Hart didn't cheat off of the post on the McDavid goal. He reacted to where the puck was going on the attempted pass by McDavid to Puljujarvi in the slot and the puck deflected and changed direction.
- MJL

this. and edmonton was on the power play. i don't think he made himself small at all here. the first one, i would agree there. this was just an unfortunate deflection.

I'm not talking about this any more, we'll see when Allison returns and how he looks then.
- jd250

you are not allowed to change your mind. if you said it....its now gospel

The Flyers are shooting the puck but realistically, there is a lot of things that are very similar for this team this year with how things were in the early season last year. Some things have changed and some haven't. The Flyers do miss Voracek's transition play.
- MJL

The big difference to me is that this team defends the crease on defense and goes to the crease on offense. Less perimeter play. This team sticks up for each other. The goalies are much better thus far.

There are things they need to work on but this team is far better than last year's team. Last year they were unwatchable. So the bar is pretty low. However, this team is doing the little things that lead to wins. 20+ blocks last night. PK has been really good outside of game 1.

Voracek is a talented playmaker. No doubt. This specific team is better without him with and Atkinson added to the mix.

He was not. He had a player right in front of him.
- MJL

man, can we be happy with a win. Or does constantly arguing make you happy

The big difference to me is that this team defends the crease on defense and goes to the crease on offense. Less perimeter play. This team sticks up for each other. The goalies are much better thus far.

There are things they need to work on but this team is far better than last year's team. Last year they were unwatchable. So the bar is pretty low. However, this team is doing the little things that lead to wins. 20+ blocks last night. PK has been really good outside of game 1.

Voracek is a talented playmaker. No doubt. This specific team is better without him with Atkinson added to the mix.
- mickel25

they were credited with 26 blocks last night. insane. edmonton had 7.

On the first two goals, Hart was deep in his crease and made himself small on both goals. Hart has a habit of cheating off the posts and teams around the league know it. In the 2nd and 3rd, I thought Hart was a lot better, but especially in the 3rd, I thought the Flyers did a very good job of limiting chances.
- jd250

the 2nd goal is not a bad play on Harts part. JP is alone, directly in front of him. CMcD is playing a pass to him, Hart is positioning himself to defend when JP receives the puck. Braun deflects the pass. nothing he could do and he made the correct read

The big difference to me is that this team defends the crease on defense and goes to the crease on offense. Less perimeter play. This team sticks up for each other. The goalies are much better thus far.

There are things they need to work on but this team is far better than last year's team. Last year they were unwatchable. So the bar is pretty low. However, this team is doing the little things that lead to wins. 20+ blocks last night. PK has been really good outside of game 1.

Voracek is a talented playmaker. No doubt. This specific team is better without him with Atkinson added to the mix.
- mickel25

Well last year overall the Flyers were ridiculously bad defensively and the goaltending was atrocious. So like you said, clearing a low bar. PK is better. There are certainly some positives to take. The Flyers needed more net drivers and adding Atkinson helps with that. He plays straight up and down, goes to the net and shoots the puck. It's going in quite frequently right now.

this. and edmonton was on the power play. i don't think he made himself small at all here. the first one, i would agree there. this was just an unfortunate deflection.
- Ftown19125

Hart played a really good game. The team defense was very good. I don't know if anyone else noticed, but the Oilers have a lot of speed and Tippett constantly tried to put the #1 Line out when the Flyers 4th was out there - it was an excellent coaching job by Tippett. I thought it was a really good team win and although we can pick apart players for this or that, it was a really good game.

they were credited with 26 blocks last night. insane. edmonton had 7.
- Ftown19125

Blocking that many shots is great and it isn't.

man, can we be happy with a win. Or does constantly arguing make you happy
- bradster

he has been divorced 2x and lives in his parents basement. Come on man. Hopefully he updated the paneling.

Blocking that many shots is great and it isn't.
- MJL

yeah, i wouldn't be surprised if some players are hurting tonight.

Hart played a really good game. The team defense was very good. I don't know if anyone else noticed, but the Oilers have a lot of speed and Tippett constantly tried to put the #1 Line out when the Flyers 4th was out there - it was an excellent coaching job by Tippett. I thought it was a really good team win and although we can pick apart players for this or that, it was a really good game.
- RustyPipes

mcdavid and draisaitl were out there for almost half the game. almost 26 and 27 minutes respectively.

yeah, i wouldn't be surprised if some players are hurting tonight.
- Ftown19125

I wasn't thinking about that but yea, injuries are always a concern.

Well last year overall the Flyers were ridiculously bad defensively and the goaltending was atrocious. So like you said, clearing a low bar. PK is better. There are certainly some positives to take. The Flyers needed more net drivers and adding Atkinson helps with that. He plays straight up and down, goes to the net and shoots the puck. It's going in quite frequently right now.
- MJL

I agree that the shooting% is not sustainable. My point is the mentality to shoot first instead of looking for the perfect play was needed on this team. In the playoffs when the refs stop calling penalties you need to score 5 on 5. it is tough to score against teams that are good defensively 5 on 5 by playing on the perimeter.

Hart didn't cheat off of the post on the McDavid goal. He reacted to where the puck was going on the attempted pass by McDavid to Puljujarvi in the slot and the puck deflected and changed direction.
- MJL

He cheated off the post on the Barry goal, from where Barry was that should have been a very easy save.

I agree that the shooting% is not sustainable. My point is the mentality to shoot first instead of looking for the perfect play was needed on this team. In the playoffs when the refs stop calling penalties you need to score 5 on 5. it is tough to score against teams that are good defensively 5 on 5 by playing on the perimeter.
- mickel25

I agree.

He cheated off the post on the Barry goal, from where Barry was that should have been a very easy save.
- jd250

I don't think he cheated off of the post on the Barrie goal. Think about how that goal was scored. Barrie was skating from the Hart's left to his right across the ice. So how did he cheat off of the post. Hart tracked Barrie across. The issue was that Hart was not square to the shooter and that left the top of the net exposed. His body was partly sideways.

I don't think he cheated off of the post on the Barrie goal. Think about how that goal was scored. Barrie was skating from the Hart's left to his right across the ice. So how did he cheat off of the post. Hart tracked Barrie across. The issue was that Hart was not square to the shooter and that left the top of the net exposed. His body was partly sideways.
- MJL

And I believe why this happened is Hart was expecting Barry to pass back into the slot versus a backhand up over his shoulder. I agree he was not square to Barry and left way too much exposed over his right shoulder. I have seen him do this a few times this year already, I hope someone is working with him on this.

mcdavid and draisaitl were out there for almost half the game. almost 26 and 27 minutes respectively.
- Ftown19125

I was on the edge of my seat for every one of these minutes. These two are such a threat every time they are on the ice. McDavid does remind me of Gretzky in this regard, i.e. you are scared every time he is on the ice.

And I believe why this happened is Hart was expecting Barry to pass back into the slot versus a backhand up over his shoulder. I agree he was not square to Barry and left way too much exposed over his right shoulder. I have seen him do this a few times this year already, I hope someone is working with him on this.
- jd250

Hart was fine. Gosh, the Oilers were constantly in the Flyers zone. Imagine trying to follow that puck. The Oilers were passing and shooting like crazy. Even with the blocked shots and the screens Hart was doing an excellent job following the puck and being in the best position. That was a serious workout for Hart and I believe that he was really good.

Flyers O-zone starts against Edmonton was the lowest yet, 31%, and team Corsi was only 40%, and yet they won the game. I'm not sure the Flyers can keep playing like this, but clearly its their transition game and face offs that are enabling them to stay in these games. Risto's Corsi last night was 35% but I thought he played a great game last night. It just amplifies to me that nothing beats watching the game!

Hart was fine. Gosh, the Oilers were constantly in the Flyers zone. Imagine trying to follow that puck. The Oilers were passing and shooting like crazy. Even with the blocked shots and the screens Hart was doing an excellent job following the puck and being in the best position. That was a serious workout for Hart and I believe that he was really good.
- RustyPipes

Yes overall Hart was very good, maybe not A+ but A- .. sure! It does not mean he can't improve.

Flyers O-zone starts against Edmonton was the lowest yet, 31%, and team Corsi was only 40%, and yet they won the game. I'm not sure the Flyers can keep playing like this, but clearly its their transition game and face offs that are enabling them to stay in these games. Risto's Corsi last night was 35% but I thought he played a great game last night. It just amplifies to me that nothing beats watching the game!
- jd250

can you show me some stats to backup your beliefs

Flyers O-zone starts against Edmonton was the lowest yet, 31%, and team Corsi was only 40%, and yet they won the game. I'm not sure the Flyers can keep playing like this, but clearly its their transition game and face offs that are enabling them to stay in these games. Risto's Corsi last night was 35% but I thought he played a great game last night. It just amplifies to me that nothing beats watching the game!
- jd250

As long as you have good camera angles.

;-)

I expected 30 from Atkinson so far exceeding that rate. G is having a mighty fine start on scoring as well.

What a good start for Hart. Love that win! This game was without Ellis and still without Hayes and the Flyers have room to improve. Can’t wait to see a full lineup with some games behind then. Playing good against these high-tempo offenses, Panthers and Oilers. Close games.
- NC Flyers Fan

think G has something to prove this season and so far he is. Watching some of the Bruins V Panters, the Flyers actually faired better. I did not see the 1st for the B's game, I think they played better in the 1st but 2nd and 3rd Panthers were on them