of help, especially in the early going of the game. Last night was his first game action of any kind since his final AHL start (April 14, 2012) of last season, first NHL game since a disastrous appearance in Game 6 of the 2011 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against Buffalo and first NHL regular season game since Dec. 20, 2010 (a 7-4 win over Los Angeles).
- Bill Meltzer

Given all that, I find it curious that he got the start against Tampa rather than starting against a bad and injury depleted Florida team. (And speaking of that game, it's hard for me to figure out if they played really well or if they were just okay and the result reflected more on the fact that it was a bad and injury depleted Florida team.)

Actually, I find it curious that Bryz got a night off at all. I'd think it's too early in the season for fatigue to be a concern. He's been on a good roll all season and has arguably been the best player on the team thus far. Why stop the train now?

Given all that, I find it curious that he got the start against Tampa rather than starting against a bad and injury depleted Florida team. (And speaking of that game, it's hard for me to figure out if they played really good or if they were just okay and the result reflected more on the fact that it was a bad and injury depleted Florida team.)

Actually, I find it curious that Bryz got a night off at all. I'd think it's too early in the season for fatigue to be a concern. He's been on a good roll all season and has arguably been the best player on the team thus far. Why stop the train now?
- Scoob

they played good...the score should have been 7-3 but Bryz made those 2 sparkling saves

The big save on Stamkos in the second period was actually just Stamkos slightly missing the mark. There was room to puck that puck through and Stamkos didn't direct it quite where he wanted it. Leighton got a little lucky on that one, but all goalies need a little good fortune to balance out some of the bad bounces.

My assessment of Leighton was based on an overall impression that he had no rhythm and was fighting the puck even when he did make stops.
- bmeltzer

Oh so now he's like the puck-fighting ninja, Tim Thomas? (no sarcasm smiley on my iPhone)

But, do they try to fix it this year. Do they go after a guy like Subban?
- spatso

I sure as heck hope not. If they didn't want to resign a veteran Carle for $5+ million a year, Homer better not give that unproven piece of garbage $5.5+million plus Couturier/Schenn/Read and picks for him. If they didn't go after DelZotto, I sure hope they don't go after Subban.

People need to stop panicking about the d.. yeah, they stink right now.. but last time I checked, the offense isn't exactly helping out either (with the exception of Fl).. not to mention, Gus and Bourdon will be healthy soon. Sad part is, Timonen has been the worst of them so far. Gervais and Foster have both looked pretty decent most of the time. So brining in a dman to replace either of them wont magically help the team win.

You just cannot throw that much money and a role player at Subban... especially since he's nothing but a cancer on and off the ice. If it continues on this way, look to draft a dman or look to the FA market. But all of this talk of getting Subban is making me sick. I keep praying Montreal signs him asap..

Except often in the playoffs he steps up his back checking. I noticed that in the two series last spring. He needs to do it now, though, or there will be no playoffs.
- Flyskippy

The whole team. As scary as this is to say, G has been one of our worst players IMO. He is forcing EVERYTHING, is making very low percentage plays, has not been reliable at all in the d-zone. I know its early, but there really isnt much time to find your groove.. got get rolling.. now

The big save on Stamkos in the second period was actually just Stamkos slightly missing the mark. There was room to puck that puck through and Stamkos didn't direct it quite where he wanted it. Leighton got a little lucky on that one, but all goalies need a little good fortune to balance out some of the bad bounces.

My assessment of Leighton was based on an overall impression that he had no rhythm and was fighting the puck even when he did make stops.
- bmeltzer

you are right on Bill...how quickly these fans forget Kane's goal

The 2nd goal deflected along the ice, not up high. Leighton had little chance on it.
- MJL

Up high as in, high in the zone.. it wasnt deflected right in front of the net.

The big save on Stamkos in the second period was actually just Stamkos slightly missing the mark. There was room to puck that puck through and Stamkos didn't direct it quite where he wanted it. Leighton got a little lucky on that one, but all goalies need a little good fortune to balance out some of the bad bounces.

My assessment of Leighton was based on an overall impression that he had no rhythm and was fighting the puck even when he did make stops.
- bmeltzer

"As for the goaltending, what can I say? Leighton did not look like an NHL goaltender last night. His reaction times were too slow, the angles weren't sufficiently covered, the rebounds went directly into the slot...The Flyers weren't going to win regardless of the goaltending because they were outplayed in every facet of the game. But Leighton did very little to give the team a chance to regain its equilibrium. Even his saves looked awkward and off-balance; hardly something to inspire confidence in his teammates that he could erase defensive mistakes."




thanks homer, for the self-inflicted wound

I think if Bryz is in goal you get a 2-1 game

I sure as heck hope not. If they didn't want to resign a veteran Carle for $5+ million a year, Homer better not give that unproven piece of garbage $5.5+million plus Couturier/Schenn/Read and picks for him. If they didn't go after DelZotto, I sure hope they don't go after Subban.

People need to stop panicking about the d.. yeah, they stink right now.. but last time I checked, the offense isn't exactly helping out either (with the exception of Fl).. not to mention, Gus and Bourdon will be healthy soon. Sad part is, Timonen has been the worst of them so far. Gervais and Foster have both looked pretty decent most of the time. So brining in a dman to replace either of them wont magically help the team win.


- WarriorHockey21

Subban is a very good young player, but I agree with the risks involved. I agree with the basic premise. All except on Foster. He has not played very well at all.

you are right on Bill...how quickly these fans forget Kane's goal
- vejim

how shortsighted it is to hang a guy's reputation on 1 goal and forget his play in the BOS & MTL series that year.

"As for the goaltending, what can I say? Leighton did not look like an NHL goaltender last night. His reaction times were too slow, the angles weren't sufficiently covered, the rebounds went directly into the slot...The Flyers weren't going to win regardless of the goaltending because they were outplayed in every facet of the game. But Leighton did very little to give the team a chance to regain its equilibrium. Even his saves looked awkward and off-balance; hardly something to inspire confidence in his teammates that he could erase defensive mistakes."




thanks homer, for the self-inflicted wound
- isaiah520

It's one game. We saw Timonen, Coburn, and other players come into their first game action out of the lockout and struggle. Leighton deserves the same benefit of the doubt. He can play much better then he did last night.

Second goal deflected off Talbot's shin. Deflect shin.
- Flyskippy

I didn't see the replay that showed that, just that he was in the butterfly before the shot was released. I stand corrected.