Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Fast Start, Dramatic Comeback Lift Flyers to 5-4 OT Win vs. Arizona

some how we played an ugly game and won

Flyers continue to win the games I don't watch.

I'll take the 2 points, but giving up 2 shorthanded goals on 1 power play was brutal.

Flyers continue to win the games I don't watch.
- hereticpride

do me a favor and dont' watch until they win a cup

Flyers special teams are a mess. I stlll don’t understand the firing of Mullen as the pp has fluctuated between the same or worse under Knoblauch. And don’t even get me started on Lappy.

Here’s an idea for next season. If they really think Knoblauch is future head coaching material, let him replace Gordon in LHV. Also let Lappy return to the player development dept and no matter what you decide about the head coach, bring in a new assistant to oversee special teams.

Next problem, goaltending. Elliott did a great job last night, but he can’t start every game, he’s not a workhorse. Neuvy’s half dead, Pickard is an inconsistent journeyman, Lyon is a question mark and the other kids aren’t ready for a full time NHL job. You want this team to take the next step Hexy? Then go out and acquire a legit, competent NHL goalie to tandem with Elliott.

Finally, I’m really starting to wonder if Provy is trying to play through some type of injury. He doesn’t seem to be skating as well as he usually does and playing in pain could also be leading to the gaffes he’s been making.

That was a crazy game. It was like they came out fairly strong for the 1st, then fell asleep on the ice for a period, then drank a bunch of red bull, snorted a few lines, and came out with an intensity, agitation and passion I haven’t seen all season. It was....interesting.

Time to see if Lyon can be a capable backup
Pickard hasn’t earned anything at this point.

Re the goaltending:

Talk to Chicago as they are likely to be going into rebuild mode. See what the cost would be to acquire Crawford. Yeah, he has a big cap hit, but his contract is up in 2020 and the Flyer have the cap space. If the cost is reasonable, do it. Yeah, I know, some of you will be pissed that they are moving a pick to acquire a vet, but sometimes you have to do this kind of thing. At some point, the GM needs to send a signal to the players that he's going to make a move that actually improves their chances, right (frank)ing now, of getting into the playoffs and having the ability to win a round or 2.

A tandem of Crawford/Elliott is a clear cut improvement over any other combo they can throw out there right now and Crawford could be a good vet to pair with a kid next season.

Re the goaltending:

Talk to Chicago as they are likely to be going into rebuild mode. See what the cost would be to acquire Crawford. Yeah, he has a big cap hit, but his contract is up in 2020 and the Flyer have the cap space. If the cost is reasonable, do it. Yeah, I know, some of you will be pissed that they are moving a pick to acquire a vet, but sometimes you have to do this kind of thing. At some point, the GM needs to send a signal to the players that he's going to make a move that actually improves their chances, right (frank)ing now, of getting into the playoffs and having the ability to win a round or 2.

A tandem of Crawford/Elliott is a clear cut improvement over any other combo they can throw out there right now and Crawford could be a good vet to pair with a kid next season.


- BiggE

I completely disagree that the Flyers should give up any quality assets for a goaltender for the short term. If it's cheap to acquire, that's fine. This team really has bigger issues to fix. If Neuvirth can't back up then stick with Pickard, Lyon and or Stolarz to play some games.

That was a fun game to be at. Lots of ups and downs. Where the hell has this Weiss been? Its like the invasion of the body snatchers abducted him 3 years ago, and returned him at the begging of this season.

Re the goaltending:

Talk to Chicago as they are likely to be going into rebuild mode. See what the cost would be to acquire Crawford. Yeah, he has a big cap hit, but his contract is up in 2020 and the Flyer have the cap space. If the cost is reasonable, do it. Yeah, I know, some of you will be pissed that they are moving a pick to acquire a vet, but sometimes you have to do this kind of thing. At some point, the GM needs to send a signal to the players that he's going to make a move that actually improves their chances, right (frank)ing now, of getting into the playoffs and having the ability to win a round or 2.

A tandem of Crawford/Elliott is a clear cut improvement over any other combo they can throw out there right now and Crawford could be a good vet to pair with a kid next season.
- BiggE

Crawford will cost too much to be worth holding onto. I say give Elliot 1 more year, or pick up Smith, Talbot, or Howard as UFAs this offseason until Hart is ready. Or maybe pick up Anderson from Ottawa for a late pick. Let everyone else fight over Bobrovsky and Varlamov.

Flyers special teams are a mess. I stlll don’t understand the firing of Mullen as the pp has fluctuated between the same or worse under Knoblauch. And don’t even get me started on Lappy.

Here’s an idea for next season. If they really think Knoblauch is future head coaching material, let him replace Gordon in LHV. Also let Lappy return to the player development dept and no matter what you decide about the head coach, bring in a new assistant to oversee special teams.

Next problem, goaltending. Elliott did a great job last night, but he can’t start every game, he’s not a workhorse. Neuvy’s half dead, Pickard is an inconsistent journeyman, Lyon is a question mark and the other kids aren’t ready for a full time NHL job. You want this team to take the next step Hexy? Then go out and acquire a legit, competent NHL goalie to tandem with Elliott.

Finally, I’m really starting to wonder if Provy is trying to play through some type of injury. He doesn’t seem to be skating as well as he usually does and playing in pain could also be leading to the gaffes he’s been making.
- BiggE

On the goaltending...they just need to be smart in how they use Elliot and then spot Lyon or Pickard or Stollie. I don't count on seeing Neuvirth again. Elliot, for example, should not come into games cold. His injury history makes that too dangerous imho. That said, he steadied the ship and they won. I only really blame Pickard for one of the goals against, but still...

On Provy...the fact that he is either called upon to be the defense to Ghosts offense, or the offense to whoever else he is paired with...and that could be anyone shift to shift, is the problem. Don't pair him with Ghost and then stick with the choice.

I would prefer to see Lyon play over Pickard as the back up but I don't think Pickard was terrible last night. A screened shot and two breakaways.

Provorov just seems like he’s not reacting and thinking way too much. I’m sure he will eventually turn it around but the glaring unforced mistakes are really weird

I would prefer to see Lyon play over Pickard as the back up but I don't think Pickard was terrible last night. A screened shot and two breakaways.
- FlyerFan16

I dont have a problem with Pickard other then I don't see any ability to steal games for teams. IMO he is a recall incase of injury goalie... like Neil Little. No reason to keep that around now that Lyon and Stolarz are healthy.

I dont have a problem with Pickard other then I don't see any ability to steal games for teams. IMO he is a recall incase of injury goalie... like Neil Little. No reason to keep that around now that Lyon and Stolarz are healthy.
- youarewrong

I don’t see why Lyon or stolarz should be viewed as better goalies than Pickard. Stolarz has played in 2 ahl games with an .85 save percentage. I’m not sure why stolarz isn’t in reading getting playing time. He just hasn’t played a whole lot of hockey lately

I dont have a problem with Pickard other then I don't see any ability to steal games for teams. IMO he is a recall incase of injury goalie... like Neil Little. No reason to keep that around now that Lyon and Stolarz are healthy.
- youarewrong

Agreed

I don’t see why Lyon or stolarz should be viewed as better goalies than Pickard. Stolarz has played in 2 ahl games with an .85 save percentage. I’m not sure why stolarz isn’t in reading getting playing time. He just hasn’t played a whole lot of hockey lately
- Just5

I think I read somewhere Stolarz can't be assigned to Reading, except for a conditioning stint.

I think I read somewhere Stolarz can't be assigned to Reading, except for a conditioning stint.
- FlyerFan16

Oh ok. He’s in a tough spot for his career

Time to see if Lyon can be a capable backup
Pickard hasn’t earned anything at this point.
- rinaldo

He won the SJ and Arizona road games...

The pull of him last night was a wakeup move by our emotionsless coach who was ranting and calling a time out at that time also. To get it through to the players that they were playing like poop...

But yeah it's time to throw Pickard under the bus.

He won the SJ and Arizona road games...

The pull of him last night was a wakeup move by our emotionsless coach who was ranting and calling a time out at that time also. To get it through to the players that they were playing like poop...

But yeah it's time to throw Pickard under the bus.
- dragonoffrost

It just feels right

Oh ok. He’s in a tough spot for his career
- Just5

He is. The Flyers would do him a favor by trading him to a team that doesn't have a log jam of goalies. I think he still has the potential to be a backup NHL goalie, just don't think it's going to happen here.

the flyers need a legit starting goalie. hard to move forward without one. Elliot isn't the answer. he is a perfect backup spot starter.

you can't worry or put a timeframe on Hart (or whoever) as the reason you don't get a better goalie now. when/if hart is ready then you deal with whatever logjam you have at that time; if you even have one.

yes there are other issues which the GM once again failed to address. Goalie is the most important position in sports; one would think Ronald would realize this having been one. He claims this team wants to take the next step but keeps the same slugs in place.

Crawford will cost too much to be worth holding onto. I say give Elliot 1 more year, or pick up Smith, Talbot, or Howard as UFAs this offseason until Hart is ready. Or maybe pick up Anderson from Ottawa for a late pick. Let everyone else fight over Bobrovsky and Varlamov.
- youarewrong

They need to pick up a goalie now, not for next year. The players, contrary to what some here think aren't stupid, they know that a tandem of Elliott/goalie of the day isn't going to cut it. I'm not suggesting you move a top prospect or a 1st or even a 2nd round pick, but they need to address this and they need to do it soon.