Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Hart's Turn to Shut Out Sabres

Couldn’t really tell much against a team, Buffalo, that seemed disinterested, glad to be getting a full squad back though.

The Sabres are a total dumpster fire.

I hear you on that. Gostisbehere seems to be getting his mojo back. It certainly helps playing against Buffalo.
- MJL

If they are going to only protect 3 D, they need to trade Ghost asap. He's back to playing like a #2/3. Losing him for nothing would be simply unacceptable.

Besides the history-making 700th win for AV, it was the first time in team history that they got consecutive shutout wins on the road.

They showed that as a graphic on NBCSN along with a short discussion after the game. Something about this is the first back-to-back shutout wins of any kind for the team since 2015, and the first back-to-back shutout wins against the same team since 1999 against the NYR.

FTR I looked that last one up, and it was during the start of the 99-00 regular season, games #'s 8 & 9 on 20 Oct at home and 22 Oct in NY, with final scores of 5-0 and 2-0, respectively.

Got to like that they respond to losing 6-1 by shutting out that team three consecutive times. The team game was really good this weekend. Goaltending was sharp. I think you will see a lot of the same this week against the Pens. They have a chance to really put some distance between them and the Pens this week.

If they are going to only protect 3 D, they need to trade Ghost asap. He's back to playing like a #2/3. Losing him for nothing would be simply unacceptable.
-Tomahawk

I hope the Flyers are protecting 4 D because they will acquire Ekholm. I do believe if Ghost keeps this up, he will have good trade value and the Flyers will do well as a result.

Got to like that they respond to losing 6-1 by shutting out that team three consecutive times. The team game was really good this weekend. Goaltending was sharp. I think you will see a lot of the same this week against the Pens. They have a chance to really put some distance between them and the Pens this week.
- mickel25

The only thing I want to caution about is the Flyers did give up a few too many quality scoring chances to Buffalo over these last two games, and Buffalo just couldn't convert. There were at least 3 or 4 glorious chances the Sabres had in yesterday's game alone that if converted turns a 3-0 shutout into a 4-3 loss. I promise you if the Flyers allow the quantity and quality of these scoring chances against Pittsburgh, the result will be very different. The Flyers have a lot more cleanup work to do defensively.

The Sabres are a total dumpster fire.
- Nh_kong

What has to be most concerning to the Sabres fans is Keith Jones was pointing out yesterday that Eichel appeared to have very lethargic shifts, similar to Dubious in Columbus before he was traded. If true and Eichel leaves town, they are starting over again!

The only thing I want to caution about is the Flyers did give up a few too many quality scoring chances to Buffalo over these last two games, and Buffalo just couldn't convert. There were at least 3 or 4 glorious chances the Sabres had in yesterday's game alone that if converted turns a 3-0 shutout into a 4-3 loss. I promise you if the Flyers allow the quantity and quality of these scoring chances against Pittsburgh, the result will be very different. The Flyers have a lot more cleanup work to do defensively.
- jd250

Always room to improve. This weekend was a good start.

Here's my Monday morning off the wall theory. Tyler Hall typically gets some ridiculous contract, but with teams that have no shot of making the playoffs....
Nice short regular season, goes fishing, golfing and none of the physical wear and tear of a playoff run. Perfect fit for Buffalo, NJ.

He's been like that for awhile, yes the Sabres are embarrassing, but for someone who was supposed to be a super star, he doesn't take over games nearly enough, maybe 10_15 games since he's been here. He's supposed to be the Captain and the players follow his lead, there's some talent on this team and just seems to be stuck in neutral and believe the coach is a huge problem because he has neutered his players. But Jack needs to look in the mirror and stop being a little female dog too. Start trying to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. Sorry for the rant. Good luck to you guys, looks like you guys could make some noise.

I hope the Flyers are protecting 4 D because they will acquire Ekholm. I do believe if Ghost keeps this up, he will have good trade value and the Flyers will do well as a result.
- jd250

If rather just keep Ghost, tbh.

If Ekholm were RH, and not on the wrong side of 30, the idea might be more attractive to me.

If rather just keep Ghost, tbh.

If Ekholm were RH, and not on the wrong side of 30, the idea might be more attractive to me.
- Tomahawk

Many Flyers fans have overrated Ekholm. He is not what they think he is.

Many Flyers fans have overrated Ekholm. He is not what they think he is.
- MJL

There's people on other forums who claim that Ekholm would come in and automatically be the Flyers best damn. Wut??

He's a Swedish prime Brandon Coburn. That's a wonderful player to add in a vacuum, but it's not worth the "Jake Muzzin package" or TK.

Couldn’t really tell much against a team, Buffalo, that seemed disinterested, glad to be getting a full squad back though.
- Dave21Brown

Correct. They took care of business and go the 4 points. Otherwise I wouldn't get all crazy basing anything on this series.

Pens play sabres and devils 8 x each rest of the way.

There's people on other forums who claim that Ekholm would come in and automatically be the Flyers best damn. Wut??

He's a Swedish prime Brandon Coburn. That's a wonderful player to add in a vacuum, but it's not worth the "Jake Muzzin package" or TK.
- Tomahawk

Exactly. jd250 proposed the Flyers trade York, two prospects and a few draft picks for him. LOL. I saw a proposal on Ek's current thread by a Flyers fan suggesting the Flyers give up Frost and a 1st and 2nd rounder for him.

If they are going to only protect 3 D, they need to trade Ghost asap. He's back to playing like a #2/3. Losing him for nothing would be simply unacceptable.
- Tomahawk

He is back to playing solid hockey. Still struggles against the good forechecking teams mightily. Look at the rangers game a last week. Still don't think it is any slam dunk Seattle takes him as lots of hockey left to play.

Though yes if you can move him you should.

Exactly. jd250 proposed the Flyers trade York, two prospects and a few draft picks for him. LOL. I saw a proposal on Ek's current thread by a Flyers fan suggesting the Flyers give up Frost and a 1st and 2nd rounder for him.
- MJL

Just throw NP and Brink in too. Who needs a future? All in for Ekholmger.

If rather just keep Ghost, tbh.

If Ekholm were RH, and not on the wrong side of 30, the idea might be more attractive to me.
- Tomahawk

I would look at Ekholm as a replacement for Niskanen and that would hurt to give up prospects etc for a player they are acquiring to replace a guy who would have been here. If this team was looking to give up prospects picks etc, I would look to see if Ristolanen is available. Plays on a team that is struggling, and could bring a great physical presence on the back end. It could be too rich for us, but as a GM you have to look at all options

There's people on other forums who claim that Ekholm would come in and automatically be the Flyers best damn. Wut??

He's a Swedish prime Brandon Coburn. That's a wonderful player to add in a vacuum, but it's not worth the "Jake Muzzin package" or TK.
-Tomahawk

I really like Ekholm and I think if the Flyers get him it will really solidify our top 4 D, which is essential to the Flyers becoming a real contender. However, I am not willing to give up TK, and I don't think the Flyers will be either. In fact I don't think any team who would want Ekholm would give Nashville the equivalent of a player like TK.

I am willing to give picks and prospects for Ekholm, which according to reports of Nashville scouting recent Phantom's games, looks to be what Nashville wants. What I would not do is include Jay O'Brien or Tyson Foerster in any deals. I would entertain including York only because with a top 4 of Ekholm, Provorov, Myers and Sanheim, York becomes less valuable to the Flyers near term. However I think Nashville wants NHL ready prospects anyway.

Just throw NP and Brink in too. Who needs a future? All in for Ekholmger.
- Tomahawk

So we should just do nothing to improve now an hold onto to every prospect and pick, hoping that they all pan out?? I think that is why Hextall was fired, and rightly so!

Just throw NP and Brink in too. Who needs a future? All in for Ekholmger.
- Tomahawk

I think they should be taking a look but if it’s a bidding war no way. York is a non starter and probably frost. I’d consider it for picks but it might f us for the exp draft. If so, just wait. We’re playing well so no rush.

Despite the warts on this team and the covid challenges, we have a solid record especially if you take out the Boston games

Exactly. jd250 proposed the Flyers trade York, two prospects and a few draft picks for him. LOL. I saw a proposal on Ek's current thread by a Flyers fan suggesting the Flyers give up Frost and a 1st and 2nd rounder for him.
- MJL

I'll tell you right now, the Bruins Defense is in disarray right now because they are playing young players and they have injuries, thus this makes the Bruins prime candidates for Ekholm. If the Flyers don't jump on this and the Bruins get Ekholm, kiss this season good bye!

I think they should be taking a look but if it’s a bidding war no way. York is a non starter and probably frost. I’d consider it for picks but it might f us for the exp draft. If so, just wait. We’re playing well so no rush.

Despite the warts on this team and the covid challenges, we have a solid record especially if you take out the Boston games
- Hextall271

This is what I don't understand, why is York a non-starter? he is not even the best defenseman for his college team right now. Why do we have the mentality that every single player the Flyers draft is going to be a superstar that we absolutely can't part with?

And this argument that the Flyers have a good record if you take out the Bruins games ... well I hate to break it to you, you CAN'T take out the Bruins games and still be living in reality. The bottom line is the road to the cup is going through Boston whether you like it or not, and the Flyers need to do everything they can to become a team that can beat Boston in a 7 game series, and right now its clear that they are not that team.