In which we recap the game while looking ahead: Thrashers 5, Flyers 2

by Travis Hughes on Mar 21, 2010 2:05 PM EDT in Philadelphia Flyers Game Recaps - 09-10

[Box Score] - [Wire Recap] - [SBN Game Page] - [Atlanta Reaction]

[Corsi and Fenwick] - [Head-to-Head TOI] - [EV Faceoffs] - [Shift Charts]

So, this is kind of weird. I must not have ever hit publish last night, because clearly my game recap never showed up. Anyway, with just a few hours until the back end of this home and home, we're in the awkward position of having to recap a game when the exact same teams will face off later today.

Last night, the Flyers defense was terrible. Braydon Coburn and Ryan Parent in particular. I saw a lot of anger on the Internets (not necessarily here) about Brian Boucher's play, but he was left out to dry literally all night long. It was pathetic. On offense, a few guys had really strong games -- Mike Richards, Simon Gagne. Overall, though, the effort just wasn't there. There's really not much to say.

Atlanta can taste the playoffs. They're just a point behind eighth place Boston after the win last night. They're desperate. As of this writing, Boston and New York are tied at 0-0, but if the Rangers win, Atlanta can jump into playoff positioning with a win tonight. The Flyers, meanwhile, are dangerously close to being leap-frogged by Ottawa and Montreal. A win is of utmost importance this evening, and it's going to take some god damned intensity for that to happen.

We'll have the game thread up about an hour before game time. Until then, check out the NCAA hockey bracket!

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I thought on the first goal, Boucher was technically sound. The puck got redirected in the slot, and he made a kick save sending the puck towards the boards. The problem was that he didn’t have enough momentum on the puck because his body was going the other way with the initial shot, and the puck was slowed down by the redirection, so it wound up going five feet to the side instead of all the way to the boards. Just sort of a bad luck play.

The second goal was a rebound from a hard shot and he kicked the rebound into the slot. Thats the only one he has responsibility for. You want him to do better with controlling that puck.

The third one is silly to expect him to make the save. JVR has to cover that man or at least give Parent a heads up that Antropov is coming if JVR is just going to stand flatfooted in the slot.

The fourth one Boucher gets bonus points for stopping the breakaway, because thats not something you expect. It wasn’t even a rebound, the puck was just dead in the crease, Bouch even had his blocker on top of it but couldn’t get the glove there. The Flyers skaters just got outworked.

The fifth one not a goalie in the NHL is going to stop.

I’d say Bouch did exactly what was he’s supposed to do: stopped all the shots he could’ve, made one or two clutch saves, and got beat by a bunch of high-quality chances. He played like what he is: A backup goaltender in the NHL.

by MarioD on Mar 21, 2010 2:15 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed with it all MD

by orangeandblack20 on Mar 21, 2010 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Boston is up 2-0 with 7 minutes left.
The rangers might not have anything to play for by the ned of the season.
Since the Rangers cant play with passion in what is essentially an elimination game for them, our last two games of the season might not take as big of a toll on us as I 1st feared.

by Prometheus74 on Mar 21, 2010 2:57 PM EDT reply actions

2-1 with 3:00 min left

by Prometheus74 on Mar 21, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Rangers are now 5 pts out of 8th with 10 games left

by Prometheus74 on Mar 21, 2010 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Which means Atlantas biggest game is on Tuesday agent Boston.
Today is a big 2 pt game but Tuesday will now be a Huge 4 pt game.
Dose this affect who the now decide to put into net tonight?

by Prometheus74 on Mar 21, 2010 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions

If he plays Duchesnes, he should be fired.

by MarioD on Mar 21, 2010 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh god yes!
Sorry for the confusion, I was referring to asking of the thrashers rest Moose

by Prometheus74 on Mar 21, 2010 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Gotcha

I expect Hedberg. Look at what they’ve done in goal

They’ve used him for the majority of games, and they don’t go back-to-back again until a week from Mon/Tues. They need every point. I would think maybe they play Plavelec when they host Toronto Thurs.

by MarioD on Mar 21, 2010 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I would think they would use Hedberg as well, but we used to watching a team that rides a goalie every night.
Both their goalies have never played never more than 4 in a row and that only happened one all season.
Hedberg has now played 3 in a row, tonight would be the 4th, and Boston is next up for them

by Prometheus74 on Mar 21, 2010 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions

SCORE SOME DAMN GOALS TONIGHT

I need some help from Pronger, Giroux and JVR tonight in my fantasy hockey playoffs. I expect a big game, damnit. I wouldn’t even have Giroux or JVR inserted into my lineup, but I need some points at the cost of +/- loss.

Currently ahead of my opponent 6-5, with three categories tied. (Both assistsand goals are tied, so this is big……!) Possibly 500$ riding on those three Flyers….. much closer than I expected it to be this week.

by Dinky on Mar 21, 2010 5:43 PM EDT reply actions