Ristolainen deserves credit for his offensive play lately but his overall play is still average to poor. For the game, his CF% is 33.33, xGF% 31, SCF% 38.89, HDCA 40. These are not the numbers of a player playing really well. He's contributing offensively which is great. Some really nice plays offensively but when that dries up, the rest is not good. This is the same player he has always been.
- MJL

Admittedly I don’t know what any of these numbers mean. They won 4-0. It seem ridiculous, to me, that anyone on the Flyers could have “bad numbers” tonight

Risto played 20 minutes tonight…Primary assist on two goals….+2….solid positioning all night. I guess we can look at analytics because the eye test…you know actually watching and understanding the (frank)ing game, say he continues to play very well….you know who else says he’s playing very good ? The actual coaching staff.

Admittedly I don’t know what any of these numbers mean. They won 4-0. It seem ridiculous, to me, that anyone on the Flyers could have “bad numbers” tonight
- Dkos

What those numbers mean is that at 5 on 5 when Ristolainen was on the ice, the other team dominated play. Generated more shot attempts, better quality shot attempts and had more scoring chances. Goaltending is a big equalizer.

Risto played 20 minutes tonight…Primary assist on two goals….+2….solid positioning all night. I guess we can look at analytics because the eye test…you know actually watching and understanding the (frank)ing game, say he continues to play very well….you know who else says he’s playing very good ? The actual coaching staff.
- landros 2

He’s looked just fine lately. Getting involved on offense too. I thought all year he’s done less of the running around and kept it simple. Actually didn’t like him much in Minnesota, felt he got caught out there for some extended Dzone shifts on a few occasions. Other than that, can’t recall him having a bad game. He will always be overpaid, but at least now he seems to be more properly slotted

Didn't see all of the game tonight, but one thing that is really starting to jump out at me is the fact that the Flyers seem to be much more sound positionally than they have been in a loooong time. The Torts haters are gonna hate this, but my eyes NEVER lie to me.

Risto played 20 minutes tonight…Primary assist on two goals….+2….solid positioning all night. I guess we can look at analytics because the eye test…you know actually watching and understanding the (frank)ing game, say he continues to play very well….you know who else says he’s playing very good ? The actual coaching staff.
- landros 2

No doubt. Risto has looked very good lately and I don't give a rat's ass what the underlying numbers reveal. Thanks!

He’s looked just fine lately. Getting involved on offense too. I thought all year he’s done less of the running around and kept it simple. Actually didn’t like him much in Minnesota, felt he got caught out there for some extended Dzone shifts on a few occasions. Other than that, can’t recall him having a bad game. He will always be overpaid, but at least now he seems to be more properly slotted
- ClaudeFather

When he's making offensive plays like he has lately, that will mask his inefficiencies. If the offense dries up, he can't make an impact on the game any other way. He's contributing offensively but otherwise remains a mediocre to poor player who now has to be played on the 3rd pairing. The Flyers play a very conservative system of defensive coverage. Think zone coverage instead of man to man. That is why Ristolainen has not been running around as much. The issue with that is it not a style of play that you're going to become a top team with. If they went to a more modern style of puck pressure and more man coverages. You'd see the same old chasing plays out of him.

Didn't see all of the game tonight, but one thing that is really starting to jump out at me is the fact that the Flyers seem to be much more sound positionally than they have been in a loooong time. The Torts haters are gonna hate this, but my eyes NEVER lie to me.
- Phillywhiteout

They are. They're playing a much sounder team game than they've played the last few years. It's a very basic system of play versus the hybrid man to man/overload system that they played under Vigneault and Yeo.

When he's making offensive plays like he has lately, that will mask his inefficiencies. If the offense dries up, he can't make an impact on the game any other way. He's contributing offensively but otherwise remains a mediocre to poor player who now has to be played on the 3rd pairing. The Flyers play a very conservative system of defensive coverage. Think zone coverage instead of man to man. That is why Ristolainen has not been running around as much. The issue with that is it not a style of play that you're going to become a top team with. If they went to a more modern style of puck pressure and more man coverages. You'd see the same old chasing plays out of him.
- MJL

I don’t expect him to make an impact on the game in any way to be honest haha, I’m just hoping he’s a net neutral third pair guy. Offense is a plus right now but we know he won’t be consistent with that. I know the analytics might not say so, but watching he doesn’t seem to be so bad this year defensively. And he’s been able to make some outlet passes

He’s looked just fine lately. Getting involved on offense too. I thought all year he’s done less of the running around and kept it simple. Actually didn’t like him much in Minnesota, felt he got caught out there for some extended Dzone shifts on a few occasions. Other than that, can’t recall him having a bad game. He will always be overpaid, but at least now he seems to be more properly slotted
- ClaudeFather

I missed the whole Minny game but the OT. So I can’t comment on that. I think he is over paid, and that’s probably not going to change, but I really have liked his game for quite a while…Torts just called him the “most improved player” on the team in his presser….and he really needed to be. I think he can be a middle pairing D when he’s playing like this. Will it last? That I don’t know. He’s never shown consistency since arriving here.

What those numbers mean is that at 5 on 5 when Ristolainen was on the ice, the other team dominated play. Generated more shot attempts, better quality shot attempts and had more scoring chances. Goaltending is a big equalizer.
- MJL

when he was on the ice his team got 2 goals and the other team got 0. To an unsophisticated fan like me those seem like pretty good numbers.

I don’t expect him to make an impact on the game in any way to be honest haha, I’m just hoping he’s a net neutral third pair guy. Offense is a plus right now but we know he won’t be consistent with that. I know the analytics might not say so, but watching he doesn’t seem to be so bad this year defensively. And he’s been able to make some outlet passes
- ClaudeFather

The Flyers are still a poor overall defensive team. They bleed shot attempts and scoring chances. I think the difference is that the colossal breakdowns of the past aren't there to the level that they've been in the past.

No doubt. Risto has looked very good lately and I don't give a rat's ass what the underlying numbers reveal. Thanks!
- Phillywhiteout

You know who else thinks most analytics are BS for the most part? Our coaching staff. Yes, they have value, but they should never be the primary tool when evaluating a player…the information they provide can be misleading to say the least.

when he was on the ice his team got 2 goals and the other team got 0. To an unsophisticated fan like me those seem like pretty good numbers.
- Dkos

Ultimately, that is what counts but the other numbers are a better indicator of overall play. Ristolainen made two really good passes for goals and some other nice offensive plays. His play away from the puck however, continues to be poor.

The Flyers coaching staff doesn't believe that analytics are BS. Tortorella made that statement back in the summer because he knew his team would not be good statistically and they're not. The numbers tell you what happens on the ice and what happens when a player is on the ice. They don't lie. Then it becomes a question of using them to aid in analysis. Can't deny the offensive plays that Ristolainen has made lately. Flyers may be able to hide him on the 3rd pair. However Ristolainen playing in the top 4 again and it will be same old, same old.

Torts called analytics BS about two months ago and said he never pays much attention to them, at least not some of them. He also insinuated they have their own internal analytic numbers that he does look at. I guess is a coach actually says something it shouldn’t be believed because …why would he ever tell us what he really thinks?….that’s Torts for sure…you never know what he’s thinking….lol…so why does Torts think a lot of the analytics are BS? Because as a guy that’s coached 2 decades of professional hockey with success he knows what he’s talking about.

Tortorella never fudges the truth. LMAO He's probably the biggest BS coach in NHL history.

Coaches of top teams in the league such as Boston, Colorado, Carolina, Vegas all use analytics. I guess they don't know as much as Tortorella does.

Admittedly I don’t know what any of these numbers mean. They won 4-0. It seem ridiculous, to me, that anyone on the Flyers could have “bad numbers” tonight
- Dkos

When I watch one player play or an overall team, at no point am I ever looking for underlining numbers of any kind. I don’t know anyone who is, unless you’re looking for a negative. I also don’t know what these numbers mean myself but I’m also a simpleton who just watch his hockey for enjoyment.

Tortorella never fudges the truth. LMAO He's probably the biggest BS coach in NHL history.

Coaches of top teams in the league such as Boston, Colorado, Carolina, Vegas all use analytics. I guess they don't know as much as Tortorella does.
- MJL

There is a huge difference between those teams and this current Flyers roster. They have oodles of talent. Torts is absolutely getting the most out of this current roster. Raise your hand if you really thought that the Flyers would be at hockey .500 at the All Star break.

When I watch one player play or an overall team, at no point am I ever looking for underlining numbers of any kind. I don’t know anyone who is, unless you’re looking for a negative. I also don’t know what these numbers mean myself but I’m also a simpleton who just watch his hockey for enjoyment.
- SuperSchennBros

I’m with you, but I guess everyone gets their enjoyment out of the game in their own way. A lot of people seem to enjoy analytics.

There is a huge difference between those teams and this current Flyers roster. They have oodles of talent. Torts is absolutely getting the most out of this current roster. Raise your hand if you really thought that the Flyers would be at hockey .500 at the All Star break.
- Phillywhiteout

The context of the comments are not about the talent discrepancy. It's about the usage of statistical tools for analysis. Tortorella has this team improved, no doubt. The real question is if the way they play is a style that they can build on if they could get the right talent. In my opinion, it isnt. They'll eventually need a new coach for that.

I’m with you, but I guess everyone gets their enjoyment out of the game in their own way. A lot of people seem to enjoy analytics.
- Dkos

To be honest, I actually hate them. I'd rather see the game remain a complete human endeavor in the spirit of sports. They're here and they're a tool to use. They tell you what happens on the ice. Goals are a low event occurrence in hockey.

I’m with you, but I guess everyone gets their enjoyment out of the game in their own way. A lot of people seem to enjoy analytics.
- Dkos

I wanna make it clear that I don’t always think I’m right. I’m wrong about as often as I’m right. Perfect example and I hope Tomahawk sees this, I said something along the lines of Scott Laughton possibly being a Selke candidate down the road because I’ve always viewed him as a defensively responsible player and I’m currently excited about his new found offensive game. Tomahawk disagreed and beautifully stated in detail why Patrick Bergeron is nominated every year, how important he is to the Bruins and how the Selke game has changed. I also may have confused hard work and effort with being responsible defensively. It kinda shows my age because the likes of Michael Peca, Jere Lehtinen, Ryan Kessler, Jordan Staal types were guaranteed consideration until the likes of Datsyuk and Bergeron came on to the scene. My point is I speak passionately when I truly believe in something and I believe it’s possible Ristolainen may have turned a corner. He’s not playing the same role he was in Buffalo. I’m also here to learn and tomahawk taught me something this week.

To be honest, I actually hate them. I'd rather see the game remain a complete human endeavor in the spirit of sports. They're here and they're a tool to use. They tell you what happens on the ice. Goals are a low event occurrence in hockey.
- MJL

I think you like torturing yourself. Ha ha.

Frost and Tippett both on the score sheet again tonight.

When do the haters stop hating on frosty?!
- Bob Habib

I am not a Frosty hater but I admit I had my doubts that he would be an effective NHL player. He has won me over this season with his overall play. I doubt he will ever be a top line center but he should be a serviceable 2nd/3rd line center.