Game 66, Preview and Game Thread: Boston Bruins at Philadelphia Flyers
by Travis Hughes on Mar 11, 2010 4:46 PM EST
in 09-10 Game Threads
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PrintBoston Bruins at Philadelphia Flyers, Mar 11, 2010 7:00 PM EST
#8 Boston Bruins (29-24-12, 70 pts) at #6 Philadelphia Flyers (35-26-4, 74 pts)
Wachovia Center - 7:00 PM ET - Philadelphia, PA
TV: CSN Philly HD, NESN HD
Radio: 610 WIP, XM 206
This is the open game thread.
Get the Boston perspective at Stanley Cup of Chowder
As the Boston Bruins stroll into town tonight, get ready to witness a team at a crossroads. They're a team dangerously close to falling off the playoff map, potentially without their best defenseman, and rattled at the prospect of losing their best, arguably their only scorer for the remainder of the season.
Obviously, Marc Savard won't be playing tonight, and without him, the Bruins season-long question of "where does the scoring come from?" gets even more magnified. But as mentioned, these Bruins are at a crossroads. Do they use the Savard injury as the excuse for why they fell apart down the stretch, or following the lack of suspension to Matt Cooke, do they use it to generate an us against the world mentality?
There's no mistaking that tonight is a huge game for the Bruins. It's the same for the Flyers though too, of course, who enter the game with a chance to make up some ground on the teams ahead of them (depending on other outcomes, obviously).
The Flyers have played well against the Bruins all season long, winning at home on a gorgeous Claude Giroux shootout winner in October and on the road amidst all the losing that went on in the middle of December. Of course, the Winter Classic was a different outcome, but Philadelphia owned that game until the final minutes, really.
Michael Leighton will start in goal tonight across from Boston's Tuukka Rask.
After the jump, complete lineups, a few questions to answer and our in-game discussion.
Flyers Line Combinations
Gagne - Richards - Carcillo
Briere- Carter - Hartnell
van Riemsdyk - Giroux - Asham
Powe - Betts - Laperriere
Pronger - Carle
Timonen - Krajicek
Parent - Coburn
Boston Line Combinations
Sturn - Bergeron - Recchi
Wheeler - Krejci - Ryder
Lucic - Sobotka - Satan
Paille - Begin - Thornton
Hunwick - Seidenberg
Stuart - Wideman
Penner - Boychuk
No word on Chara, game-time decision. He missed Boston's last game.
Starting Goaltenders
Questions to Answer
- Will Leighton allow the typical one-weak-goal-per-game tonight?
- How will Boston come out? Do they look even more determined in the aftermath of losing Savard?
- Can the top line of Richards-Gagne-Carcillo keep up their hot play?
- Carter has nine goals in nine games. 10 in 10?
Ben, Geoff and I will all be at the game this evening, so enjoy the open thread without us. CSN, WIP, you know the deal. LET'S GO FLYERS!
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Rask was Toronto goalie of the future super prospect 21st overall selection in 2005 traded to Boston for Andrew Raycroft yeah the same guy who won the Calder Trophy prior to the lockout Rask has credentials and he is from the Finnish school of butterfly goaltending like Nitty but the being 2inches taller makes a big difference trying to beat him over the shoulder when he goes down, he is very good young goaltender playing behind a very good defense
Rask seems to be terrible when even partially screened.
So hopefully Hartnell goes to the freaking net and he can at least make it look like he’s trying to help the team score goals.
"NZFlyerfan"
tonight, rask will look like:
1. Martin brodeur
2. Terry Sawchuck
3. Ryan Miller
Eat what the monkey eats, then eat the monkey. -U.S. Navy survival guidance
No, Rask is good, we may actually score 4 or 5 tonight.
"NO HONOR"
"We will steal the show, jolly Rogers go, we are wolves of the sea."
Just pointing this comment out 2 hours later.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Mar 11, 2010 8:46 PM EST up reply actions
It’s a joke because the Flyers struggle against no-name or crappy goaltenders but (usually) do better against the good ones. Tonight they are snakebitten and not playing any defense.
"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko
Works for me!
Rask isn’t no-name in Toronto or Boston. Not this year, anyhow.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Mar 11, 2010 8:50 PM EST up reply actions
I still call him Tuskan Raider, though, because every time I see his name, I think of Star Wars.
"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko
We settle for TUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUKK
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Mar 11, 2010 8:56 PM EST up reply actions
Hockey-reference says so.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Mar 11, 2010 9:01 PM EST up reply actions
I love it all the time. ALL THE TIME.
Now if we can just do something with those first-rounders.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Mar 11, 2010 9:03 PM EST up reply actions
For what?
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Mar 11, 2010 9:05 PM EST up reply actions
I’m actually around for this game, and watching it at the same time
This is going to be good
Hey Rothenberg, I’m still convinced you stacked the deck against me
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 6:48 PM EST reply actions
Did I just see Riley Cote on the ice?
by LegionofDoom on Mar 11, 2010 7:05 PM EST via mobile reply actions
doesn’t mean he is playing
Eat what the monkey eats, then eat the monkey. -U.S. Navy survival guidance
True but I thought he was sent down?
by LegionofDoom on Mar 11, 2010 7:08 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Well here is too hoping I don’t have to break out the “Luck Puck”.
Go Flyers!
by LegionofDoom on Mar 11, 2010 7:11 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Replaying the Marc Savard hit
Matt Cooke should have a very large x on his back, or a player of Marc Savard’s caliber
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 7:13 PM EST reply actions
puck seems to be bouncing all over the place
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 7:17 PM EST reply actions
Whos that forward I see all the time? #5 i think???
"NO HONOR"
"We will steal the show, jolly Rogers go, we are wolves of the sea."
i love his jumping into the play
Eat what the monkey eats, then eat the monkey. -U.S. Navy survival guidance
Kraji f’d up
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 7:32 PM EST reply actions
why would you have Krajicek go in and Hartnell come back out? Krajicek, with little offensive touch, pinching in? Doesn’t make any sense.
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 7:34 PM EST up reply actions
combinaiton of what i said above and what jph89
part of the system is our d stepping up, a la coburn about 10 minutes ago
Eat what the monkey eats, then eat the monkey. -U.S. Navy survival guidance
shoo troll. go away
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 8:58 PM EST up reply actions
you could argue that hartnell has little offensive touch…
but defensemen are the ones who pinch – it’s a question of positioning, not skill in the offensive zone
I recognize the positioning argument, but it doesn’t make much sense to have a player like Krajicek or Parent pinch. Krajicek is a stay at home defesemen, with an even +/-. So when he does pinch to afford better positioning, goals aren’t necesarily being scored. So why pinch with Krajicek at all?
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 7:38 PM EST up reply actions
yeah, i agree that i’d rather have a green or campbell take a chance and jump into the play than someone like krajicek. it’s a totally handwave-y argument since i have no statistics to back it up (not sure how you’d track it anyway) but i feel like consistent pressure by pinching dmen – even derian hatcher-types – and forwards who rotate back appropriately forces the opposition to stay on the defensive instead of playing in neutral ice or your defensive end.
I’m glad you realize that there is no arguing with that man.
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 8:58 PM EST up reply actions
I hate how Recchi has been a rental with 1000 different teams over the past 5 years. He is such a classy player and I have always had a soft spot for him
Leighton installed confidence in this team at one point?
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 7:42 PM EST up reply actions
Simon Gagne, palm to the face
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 7:42 PM EST reply actions
And Gagne needs to stop being fancy, thats gotta be the 4th straight game he had a breakaway and didnt even get a shot off.
"NO HONOR"
"We will steal the show, jolly Rogers go, we are wolves of the sea."
there is nothing more maddening then being on a break away and not getting a shot off
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 7:44 PM EST up reply actions
+1 just shoot it… nothing fancy. maybe it goes in maybe it doesnt, but it sure as hell is better than not getting a shot off at all.
Its not that he should just shoot, but he makes too many moves, and he makes said moves right in front of the goalie. Look at the way Giroux and Richie handle breakaways, thats what Gagne should be doing.
"NO HONOR"
"We will steal the show, jolly Rogers go, we are wolves of the sea."
Come on, Flyers. After that shitshow ’Nova put on today, I need you to pull one out for me. Beat these beaneaters. I mean, half their team is gone. Just do it, already.
"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko
by doubleh on Mar 11, 2010 7:51 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Rec’d for similar feelings.
I honestly don’t think Nova will make it out of the 2nd round.
Proudly supporting a Flyers team with "no honor".
They were probably overrated from the get go because of last year, which is something I don’t understand with college BB. Whatever, the kids are young, and the big guy they have to play inside has been sick for half of the year and behind. They just aren’t consistent enough on D to make up for their cold offensive spells and their perimeter D is almost as bad as the Sixers.
"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko
Still, if you had told me that they’d be where they are at the end of the season considering the loss of Cunningham and others, I would have been ecstatic. If we can make the Sweet Sixteen, I’ll consider it a successful season.
"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko
Just got home and it seems we got them right where we want them, trailing by one after one. And you figure they are going to have to score at least two to tie it up after Recchi scores, because he he is going to score. I didn’t see what happened but my my dad is red faced mumbling something and it starts with f-ng and ends with Gagne. I dare not ask.
I am mumbling too. Gagne has had two great chances, one being a breakaway, and can’t seem to put it in. We should be winning but Rask has looked really good so far.
by Mitchell Green on Mar 11, 2010 8:00 PM EST up reply actions
Haha I actually laughed when Recchi scored just becase Pdaddy called it!
by Mitchell Green on Mar 11, 2010 8:11 PM EST up reply actions
He always scores against the Flyers.
by MJDII on Mar 11, 2010 8:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I feel bor anyone that has to listen to Jack Edwards
"NO HONOR"
"We will steal the show, jolly Rogers go, we are wolves of the sea."
You’d love jack if he was your homer announcer.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Mar 11, 2010 8:49 PM EST up reply actions
They should name a dive after him for that move. Oh boy was that a joke.
by MJDII on Mar 11, 2010 8:06 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
our PP continues to be cash
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 8:04 PM EST reply actions
Well at least we got that over with earlier than later. I friggin still love Recchi.
by MJDII on Mar 11, 2010 8:10 PM EST via mobile reply actions
That wasn’t Leighton’s fault either
If the flyers want to have 3 guys in front of tghe net and just watch, that is what happens
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 8:10 PM EST reply actions
Believe it or not the Flyers will win this 4-2
by MJDII on Mar 11, 2010 8:14 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I should have quit with the recchi goal.
by MJDII on Mar 11, 2010 8:44 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
SMELL THE GLOVE
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 8:16 PM EST up reply actions
Urgh, that little **** Matt Cooke scored for PIT. 3-3. Still can’t believe he didn’t get a suspension. I’ll def. want to watch the BOS/PIT game next week.
If Boston doesn’t play Judas Priests’s ya got another thing comin i will be sad
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 8:20 PM EST up reply actions
Defense, defense, where are you?
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 8:21 PM EST reply actions
Dammit. Someone cross check that dude into the boards.
by MJDII on Mar 11, 2010 8:22 PM EST via mobile reply actions
lol, well this is getting rather ugly
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 8:25 PM EST reply actions
Not the way I want to release the Boosh!
by Mitchell Green on Mar 11, 2010 8:26 PM EST up reply actions
Will this team ever get it? They can’t just play like crap for 2/3’s of a game and then turn it on and expect to win every game. Not everyone is the Isles and Lightning.
Okay I was wrong. This is going into stupid land now.
by MJDII on Mar 11, 2010 8:25 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Defense, Defense, you bloody suck tonight
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 8:25 PM EST reply actions
BOOSH!!!!!! IT’S ABOUT FUCKING TIME!
Now please start him next game.
Proudly supporting a Flyers team with "no honor".
Leighton wasn’t the problem tonight. That Swiss Cheese we call defense didn’t bother to show up
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 8:26 PM EST up reply actions
The same way we let the Islander lead for two periods.
by Mitchell Green on Mar 11, 2010 8:27 PM EST up reply actions
still not over yet, 27 mins left to play
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 8:27 PM EST up reply actions
He should easily have a hat trick right now.
by Mitchell Green on Mar 11, 2010 8:28 PM EST up reply actions
Only the flyers could waste a talent like giroux playing him with a tentative rookie and a cement head. Ridiculous!
by MJDII on Mar 11, 2010 8:28 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I can imagine that asshole announcer for the Bruins just laughing his ass off about this one. FU Jack Edwards.
"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko
when your defense is shitting the bed, that is the only correct response
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 8:29 PM EST up reply actions
It may very well be, but Edwards is still a douche.
"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko
agreed. Leighton didn’t lose this game. The team did
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 8:33 PM EST up reply actions
The Nova game looked like the Super Bowl compared to this—I’ll watch Nick, Jr. with the kid instead. Hope the Flyers can turn it around.
"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko
Do they still have Face on Nike Jr.?
"NO HONOR"
"We will steal the show, jolly Rogers go, we are wolves of the sea."
Nick Jr—you know, SpongeBob and Wow Wow Wubbzy. These are the shows my 4 year-old watches. LOL.
"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko
umm, Franklin and lil bear were in my day. Nick Jr. has been around sinc i was a 4 year old too.
"NO HONOR"
"We will steal the show, jolly Rogers go, we are wolves of the sea."
Boosh just called one he’ll of a nice icing there.
by MJDII on Mar 11, 2010 8:32 PM EST via mobile reply actions
So, the Flyers are making the “easy schedule to the playoffs ride” difficult.
Good on them for giving themselves a challenge.
"NZFlyerfan"
This isn’t our game
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 8:34 PM EST reply actions
They must have installed a force field in the net, that is the only explanation i have for the puck not going in there,
Oh, This is bound to be good
You can't, but you thought that You could
Like in NHL 97 when you would seemingly score but the puck would rebound off of an invisible brick wall.
by Mitchell Green on Mar 11, 2010 8:36 PM EST up reply actions
And they seem to waste every scoring chance they get.
by Mitchell Green on Mar 11, 2010 8:37 PM EST up reply actions
Because when you’re done three goals, of course you have to play tic tac toe in front of the net
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 8:38 PM EST reply actions
Giroux is the most frustrating Flyer, I swear. he has no confidence in his wrist shot what so ever.
"NO HONOR"
"We will steal the show, jolly Rogers go, we are wolves of the sea."
he does though, its not the deadliest, but he has top-mark accuracy.
"NO HONOR"
"We will steal the show, jolly Rogers go, we are wolves of the sea."
He is a playmaker and needs to be playing center with Carter so he can create space and set up goals. He is to talented for the players he is playing with
by MJDII on Mar 11, 2010 8:41 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
they’re cheering for only having to watch this mess for 20 mins
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 8:39 PM EST up reply actions
best Flyer this game
"NO HONOR"
"We will steal the show, jolly Rogers go, we are wolves of the sea."
Has he looked as rusty as the first couple minutes in Florida, or is he looking alright?
by DragonGirl0583 on Mar 11, 2010 8:43 PM EST up reply actions
In other, non-hockey news, Phillies pitching has looked good—even though it’s only ST. Jose Reyes also out 2-8 weeks with thyroid condition.
"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko
I think he is a tad overrated, but moreover, I think his health is a major concern.
"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko
It’s just a thyroid condition, which is treatable but can cause other things.
"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko
They must have angered some Gods, because they sure are cursed. Thank God it’s them and not us.
"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko
He’s related to Fire Marshall Bill.
"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko
I see what you did there
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 8:47 PM EST up reply actions
Plaque gets yelled off.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Mar 11, 2010 8:45 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Christ do I really have to be subjected to one more period of this mess.
by MJDII on Mar 11, 2010 8:53 PM EST via mobile reply actions
That is just it I love this game and I can’t change the channel. Besides changing the channel would make me a no better then a penguins fan.
by MJDII on Mar 11, 2010 8:56 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Appearance vs. Reality
If Michael Leighton were a seasoned NHL pro, we’d say:
“Well the team played poorly in front of him tonight, and he needs a day off. He’s probably worn down from too many games in a row.” Then, no one would worry about it.
What we’re going to hear tomorrow instead:
“I was right! IIIIIII was riiiiiiight!”
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
The Flyers with a hot AHL or washed up NHL goalie? Why I never.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Mar 11, 2010 8:57 PM EST up reply actions
Hey, buddy—take your massholiness somewheres else.
"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko
There’s that famous Philadelphia hospitality.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Mar 11, 2010 9:00 PM EST up reply actions
You’re confusing hospitality with hostility.
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 9:01 PM EST up reply actions
Sarcasm, dude. We thrive on it, here. And what do you expect when you’re snarking while your team is spanking ours? Sunshine and puppy dogs?
"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko
Here's Bruin the labrador retriever! (not mine)
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Mar 11, 2010 9:05 PM EST up reply actions
Devil Dog! I can imagine his red, glowing eyes.
"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko
I would’ve been here for the beginning of the game, but I just got home at the end of the second.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Mar 11, 2010 9:03 PM EST up reply actions
shoo troll, go away. You’re still afraid of that Montreal skeleton in your closet
TAKE THE FALL, ACT HURT, GET INDIGNANT
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 11, 2010 8:59 PM EST up reply actions
Let’s ask him how he feels about the Cooke hit. Something we can all agree on; our hatred of the Pens, no?
"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko
I don’t hate the pens, but the fact that that was completely unpenalized is a joke.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Mar 11, 2010 9:02 PM EST up reply actions