Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 11/9/19 @ TOR

Did we win yet?

Bill, do we know the starting goalies for tonight and tomorrow?

Next 3 games are as tough as any they will face all year. If they get 3 points they will have done very well.

Bill, do you have any update on the severity of Allison’s injury. I don’t think he has played in about 3 weeks.

Bill, do you have any update on the severity of Allison’s injury. I don’t think he has played in about 3 weeks.
- Djapana

He played last night. Had an assist.

Bill, do we know the starting goalies for tonight and tomorrow?
- biggbear77

Not yet. Yesterday was an off-day. Flyers morning skate in Toronto will take place shortly. Will post starter here and add to blog when the beats who made the trip post it.

Typo fixed. Thanks.

Despite the lack of PP success there were very encouraging signs from the Montreal game. For an extended period of the game, in my opinion the Flyers showed their strongest cohesive team systems play of the season. They showed real signs of gelling as a team in Vigneault's puck pressure system. Now granted a lot of that was due to a number of players strong play such as Phillipe Myers, who was outstanding. If they can keep playing in that manner and get multiple lines going offensively along wit strong goaltending, the Flyers will be a tough team to play against.

Next 3 games are as tough as any they will face all year. If the get 3 points they will have done very well.
- PLindbergh31

I agree. If you go 1-1-1, you live with it and move on.

I wonder if Gostisbehere gets moved back to the Giroux PP unit and Provorov back to the Couts unit. Ghost looked a lot more comfortable and confident the past few games and Provy (especially after the collision/hit early in the last game) was fumbling with the puck a bit.

I wonder if Gostisbehere gets moved back to the Giroux PP unit and Provorov back to the Couts unit. Ghost looked a lot more comfortable and confident the past few games and Provy (especially after the collision/hit early in the last game) was fumbling with the puck a bit.
- Marc D

I personally believe that taking Gostisbehere off of the top PP unit has been good for him. It's one less pressure point on him that I think has helped him simplify and work on getting his game back.

He played last night. Had an assist.
- bmeltzer

That’s good to hear. Thanks

I wonder if Gostisbehere gets moved back to the Giroux PP unit and Provorov back to the Couts unit. Ghost looked a lot more comfortable and confident the past few games and Provy (especially after the collision/hit early in the last game) was fumbling with the puck a bit.
- Marc D

Braun and ghost have something going

Braun and ghost have something going
- Just5

I hope you are right. But it seems like every game, win or lose, including the last one, Braun finishes as a minus player. -12 and counting. Yikes.

I hope you are right. But it seems like every game, win or lose, including the last one, Braun finishes as a minus player. -12 and counting. Yikes.
- Djapana

He is taking on a lot of the heavy lifting defensively for the team. Have to consider while he is -12, what does it mean for other players who are freed up to play in different roles?

Toronto is fast and deep up front, but their D group is average at best. The key to this game will be getting a good forecheck going early, putting pressure on their D and getting a lead. Force TO to play from behind and pounce on their mistakes for odd man counter rushes.

This is a winnable game if they play disciplined and smart and, as always, get good goaltending

He is taking on a lot of the heavy lifting defensively for the team. Have to consider while he is -12, what does it mean for other players who are freed up to play in different roles?
- MJL

Braun does get a lot of PK work but he's starting 56.6% of his shifts in the offensive zone at 5-on-5, largely due to being paired with Ghost or Sanheim. Vigneault said the other day that Braun has to play better and the player himself agreed.

In fairness, Braun has played into some tough luck -- the save percentages behind him are artificially low, and should correct -- and his partners also have not been at their best in many of the games together. But Braun has to play a bit better overall, too.

Braun does get a lot of PK work but he's starting 56.6% of his shifts in the offensive zone at 5-on-5, largely due to being paired with Ghost or Sanheim. Vigneault said the other day that Braun has to play better and the player himself agreed.

In fairness, Braun has played into some tough luck -- the save percentages behind him are artificially low, and should correct -- and his partners also have not been at their best in many of the games together. But Braun has to play a bit better overall, too.
- bmeltzer

Naturalstattrick stats says differently. They have Braun at 47.56% Offensive zone start percentage. Braun has 43 defensive zone starts which is second only to Provorov among Flyers defenseman.

Naturalstattrick stats says differently. They have Braun at 47.56% Offensive zone start percentage. Braun has 43 defensive zone starts which is second only to Provorov among Flyers defenseman.
- MJL

I am citing where Hockey Reference has his zone starts.

I personally believe that taking Gostisbehere off of the top PP unit has been good for him. It's one less pressure point on him that I think has helped him simplify and work on getting his game back.
- MJL

Interesting point
he’s looked a lot better lately

Prefer Raffl as wing.
I wonder who is going to be the solution to the 4th line C?
I’m a big believer in needing 4 good lines to succeed in today’s NHL.
They are close with their forwards, but the 4th line C seems like an infilled hole right now

I am citing where Hockey Reference has his zone starts.
- bmeltzer

Seems like there is a discrepancy between the two sites.

Prefer Raffl as wing.
I wonder who is going to be the solution to the 4th line C?
I’m a big believer in needing 4 good lines to succeed in today’s NHL.
They are close with their forwards, but the 4th line C seems like an infilled hole right now
- Marc D

Unless they move Giroux back to wing, Laughton is going to be the the 4C when he returns.

Brian Elliott in goal tonight. Hart will go tomorrow in Boston.