Gameday: Oh Canada
by Travis Hughes on Apr 1, 2009 5:13 PM EDT
in 08-09 Game Threads
62 comments
#4 Philadelphia Flyers (40-23-10, 92 pts) at #12 Toronto Maple Leafs (31-32-13, 75 pts)
Air Canada Centre - 7:30 PM EDT - Toronto, Ontario, Canada
TV: CSN HD, TSN HD, NHL Network US
Radio: 610 WIP, XM 206
This is the open game thread.
Behind Enemy Lines: Pension Plan Puppets
Beating the snot out of the Toronto Maple Leafs is probably one of my favorite occurances in sport. They're just so easy to hate. Sadly though, tonight's game doesn't mean a damn thing to them. They're officially out of playoff contention (although they've been out of it pretty much since October) and they're pretty much just going through the motions at this point.
They've lost two straight, most recently on Saturday in a 7-5 loss to the Bruins. Both teams coming off of losses to Boston are probably the only thing the Flyers and Leafs have in common right now. This game matters to Philadelphia. With Carolina and Pittsburgh right on the Flyers' tails, the orange and black need to keep pace.
Between the Pipes: Martin Biron returns to the Flyer crease tonight. No shock.
And, no, this is not an April Fools joke: Curtis Joseph will be in net tonight for Toronto. Yes, the same guy who's been playing since the Leafs last won a Cup. Martin Gerber is serving the final game of a three game suspension. CuJo is 4-8-2 this season with a 3.62 GAA. Hah.
Riley Cote might be in the Flyers lineup. He was only expected to miss a game with his slight hand injury, but Andreas Nodl is still with the club. We'll know at game time. I won't be around, as mentioned, since I'll be at the Phantoms game watching JVR. Expect reports on both games late tonight.
Go Flyers.
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They’re just so easy to hate.
The feeling’s mutual. Hopefully no one’s boarded from behind tonight. On our side of course.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Apr 1, 2009 5:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Classy blog, PPP. Want the Flyers to die in a chemical accident. It’s not like the Leafs have never boarded or laid a dirty hit on anybody.
No wonder the Habs have more fans.
by doubleh on Apr 1, 2009 5:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You know it’s a joke right? We’re not actively trying to lure the Flyers into a chemical accident. We have to find someone that works at a chemical plant first.
And yes, Leafs have boarded before but the Leafs aren’t known for being filthy hockey players.
And the Habs don’t have more fans.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Apr 2, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry, missed the joke part, because anything about players and death isn’t funny to me. You’re talking about a franchise that lost a very promising goalie in a fiery car wreck.
And when do the Flyers get to shake a reputation they got over 30 years ago? We’ve had some goons over the years, but so have other teams, but we’re always saddled with the “flithy hockey players” BS. It’s weak, lazy journalism on the part of the media because they have nothing better to write about. This Flyers team resembles nothing of teams past and is filled with very good character, skilled players (aside from a decent goalie and a consistent defense that can score). It’s the same as the rep that the whole city of Philly gets with regard to this media treatment and it’s played out.
by doubleh on Apr 2, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And I don’t hate the Leafs; I am indifferent to them. They stand in our way of a playoff spot; that is all. Hope we can play well and draw a few PPs (and score) because their PK isn’t that good.
by doubleh on Apr 1, 2009 6:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Underway
Stream available on atdhe.net
by chillicothe20 on Apr 1, 2009 7:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Sh*t!
Leafs score already. 1-0 bad guys.
by chillicothe20 on Apr 1, 2009 7:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
First time wearing orange on the road this year.
I much prefer the home team wearing white, this is good.
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
by Ben Rothenberg on Apr 1, 2009 7:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I relish that the NHL
is unorthodox and wears white on the road. Truly, jersey colors should be alternated everywhere.
by chillicothe20 on Apr 1, 2009 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
NFL most always does too.
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
by Ben Rothenberg on Apr 1, 2009 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
why are we incapable of scoring the first goal
by njh3293 on Apr 1, 2009 7:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow, Penguins up 2 early in NJ
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
by Ben Rothenberg on Apr 1, 2009 7:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Helping us
If only we could help ourselves
by chillicothe20 on Apr 1, 2009 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Powerplay will help in that cause.
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
by Ben Rothenberg on Apr 1, 2009 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love Arron Asham.
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
by Ben Rothenberg on Apr 1, 2009 7:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
holy shit Corner Gas commercial on the stream. God I love that show.
by pintium02 on Apr 1, 2009 8:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It looks pretty funny in the previews, I gotta say.
Much better than those Little Mosque on the Prairie commercials that you get with CBC
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
by Ben Rothenberg on Apr 1, 2009 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow, Canada didn’t win any golds in either Olympics they hosted? That’s sad.
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
by Ben Rothenberg on Apr 1, 2009 8:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
There’s always next time. Or so the commercials would have us believe.
by pintium02 on Apr 1, 2009 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I find it hard to believe that people get so into curling. But what do I know.
by pintium02 on Apr 1, 2009 8:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
2-1. Leafs score (L. Stempniak)
dammit . . .
by flyrsfrk05 on Apr 1, 2009 8:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Stong shift by Nodl. I remember him playing with Carter earlier this year and I think he could be a solid NHL player. I’d much rather have him on the fourth line than Cote at this point.
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 1, 2009 8:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
We are making the Leafs look good… That last shift we had multiple turnovers just because of lazy passes. Not a terribly embarrassing game, but something needs to be said, just like on long island.
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 1, 2009 8:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, what else is new? The Flyers making a bad team look good?
They just aren’t gelling lately; gotta get hot and roll into the playoffs.
God, the Devils are losing to the Pens 5-1. They are in absolute freefall right now.
by doubleh on Apr 1, 2009 8:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Is anyone else super nervous right now? Between the games against New York, Boston and now Toronto the Flyers have played very poorly and seem to be getting the play taken to them.
If we end up playing Pittsburgh or Carolina they are gonna be coming at us with so much momentum. What happened to the Flyers team that beat Pittsburgh and New Jersey back-to-back?
by flyrsfrk05 on Apr 1, 2009 8:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I would be, but I’m hoping that having three out of the last four games against teams in contention wakes them up. This is not inspiring though.
I was going to say great idea calling a time-out, but with the next stoppage being a tv timeout, i wonder if it couldn’t have waited?
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 1, 2009 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am because all the teams chasing us seem to be playing super hot while we falter.
by doubleh on Apr 1, 2009 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe if we fall far enough we can play a crappy Devils team?
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
by Ben Rothenberg on Apr 1, 2009 8:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, but if we fall too far we might have tee times instead…
by doubleh on Apr 1, 2009 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m sorry, but Marty doesn’t look good either tonight. This is not a terrible idea by Stevens. He’s clearly pissed.
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 1, 2009 8:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nitty hasn’t exactly been great recently.
by pintium02 on Apr 1, 2009 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Leafs goal @13:03, Ian White (Lee Stempniak, Boyd Devereaux)
3-1 Leafs lead . . .
Two things that need to happen for the Flyers to win this game:
1. Chico better punch someones face in and give this team some energy
2. The Flyers HAVE to score in this period to avoid having to make a two goal come back in the third.
by flyrsfrk05 on Apr 1, 2009 8:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I will never understand why professional athletes can’t get up for a game. Every game matters. The playoffs are around the corner. Play like you want to get there.
by doubleh on Apr 1, 2009 9:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m willing to forgive a period of this, because there can be plenty of reasons – injuries, sickness, sore, wear of a long season, quality of opponent, looking ahead – but at some point, someone has to speak up. I expect the third period to be much different.
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 1, 2009 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
save for the last 40 seconds…that was one of the most disgraceful efforts i have seen in a period by this team.
by Momus1 on Apr 1, 2009 9:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know—I’ve seen quite a few of them lately with the Flyers. Islanders come to mind.
by doubleh on Apr 1, 2009 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would love to be in that locker room right now…
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 1, 2009 9:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Only if you were in Richards’ good graces.
by doubleh on Apr 1, 2009 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
haha, i meant in a manager function. no way would i want to be in there wearing a jersey.
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 1, 2009 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Worst Ever
“Playoffs?!? Don’t talk about… playoffs?!? You kiddin’ me? Playoffs?”
Ever since the Flyers beat New Jersey last week, it’s like someone turned on the Suck switch. The only reason they beat the Islanders is because they’re the Islanders. During every other game, they’ve been uninspired at best and horrible at worst. Safe to say this is the worst I’ve seen them since the Colorado game in October.
Forget the Devils, Penguins, Hurricanes, and Rangers. I’m more worried about Florida and Buffalo, who are playing inspired, backs-to-the-wall hockey right now. One of them could easily pass us at this rate. We need intensity and we need points, or we’ll be on the sidelines come April 13.
by mikefive on Apr 1, 2009 9:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Briere is really pissing me off this game. He just had a terrible forecheck followed by an even worse backcheck. Someone needs to lay into him because $6.5 million for a power play pussy doesn’t fly with me.
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 1, 2009 9:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
his first step acceleration is still nowhere it needs to be. he is hurting us 5 on 5 right now.
by Momus1 on Apr 1, 2009 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
seriously, hes such an inconsistent player. he’ll look unstoppable for a 5 game span then he’ll dissapear for two weeks. A player with that much skill should not go through stretches like that, it just shows laziness.
by njh3293 on Apr 1, 2009 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
or effects of injury—I, for one, thought he should have been IR’d for the season before the trade deadline. Then Homer could have kept Upshall and made some more moves.
by doubleh on Apr 1, 2009 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We all seem to forget that Upshall was traded because his contract was up after this year and he was going to get a raise we couldn’t afford. Doing what you suggest would have been hanging on to him for a couple more months and then losing. While that might be better than giving up him and a pick for Carcillo, it was made looking beyond just this year.
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 1, 2009 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Somehow I don’t think Briere is the only one having a bad game…
by doubleh on Apr 1, 2009 9:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Our breakouts start with 4 guys at a standstill trying to hit one guy moving his feet. Wonder how easy that is to defend…
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 1, 2009 9:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
we are playing so lazy and undesired tonight. how did we not score on that last rush
by njh3293 on Apr 1, 2009 9:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Giroux wanted to pass, then decided to shoot. If he could have drawn cujo to his left, then dish to Knuble for an empty net, it’s in. But… he got cujo down, just missed.
This PP is a must, obviously.
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 1, 2009 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
FINALL!!!! figures one of the few guys thats played well tonite scores that goal
by njh3293 on Apr 1, 2009 9:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Comcast still says its a Philly PP…
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 1, 2009 9:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
argh. you cant play like shit for the first 55 minutes and expect to win regardless of your opponent. where was the intensity of the last 5 minutes all game?
by njh3293 on Apr 1, 2009 10:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well that was a piss poor 57 minutes of hockey.
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 1, 2009 10:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Stevens...
… seemed surprisingly calm after the game. Good on him, even though the players certainly deserved the what-for.
Richards has faced a lot of tough tests in his first season as captain – the 0-3-3 start, the injuries, the losses of popular players, and now this swan dive at the worst possible time… at least he’s getting a lot of salient experience for the future.
The Flyers need 3 straight wins, seriously. The only silver lining tonight was the fact that they scored on the power play, finally.
by mikefive on Apr 1, 2009 10:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
A team with this much firepower shouldn’t have this much trouble scoring. If they can score on the PP, they can’t score 5 on 5. Then in the next game, the reverse is true. They showed some stats postgame that says our defense only has 19 total goals. That’s the fewest in the history of the Flyers. Not a good sign.
The past few games you could argue the hot goalie angle, but not Cujo. Cujo is good but not untouchable.
by doubleh on Apr 1, 2009 10:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh, and another thing: Seems to me that the Flyers think they can coast through some games and kick it into gear when they need to…they are not the Red Wings and aren’t good enough to do that. They need to be playing a full 60 minutes of inspired hockey, despite their opponent.
by doubleh on Apr 1, 2009 11:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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Atlantic Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pittsburgh
|
66 | 40 | 22 | 4 | 84 |
|
New Jersey
|
64 | 38 | 23 | 3 | 79 |
|
Philadelphia
|
65 | 35 | 26 | 4 | 74 |
|
New York Rangers
|
66 | 29 | 28 | 9 | 67 |
|
New York Islanders
|
66 | 26 | 32 | 8 | 60 |
(updated 3.10.2010 at 9:44 AM EST)
Flyers Schedule
Next 5 Games
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Boston
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Thu 03/11 | 7:00 PM EST |
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Chicago
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Sat 03/13 | 1:00 PM EST |
|
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New York Rangers
|
Sun 03/14 | 3:00 PM EDT |
|
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Nashville
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Tue 03/16 | 8:00 PM EDT |
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Dallas
|
Thu 03/18 | 8:30 PM EDT |
Last 5 Games
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New York Islanders
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Tue 03/09 | W 3 - 2 |
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Toronto
|
Sun 03/07 | W 3 - 1 |
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Buffalo
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Fri 03/05 | OT - L 2 - 3 |
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Florida
|
Wed 03/03 | L 4 - 7 |
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Tampa Bay
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Tue 03/02 | W 7 - 2 |
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