Moral victories don't count: Flyers dominant, but Halak too good in 1-0 loss

by Travis Hughes on Apr 2, 2010 10:20 PM EDT in Philadelphia Flyers Game Recaps - 09-10

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

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

First things first: anybody who says that the Philadelphia Flyers didn't show any heart tonight is an idiot. Anybody who says the Flyers didn't have what it takes tonight is an idiot. Plain and simple. I don't throw insults out there like that often, but people are just irrational. It's beyond frustrating; even more frustrating than this bi-polar team has been all season.

Last night in Long Island, frustration was understandable. But when the Flyers play like they did tonight, from Brian Boucher to Braydon Coburn to Chris Pronger to Ville Leino to James van Riemsdyk, and still don't get a win, you need to stand up and hand it to the other team. Jaroslav Halak did everything he needed to do for the Montreal Canadiens tonight, and as a result, the Habs win the game.

Be disappointed, and be angry that the Flyers have put themselves in this current situation. But don't get down on them. Not tonight, not after they just laid it all on the line in an attempt to get two points. We're fans, so let's try and act like it. Is being negative at this time of year really going to make a difference anyway?

Okay, now that that's out of the way, it's time to digest the hard truth. The Flyers are in eighth place. Montreal takes sixth with the win, and idle Boston moves up to seventh because they've played one fewer game. ~~Ninth~~ tenth-place Atlanta plays Pittsburgh on Saturday at 1 PM, while the Bruins play Toronto at 7.

One more team to worry about, now: the ~~tenth~~ ninth-place Rangers, who also now sit just two points behind the Flyers in the Eastern Conference standings. Of course, we have two games with them next weekend. Luckily, the Flyers hold the 'number of wins' tiebreaker over Atlanta and New York, but we can't have the mentality of looking at tiebreakers.

The Flyers need to take care of their own business the rest of the way. They control their own destiny still, believe it or not. The way they played tonight is the way they need to play the rest of the season. If they fail to do that, then fine, we can pack it in right with them. But if they play like they do tonight, there's no reason not to get behind them the next four games and hopefully beyond. Why don't we try that out?

After the jump, questions with answers and the comment of the night.

Questions with Answers

Are the Flyers in 6th place at the end of the night? No.
Do we see Sebastien Caron in goal at all tonight? Oh thank God no.
How does Bartulis look as a forward (lol)? Only played for about four minutes. I'll take it that Laviolette wasn't impressed.
Briere has been successful against Montreal all year, including a hat trick last time out. Does that continue tonight? He was in it all night, especially in the third period, with the rest of them. No results to show.
There were some fireworks between these two teams back before the Olympics. Any remnants now that the stakes are higher? Not really, just a little pushing and shoving.

Comment of the Night

Pierre is in that little box with Coatesy. I want to see them fight.

>> jello44

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Comments

Slightly off-topic, but where did you get that now taken down Magic Number graphic from? I want to be able to see it every now and again for the sake of my own sanity.

Proudly supporting a Flyers team with "no honor".

by Justin F. on Apr 2, 2010 10:42 PM EDT reply actions

I made it myself.

Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. Got goaltending? Searching since 1987.

by Travis Hughes on Apr 2, 2010 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions

god dammit this is Philadelphia sports 100%. The team plays well and yet they dont win. The Flyers finally give full effort and they dont get rewarded. If only the Flyer’s goalie of the future was sitting on the Canadiens bench we’d be set.

by tmurder on Apr 2, 2010 10:51 PM EDT reply actions

I’ve been as guilty as anyone this year of pointing the finger at the front office, the goalie, the capitan, etc.

Maybe its not any of that.

Maybe the truth is the Flyers just aren’t any good.

by Angrycoder on Apr 2, 2010 10:58 PM EDT reply actions

They took a chance this year on getting the right mix of players in here, and they did not. It’s kind of like expecting the Phillies to go out and win the World Series a couple of seasons ago when they picked up Kenny Lofton.

I think with a few changes to the roster, the team will be very good again. But as for this year, you’re right. They have the talent, but they have no chemistry, no consistency,and no luck.

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

by mikefive on Apr 2, 2010 11:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I totally forgot the Phillies had Kenny Lofton at one point.

I hope I completely forget the Flyers had Ville Leino (or somebody, idk) in a few years.

Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. Got goaltending? Searching since 1987.

by Travis Hughes on Apr 2, 2010 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Because if you forget about someone from this season, that means the Flyers will have won a championship?

The Flyers have had their share of Kenny Lofton equivalents (former greats who were shadows of who they once were but still had that veteran experience).

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

by mikefive on Apr 3, 2010 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, just wishful thinking that the Flyers could follow in the Phils footsteps in that regard.

Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. Got goaltending? Searching since 1987.

by Travis Hughes on Apr 3, 2010 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions

I really like Leino. I thnk he’s been playing quite well for us recently.

by SwimminDave on Apr 3, 2010 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Me too, I was just screwing around.

Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. Got goaltending? Searching since 1987.

by Travis Hughes on Apr 3, 2010 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions

He plays with a lot of passion and the skill set is there, he’s earned a roster spot at this point. Hope he is back next season as well.

by ryanitus on Apr 3, 2010 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Leino’s been very good, as of late. When they held him out of the line up for the first 6 games after they got him (like he had the plague or they just thought he was better than OKT but still no good) I was a bit worried. He’s been surprisingly solid these last couple games. Very good blend of size (even though he still gets bumped off the puck a bit too much for a dude his size) and skill. Good addition with Briere on that line.

by flyerboom_6 on Apr 3, 2010 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions

JVR-Richards-Giroux

I called for that line after the Carcillo was suspended and they were insane in that game not just with the shots and chances but the we they moved without the puck. I wonder what our record would have been if this organization didn’t fool themselves into believing Giroux has to play center he better on the wing and better with better players. Same can be said we Danny at Center I am shocked it took 78 games to figure all that out. Boucher played damn good and on the few
chances MTL had after all the Flyers pressure he made the saves to give the team the
oppurtunity to tie the game and maintain the momentum that is what timely

by chrislanci on Apr 3, 2010 1:03 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

iPhone screwed up Here is the finish

Goaltending can do for you tough loss good game fun to watch.

by chrislanci on Apr 3, 2010 1:05 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Definitely disappointing but definitely one of the more entertaining games of this season.

by j reed on Apr 3, 2010 8:52 AM EDT up reply actions

by flyerboom_6 on Apr 3, 2010 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions

You have vastly overestimated the Montreal Canadiens.

Halak really didn’t do anything miraculous tonight. The fact is, Asham and JVR had all of the good scoring chances, and neither one of them are very good players. There were no miracles performed in the Montreal net.

The Flyers neutralized their best forward (Richards) by putting him on a line with their worst forward (JVR). Anyone else playing left wing on that line would have about four goals in the last two days. But JVR watches puck after puck go through his skates, or fans on the puck while staring at an open net, multiple times.

There was no wonder why they lost tonight: a mediocre Montreal team was still better than this Flyers team.

by MarioD on Apr 3, 2010 3:38 AM EDT reply actions

Forgot, JVR also still continues to think its a good idea to drive to the side of the net and then shovel the puck into the goalie. That’s not helping either.

by MarioD on Apr 3, 2010 3:39 AM EDT up reply actions

I really really don’t like you Mario. Travis, you yelled at me last time I said anything negative to Mario, so I’m gonna stop it there with I just dont liek him. Sorry. He’s oblivious. Or just too stubborn to admit when he’s wrong.

by orangeandblack20 on Apr 3, 2010 3:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Or just too stubborn to admit when he’s wrong.

Please, do try to come up with one thing I’ve been wrong about. I’ll give you a week to do it.

by MarioD on Apr 3, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Please, do try to come up with one thing I’ve been wrong about. I’ll give you a week to do it.

Who says something like that?

by Vansteel on Apr 3, 2010 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions

here are 4 quick things were MarioD was / is wrong

1) JVR is a defensive sieve can’t cover in his own zone finish this around -30. He is tied for 5th highest amongst the forwards with only the 4th line guys and Carter ahead of him.

2) Boucher is better than Leighton. I am not going to post the stats on that but the numbers don’t lie nor does the teams record since Leighton went down.

3) JVR is the worst forward on the team. Cote is the worst hands down.

4) I think you also agreed for some reason that Dustin Brown of LAK is a better player than Jeff Carter.

by chrislanci on Apr 3, 2010 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Fail.

by MarioD on Apr 3, 2010 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions

My God, man. Did JVR dunk you in the toilet in high school? Give you a wedgie? I don’t know where this deep-heated hatred comes from, but Goddamn are you one surly troll.

I can read the future, while lesser men read comic books.

by Sakurafire on Apr 3, 2010 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions

The kid’s 20 years old, so I tend to cut him some slack for now. He’s still a kid and still learning. If he’s that bad, it’s up to the coach and organization to realize that and help him and the team.

That being said, he still needs to put pucks in open nets and be better.

by flyerboom_6 on Apr 3, 2010 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ll on Halak. He didn’t need to make any great saves, because the Flyers never bothered to make him move. Any time the flyers had the puck in a good position, a Montreal defenseman had his stick on the puck or on their gloves. The only open shots were from wheeling back to the point, who then skated the puck in a few strides (allowing Halak to recover) before unloading.

Maybe this is one reason for the Flyers inconsistency up front: they don’t really adjust their game offensively to what the other team is doing defensively. They don’t have different styles of attack to go with. Tonight, they needed to try one of three things: 1) Beat a defenseman one on one, instead of the loop around drop pass JVR and Roo used alot; 2) Keep a Knuble/Leclair body in front of the net, instead of allowing Halak to watch us cycle for an open lane; 3) Back door passing and one timers, instead of the passing i saw tonight, which was creative but never brave.

Where I disagree with you, Mario, is that I don’t think continuing bad habits is necessarily JVR’s fault. The coach and veterans need to make this adjustment and inform the 20 year old.

by Snevik on Apr 3, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Damnit: I’ll agree on Halak.

by Snevik on Apr 3, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Where I disagree with you, Mario, is that I don’t think continuing bad habits is necessarily JVR’s fault. The coach and veterans need to make this adjustment and inform the 20 year old.

Its his fault only in as much as he’s not seasoned enough to be in the NHL.

It’s Holmgren’s fault for putting him on this team. It’s Lavi’s fault for having him in the lineup, and then the fucking idiocy of putting him on the top line.

He doesn’t do anything with the puck except skate to the side of the net or shoot at the goalie’s chest. You never see him take low shots which result in rebounds. He’s on a line with Richards and Giroux, and not once in the entire game last night did he pass the puck to them in shooting position.

by MarioD on Apr 3, 2010 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions

“He doesn’t do anything with the puck except skate to the side of the net or shoot at the goalie’s chest. You never see him take low shots which result in rebounds. He’s on a line with Richards and Giroux, and not once in the entire game last night did he pass the puck to them in shooting position.”
THE BEST SCORING CHANCE OF THE NIGHT WAS ON A REBOUND OF A JVR SHOT THAT RICHARDS LIFTED ENOUGH TO GET OVER HALAK’S PAD BUT HE MANAGED TO GLOVE. Did you even watch the damn game, Mario?

by MaximumTalbot on Apr 3, 2010 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions

The best scoring chance of the night was Asham’s breakaway.

Show me what play you think you are talking about.

by MarioD on Apr 3, 2010 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Asham can never have the best scoring chance of the game because he is Aaron Asham.

by chrislanci on Apr 3, 2010 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Show you? It was basically the only time all game that the Flyers crowded the net, JVR got off a shot from in close which Halak stopped, the rebound went to Richards about 10 feet off the right post, and Halak stretched out with his arm and blocked it away. Richards even elevated the puck up over Halak’s sprawl, but he got it. I’m not techie enough to link a video, but it was definitely the best scoring chance of the game – even better than Asham’s breakaway.

by MaximumTalbot on Apr 5, 2010 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Is this the one you’re talking about?

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

by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 5, 2010 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Can’t seem to open the link (my issue, not the link itself), but thanks for the assist nonetheless, Geoff. I’ll try to open it on a different computer later.

by MaximumTalbot on Apr 7, 2010 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Just wanted to note – i FINALLY got the link to work, and yes, that’s the one Geoff. Thanks for that.

by MaximumTalbot on Apr 19, 2010 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Right – that’s why JVR had SIX shots tonight and a couple good scoring chances. Sorry Mario, but you are way off base again with your extreme negativism. Halak had a good game, with some seriously good saves. Maybe not a monumental game, but the Flyers threw everything including the kitchen sink at him and didn’t score. That just happens sometimes. The Flyers completely dominated the Habs for most of the second half of the game, but between blocked shots, reasonably good saves by Halak, and bad luck they simply didn’t score.

That said, if they had played like that ALL SEASON, they wouldn’t be wondering about their playoff hopes. This team is so schizophrenic they scare me. The players obviously were embarrassed by the effort against the Islanders; multiple players had great games – Coburn, JVR, Leino, etc. And these same players have been playing really poorly lately, so maybe they just need to bottle that enthusiasm and dole it out only on game days.

by MaximumTalbot on Apr 3, 2010 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Right – that’s why JVR had SIX shots tonight and a couple good scoring chances.

Exactly. He had six shots because he doesn’t pass the puck.

by MarioD on Apr 3, 2010 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions

For a guy who doesn’t pass the puck his linemates Richards managed 5 shots and Giroux managed 3 shots. On that line JVR and Richards are supposed to shoot the puck while the other crashes the net, the best chances of the game where generated off that cycle.

by chrislanci on Apr 3, 2010 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions