I would be interested to know if you counted how many failed clears they had? We see every time they do fail to clear the puck they end up out of position and scrambling to get back in to some sort of order.
- MBFlyerfan

The video's are normally the sequence leading directly to the goal so you don't see everything. There is one failed clear by Sanheim but it's a bouncing puck and a tough play. As he gains more experience he'll realize he had time to settle the puck and get better wood on it.

There is absolutely a complacency aspect to it. The PK has been bottom of the league trash for a number of years now and neither the players, coach or strategy has changed. It's unacceptable.
- hereticpride

I think it's more confidence than complacency when it comes to the players. You're wrong about there not being any strategy or system changes. There have been.

Of course a team hopes to get a 4th line that can chip in some offense but what you can't have is a 4th line that may have some skill and scoring potential, but is a sieve in it's own end.

A coach has to have options for situational play. Couturier's defensive zone starts are the highest on the team
- MJL

And I completely understand that and agree but he was trying to say that the only purpose of a 4th line is to not get scored on and give the other lines a rest, which I do not agree with whatsoever and believe is archaic thinking.

In this NHL I feel that to succeed you need to have a 4th line that has speed, some skill, and is defensively responsible not just a bunch of guys to take up space and give the others a rest.

And I completely understand that and agree but he was trying to say that the only purpose of a 4th line is to not get scored on and give the other lines a rest, which I do not agree with whatsoever and believe is archaic thinking.

In this NHL I feel that to succeed you need to have a 4th line that has speed, some skill, and is defensively responsible not just a bunch of guys to take up space and give the others a rest.
- ajw12

I agree with you on that in a perfect world. But here is what many fans can't understand. If a coach has to choose between a 4th line that has some speed and some skill and isn't really good defensively and due to ice time, isn't going to score much and a 4th line that has more experienced players who he knows he can trust to play the game the right way, manage the puck, and limit scoring against it and can play against a top line, that coach will always choose the latter.

The Flyers have tried to add younger more skilled players to the 4th line. Those players just haven't seized the jobs. The narrative will be they weren't given a chance and the team just prefers the "plugs". It's complete nonsense. Many still to this day can't understand why Vandevelde played every game but one in 16/17.

I agree with you on that in a perfect world. But here is what many fans can't understand. If a coach has to choose between a 4th line that has some speed and some skill and isn't really good defensively and due to ice time, isn't going to score much and a 4th line that has more experienced players who he knows he can trust to play the game the right way, manage the puck, and limit scoring against it and can play against a top line, that coach will always choose the latter.

The Flyers have tried to add younger more skilled players to the 4th line. Those players just haven't seized the jobs. The narrative will be they weren't given a chance and the team just prefers the "plugs". It's complete nonsense. Many still to this day can't understand why Vandevelde played every game but one in 16/17.
- MJL

I agree that they haven’t taken the jobs and that’s the biggest problem. The flyers better forward prospects are in the college system and are outside the equation. Vorobyev is getting a decent shot here. Hopefully he comes back playing the way he started out. No other young players won jobs over weise or lehtera. Give me a break with NAK. There isn’t much to see there. Lindblom needs to get himself involved in these games. I like the guy but Jesus show some tenacity somewhere. He had one good sequence last game where he stole the puck after a faceoffs leading to the best shift of the night for his line, I believe it was right before the Avs 2nd goal.

The FLyers have used a variety of neutral zone forechecks on the PK that has changes seemingly due to the opponent. Examples are same side pressure and tandem pressure. It's situational also depending on the situation. Their most common defensive zone strategy has been the triangle plus 1.
- MJL

The Germ with a goal and assist 5 mins in.

Phantoms up 3-0

The Germ with a goal and assist 5 mins in.

Phantoms up 3-0
- Just5

You watching?

You watching?
- VladDrag

Not yet

From the shocking news dept:

Neuvirth survived an entire AHL game.