Gameday: Win and you're in
by Travis Hughes on Apr 4, 2009 6:21 PM EDT
in 08-09 Game Threads
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#4 Philadelphia Flyers (40-23-10, 94 pts) at #12 Ottawa Senators (33-34-10, 76 pts)
Scotiabank Place - 7:00 PM EDT - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
TV: CSN HD, CBC HD
Radio: 610 WIP, XM 205
This is the open game thread.
Behind Enemy Lines: Silver Seven Sens
Last season, both tenants of the Wachovia Center, the 76ers and the Flyers, clinched playoff berths on the same day. Thanks to a 95-90 win over the Detroit Pistons today, the Sixers are in the NBA playoffs. With a win tonight over Ottawa, the Flyers can make history repeat itself.
The orange and black arrived in Ottawa around 1 AM this morning after a big statement win at home last night against the Maple Leafs. After a win like that and an overnight trip abroad, it can sometimes be easy to let up a little bit. It can be hard to get up for a game against a team that has nothing to play for, as the Flyers proved last Wednesday.
They can't do that. There is too much on the line tonight. Besides the fact that the Flyers can clinch a playoff berth with two points this evening (which would make the next week much easier on the rest of us), Carolina and Pittsburgh play each other tonight. The Penguins are just two points behind the Flyers while the Hurricanes are just one point back, and with at least one of those teams getting points tonight no matter what happens, the Flyers NEED a win tonight.
At the same time, the Flyers aren't going to come out the same way they did last night and replicate a five-goal first period. But if they play as the situation warrants, they will win. It's really that simple. They need to get it done, and we should all expect them to at this point.
Between the Pipes: It's the second game of a back-to-back, which means it's no surprise that Antero Niittymaki gets the call for the Flyers tonight. He has lost his last two starts: last Sunday against Boston and two Sunday's ago versus the Rangers. He relieved Martin Biron in the second period on Wednesday night and played shutout hockey for just over 25 minutes.
Alex Auld will be in net for the second consecutive game for the Senators. He made 31 saves in a 2-1 loss against Boston on Thursday night. He hasn't played in consecutive games since late February. He has a 2.51 GAA and a .910 save percentage in 39 games this season.
Playoff Push: The other games around the Eastern Conference playoff race tonight, and who we want to win. The Bruins already beat the Rangers today by a 1-0 score, meaning Florida can tie New York in points with a win tomorrow. But, for tonight:
- #2 New Jersey Devils at #10 Buffalo Sabres: The Sabres need a win tonight to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Devils, despite barely eeking out a win last night against Tampa, are still not looking good right now. We'd like things to stay that way. Go Sabres.
- #7 Montreal Canadiens at #11 Toronto Maple Leafs: The Leafs should be pissed off after their loss to the Flyers. Let's hope they take it out on Montreal. Go Leafs.
- #6 Pittsburgh Penguins at #5 Carolina Hurricanes: The 'Canes have won seven straight. Unfortunately for the Flyers, as already mentioned, one of these teams will get two points tonight. It's up to Philadelphia to keep pace and hope it doesn't go into overtime. If you're looking for someone to cheer for, however, go with Carolina. A Pittsburgh loss and a Flyer win would put them out of immediate reach of fourth place. A Carolina win is fine because the Flyers hold a game in hand over them. Most importantly though, Go Flyers.
Questions To Answer
- There's a ton on the line tonight and the Flyers should play like this is a playoff game. Do they?
- What's Jeff Carter offer up for an encore?
- And Claude Giroux's encore?
- What about Antero Niittymaki? He's been less than impressive lately.
Tonight will be Jason Spezza's 400th game. Let's make it miserable for him, eh boys? Philly teams going three-for-three today would be real nice. Go Villanova, and Go Flyers. Clinch it.
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As am I….Anyone?
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
by Ben Rothenberg on Apr 4, 2009 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Penguins up 1-0 on Carolina….Big game right there.
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
Flyers look real sloppy early, all kinds of defensive zone turnovers
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
LOL, horribly ghetto stream here
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/flyers-vs.-senators
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
This bullshit about going after guys following clean hits is getting ridiculous.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
Clean hit by Carcillo, Kuba put himself in danger by turning towards the boards. If Carcillo is in the box…
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
Regardless that we got a PP, how did Carcillo get 2 for boarding? Because the other guy got hurt. How does Ruutu not get at least a 10 minute misconduct for jumping a guy from behind?
Should’ve been a five (dropped the gloves) and a two, if you ask me.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
by Travis Hughes on Apr 4, 2009 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Or at least the double minor for roughing… but the penalty to Carcillo is complete crap.
It’s all moot though since we can’t capitalize on the PP anyways.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
by Travis Hughes on Apr 4, 2009 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow, boarding call on a perfectly clean hit. Such absolute bullshit.
We get a four on three PP because the refs couldn’t take back the boarding call, I guess. So they just gave Ruutu a double minor. At least they tried to rectify it a little bit..
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
Neither ref called that a penalty until Ruutu jumped Carcillo. At least that’s what our boys said. If that’s the case, this is embarrassing.
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 4, 2009 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Why the hell is it five on three?
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
Carcillo gets an unsportsmanlike and a game misconduct. Awesome.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
It was after he got out of the box for the BS call.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
by Travis Hughes on Apr 4, 2009 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Not like he was gonna do anything useful anyhow. Guy is such a turd.
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
by Ben Rothenberg on Apr 4, 2009 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Plus now that he’s a 4th liner, Riley Cote somehow hurt his hand again last night in his 1:17 of ice time spread out over one shift per period. Looks like Stevens is going to be using Carcillo like Gretzky did…
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 4, 2009 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I still miss Scottie.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
by Travis Hughes on Apr 4, 2009 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope that Holmgren uses him like Phoenix did and trades him for Upshall and a draft pick…
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
by Ben Rothenberg on Apr 4, 2009 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions
If anybody is willing to take Carcillo after this failed experiment. Like Travis said, he’s played with the best this team has here and can’t do anything with the opportunity. Who’s going to trade for a goon? They’re a dime a dozen
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 4, 2009 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Carcillo’s reputation seems to follow him everywhere. he gets penalized for saying things more then anyone else, and its not like hes the only NHL player with a foul mouth.
He’s gotta be aware of his reputation then.
His signing just keeps getting better and better…
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
by Ben Rothenberg on Apr 4, 2009 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Amen. Reputation matters… ask Sean Avery and Steve Downie. I hope everyday that Carcillo doesn’t turn into one of those guys, because I don’t think he is. But you’re 100% right, his reputation matters.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
by Travis Hughes on Apr 4, 2009 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions
He has been, yes.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
by Travis Hughes on Apr 4, 2009 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Cam Ward looks unbeatable. 26 saves through 2
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 4, 2009 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions
The one thing that worries me about playing Carolina. Flyers owned Carolina in the regular season, but didn’t face Ward once.
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
by Ben Rothenberg on Apr 4, 2009 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Amen.
Had them losing to L’ville in championship in my main bracket.
by chillicothe20 on Apr 4, 2009 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC51RZNmQBw
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
Intentional as all get out
he looked right at him.
by chillicothe20 on Apr 4, 2009 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow, Flyers are 12-2-5 when tied after 2. That’s real good.
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
Just no OT, please.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
by Travis Hughes on Apr 4, 2009 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Killer.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
That just means the Flyers need to effing score. One point isn’t enough. Two is unacceptable
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 4, 2009 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Obviously, I mean zero is unacceptable…
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 4, 2009 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Let’s do the same.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
by Travis Hughes on Apr 4, 2009 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Bleh, the OT part of that doess us no real favors.
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
by Ben Rothenberg on Apr 4, 2009 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions
true, shame it came in OT. Now the Flyers need to finish this one off and take that playoff that we deserve.
by Mitchell Green on Apr 4, 2009 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions
No, but as of right now, we’re tied for 4th with Carolina, holding a game in hand. And we’re still up two on Pittsburgh, with no games in hand. So… not a disaster. yet.
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 4, 2009 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions
As long as we we win..
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
by Travis Hughes on Apr 4, 2009 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Then we end the night gaining a point on Pittsburgh. And still up a point on Carolina with a game in hand. As long as we win, the night isn’t a disaster. If we lose, we’re tied for fourth with a game in hand, up two on Pittsburgh…
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 4, 2009 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh right, right. I see what you did there… okay, haha.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
by Travis Hughes on Apr 4, 2009 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions
But they had a 2-0 lead! :(
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
by Ben Rothenberg on Apr 4, 2009 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know about all that…
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
by Travis Hughes on Apr 4, 2009 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions
not sure of specific stats, just my feelings/memories
by chillicothe20 on Apr 4, 2009 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Niitty is 7-10 in shootouts, Marty is 6-13
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 4, 2009 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Marty has given up 25 goals on 52 shots. .519 save %
Niitty has given up 20 goals on 63 shots. .683 save %
nhlshootouts.com
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 4, 2009 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Didn’t know about that site… good find.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
by Travis Hughes on Apr 4, 2009 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions
it’s not official, but has a lot of stats.
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 4, 2009 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions
thats the Isles. Sens have guys like Spezza & Heatley
by Mitchell Green on Apr 4, 2009 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions
me too
like to have 2nd shot
and know what is required
by chillicothe20 on Apr 4, 2009 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Flyers shooting first . . .
Briere for the Flyers
by Mitchell Green on Apr 4, 2009 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Shootout time
I like Gagne, Richards, Briere, Carter if necessary
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
UNC just doesnt miss shots.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
by Travis Hughes on Apr 4, 2009 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Briere, Richards, Gagne.
Briere’s shot is under review. Looked in.
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
The CSN angle shows it clearly was a goal.
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 4, 2009 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Bundy says they will overturn it. He says its an absolute foul if they don’t get it right . . .
by Mitchell Green on Apr 4, 2009 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions
CBC thinks it was in but no conclusive evidence.
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
why is it taking so long . . . making me nervous
by Mitchell Green on Apr 4, 2009 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Niitty stops Spezza, we’re going to 4th round
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
Carter misses by a mile, Ottawa sends Foligno
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
Killer.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
Niitty is horrible at shootouts, he just tries to get as compact as possible.
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
If you looked at the stats, Niitty is MUCH better than Marty at shootouts, stopping 68% of attempts
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 4, 2009 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions
yea, i would go with nitty over biron.
by Mitchell Green on Apr 4, 2009 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions
what about shootout record
% doesnt necessarily win SO’s
by chillicothe20 on Apr 4, 2009 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Niitty won 7, lost 10. Marty won 6, lost 13. Niitty’s better, period.
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 4, 2009 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions
One game on the canes, tied for fourth at 95 points.
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 4, 2009 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Damn! We need to play better than this or we won’t make it out of the first round. This is just unacceptable.
down 16
need to get their shit together and make a 2nd half run
by chillicothe20 on Apr 4, 2009 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions
we lost to another shitty team in the east
lol what a joke that shootout was, all attempts trying to make auld move laterally. fail
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Apr 4, 2009 9:58 PM EDT reply actions
Agree and Disagree
I completely agree about the shootout. Whenever we lose in a shootout it’s for the same reason – one guy is successful with a move, so everyone tries it and the goalie doesn’t fall for it anymore. When we win shootouts, the guys mix it up a little bit. You’d think they would have figured that out by now.
Disagree about Ottawa being “shitty” though. They underachieved under Hartsburg and have been playing much better since Cory Clouston took over. Plus, we have trouble in their building. I’ll take one point over none.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
Agree on all points. Ottawa has been a million times better under Clouston, and it shows. I don’t buy the we have trouble in their building thing because I firmly believe that every night is different and the only building that matters is your home building. But on the shootout point, you hit the nail on the head. Briere beat Auld on that side down low, and then the rest of them, save Giroux, tried the same move. Frustrating.
Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.
by Travis Hughes on Apr 4, 2009 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions
On the road...
We’re not as bad in Ottawa as we are in, say, New Jersey or Detroit, but we lose more than we win. After tonight, our all-time record there is 12-12-6-2: 12 wins, 12 regulation losses, 6 ties, and 2 overtime losses. So we’re essentially 12-14 there, but if you say wins vs. non-wins we’re 12-20 there all time.
http://www.flyershistory.com/cgi-bin/versus.cgi?Ottawa_Senators
They didn’t add tonight’s result yet.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
Flyers can get in on Sunday with a Penguins win.
I’ll happily wait til Tuesday.
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
I don't care how we get in...
… as long as we do. The good news is that Buffalo can’t catch us now, so we’re that much closer to clinching. Plus, we can’t do any worse than last year’s team, though we should be much better.
I missed the first period tonight, but as the game went on the Flyers seemed to control more of the play than the Senators did. You could tell that they were exhausted by OT… perfectly understandable given our playing 3 games in 4 nights, and given last night’s crazy game. On top of that, they were shorthanded through most of the game after losing Carcillo. You don’t like to make excuses, but these things add up.
Flyers had better be ready to play on Tuesday. Even if Florida loses tomorrow and we clinch, we still have something to play for (i.e., positioning). But I think we’ll be raring to go. Our effort has been much improved over the last two games, and we’re playing at home after being rested. I hope we can get revenge on Anderson too.
The Flyers’ ultimate undoing in the playoffs will be due to faceoffs. We suck at faceoffs for some reason. If we won a couple more, especially in the offensive zone, we might have had a different outcome.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
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