Wednesday Morning Fly By: Flyers are 11-10-6 Since Nodl Was Taken Off Richie's Line
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 6, 2011 6:00 AM EDT
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PrintToday's open discussion thread, complete with your daily dose of Philadelphia Flyers news and notes...
- (They were 26-8-4 with Nodl on Richards' wing)
- Recaps of last night's panic-inducing match: [BSH] [Inquirer] [Philly Sports Daily] [CSNPhilly] [Daily News] [Flyers Goal Scored By...] [The700level.com] [Flyer Files]
- How bad is it for the Flyers? Some not-good numbers: [Frequent Flyers]
- Saying the Flyers are in a nosedive: [Philly Sports Daily]
- So, Michael Leighton will save the season again. Or something: [Philly Sports Daily] [CSNPhilly] [Frequent Flyers] [Flyers Faithful] [Flyer Files] [PostStar.com] [Daily News]
- Question and Answer with Paul Holmgren: [Flyer Files]
- See why I say the re-call was an unnecessary risk to take: [SB Nation Philly]
- Great article on Danny Syvret and his confidence, with quotes from his teammates: [Philly Sports Daily]
- Nikolay Zherdev has been playing quite well since returning to the lineup: [CSNPhilly]
- The Phantoms recalled Garrett Klotz. Shane Harper continues to dominate the ECHL. Marc-Andre Bourdon will be very busy this week. Ben Holmstrom got in a fight last night. And other notes: [PostStar.com]
- A really good article on Matt Read and his great start with the Phantoms: [PostStar.com]
- Jim Jackson's five questions this week look at who should win the team awards: [CSNPhilly]
- Travis is asked whether the Briere line will be shutdown in the playoffs, and how to avoid it: [Flyers Faithful]
- Remember when Laviolette said the Flyers problems were shootouts? A recap and response: [Puck Daddy]
- The headline is no longer true, but a semi-preview of the Flyers' final week of the season: [The700Level.com]
- The Rangers lost Ryan Callahan to a broken ankle: [SBNation.com] [Puck Daddy] [Hockey Prospectus]
- A robot was created to test sticks on slap shots: [SBNation.com]
- The final League of Extraordinary Statisticians for the season, trying to fix home recording bias: [Behind The Net]
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Nodl......
We now know who the real Captain should be. ;)
My teams are the Flyers, Phillies and the Steelers. Deal with it.
Does anyone else still have this sick sinking feeling that comes with not looking like winning against a team that should be tanking for the draft lottery.
Simon Gagne may move between towns, wear new jerseys and call different arenas home, but at the end of the day, he will always be a Philadelphia Flyer.
by PursuitOfLappyness on Apr 6, 2011 8:11 AM EDT reply actions
Lets just say, Im starting to become concerned! Although I will say that Im behind the team and Laviolette, and trust they’ll get it done.
Only time will tell!
Powe!, right in the kisser!
#2 Flyers fan in England behind Orange and Black Forever (Damn him and his Americanness)
I remember the team was really cold going into the playoffs last year, and the year before. I’m not worried really. It sucks, but its no indication of how they’ll play in the postseason.
Samesis
I thought they started playing well just before the playoffs?
"In fact, it is probably safe to say, the statement "I am a hockey fan" is the same as "I hate gary bettman."- bfrank27
I think that’s right. It seemed that last year they went cold for a stretch of games in March but then the curve was trending upward entering the playoffs. We’re trending the other way now, but I can’t help to keep mentally referring back to that Corsi chart showing just how bad we are without Pronger. Since he’s supposed to return for the playoffs, along with Briere and Betts (right?), I’m cautiously optimistic at the moment.
Sarauj, Latvija!
Now I’m going to have to go back and look at the game log. I remember the slide going straight up to game 82. I thought we were dead, dead, dead. We weren’t even going to make the playoffs. And then one shootout win later, we were in.
Lightning strikes once, Hextall strikes twice!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%E2%80%9310_Philadelphia_Flyers_season
Okay, not quite as dire as I remember. But after the Olympics (which I’ll treat as a late and extended All Star break), we were 9-10-3 in our last 22 games (March and April). That’s a totally arbitrary starting point, no reason whatsoever other than two whole months is easy to add, so feel free to start elsewhere as needed to support your argument. What I really remember hurting a lot was the 5 game losing streak at the end of March. It was followed by a win, two losses, two wins, a loss and the final shootout win. So, basically a long losing streak followed by .500 hockey. Again, you can totally change the story by arbitrarily starting somewhere else. So have at it.
Lightning strikes once, Hextall strikes twice!
Ok, so they wre trending upward and the players that “make the team go” started playing well. I remember Briere and Hartnell bringing strong games toward the end.
"In fact, it is probably safe to say, the statement "I am a hockey fan" is the same as "I hate gary bettman."- bfrank27
Lets just say, Im starting to become concerned! Although I will say that Im behind the team and Laviolette, and trust they’ll get it done.
That’s my view too. Yes, it isn’t strictly logical, but I’m being as objective as I can and that’s what I feel.
I’ve been following the team since the 1972-73 season, and I’ve seen plenty of great Flyers teams tank in the first round. This year, despite compelling evidence to the contrary, just doesn’t feel that way. Now, if they drop to 4th in the East, I have difficulty seeing them get past the second round – that point I will concede.
Next week, and the rest of this week, should be intriguing to watch (not painfully so, I hope).
#1 Flyers fan in England (originally from Southeastern PA)
by Orange and Black Forever on Apr 6, 2011 8:45 AM EDT up reply actions
If they fall to 4th – which I still don’t think will happen – the matchup with TBL is perhaps the most winnable of all the potential first round matchups. TBL’s defense is mighty porous, and I don’t believe in Rolo for a second.
I still think the Flyers get 1st overall, for the record.
Finally, per BtN, your record in the last 10 games means zippy in terms of performance in the first round. Flyers are playing out the string. It shows. It don’t mean squat, though, although I can see how it’s frustrating for fans.
Philly still has by far the best group of skaters in the East, assuming good health. That’s not going to change.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
What?
I still think the Flyers get 1st overall, for the record.
That would require the Flyers to win both of their remaining games, and the Capitals to lose both of theirs.
Not gonna happen.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
Because the Flyers are playing one playoff team (Buffalo) and one team who’s largely been playing LIKE a playoff team (NYI). The Capitals have a home-and-home with the Panthers.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
What? Part Deux.
If they fall to 4th – which I still don’t think will happen
It’s happening now and will be official by Friday.
the matchup with TBL is perhaps the most winnable of all the potential first round matchups.
The Flyers are 1-3 against Tampa, with their one win coming in a shootout. The only potential good thing about this matchup is that it will force the Flyers to trap, trap, trap and be patient.
TBL’s defense is mighty porous, and I don’t believe in Rolo for a second.
Roloson has always played well against the Flyers, or so it seems. They’re not a good matchup for the Flyers, trust me.
your record in the last 10 games means zippy in terms of performance in the first round.
That may be true, but…
Flyers are playing out the string. It shows. It don’t mean squat, though, although I can see how it’s frustrating for fans.
What’s frustrating is that the Flyers are not “playing out the string,” or shouldn’t be. Going into this last 9-games-in-15-days stretch, the Flyers had just clinched a playoff berth and had an opportunity to lock up the division at the very least. Instead, they went 2-4-3. They no longer control their destiny at all, except in terms of the division.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
It’s happening now and will be official by Friday.
Nice to see you’ve given up.
Lightning strikes once, Hextall strikes twice!
I have. I would really like to be proven wrong, believe me.
But my concern is that Laviolette has last them. It’s the only reason I can think of why this team is playing like they are. As I said above, they entered this last stretch with a chance to lock up the division at the very least and they’re about to blow that.
Who did they play over the last 9 games?
- Washington – SO Loss. They had a strong half of a game, at least.
- Pittsburgh – SO Loss. They were completely disinterested against the team chasing them for the division title. Inexcusable.
- @ Islanders – Win. Fine.
- Boston – Loss. They played “tired” and allowed the Bruins to dictate the pace. Somewhat understandable given that they played the night before, but you’d like to see more effort.
- @ Pittsburgh – Win. We all thought, “Okay, we’re set now. The division is ours!” Then…
- Atlanta – Loss. They shot the puck a lot and people therefore theorized that “It was just one of those nights” because they only lost 1-0. But the truth is that they didn’t play that well.
- @ New Jersey – Loss. Lousy performance. Inexcusable.
- Rangers – SO Loss. Of the Flyers’ losses, this one was second-best to the Washington loss in terms of how the Flyers played. Congratulations.
- @ Ottawa – Loss. By all accounts, a lousy performance. Inexcusable.
So, in a stretch of nine games with the division title on the line, the Flyers had two wins and two “tough” losses. These were the acceptable games. In the other five games, they gave inexcusable efforts thrice (1st game against Pitt, NJD, and last night) and had two “meh” performances (against Boston and Atlanta). So, more than half of the time in this important stretch, they did not play to their ability.
Remember that in last year’s playoffs, the team had two favorable matchups and one team who couldn’t score / whose luck ran out. Think they’ll get the same results when they open against Tampa? Please.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
I totally agree with being frustrated over the little/no effort games. We know they can do better and it’s not the way they should play. The explanations I’ll offer up are that they’re not as obsessed about locking up the division as we are or that some players are having trouble focusing on these games with the playoffs less than a week away. Their not good excuses by any stretch, but they’re alternates to the “Lavy has lost them” theory. In the end, we’ll probably never know.
As for playoff matchups, I’ll definitely grant that NJ was a favorable matchup for us. It’s a little harder for me to call Boston a favorable matchup since they were so very close to knocking us out. They put our backs against the wall and, thankfully, we responded to it. But I’d never say that it was easy. Montreal being unable to score (with the exception of the one game where they embarrassed us for taking our foot off the gas), I’ll agree with.
But the point I’m trying to make is that we don’t know what this team would do against Tampa until we find ourselves in that situation (if that even happens) and see what they do. I don’t see the point in declaring any playoff series a victory or a loss before it’s even started, and certainly not before we even know who we’re playing. We’re jumping the gun. We’re assuming everything is already lost. I’m frustrated with the losses and seeming lack of effort too, I really am, but I refuse to condemn this team to failure in next week’s games over it. As much as it sucks and is absolutely nerve-wracking, we just have to wait and see.
Lightning strikes once, Hextall strikes twice!
And finally...
Philly still has by far the best group of skaters in the East, assuming good health. That’s not going to change.
That may be so, but they’ve been out of sync for so long that, when the playoffs start, the teams who have been going on all cylinders for the past month are going to blow them out of the water.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
Roll your Pride IRA over into a Gold IRA with American Bullion!
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
I’ll trade you all my pocket monsters. Except the shiny Charizard. No matter how sure I am, I never risk that.
Samesis
I did feel a slight bit of vomit hit the back of my throat in the 3rd period last night but I pushed thru.
"Call me dumb, call me stupid, whatever. I block shots."
The views expressed by FLYERROB do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to BSH
if no one has claimed JVR, can he be my man-crush?
I would have vomited as well, but I had briefly stopped breathing out of shock/disgust over the team’s play at the end of the 2nd/all of the 3rd period.
I guess one should always count his/her blessings, eh?
#1 Flyers fan in England (originally from Southeastern PA)
by Orange and Black Forever on Apr 6, 2011 8:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Remember the city wide hysteria of the Cup wins? Good times for sure. I’m a little concerned, but I’m also a die hard… GO FLYERS!!!!!
by 92-74-99-96 on Apr 6, 2011 8:56 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I do – those were wonderful celebrations. :)
I want all of us to have another one THIS YEAR!
#1 Flyers fan in England (originally from Southeastern PA)
by Orange and Black Forever on Apr 6, 2011 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Me too brother… GO FLYERS!!!!!
by 92-74-99-96 on Apr 6, 2011 11:18 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
No. Unlike most people around here, I’m being patient. I’m not enjoying these losses either, but I have to admit my mind has already moved ahead to the playoffs. I’m already having trouble focusing on my work because the playoffs are next week. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if the team feels the same way. Jittery. Ready to go. Just want this week to go by as quickly as possible. The losses suck, I don’t deny that at all. I would have preferred to end the season with some strong wins. But it isn’t what’s happening. Still, I’m not ready to throw my hands up in the air and declare the season a bust when the eight teams for the playoffs haven’t even been set yet. It isn’t easy, but I’m doing my best to be patient. We’ll see what happens.
Lightning strikes once, Hextall strikes twice!
I feel I have been patient. Last night I hit my tipping point.
But, they don’t call it the 2nd season for no reason. Playoffs are a different animal and my confidence is still high.
Just need to keep the Pens at bay and win the Atlantic and on to the playoffs.
"Call me dumb, call me stupid, whatever. I block shots."
The views expressed by FLYERROB do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to BSH
if no one has claimed JVR, can he be my man-crush?
I feel I have been patient. Last night I hit my tipping point.
I know what you mean. Last night I couldn’t watch the game (I’m outside the Philly market), but I kept the box score open while I was doing other work. Each time Ottawa’s score incremented was like a dagger. It was a tough pill to swallow, for sure. But it’s over, we’ve got to move on.
But, they don’t call it the 2nd season for no reason. Playoffs are a different animal and my confidence is still high.
I wouldn’t say I’m “confident” in terms of feeling like “we’re going to win,” but more in terms of there’s still more hockey to play and we don’t know what will happen. I completely agree though, it’s called the 2nd season for a reason.
Just need to keep the Pens at bay and win the Atlantic and on to the playoffs.
Not worried about that banner.
Lightning strikes once, Hextall strikes twice!
I should have expected it but the Ottawa announcers and production people spent the entire game trying their best to put down everything about the Flyers.
I know your team sucks, your record is awful and you just want the season to be over and go fish for 6 months but that was simply unprofessional (even for Canadians).
"Call me dumb, call me stupid, whatever. I block shots."
The views expressed by FLYERROB do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to BSH
if no one has claimed JVR, can he be my man-crush?
I thought they were expressing surprise and, as the game wore on, a professional disgust. I though they were accurately reporting what they were seeing. “Homer” announcers tend to talk up their team as much as trash the other and I don’t remember them exaggerating Ottawa’s talent or results.
I’ve seen the Flyers play worse but can’t remember them seeming so detached. Ottawa, both the team and the announcers, gave the Flyers what they deserved.
by flyersfaninchicago on Apr 6, 2011 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Laviderm / Pachyolette
To the tune of “Popeye the Sailor Man”:
The elephant in the room!
The elephant in the room!
I fear Lavy’s lost them,
And that’s why they’re losing!
The elephant in the roooooooom!
I am not advocating the dismissal of one Peter Laviolette as head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers. I’d rather not see it happen. But this team is playing the way a team does when its coach has lost them.
At the very least, Berube and Mullen will be looking for work elsewhere this summer. Bank on it.
In other news, I’m not looking forward to the upcoming 5-game loss to the Lightning in round one.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
They can’t beat teams with nothing to play for. How are they magically going to beat teams who are trying to win it all?
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
VOLUME!
"Call me dumb, call me stupid, whatever. I block shots."
The views expressed by FLYERROB do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to BSH
if no one has claimed JVR, can he be my man-crush?
by boknows71 on Apr 6, 2011 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Two years ago, we played like crap heading into the playoffs and faced Pitt in round 1. We lost, but we played really well in that series, Pitt was just way too good that year. Last year, we sucked heading into the playoffs, and made it all the way to the finals. I’m not gonna judge the Flyers late season play and translate that into playoff success.
Samesis
Three years ago, we went 7-1-1 heading into the playoffs and went to the Conference Finals.
In 2006 we played like crap for the second half of the season and lost in the first round.
Sometimes their play predicts how they’ll do in the playoffs, other times not so much. You’re right about that.
Still, though, they’re not inspiring confidence.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
In other news, I’m not looking forward to the upcoming 5-game loss to the Lightning in round one.
Okay, this shit is really starting to piss me off.
Lightning strikes once, Hextall strikes twice!
Me too. You can’t throw in the towel before the playoffs even start…
by 92-74-99-96 on Apr 6, 2011 10:00 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Much as I hate to see it, I’m pretty much in the same boat as M. They’ve been playing like a first-round loss since the middle of February. Since that time, they’ve never won more than 2 games in a row, and they’ve been playing .500 hockey.
Games 1 – 54: Winning streaks-a-plenty.
Record: 36-13-5. Combining losses, that’s essentially a record of 36-18, or winning twice as many games as losing.
Games 55 – Present: Lose 1, Win 2, Lose 1, Win 1, Lose 1, Win 1, Lose 4, Win 2, Lose 1, Win 1, Lose 1, Win 1, Lose 2, Win 1, Lose 1, Win 1, Lose 4.
Record: 10-10-6. Combining losses, that’s essentially a record of 10-16.
If we go by the “last 35 games before the playoffs” metric to determine how the Flyers will do in the post-season, we look at games 48-82. Let’s be generous and say the Flyers win their last two games of the regular season.
Their record in the last 35 games would then be 17-12-6. Combining losses, that’s essentially a record of 17-18. And that’s if the Flyers win their last two games of the regular season.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
Combining losses
That’s my problem with this: You can’t just combine a shootout loss as a loss.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 6, 2011 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Why not? We’re treating shootout wins as wins, right?
I’m going to pretend the Flyers win their last two games of the regular season in regulation / OT, treat ALL SHOOTOUT APPEARANCES as ties, and combine regulation and OT losses. Because if we can’t count shootout losses as losses, we can’t count shootout wins as wins.
15-14-6. Still playing .500 hockey.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
If this were the playoffs and those “tied” games were settled in extended OT periods, it’s safe to assume the Flyers would split them down the middle. So their record would be something like 18-17 without shootouts.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
I agree. Sorry that wasn’t stated there. I don’t count the shootout when doing my Power Rankings, I just count them as ties.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 6, 2011 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
For the record, last year’s final 35 using this same metric:
17-16-2. Again, it would likely translate to 18-17 if the shootout appearances would extend to OT.
And in last year’s playoffs, they had favorable matchups and essentially played .500 hockey except for a six-game winning streak (the last 4 against Boston and first 2 against Montreal).
Win 1, Lose 1, Win 3, Lose 3, Win 6, Lose 1, Win 2, Lose 2, Win 2, Lose 2.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
I’ve been saying this since last season :)
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 6, 2011 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Updated with new links, including some sharing in the panic, a great read on Matt Read (see what I did there?), and GARRETT KLOTZ
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
“The fear of every Flyers fan for the past month has been validated. They need to stop praying for the playoffs to get here. It could be a quicker exit than they’ve been banking on.”
Yep Frank Seravalli pretty much nailed it with this satement
My teams are the Flyers, Phillies and the Steelers. Deal with it.
Awesome, now he’s thrown his hat into the “doom and gloom” ring as well.
Lightning strikes once, Hextall strikes twice!
On a completely unrelated note, since you’re in MD have you ever tried this place?
http://www.southstreetsteaks.com/
God knows it’s not easy to find a decent cheesesteak in the DC area, so I was curious about this place as I’ve not been there.
Sarauj, Latvija!
I have not. Hmm. Might be worth investigating.
The deli in my office building (Columbia) does a decent job, especially if I ask them to use american cheese instead of provolone. But the amount of meat and cheese, and the ratio of meat and cheese to other toppings isn’t quite right yet. They do put salt and pepper on the meat though, which is a crucial but often overlooked ingredient to get the flavor right. I’ve heard NY Deli (also in Columbia) is very good, but this tip came from a guy who grew up in NC and I haven’t tried it yet to confirm.
Lightning strikes once, Hextall strikes twice!
I’m going to have to try this South Street Steaks place next time I’m over in that area. According to their site, they use Amoroso’s rolls (which no one around here has even heard of), and a couple of the guys that run the place are from Philly so they actually have some knowledge of how a steak sandwich is supposed to taste.
Sarauj, Latvija!
I got so fed up with the game last night i actually was switching to . . . . .women’s basketball! (not a bad game, don’t tell anyone i said that) Ugh, thats how pathetic the Flyers were. Will Richie ever show emotion when he scores a goal or when the Flyers are playing like crap? I’m one of the harsher people on Richie when I chirp in here, but forgive me, I love players that show emotion
So they need a robot to test how sticks break on slapshots, really? I think any fan, player, GM, equipment manager, and kid who gets a free a stick from the 1st star could tell you that the sticks break easier than Max Pacioretty when he hits the stanchion.
What can't Giroux do?
Since switching to composites, I’’ve only broken 2 sticks in 300+ games…that’s not so bad, especially since I used to go through a wooden blade in about 4-8 games. The problem is limited to a specific segment of players at the most competitive levels. And you don’t even know if the player is using the proper flex for their strength.
Geoff has Boosh, Mike's got Powe, Nodl is all mine!
Is this the right room for an argument?
Yeah, the composite sticks usually hold up better for me then the wooden ones did. I got a wooden stick about a year ago for $25 and it split in a week. I got a $60 composite stick after that and its still holding up and the blade isn’t nearly worn down yet.
Samesis
Do you play ice? I thought you didn’t any more since you never want to come out to open ice.
Geoff has Boosh, Mike's got Powe, Nodl is all mine!
Is this the right room for an argument?
I don’t have the pads. And really i cant afford them either. Just roller is in my budget haha. I have a real nice Louisville hockey stick though. I know, I didn’t know they made hockey stuff either.
Samesis
All my old HS equipment is Louisville. TPS is Louisville if you don’t see the Louisville name on things.
But yeah, the wear and tear I’m talking about isn’t about the blade wearing down on the cement/concrete. The bottom of the would blades would start to splinter from slap shots on the ice, then from there it was just a matter of time.
I don’t think composites were designed with concrete/cement in mind.
Geoff has Boosh, Mike's got Powe, Nodl is all mine!
Is this the right room for an argument?
The playoffs start Friday
I said before the Ottawa game that it was an unusually important regular season game. Now, the Buffalo game may be the most important non-playoffs-determining regular season game (I.e. not 2010 Game 82) since at least 2009. Note: the 2009 comparison is not a good one.
The reason why the playoffs start now is that Buffalo isn’t yet “in” and if the season started today, that’s who the Flyers would be playing. Both teams should be highly motivated. Lose Friday, and the Flyers are likely playing Tampa Bay instead of Buffalo. I dread that matchup, for all sorts of reasons. What I fear is that the real reason that the Flyers are playing badly is that they don’t fully care what position they end up (recalling last year). It’s a variant of the old LA Lakers “let’s turn in on for the playoffs mode”. I don’t think that usually works in the NHL, even if it worked in 2010 for the Flyers.
Of course, if Carolina loses Wednesday, then even if the Flyers win, that won’t show much in terms of any evidence of a real turnaround. Nor would a win against NYI.
Set your JVR in 2011.
OT but not OT…. maybe on Sunday when I’m home, I will take a trip to “Cheese Boy” and have grilled cheese for lunch to send positive energy to the Flyers. I was reading barstool and there was a blog post about how “Cheese Boy” has amazing grilled cheese and my first thought was, “I need to go there for Giroux!” haha
In looking at the previous 27 games and the Corsi scores, I’ve come across some interesting – and not yet believable – numbers.
I’m going to wait for Eric to back me up, but… stay tuned.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 6, 2011 10:51 AM EDT reply actions
What the Leighton thread missed
I just got a chance to read yesterday’s long discussion about Leighton (which sorely missed DG’s expertise, IMO). What I think everyone missed Is the implications of that Holmgren quote:
The idea now is to get him into one of the last two games
This implies to me that, with the playoffs all “wrapped up” (?!!!?!!!??) that the Flyers would basically be assuming that this weekend’s games are basically Spring Training games where you get Leighton in for a few warmups. While this is a dumb reason to put him through waivers, as was discussed yesterday, it is even more alarming to me that they are not thinking about playing their top goalies this weekend.
This totally plays into this “turn on the switch” perspective I discussed above.
Set your JVR in 2011.
Perhaps the only positive of having to miss most games is that I have no emotional reaction to a loss or poor play.
Objectively, we have one of the most talented teams in the league. Regardless of how they played going into the playoffs, they were going to need to raise their level of play and get a lot of luck. Let’s not pretend a bunch of losses recently shifts our chance of returning to the Finals dramatically, because it was never that great in the first place. Maybe it went from a 33% to 20%; regardless, rooting for a team in the playoffs is a faith-based initiative. Basing that faith on a small sample size without one of our best players is as silly as basing in on the stretch at the beginning of the year when were winning every game against exclusively bad teams.
Winning hockey games is hard. Winning playoff hockey games is harder. We can’t assume that these things will happen, but we can assume that a very talented team has a better chance at getting it done.
Anyone else waiting till the strike of noon
Hoping Homer pulls off an extremely risky move without someone claiming Leighton.
NHLFlyers Philadelphia Flyers
by wyshynski
GM Paul Holmgren confirms that Michael Leighton as cleared re-entry waivers and will report to the #Flyers this afternoon.
by Prometheus74 on Apr 6, 2011 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Geoff, Re: Nodl/Richards
Have you compared this with results from other changes that have taken place since the All-Star break? Can this one be isolated with some reliability from other factors?
by flyersfaninchicago on Apr 6, 2011 12:01 PM EDT reply actions
Have you compared this with results from other changes that have taken place since the All-Star break?
No.
Can this one be isolated with some reliability from other factors?
Maybe. haha, Don’t know.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 6, 2011 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
He’s playing the 3 shut-outs in the play-offs wild card.
by j reed on Apr 6, 2011 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
is it too late to get emery back as well?
by flyersfaninchicago on Apr 6, 2011 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I like that. :)
#1 Flyers fan in England (originally from Southeastern PA)
by Orange and Black Forever on Apr 6, 2011 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Hartnell
I’m glad someone else recognized how Hartnell’s presence impacts his line. Last year in the playoffs I noticed that they go as he goes. When he’s active and physical the line is very effective. It also seems that when they get going the team follows.
"In fact, it is probably safe to say, the statement "I am a hockey fan" is the same as "I hate gary bettman."- bfrank27
So even if the Flyers were winning, and the Pens were on fire, we’d still have people worrying about playing the Lightning,
My conclusion: it doesnt matter win or lose, Lightning were not wanted. So i aint too worried about it
inter arma enim silent leges
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Apr 6, 2011 1:01 PM EDT reply actions
How many peope were saying they weren’t worried about the Lightning after they beat the Flyers three straight times this year?
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 6, 2011 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions
my point is, the Flyers could have played well down the stretch and still end up playing the Lightning. People would still be worried. Hence how we’re playing down the stretch really doesn’t matter
inter arma enim silent leges
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Apr 6, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Briere
No Briere and suddenly Richards goes in front of the net and we score.
Defending Carter until 2021...
Metallurg replay on ESPN on xbox live, this is pretty fun
inter arma enim silent leges
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Apr 6, 2011 1:48 PM EDT reply actions
Overreaction, no different than when all of those birds were dying and /x/ was shitting bricks with paranoia
inter arma enim silent leges
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Apr 6, 2011 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Were gonna get hit by that invisible planet then it’s oh nos!
inter arma enim silent leges
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Apr 6, 2011 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions
.jpg)
That’s because they agree today. Both Stats and Eyes have decided that the sky is, indeed, falling.
Lightning strikes once, Hextall strikes twice!
I’ve counted 28.4 pieces of falling sky per hour. That breaks down into 16.8 small pieces, 8.2 medium pieces, and 3.4 big pieces.
And, while looking up foolishly, I got one of those small pieces in my eye. So my eye agrees with your assessment.
Lightning strikes once, Hextall strikes twice!
Apparently,
I’m back from the States. It sucks. But I’m glad to be back on BSH.
I notice Todd is down there in the black bar. Yeah, I want that too.
Hey you are back here!
Nice new avatar. :)
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
Keep Hope Alive
I would assume you’d prefer a spot on Tampa’s masthead though.
Just saying, you come to the states, go to Tampa, and in doing so, completely dis Philly. Not a good way to get on the masthead, or so I’ve heard.
Just kidding of course, welcome back.
Geoff has Boosh, Mike's got Powe, Nodl is all mine!
Is this the right room for an argument?
Have to agree
Awesome avatar, and welcome back! :)
#1 Flyers fan in England (originally from Southeastern PA)
by Orange and Black Forever on Apr 6, 2011 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Welcome back, and please stay. Your absence from BSH (even pre-trip) has coincided with a lot of the slump, and while there’s no way way of knowing if your presence will help turn it around, I say it’s worth a try.
by DragonGirl0583 on Apr 6, 2011 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Conundrum
I have an issue. My company putzed around too long and we missed out on a Caps suite for Game 2. Home game 4 is still available (which would be game 7), and all games are available in Round 2. Knowing that both game 7’s and round 2 are no sure thing, which would you go for if you were me? /thinking round 2
Aristotle was not Belgian, the principle of Buddhism is not "every man for himself", and the London Underground is not a political movement.
50-50 that it gets to round 2. Way less than that that it gets to game 7.
Game 7 is exciting for the people who care about the Caps, but I’m assuming you’re not one of them. Go round 2.
Yep, that’s what I thought. Caps guy on the phone today could not wait to get off the phone with me when I said I was a Flyers fan. I made sure to get a dig in about the Caps before I hung up, though. Can’t pass that up. ;-)
Aristotle was not Belgian, the principle of Buddhism is not "every man for himself", and the London Underground is not a political movement.
I hope the dig was: It’s much more likely the Caps play a Game 7 in round 1 than it is that they make it to the last round.
(I say this as a joke, not because it’s true.)
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 6, 2011 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, it was something along those lines. And I don’t really believe it; I just had to bust the guy’s chops. Customer is always right!
Aristotle was not Belgian, the principle of Buddhism is not "every man for himself", and the London Underground is not a political movement.
Crap, I said “last” and meant “next”.
Idk where that came from. “Last” isn’t a joke. “Next” is the joke.
Fail
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor
by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 6, 2011 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions
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