Boucher hurt as Flyers lose again

by Travis Hughes on Dec 21, 2009 10:18 PM EST in 09-10 Game Recaps

[TSN Recap] - [Boxscore] - [Florida Reaction]

Final - 12.21.2009	1	2	3	Total
Florida Panthers	1	1	2	4
Philadelphia Flyers	0	0	1	1

Complete Coverage >

The Panthers scored four times. The Flyers scored once, but by then, it didn't even matter. Brian Boucher busted his finger, and while he returned to the bench with what looked to be ice on his hand, there's no word on how long he'll be out of the lineup. The power play was anemic like usual, and the parade to the penalty box continued on and on and on into the night. The fans booed. A lot.

There's your game recap. I won't bore you with stats or anything similar, because logic doesn't seem to work with this team anymore. As one of the FSN Florida broadcasters said after Nathan Horton's second goal of the night, "this is just too easy." That tells the story quite simply.

The Flyers will go on the road now for the next six games, including New Years Day at Fenway Park in Boston. That is, if the NHL and NBC don't retract the invitation.

In other news, congrats to Martin Brodeur, who broke the record for most shutouts in NHL history tonight with his 104th.

Normally I would apologize for the short recap, but when the same problems are the cause of the loss game after game, it's miserable having to write these. It's miserable being a fan of this team right now. After the jump, questions with answers, comment of the night, and your thoughts on yet another tally in the loss column.

Questions With Answers

Simple question: how long does it take a Panther to take a run at Mike Richards, and does it end in an all-out bloodbath? 3 minutes, 42 seconds. Bryan McCabe, captain of the Panthers, challenged Richards to a bout, and the Flyers captain obliged. That's hockey.
If that happens, can the Flyers use it as something to pump them up? Nothing else seems to work. If it doesn't happen, can they find any other motivation? No and no.
Do the Flyers dress Cote to counter Florida's goon duo, and how much ice time do any of these goons get? Cote saw 1:04 of ice time, Florida's MacIntyre saw 2:00 even, and Mike Duco played 6:29.
We all know the other questions like they're a broken record by now. Scoring, power play, penalty kill, goaltending. What's the deal tonight? All noted above, all atrocious like usual.

Comment of the Night

Why would you ruin Vokoun’s chance at a shutout?

>> Chocula78, after the Flyers lone goal

Tweet Comment 42 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Marty couldn’t have picked a better team to break the record against. Though to be honest, I’m just relieved it wasn’t against the Flyers.

by Ben Feldman on Dec 21, 2009 10:25 PM EST reply actions

This teams play is no longer definable with words. It is beyond reality how badly they are playing.

by MJDII on Dec 21, 2009 10:35 PM EST reply actions

18% of Marty Brodeur’s career wins have been shutouts. Wow.

You know it’s bad when I’m paying more attention to Marty B’s accomplishment than my own team. Ugh. I’m so tired of watching this.

by Chris Banker on Dec 21, 2009 10:48 PM EST reply actions

I was at the game. I can honestly say that this was worse than the 2006-07 team and the 1989-90 team put together.

It’s bad enough that they lost. They flat-out quit. The Flyers aren’t supposed to quit, ever.

Lappy was probably the lone bright spot for the team tonight, and he’ll be suspended for leaving his feet / caring too much. Gagne is still shaking off the rust from his injury. He made a few mental mistakes, but he tried. Boosh was fine until he got hurt, and Betts and Carcillo showed flashes of caring. The rest of the team was horrible.

What’s the over/under on Chris Pronger not even finishing a full season here? My Spidey Sense tells me that he’ll be part of a big trade deadline deal to a contender, well after we’re out of the playoff picture. We’ll get prospects and draft picks in return.

I’ve just had it with Hartnell, too. Draws a penalty, negates it with a penalty of his own. Wow. He’s done that for like the last 4 games, and we’ve lost them all.

Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?

by mikefive on Dec 21, 2009 11:02 PM EST reply actions

finally someone who agrees with me.

Hartnell has to go he gets paid too much to constantly take bad penalties. Prongers time to go to he has brought nothing to the team but problems in the locker room, he wants to be captain and does not want to play under Richards. Ship those two out and get some salary back. Coburn played bad again but looked better than Pronger. I like Pronger shooting from the point but even i could have blocked his predictable shots last night. Carter and Richards come on wake up. Carcillo showed some spunk but still don’t believe he can be a 30 goal scorer, and sitting Pyrola is a bad idea unless he is on the move too. I think it is time to send this team to the Phantoms and take our chances with the Phantoms maybe they will show they want to play in the NHL. We are going to be an embarrassment on national tv against the Bruins on New Years.

by whosyourjockey on Dec 22, 2009 8:38 AM EST up reply actions

Yes, the team is in a funk. Yes, Pronger has made some real gaffes in his own end. BUT YES, HE IS STILL ONE OF THE BEST DEFENSEMEN IN THE LEAGUE!!! You wanna trade him away, after mortgaging the future of the team to get him, just for some unproven ‘prospects and draft picks’??? Good god, people, and you say that Pens fans are stupid. Stripping Richie of the “C” and handing it to Pronger should be the first thing Lavvy does. Basically, if your captain can’t motivate the team, you get someone else to do it! Then you can deal with finding someone who wants Hartnell’s penalty stupidity. Oh, and Pyorala only sat because the Panthers dressed their goons and Lavvy wanted Cote in the lineup. (Frankly, he should have given Riley more ice time than 1:04; it’s not like the regular guys are performing.)

by penguinsfan on Dec 22, 2009 10:17 AM EST up reply actions

Hold the presses.

I’m not advocating that Pronger be sent anywhere. I said this:

What’s the over/under on Chris Pronger not even finishing a full season here? My Spidey Sense tells me that he’ll be part of a big trade deadline deal to a contender, well after we’re out of the playoff picture. We’ll get prospects and draft picks in return.

This is only a gut feeling that I have. Mario even asked in another thread, “If you’re Chris Pronger, how close are you to asking for a trade right now?”

Pronger has to be frustrated. He wants to win. This is not what he signed up for. If the Flyers are out of the playoff picture and continue to look like a complete mess, why wouldn’t he ask to be traded somewhere? If I’m a 36-year-old defenseman who wants to win a championship, I’d much rather do so on a team that can find its ass with both hands.

Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?

by mikefive on Dec 22, 2009 10:38 AM EST up reply actions

To be clear, I asked that question in regards not so much to losing but as to Laviolette coming in here and expecting him to change his style of play. (Same for laperriere.) Pronger’s not suddenly going to become disciplined, no matter how many bag skates you send him on.

by MarioD on Dec 22, 2009 10:46 AM EST up reply actions

Gotcha.

No matter how you slice it, I agree with you that he’s got to be frustrated.

He looked awful last night, but then again so did everyone else.

Unrelated aside, I sat next to a French-Canadian man who was a riot. “Why do he shoot from de point? In’t dat what dey got Pronger for?”

Another gem: “Cote de best player on de team. He so good he not even out dere for five minutes.”

Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?

by mikefive on Dec 22, 2009 11:01 AM EST up reply actions

Pronger’s not going anywhere. He has one of those “albatross” contracts and he’s retiring a Flyer

by gnuf on Dec 22, 2009 9:21 AM EST up reply actions

I think he might be retired right now.

by MJDII on Dec 22, 2009 9:48 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

This whole mess is disheartening enough as it is, but as this drags on, it seems like players who were giving it their all even a week ago are starting to fall into the trap of not trying. Given the effort I’m used to seeing from Giroux, there were some moments tonight that he skated around in such a lazy fashion that it left me shocked. He’s not the only one, he’s just the first example coming to me at the moment. It’s like the last pillars trying to hold the team up are collapsing like dominoes.

Even in the 2006-07 season, I didn’t think they were not trying. Losing hurt, but I didn’t feel embarrassed to be a fan. I remember growing up in an era where it was a laughing matter to be an Eagles fan around here, but I never remember feeling this way with the Flyers.

by DragonGirl0583 on Dec 21, 2009 11:17 PM EST reply actions

2006-07

That team tried; they just sucked.

This team doesn’t try and sucks worse.

According to CapGeek, we’ll have $10,327,741 to spend after this season. Some of that should go towards re-signing RFA’s like Parent, Carcillo, and Powe. Coburn can walk for draft picks. We can pursue a goalie and perhaps some other players… another top-4 d-man maybe, and a faceoff specialist whose arm won’t pop out.

Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?

by mikefive on Dec 21, 2009 11:28 PM EST up reply actions

Goalie!, We need to start rebuilding this team from the goaltender out. It has been too long since this team had a real number one goaltender without any questions. Consolidate the the energy/pesky hard workers. Carcillo, Asham, Powe, Ross, Lapierre, Cote are the same guys you only need two not six.

by MJDII on Dec 22, 2009 7:04 AM EST up reply actions

Look at our divisional competition (and some inter divisional)

NJ – Brodeur – Solid for years
Pit – Fleury – becoming one of the star goalies in the league
NYR – Lundqvist – The only reason the rangers can win games
NYI – DiPietro – when he’s not hurt (which is, I know, about as often as the flyers have scored this year) is a top quality Goalie

The flyers are the only team in the Atlantic division without a big name in net. And the other teams arent really sacrificing a whole lot to get that.

Other teams in our conference even, Ryan Miller, Varlamov looks like hes going to be a big star, as does Pavelec and Rask.

by bfrank27 on Dec 22, 2009 8:51 AM EST up reply actions

How about Halak

I have seen some completely unreliable banter on-line that Habs and Flyers have talked and it involves Halak. Forget the legitimacy of the unfounded rumors. Is Halak someone who fits this category?

by MJDII on Dec 22, 2009 9:51 AM EST up reply actions

I think he could be, he seems to always do a good job filling in for price. His career numbers are pretty good (2.78 GAA .914 SV) but the most games in a season hes played in his career is 34, last year. Granted hes slotted behind Price in the roster, thus probably hasnt gotten a fair shot at the number 1 spot, Hes only a month and a half older than me at 24, so hes got a good number of years ahead of him. Unproven is the only thing I can really say about him at this point, Which gives the known quantity conclusion of “Solid Backup.” Could he be more? Absolutely. Could he be given a fair shot here? As a Goalie under 1 Mil on the cap, absolutely unless homer is really stuck on Emery.

by bfrank27 on Dec 22, 2009 10:03 AM EST up reply actions

I understand people screaming goalie but it is the least of our problems right now

if we had Marty B right now we would not win. We can’t score.

by whosyourjockey on Dec 22, 2009 10:08 AM EST up reply actions

The goalie argument is not based on fixing this mess. This is based on rebuilding an obviously flawed team that has absolutely no chemistry. And that building has to happen from the goaltender out.

by MJDII on Dec 22, 2009 10:20 AM EST up reply actions

Revised: with a little more research Halak posted decent numbers in QMJHL with 62 games and a line of 24-17-4 2.78GAA .913Sv

Plus, hes RFA after this season.

by bfrank27 on Dec 22, 2009 10:12 AM EST up reply actions

In the current situation, I’d consider signing Manny Fernandez – but otherwise, it ain’t your goalie that scores only one goal per game: it’s everyone else!

by penguinsfan on Dec 22, 2009 10:19 AM EST up reply actions

Fernandez would be too much money for this team, he made 4.75 mil last year and had good numbers, even with the shortened year, he would still have the bargaining chip. The flyers cannot afford another expensive contract. Thats why Halak is desirable, Young, Cheap, good numbers.

by bfrank27 on Dec 22, 2009 10:56 AM EST up reply actions

agreed with mikefive, we have to do something or as scottie said heads are gonna roll, well i hope his is one of them cause hes a waste right now, i want sbisa back btw he had heart

by sjuhawks42 on Dec 21, 2009 11:40 PM EST reply actions

message time

It is time to let player watch from the press box regardless of salary, of chemistry of lines or anything else. Guys to sit Briere, then Hartnell, then Carter/Richards then Coburn and maybe not that order but those are the players that need to pick it up. I have never been so high on a team to start and feel like I do about this team as close to the mid-season mark as we are. There is still time don’t get me wrong. As I’ve watched the live feeds of the last couple games, and most of being opposing announcers, they all have one comment in common…There is something wrong with the Philadelphia Flyers. Somebody inside this organization please figure it out and fix it. Quit making stupid trades-Carcillo for Upshall and a pick, keeping Jones only to pay half of his salary so he can play for the Kings

by Crosby sucks on Dec 21, 2009 11:52 PM EST reply actions

with Pronger’s new salary, I don’t see him being traded at the deadline. I do see him not playing a majority of the games left, so he can be saved for next year, when we have a fresh start next year. Not much to say, no more jokes, no more positive outlook. No more how much worse it can get. Time to stop caring about the Flyers, pay more attention to the Eagles, and when that season ends get ready for spring training. With every game the Flyers play, we’re closer to one next year. This is just a very large pre-season. I just hope the Flyers drop the price of their tickets, because as far as I’m concerned I wouldn’t pay more than 20 bucks to see this team. I’d go see the Phantoms at the Spectrum, but that’s been taken from us also.

Go Eagles

TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT

by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Dec 22, 2009 1:41 AM EST reply actions

According to the Inquirer, Boosh is only going to be out one game:

Brian Boucher cut the ring finger on his right hand while making a diving save early in the second period. He was replaced by Michael Leighton, who allowed the final two goals.

Boucher is expected to miss one game, and the Flyers plan to recall Johan Backlund for Wednesday’s game in Tampa.

Boucher injured as Flyers fall

by DragonGirl0583 on Dec 22, 2009 1:56 AM EST reply actions

Send a message?

Does anyone think benching one of the “elite” players would send a message to the lazy Flyers or is it gonna take a trade to wake them up?

by LegionofDoom on Dec 22, 2009 7:37 AM EST reply actions

it is worth a shot what do they have to lose.

infact I would bench all of them and let the Phantoms have a crack at the NHL.

by whosyourjockey on Dec 22, 2009 8:41 AM EST up reply actions

I think they’d be happy to not have to step out on the ice and even give a half assed shot.

by bfrank27 on Dec 22, 2009 8:51 AM EST up reply actions

I agree. Half assed is what there about this year. In fact instead of those relentless shirts they should all say “Half Assed”.

And are we sure that Boucher cut his finger? Did anyone check Hartnell’s mouth?

by LegionofDoom on Dec 22, 2009 9:04 AM EST up reply actions

He didnt cut his finger, he hurt his vag. Or he was just tired of playing behind that poor lazy excuse of a hockey team.

by bfrank27 on Dec 22, 2009 9:14 AM EST up reply actions

Also, if anything he should probably put one line on the ice and make them work for a change, they cannot come off the ice until they’ve given an effort worthy of a break.

by bfrank27 on Dec 22, 2009 9:17 AM EST up reply actions

And he should also fine them for every penalty they take.

by LegionofDoom on Dec 22, 2009 9:21 AM EST up reply actions

I’m Just saying, Start the game with Lappy, Carcillo, Asham, Pronger, Timonen. 45 seconds of work or so, they come off. Next line out, Carter, Hartnell, Giroux, Coburn, Parent. Only ones who get off the ice the rest of the game are Giroux and possibly Parent.

by bfrank27 on Dec 22, 2009 10:06 AM EST up reply actions

The puck hit him under the blocker, on his glove. That glove gives absolutely no protection.

Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.

by Geoff Detweiler on Dec 22, 2009 10:46 AM EST up reply actions

You’re really going to dignify anything in this conversation thread?

by MarioD on Dec 22, 2009 10:49 AM EST up reply actions

Just wanted to clarify the injury. That is all.

Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.

by Geoff Detweiler on Dec 22, 2009 11:40 AM EST up reply actions

Ive been hit in the arms with pucks that missed the pads and played through with grapefruit sized bruises. Unless it caused his hand to swell to the point where he couldnt grip the stick he should not have come out of the game. It was only just 2-0 at that point.

by bfrank27 on Dec 22, 2009 10:58 AM EST up reply actions

For clarity’s sake, you can’t bend your fingers and hold a stick immediately after you’ve had stitches in them. You have to give everything time to seal up or the cut will open again.

by DragonGirl0583 on Dec 24, 2009 2:49 AM EST up reply actions