Bill,

Why was frost called up? Would it not be better for him to play in the AHL then to be a healthy scratch?
- corduroy

The Phantoms haven't played since Sunday afternoon, so he hasn't missed any Phantoms games yet. And he played pretty well in those two wins against Washington and Florida when Farabee was sick.

So if the playoffs start today, Flyers play Boston. Put your coaching hat on. Game 1. In Boston. Which goalie gets the nod to start?
- Pelle31Forever

That's not even a question. Hart is far better than Elliott.

Fletcher should be looking at ways to get a better backup goalie before the deadline.

That's not even a question. Hart is far better than Elliott.

Fletcher should be looking at ways to get a better backup goalie before the deadline.
- Feanor

Elliott has been great this year. Exactly what we’ve needed from a backup. I’d be looking to re sign him unless they feel one of the guys in the minors is truly ready which I doubt.

I’d go with Hart as well if we make the playoffs.

Elliott has been great this year.
- Hextall271

Elliott is one of the least effective goalies in the NHL to have played 20 + games this year by any metric. And unlike other seasons, he can't blame a terrible PK for killing his SV%.

http://www.nhl.com/stats/...avePct&page=0&pageSize=50

Elliott is one of the least effective goalies in the NHL to have played 20 + games this year by any metric. And unlike other seasons, he can't blame a terrible PK for killing his SV%.

http://www.nhl.com/stats/...avePct&page=0&pageSize=50
- Feanor

Other than a few games where t he team hasn’t shown up in front of him which have cooked his stats, Hes been solid. I’m talking games like la, nj where he’s given up 3 or 4 then pulled early.

There have been several games where he’s made critical tough saves at important times. I’ve watched this closely. He’s been far better than the two previous seasons.

I’d be interested in hearing what others think because imo despite stats, the eye test has shown me that he’s been solid.

This is Elliott's worst season as a Flyer, and hopefully his last.

Other than a few games where t he team hasn’t shown up in front of him which have cooked his stats, Hes been solid. I’m talking games like la, nj where he’s given up 3 or 4 then pulled early.

There have been several games where he’s made critical tough saves at important times. I’ve watched this closely. He’s been far better than the two previous seasons.

I’d be interested in hearing what others think because imo despite stats, the eye test has shown me that he’s been solid.
- Hextall271

I agree Elliot has been solid. He's been a reliable backup and when I say reliable I don't mean a "great" back-up. He's had a few horrible starts, that road game against Pitt comes to mind. He's also had stellar showings, the Pens shutout game before the ASG. Could we improve in the back up area? Most likely. But I'm fine with rolling with him and Hart. Elliot did his job when Hart went down and we are still in a good position. I do think a factor in Elliot looking solid is our offense has been better this year so even when/if he lets in a soft goal, our offense can tilt the eye test by outscoring other team

Elliott's below average goaltending cost the team at least a point just three days ago.

Finally, Pulock hammered a point shot upstairs for the winning goal. JVR was a bit of a high screen on the play and the shot was a rocket but Elliott needed to find a way, somehow, to get a piece of the shot at 19:19.

Sanheim only played one shift in 3rd
- bulet13

Obviously Hak choosing to play the vets over the kids.

Elliott's below average goaltending cost the team at least a point just three days ago.
- Feanor

While he's clearly not #1 starter grade anymore, he's still been better than a lot of other backups and 1Bs around the league.

I think he's done his job this year, but I think it would be wise to look into an upgrade in the upcoming offseason.

That's not even a question. Hart is far better than Elliott.

Fletcher should be looking at ways to get a better backup goalie before the deadline.
- Feanor

Hart has never played a playoff game. Start Elliott game 1 and let Hart adjust to the atmosphere.

Hart has never played a playoff game. Start Elliott game 1 and let Hart adjust to the atmosphere.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

One of the dumbest things I've ever read on HB.

Great effort tonight for 50 out of 60 minutes. Hopefully the Flyers can take 2 points from Tampa, but that's going to be a tough game. Gotta love the effort from Pitlick. His motor always seems to be running full speed. At 6'2" 200 lbs, he wins lots of puck battles. It doesn't matter if he's on the 3rd or 4th line, he seems to bring a lot of energy to his line mates. Not a bad pick up for 1 Million a year. Hart made some great saves tonight. Any chance AV puts Hart in net vs Tampa on Saturday and puts Moose in net on Tuesday vs Columbus at home?
- Thors-Hammer

If he's up to it, you play Hart in both. You don't want to run him into the ground, but he needs to be your #1 right now.

If not for his save on Dadonov, that game might end quite differently.

Hart has never played a playoff game. Start Elliott game 1 and let Hart adjust to the atmosphere.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

neither did binnington. i don't think that's a reason not to start him.

Hart has never played a playoff game. Start Elliott game 1 and let Hart adjust to the atmosphere.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

That's how you get Leighton and Boucher over Bobrovsky after 1 bad period.

I like the way the team is playing. I’m hoping for 1pt vs Tampa. Anything more is absolute gravy.

We’ve played well with hagg in the lineup. I want to get ghost in at a certain point, but roll with the hot lineup.

Props to Pitlick. Really playing well.
- Hextall271

Speaking of Hagg, I think he belongs in the lineup until he proves otherwise.

He's shown a lot of improvement this year over last, and even this month over November.

While he's clearly not #1 starter grade anymore, he's still been better than a lot of other backups and 1Bs around the league.
- GrittySauce

Not sure how that works when he's ranked 44th out of 52 goalies to have played 20 games.

Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Flyers Handle Florida, 6-2
- bmeltzer

If they play like this every night, I can’t complain. Win or lose I have no doubt they’ll show up again Tampa. The problem is, I think they’ll have their usual issues against Columbus when we need them to show up the most.

This is Elliott's worst season as a Flyer, and hopefully his last.
- Feanor

honest question, do you watch the games

Not sure how that works when he's ranked 44th out of 52 goalies to have played 20 games.
- Feanor

And look at some of the names below him on that same list. He's playing as well as you'd expect a 34 year old with a history of injury to play.

Has he cost us a few games? Yea, but what backup in his position hasn't cost their team?

He's not as good as Hart, obviously, but he's not some pariah that deserves to be replaced either.

honest question, do you watch the games
- KINGKENZO

Sure do. I watch Elliott give up stoppable, back breaking goals over and over again.

Multiple response.

Any word on what the issue with sanhiem is?

Would start hart in the playoffs. He is our number one. And the kid seems to have mental fortitude. Also seems like he gets better as the season progresses.

And don’t mind Boston. Some of us touched on this briefly the other day. Don’t feel they match as bad with Boston as Tampa. Got to beat the best to claim the title. I just feel Tampa has had our number and wouldn’t want to give them any confidence. While I don’t feel they are a cup team yet two out of the big 4 in the East I think we match well against in Washington and Boston. Tampa is my last choice to match against with isles and pens tied. Pens could really go either way. Isles and Carolina are interesting but their speed kills us.

neither did binnington. i don't think that's a reason not to start him.
- Ftown19125

Every goalie is different. Just because Binnington did it doesnt mean others can, how many rookie goalies lead their team to stanley cups? Not many

I will add that the the series with Bryz and Fleury, the emotion between the two was so high both goalies were overwhelmed and could make a save

Not sure how that works when he's ranked 44th out of 52 goalies to have played 20 games.
- Feanor

Assuming you're talking about overall SV%, Some of the goalies below him are Brayden Holtby, Pekka Rinne, and Segrei Bobrovsky. If you're talking ES SV%, take off Rinne and add Matt Murray. Not the seasons those guys want, but clear #1s (Murray lost it to Jarry for the moment).

Some of the guys above Carter Hart in both categories are David Rittich, Mikko Koskinen, Joonas Korpisalo, MacKenize Blackwood, James Reimer, and Pavel Francouz.

Surely there must be some other metric to judge goalies, as I don't think Pavel Francouz and James Reimer are better goalies than Carter Hart despite their statistics.

That's not even a question. Hart is far better than Elliott.

Fletcher should be looking at ways to get a better backup goalie before the deadline.
- Feanor

Just curious if anyone is still worried about Hart's road struggles even with yesterday's win.

To answer my own question, I'd go with Hart too.