He hasn't been in a bonafide hockey game of any kind in 5 1/2 months. There's barely practice time in the bubble. The pre-bubble scrimmages (which are not a substitute for real games) are now a month ago. He had a bit of a rollercoaster first pro year (which is understandable and not cause for long-term alarm).

Right now, plain and simple, he is not a viable lineup candidate for a potential elimination game.
- bmeltzer

I agree Bill, but sad fact facing question stands, do you think he would fare worse than Giroux currently?

He hasn't been in a bonafide hockey game of any kind in 5 1/2 months. There's barely practice time in the bubble. The pre-bubble scrimmages (which are not a substitute for real games) are now a month ago. He had a bit of a rollercoaster first pro year (which is understandable and not cause for long-term alarm).

Right now, plain and simple, he is not a viable lineup candidate for a potential elimination game.
- bmeltzer

We’re in trouble if we believe Morgan Frost will rescue this team from elimination.

I agree Bill, but sad fact facing question stands, do you think he would fare worse than Giroux currently?
- Keith25

Absolutely

I agree Bill, but sad fact facing question stands, do you think he would fare worse than Giroux currently?
- Keith25

Seriously?

Absolutely unacceptable that 21 year old not ready for playoff hockey. He’s a 1st round top prospect. Should’ve been in the league years ago.
- SMS4016

no he shouldn't have. he didn't show he should have been in the league this year either.

We are 8 years and 3 coaches removed from 2012. I think we have 3 players (Giroux, Voracek, and Couturier) remaining from that team. I don't know what that series has to do with this one.
- jmatchett383

The mindset remains

We’re in trouble if we believe Morgan Frost will rescue this team from elimination.
- SuperSchennBros

Well we are not in comfort zone for sure here :-D

Seriously?
- MJL

Guys what do you not see serious about this question. Giroux is not contributing in bubble. It is simple as that. If you compare his ice time to his outcome/production, then you see the result we are in.

What is wrong to expect that young fats talented guy could not help out here? I am not suggesting to sit Giroux. He could play 4th line wing and play PP/PK. But he just cannot compete in 5v5 against Isles team.

Guys what do you not see serious about this question. Giroux is not contributing in bubble. It is simple as that. If you compare his ice time to his outcome/production, then you see the result we are in.

What is wrong to expect that young fats talented guy could not help out here? I am not suggesting to sit Giroux. He could play 4th line wing and play PP/PK. But he just cannot compete in 5v5 against Isles team.
- Keith25

Seriously?

Gostisbehere has shown very little signs of again being the point producer he was early in his career. However he has shown signs of being able to beat forecheckers and quickly move the puck in transition. He also has shown willingness to blast from the point. Thsts why they need him in the lineup.
- MJL

Yes. Maybe. But his deficiencies in his own end may be the reason he sits. Especially against the isles. Who will push him around and man handle him as he o lays a check attempt. Not saying he can’t play. Just stating it’s a team game. One player who has not provided said offense for two seasons is not the answer.

Shooting: That's great if the shots don't get blocked en masse or miss the net. Otherwise, it's one-and-dones and potential transition attacks the other way. Shooting when there's not a shooting lane isn't too productive. I thought Ghost was trying hard but forcing things the only game he played in this series. Worth another try in an elimination game? I'm fine with.

Moving the puck in transition is needed for sure.
- bmeltzer

I disagree. Defending a player is different if you know he won’t shoot. This is why we are so easy to defend. There is no indecision on how to defend one of our players with the puck. Just take away the pass lane and he has nothing, because we don’t shoot.
You shoot to move the defender between you and the net instead of being in your passing lanes. Shooting isn’t always about scoring at that moment, it’s about creating space and defensive indecision the next time down the ice.

Our problem isn’t that we’re bad, it’s that we become repetitive. Then we try to break out of it by being perfectly conservative instead of boldly unpredictable.

Guys what do you not see serious about this question. Giroux is not contributing in bubble. It is simple as that. If you compare his ice time to his outcome/production, then you see the result we are in.

What is wrong to expect that young fats talented guy could not help out here? I am not suggesting to sit Giroux. He could play 4th line wing and play PP/PK. But he just cannot compete in 5v5 against Isles team.
- Keith25

Yes. Maybe. But his deficiencies in his own end may be the reason he sits. Especially against the isles. Who will push him around and man handle him as he o lays a check attempt. Not saying he can’t play. Just stating it’s a team game. One player who has not provided said offense for two seasons is not the answer.
- Peter Richards

No one player is going to be the answer. Gostisbehere can help the team with puck movement and transition. The Braun/Haag pairing just can't move the puck well. Anders Lee has pretty much had his way with every Flyers defenseman. So lets play more in their end than the Flyers end of the ice.

flyers season done.
hopefully they win tonight from desperation and provide some solid play thursday.
we are not winning 3 in a row against a team that has beaten us soundly all year.
and knows how to forecheck us into oblivion while closing well on their high danger opportunities.
i feared something like this when we were winning ugly in round robin and round one.
its time for acceptance. of our strengths, weaknesses and the opportunities to improve for next season with key returns and perhaps a couple of rookies, as well as a maturation of the youngsters.
assuming nopa and oskar return and play up to expectations, and frost emerges as a solid winger, and the oldsters dont crap out, next season should be successful.
this group is slow starter. the lockdown was like off season. i am not surprised it takes g, coots, jvr, tk a dozen games to get offensive side coordinated. this will not happen next season. from season end right into playoffs.
we ended last season on a roll. i think we would have done better in playoffs had there not been the long delay.
we still have issues to resolve, but i feel encouraged for the near future, and consider this season a success even if it revealed shortfalls that need addressing.

Guys what do you not see serious about this question. Giroux is not contributing in bubble. It is simple as that. If you compare his ice time to his outcome/production, then you see the result we are in.

What is wrong to expect that young fats talented guy could not help out here? I am not suggesting to sit Giroux. He could play 4th line wing and play PP/PK. But he just cannot compete in 5v5 against Isles team.
- Keith25

If he has zero goals as a first liner what do you think he's getting as a 4th liner with Thompson and NAK?

No one player is going to be the answer. Gostisbehere can help the team with puck movement and transition. The Braun/Haag pairing just can't move the puck well. Anders Lee has pretty much had his way with every Flyers defenseman. So lets play more in their end than the Flyers end of the ice.
- MJL

And that’s where it differs for me. I know what your saying but if lee has had his way with defenseman who are better at defending.... on the breakouts there has been too much gap. Isles have been able to pick East west passes easily.

And that’s where it differs for me. I know what your saying but if lee has had his way with defenseman who are better at defending.... on the breakouts there has been too much gap. Isles have been able to pick East west passes easily.
- Peter Richards

The idea is to defend less. That's what winning hockey is.

The idea is to defend less. That's what winning hockey is.
- MJL

It’s why they changed the game after the devils style of hockey bored the game into a regional sport.

Kucherov will be ready for game 1 I'm sure, Stamkos is getting closer from the league chatter.
- PLindbergh31

I was hoping he didn’t break his jaw.
Point may be the best player of the three.

It’s why they changed the game after the devils style of hockey bored the game into a regional sport.
- Shrike

Clutch and grab might be less, but every playoff game I see seems to have at least 10 interference calls that are not made.

I was hoping he didn’t break his jaw.
Point may be the best player of the three.
- Marc D

Hedman is their best player. Vasileskiy after him. Then Kucherov/Point.
Imagine Kucherov/Point being your 3rd and 4th best player.

The idea is to defend less. That's what winning hockey is.
- MJL

Our forwards are not contributing. That is not bc of the defense. Yes you have a higher probability of winning if you control the puck. But it is not guaranteed. Same can be said for shot attempts, pp s vs pk, gave off wins. Etc.

Offense needs to provide offense. Period. Our d core has provided that. Adjustments should be made to adapt the breakout. Play the system and execute.

Clutch and grab might be less, but every playoff game I see seems to have at least 10 interference calls that are not made.
- PT21

Agree 100 percent. But it’s just horrible, inept officiating in a different way from the horrible, inept officiating during the regular season. Unfortunately the league is unwilling to damage the fragile psyche’s of the officials in order to make the game better.

Our forwards are not contributing. That is not bc of the defense. Yes you have a higher probability of winning if you control the puck. But it is not guaranteed. Same can be said for shot attempts, pp s vs pk, gave off wins. Etc.

Offense needs to provide offense. Period. Our d core has provided that. Adjustments should be made to adapt the breakout. Play the system and execute.
- Peter Richards

Disagree that the defense is not part of it. Faster and quicker puck movement can lead to more open ice and odd man chances rather than always having to try and beat a packed in 5 man defensive unit.

If he has zero goals as a first liner what do you think he's getting as a 4th liner with Thompson and NAK?
- Pelle31Forever

The idea is to limit Giroux's time and keep him where he can contribute (PP and PK maybe).
And slot Frost on 1st line with Couturier and Voracek, somebody who'd be hungry, hustle all the time, put himself in open position where those 2 can feed him.
Frost had a success in such role in short stretch this season.

Again you just need to do something, keeping status quo and hoping Giroux wakes up is just not gonna happen.