Bill Meltzer: Flyers ECSF Gameday: Game 1 vs. NYI (8/24/20)

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO


Bill- over/under for how long it takes pavel to call out drafting Morin over Pulock?

WAKE UP PHILADELPHIA AND LET ME HEAR YA SING!

Let’s (frank)ING GOOOOO!!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO


Bill- over/under for how long it takes pavel to call out drafting Morin over Pullock?
- KINGKENZO

First Pulock point in the series.

First Pulock point in the series.
- bmeltzer

Bill Meltzer: Flyers ECSF Gameday: Game 1 vs. NYI (8/24/20)
- bmeltzer

Let’s go Flyers

First Pulock point in the series.
- bmeltzer

I don't think it will take that long.

Bill, what are your thoughts on Ghost vs. Hagg? It seems like a lot is being made of the Islanders playing too physical of a game for Ghost to handle, painting him as some sort of frail dainty child. While he's not going to get the better of a collision with some of their bigger forwards, I don't think it should be the primary factor in deciding who plays. Just would like to get your take.

Id be surprised if they could win this series. I’d go hagg over ghost. NAK would be a big help against the isles

...

Id be surprised if they could win this series. I’d go hagg over ghost. NAK would be a big help against the isles
- Just5

I'd only go Hagg over Ghost if I like being pinned in my defensive zone more often than not. Hagg is obviously bigger and more physical than Ghost, but Ghost is by far the better puck mover and transitional player. Also, Ghost challenges at the blue line because he doesn't want to get into a board battle, while Hagg is more passive and will defend better in the zone.

It's 2 different players with strengths and weaknesses, but I'll take the guy who's more aggressive and can move the puck well over the guy who is more physical but also more passive and does not transition the puck as well. I really think they physical element is being overrated; not to say NYI aren't physical, but I wouldn't put in Andy Andreoff over Joel Farabee because one is bigger and more physical than the other.

I don't think it will take that long.

Bill, what are your thoughts on Ghost vs. Hagg? It seems like a lot is being made of the Islanders playing too physical of a game for Ghost to handle, painting him as some sort of frail dainty child. While he's not going to get the better of a collision with some of their bigger forwards, I don't think it should be the primary factor in deciding who plays. Just would like to get your take.
- jmatchett383

so, we've got you taking the under. safe move

Isles are the only team in the EAST that scare me. I don't like this match-up.

Ghost played well in Game 6 but he avoids contact. You just can't do that in the playoffs or against a team like the Isles. You will inevitably have to take a hit to make a play. Too many times he just reaches out with his stick and turns from the hit, forcing more pressure on his d partner or the forwards. At a few points late in Game 6, he was physical. Took a hit here or there. And let's not forget the open ice hit on Suzuki. But, I guess I'm saying Hagg in the line-up.

Have we ruled out sitting Braun? We don't think AV would ever sit a veteran dman? His MO is to play the vet, but at what cost? Braun is better with Hagg as his partner. He was exposed with Ghost early in the series. Could Hagg and Ghost pairing work better?

An old Patrick Division matchup. It has been far to long since these teams have met in the playoffs. It is a shame we won't get to see the Wells Fargo and Nassau Coliseum be factors in this series. That said, it should be a good one!

Isles are the only team in the EAST that scare me. I don't like this match-up.

Ghost played well in Game 6 but he avoids contact. You just can't do that in the playoffs or against a team like the Isles. You will inevitably have to take a hit to make a play. Too many times he just reaches out with his stick and turns from the hit, forcing more pressure on his d partner or the forwards. At a few points late in Game 6, he was physical. Took a hit here or there. And let's not forget the open ice hit on Suzuki. I guess I'm saying Hagg.

Have we ruled out sitting Braun? We don't think AV would ever sit a veteran dman? His MO is to play the vet, but at what cost? Braun is better with Hagg as his partner. He was exposed with Ghost early in the series.
- cdearth23

All players avoid contact if they can; no one LIKES to get hit. I didn't see Ghost alligator arming anything last series, he seemed to actually engage physically. Not saying he doesn't get outmuscled, but I didn't see him shying away. He's a grown man, not a dainty princess.

I would agree to sitting Braun on merit, but I think Ghost has earned a spot to start. If not, that's basically the coaching staff saying he's too soft to be an everyday player for them, and I'm not sure that's the kind of message you want to be giving to a guy who was your best defenseman last game.

Thanks Bill! Gonna be a tough series! Let’s Go Flyers!!

All players avoid contact if they can; no one LIKES to get hit. I didn't see Ghost alligator arming anything last series, he seemed to actually engage physically. Not saying he doesn't get outmuscled, but I didn't see him shying away. He's a grown man, not a dainty princess.
- jmatchett383

Of course you try to avoid contact but at critical points in a playoff series you will HAVE to take a hit to make a play. Game 6 Ghost was good. Game 1 and 2 Ghost shied away from contact. The Isles are physical.

Now I admit, I can be overly critical of Ghost (and Coots) but just worried about him in this series. The Isles need to get their forecheck going and will bang anyone on the ice. Bang as in hit:-)

Kevin Hayes on Spittin Chiclets today.

Flyers in 7

Of course you try to avoid contact but at critical points in a playoff series you will HAVE to take a hit to make a play. Game 6 Ghost was good. Game 1 and 2 Ghost shied away from contact. The Isles are physical.

Now I admit, I can be overly critical of Ghost (and Coots) but just worried about him in this series. The Isles need to get their forecheck going and will bang anyone on the ice. Bang as in hit:-)
- cdearth23

So if the Flyers play the Bruins next round, do you sit Ghost because they're mean older kids who won't be nice to him?

How he played in Game 6 should guarantee him a spot. He has to be willing to engage physically and take a hit. If he shows signs of that (shying away), you sit him. If not, you keep him in.

That leaves Vigneault with a choice of keeping Shayne Gostisbehere (who excelled in the series clincher after struggling earlier in the series and being removed after Game 2) in the lineup or scratching Gostisbehere in favor of Robert Hagg, who is bigger and stronger physically than Gostisbehere and has seemed to click better with Justin Braun than has "Ghost".

Just an impossibly hard decision, let me tell ya

Imagine ballwashing Hagg, especially in the playoffs. Imagine it.

Have we entered a playoff series with so much uncertainty in the lineup? Other than Hart...

1. Line up: Is Ghost playing? Is Hagg playing? Is Braun playing? Is JVR playing? Is NAK playing? Is Bee playing? Is Thompson playing?

OMG is Lindblom gonna play this series?!!

2. Linemates: Is Giroux forst line or 3rd? Center or Winger? Ditto Laughton. Raffl first or 4rth? JVR, TK, blah blah.

Ghost where? And if he comes in, whats the new mad scramble with Niskanen also in?

3. Injuries. Is TK injured? Is Couts?

Whereas not a bit of uncertainty about the Isles. Their lines are pretty much set.

Just an impossibly hard decision, let me tell ya

Imagine ballwashing Hagg, especially in the playoffs. Imagine it.
- Giroux_Is_God

Wow. Looks who is here!

I would sit Braun and play Hagg and Ghost.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!!! WHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

Wow. Looks who is here!
- PT21

My HockeyGuy™ senses were firing. It brought me here

tt