Trying something a bit different with the post-game analysis/recap format. Let me know if you like this better or prefer the previous continuous narrative plus notes at the end.
- bmeltzer

Top notch, Bill! I really like it. Thank you very much.

We could of resigned Shelley instead at a more cap friendly hit if were talking leadership in the room and dedication as main ingredients. I liked Hartnells hustle, but the man on skates sometimes drives fans and coaches nuts...he fumbles around out there so much, falling all over, going down on his knees for his one times..lets admit it here, he is no crosby in that situation.
- Buzzo

Believe me, I was never a Hartnell supporter, however I have seen how much better he has gotten, and see how important players like him are.

We need to keep Hartnell because of his age. He is a leader in that room. Cap friendly...for now... and is a vet. He played great last night and showed his dedication by coming into cap as fit as he has ever been.
- youarewrong

I agree with your assessment of hartnell but if I only have to pay vanek 2 mill more a year than hartnell then deal deal deal. Vanek is way better than hartnell. Vanek is a vet Also but still younger than hartnell and a captian this season. Well respected. He'd be good for 40 to 50 goals innphilly. Look what he does on a poopty sabres team

Top notch, Bill! I really like it. Thank you very much.
- Scoob

Ditto.

Was nice also to see them move the puck around on the pp instead of the boring pass to g on the half wall and back to kimmo crap.
- SMS4016

The PP looked good other than the fact we coulnd't score. Big mitigating factor though was that this was vs a team playing the second of back to backs. For some reason, we NEVER take advantage of that and normally find a way to lose. I suspect the Leafs would have been better were this not the case, and that's why it's so frustrating. We looked solid, but the proof is in the puddin. They need a solid start to the season IMO.

I think the biggest concern for me was the crazy number of missed shots

Speaking of defense. I was happy with the teams defense most of the night. Didn't hear Kessel's name until he scored the goal, or JVR's much at all.

Come on people. They played a very good game against a hard working defensive team. Sure we came up short, but this is the play we were looking for against teams like Toronto, Jersey, Rangers, and Boston. I think this answers that we can play with them.
- youarewrong

they were also out worked in the 3rd period vs a team on a back-to-back...just sayin'

He's back!!!
- Flyers_1488

Oh man oh man. I cant wait until he Plays Torts and Lavi.... The coached fights will be better then the player fights...

The Flyers werent the only ones who faded at the finish. I fell asleep during the second intermission and woke up after the game was over, which may or may not have been a blessing in disguise.

I'm getting old.
- Doc_Sarcasm

Yeah, I pretty much agree. Mistakes happen in hockey. Toronto capitalized on the Streit and Talbot miscues, while philly didn't convert on any of the many toronto ones, mostly because of Bernier
- phatpat44

Yeah we ran into a hot goalie. he may have not made highlight real saves, but he was always in good position to make the save. Mason played good cant expect to win hockey games with one goal. IF we finished more that would be a solid win for him.

Vandk= leclair with skill

Wait for it...

Wait for it...


- BulliesPhan87

the ending of this one shows promise of a sequel...

The PP looked good other than the fact we coulnd't score. Big mitigating factor though was that this was vs a team playing the second of back to backs. For some reason, we NEVER take advantage of that and normally find a way to lose. I suspect the Leafs would have been better were this not the case, and that's why it's so frustrating. We looked solid, but the proof is in the puddin. They need a solid start to the season IMO.
- Hextall271

We get vanek and that will change in a hurry

they were also out worked in the 3rd period vs a team on a back-to-back...just sayin'
- isaiah520

It is also just the second day of the season. Just saying. Its not like they were that tired because they ahve been playing and traveling alot before this....

But it's so hip to PANIC!
- tangent_man

Should have got Robert Ryan to put the goals away. Our season would look much different. 1-0 vs 0-1. I call the Walt Whitman

That's not the question I'd ask. The question I'd ask it's what's better out of this choice.

Read-Lecavalier-Simmonds
Talbot-Couturier-Schenn

or

Schenn-Lecavalier-Simmonds
Talbot-Couturier-Read

I'd choose the latter.
- MJL

Schenn-Lecavalier-Simmonds
Gagne-Couturier-Read
Talbot-Hall-Rinaldo

It is also just the second day of the season. Just saying. Its not like they were that tired because they ahve been playing and traveling alot before this....
- youarewrong

i see mostly positives out of last nites effort, but this was 1 neg that I wasn't happy with.

It took them some time to adjust, but IMO they did. Like someone else said they eventually willed themselves into the zone, and that is what they have to do, and what they didn't do last year. Its not going to come easy at first, but eventually it will come naturally and the puck will start going in.
- youarewrong

it's only one game but it's the same old habits of the system Lavy wants to play. yes, they got into the zone but the secondary chances were not there due to how the Leafs countered. We shall see as the year goes on...

Yeah we ran into a hot goalie. he may have not made highlight real saves, but he was always in good position to make the save. Mason played good cant expect to win hockey games with one goal. IF we finished more that would be a solid win for him.
- steveromanowski

Flyers played well last night. Owned the puck for most of the game. Honestly, if we had Reimer in last night I think Leafs lose for sure. Bernier has better rebound control and you guys were shooting from everywhere. He also plays the puck much better and allowed us to keep the puck moving out of our end to relieve the constant waves of pressure you brought in the first half of the game.


Carlyle made the call and it worked out. From what I've seen, if your defense stays healthy and your goaltending at least plays adequate like it did last night, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to crack the top 3 in your division

It seems like old habits die hard.
1) The Flyers like to do a lot of fancy passes. Keep it simple, and none of this behind the back, and blind stuff.
2) Someone pick up the late guy. Geeze, almost every game since last year, the late guy jumps into the play while our guys watch the puck handler. Designate the last guy in the zone to pick up the late guy. Duh.
3) 60 minutes of play. Vinny put it nicely, once they fell behind, and struggled on the PP, the guys just kind of sagged, and lost the desire to continue with the rest of the game. Vinny, would you lead our team?
4) Trying to enter into the offensive zone the same way every time, allows the other team to adjust. Being the "stub heads" that we are, we still tried to enter into the zone with the trailing guy. Good teams, and coaches adjust to the situation. If it's not working, why do you still beat your head against the wall?
I'm just sayin', if we want to repeat last season,then keep playing like we did tonight. Goal tending was not an issue tonight, believe it or not. You can't ask a goalie to go one on one in the crease. You can't ask a goalie to stop a puck while being crashed into by multiple players.
Forget about last night's game, learn a hard lesson, and come out fighting for 60 minutes the next game. GO FLYERS!

Flyers played well last night. Owned the puck for most of the game. Honestly, if we had Reimer in last night I think Leafs lose for sure. Bernier has better rebound control and you guys were shooting from everywhere. He also plays the puck much better and allowed us to keep the puck moving out of our end to relieve the constant waves of pressure you brought in the first half of the game.


Carlyle made the call and it worked out. From what I've seen, if your defense stays healthy and your goaltending at least plays adequate like it did last night, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to crack the top 3 in your division
- t_leafs21

Completely agree just need to find a way to put the puck in the net but there is a lot of talent on this roster the will find a way.

Flyers played well last night. Owned the puck for most of the game. Honestly, if we had Reimer in last night I think Leafs lose for sure. Bernier has better rebound control and you guys were shooting from everywhere. He also plays the puck much better and allowed us to keep the puck moving out of our end to relieve the constant waves of pressure you brought in the first half of the game.


Carlyle made the call and it worked out. From what I've seen, if your defense stays healthy and your goaltending at least plays adequate like it did last night, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to crack the top 3 in your division
- t_leafs21

Oh no.. a leafs fan praising us.. we are dead this year for sure.

Flyers played well last night. Owned the puck for most of the game. Honestly, if we had Reimer in last night I think Leafs lose for sure. Bernier has better rebound control and you guys were shooting from everywhere. He also plays the puck much better and allowed us to keep the puck moving out of our end to relieve the constant waves of pressure you brought in the first half of the game.


Carlyle made the call and it worked out. From what I've seen, if your defense stays healthy and your goaltending at least plays adequate like it did last night, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to crack the top 3 in your division
- t_leafs21

do you think the flyers are better than your leafs? i rate them about even.

I just flat out disagree with you then.
- PhillySportsGuy

That's okay. I don't know for sure that what I suggest would work. And I totally understand why you don't want to break up that 2nd line.

It seems like old habits die hard.
1) The Flyers like to do a lot of fancy passes. Keep it simple, and none of this behind the back, and blind stuff.
2) Someone pick up the late guy. Geeze, almost every game since last year, the late guy jumps into the play while our guys watch the puck handler. Designate the last guy in the zone to pick up the late guy. Duh.
3) 60 minutes of play. Vinny put it nicely, once they fell behind, and struggled on the PP, the guys just kind of sagged, and lost the desire to continue with the rest of the game. Vinny, would you lead our team?
4) Trying to enter into the offensive zone the same way every time, allows the other team to adjust. Being the "stub heads" that we are, we still tried to enter into the zone with the trailing guy. Good teams, and coaches adjust to the situation. If it's not working, why do you still beat your head against the wall?
I'm just sayin', if we want to repeat last season,then keep playing like we did tonight. Goal tending was not an issue tonight, believe it or not. You can't ask a goalie to go one on one in the crease. You can't ask a goalie to stop a puck while being crashed into by multiple players.
Forget about last night's game, learn a hard lesson, and come out fighting for 60 minutes the next game. GO FLYERS!
- OrangeAndBlack1

Maybe it would be best if you dont watch at all. You see what you want to see in that game. They played a good game. The other goalie stole the show. I saw marked improvement over last year, and I expect it to continue.