Put The Brooms Away: Flyers Can’t Sweep Sens, Lose 5-4 in Shootout

Tonight’s game was kind of like every high school relationship you’ve ever been in: Things start off really well. Then you go through a rough patch, but everything turns for the better again. Of course only until another rough patch. You keep fighting though and try to make things work.

But in the end you still lose.

The Flyers managed to have two leads, come from behind twice, and somehow end it all by losing in a shootout in Ottawa, 5-4. This game was played as evenly as it gets, as both teams showed flashes of brilliance followed by moments of “The hell did he just do?”.

Michael Raffl opened the scoring with his first NHL goal in the first period. It was a warm and fuzzy moment for all involved until a few minutes later when Chris Neil bulldozed him. The Sens responded later in the period on a neutral zone collapse by the Flyers leading to a breakaway goal by Clarke MacArthur.

Ottawa took their first lead in the second off a powerplay goal by Patrick Wiercioch (assisted by Bobby Ryan, who I counted 3 times during the game was referred to by his hometown of Cherry Hill. Amazed it was that low). The Flyers responded on a power play of their own with Jakub Voracek picking up his first goal in 12 games. Philly then took the lead on a rare howitzer by Luke Schenn.

Oddly enough, the third period was eerily similar to the second, only reversed. Ottawa first potted two goals to go up 4-3, then Kimmo Timonen lobbed a muffin past a screened Craig Anderson (Thanks Jason Spezza!) to tie the game up at 4. It stayed that way in to overtime and on to the shootout, where a lone goal by Jason Spezza (Screw you Jason Spezza!) sealed the Sens overtime victory over the Flyers.

Overall, it’s not so much the Flyers played bad, but they weren’t all that great either. Despite establishing solid forechecks, they never really controlled the neutral zone and were constantly giving up odd man rushes to a speedy Ottawa team. When you can’t control the neutral zone and give up odd man rushes, all the forechecking in the world won’t win you a game. The Flyers almost pulled it off, but in the end fell just short.

Neither Steve Mason or Craig Anderson looked especially solid in net tonight. Mason’s rebound control was suspect at best and he seemed to really be fighting off shots rather than playing a more composed game. After allowing 8 goals in his last two games, I imagine his detractors will come out from hiding and begin proclaiming the “Mason-Apocalypse.” But these things happen to every goalie. Mason has said before he’s been better about not letting this stuff get him down mentally, so let’s wait and see how he responds in his next start.

Quick Thoughts

• Maybe it’s just me, but I swear the only time I notice Mark Streit is when he’s screwing something up. He was responsible for pinching too far and allowing a late Sens goal.
• Speaking of defensemen, Timmonen, Schenn, and Grossman all looked pretty good. The two former actually scored, and Grossman was very involved in the offensive zone–while still being defensively responsible (take notes, Streit)
• Did anyone see that Couturier vs. Kyle Turris fight? That was just silly.

The Flyers travel to Chicago next. Yikes. Let’s hope for a slightly better level of play. Because what they did tonight certainly won’t get it done.

Flyers, Stars Preview: Would a winning record be asking too much?

This isn’t exactly unknown territory.

From moments during the forgetful 2012-2013 campaign, to flashes this season: the Flyers are at the doorstep of a winning record. It almost seems routine now: we see the Flyers lose a bunch of games and make us all ask who should be fired, traded, burned at the stake–then follow it up with winning a bunch of games and make us all ask why we ever doubted them in the first place. The problem is they always get to about .500 before the cycle repeats itself and leaves us loathing again.

The Flyers enter this afternoon’s game in Dallas with a 13-13-2 record. They just came off a pretty solid comeback win in Detroit on Wednesday and once again have an opportunity to be just a bit better than average in the standings. Man, that would really be cool.

Philly comes in to this game riding the hot hand of their 3rd line, or really just Line 1c at this point. Sean Couturier, Steve Downie, and Matt Read have combined for 25 points in their last 10 games, including a 9 point outburst during the Detroit game.

They’ve been the talk of the town lately (with good reason) but for me, aren’t the key to the Flyers finally toppling the .500 hurdle. What’s going to win the game for Philly today and moving forward is the re-ignition of the second line. Vinny Lecavalier is still out with back spasms, so it will be up to Brayden Schenn at center to get Michael Raffl and Wayne Simmonds going.

Speaking of Flyers forwards in need of a scoring touch: Jakub Voracek.

When you play on a line with Claude Giroux, scoring should not be an issue. Yet somehow, it is. Despite strong presence in the offensive zone and a fair share of chances, Voracek is pointless in his last 6 games and scoreless in his last 11. But as we’ve seen in the past, sometimes all it takes is one goal to get a guy going. He’s a power winger. They like scoring goals. I have a funny feeling if he finds the net tonight, it’s going to pay dividends big time down the road. Or he won’t score again and this will continue for another 11 games. Let’s think glass half full here people.

Dallas comes in to this game with a 5-2-3 record in their last 10; but have more recently dropped 2 of 3. Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn are kind of really good at this whole hockey thing, and containing them will be the Philly defense’s biggest challenge. But hey! on the plus side they’re both scoreless in their last 8 games, so that’s awesome news.

Kari Lehtonen should be starting for Dallas in net because I don’t think they want to rely on this guy for a win. Not sure about who’s starting for the Flyers, but if I’m a betting man, I think it will either be Steve Mason or Ray Emery.

No but seriously it will probably be Mason.

Questions to Answer:

• Couturier had 4 points against Detroit. How does he and the rest of Line 1c look tonight?
• The Stars haven’t allowed more than 3 goals in their past five. Can the Flyers, light them up? (oh thank god we won’t have to listen to Fall Out Boy if they do)
• 14-13-2?!?!?!?!?

Puck drops at 2pm. GO FLYERS!

Flyers Have Blazing Third, Burn Red Wings 6-3

Things looked bleak at 3-1.

Penalty after penalty, the Flyers began to unravel in the second period. Down two, I was beginning to wonder how to explain Philly’s inability to play with the stronger teams in the league, and that their big winning streak was really just a result of weak competition.

Phew, thank god I don’t have to talk about that.

Led by the third line of Sean Couturier, Matt Read, and Steve Downie, the Flyers stormed through the third period–scoring 4 unanswered goals to take down the Wings in Detroit, 6-3. The trio combined for 9 points, while Claude Giroux added a goal and assist of his own. Steve Mason made 32 Saves.

The wins these days live and die purely on the success of the third line at this point. Not to mention the continued stellar play from Mason. If the Flyers can pull that 2nd line out of the gutter, and Voracek could get going on the first, that Philly offensive depth could get very scary.

Quick Thoughts

• Brayden Schenn was kinda brutal tonight and has been on a bit of a slump. With Vinny Lecavalier out, Schenn needs to be the catalyst for that second line–and so far it’s not happening.
• Seriously, Sean Couturier is awesome. Don’t even try to tell me otherwise.
• Mason shut the door in the 3rd period and still hasn’t allowed more than 3 goals in a game. Remember when we traded Mike Leighton for him?
• Was that really only the second time the Flyers have won in Detroit since 1988? That means this is the first time they’ve won in Detroit since I’ve been alive. I JUST WATCHED HISTORY.

Next game is Saturday against the Dallas Stars. GO FLYERS!

Never Too Early for a Win: Flyers Beat Jets 2-1

Sean Couturier scored shorthanded and Steve Mason stopped 25 as the Flyers beat the Winnipeg Jets 2-1. After a two game road trip in Florida where they lost both, the Flyers returned to Wells Fargo and crept to a game under .500.

The Flyers game out firing early. Sustained pressure by Matt Read, Steve Downie, and Sean Couturier lead to a Scott Hartnell goal 48 seconds in to the first. Sean Couturier added a shorthanded goal in the second to go up 2-0.

Winnipeg solved Steve Mason on a broken play in the third to cut the lead in half, but the Flyers shut them down after that–forcing Winnipeg to play deep in their own zone for much of the second half of the third.

The Flyers dominated most of the game. Aside from stretches in the second and third, Winnipeg didn’t have many opportunities to get to Mason. The Jets were held to only 2 shots in the first period. Things did start to look concerning when the lead was cut in half, but the Flyers responded with enough sustained pressure to hold on to the win.

Quick Thoughts:

• Sean Couturier looked flat out dominant this morning/afternoon. A beautiful shorthanded goal was icing on the cake to how he physically dominated the Jets. Winning almost every puck battle and absolutely having his way in the offesnsive zone. Is this a breakout day for Coots?
• Speaking of Couturier, his linemate, Steve Downie has also looked great and is making the Flyer’s brass look like geniuses for trading for him.
• Steve Mason didn’t face a ton of shots, but came up huge when he was needed. Still has never allowed more than 3 goals in a game as a Flyer. That’s insane.

The Flyers travel to Nashville to play the Preds tomorrow. Getting a win and back to .500 would be nice. make it happen, Flyers.

IT’S THANKSGIVING! What Should the Flyers Be Thankful For?

The Flyers don’t play today on Thanksgiving. And instead of reflecting on their current 2 game losing streak, let’s look towards the things that have gone right.

We all have things we’re thankful for today. Personally, I’m thankful for pizza, family, and my sensational smile (in that order). But what should the Flyers be thankful for?

Goaltending

Even as the Flyers sit a couple games below .500; it could be substantially worse if it wasn’t for Ray Emery and Steve Mason playing out of their minds. They rank 12th in the league in team goals against average. Not bad for a goalie tandem only costing $3.15 million this year, or $1.85 million less than Ilya Bryzgalov’s original average cap hit.

The Awful Awful Awful Metropolitan Division

Thanks to everyone in this division sucking, the Flyers are only 4 points out of a playoff spot. But put them in the Western Conference, and only the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers have worse records. Even in the Atlantic Division they would still be 7 points out. Seriously, if there is anything the Flyers need to be thankful for, it’s this.

Ed Snider

Look. Ed Snider gets a hard time for being heavily involved in the decision-making, and sometimes it’s warranted. He wants to win now and sometimes believes trades and money can get it done. It’s a deadly combination that has hamstringed the Flyers from time to time. But honestly, how can you not admire Ed Snider for his dedication to his Flyers? If you’re a fan of this team, you should be very very thankful this is the owner. He’s a guy who would cut his arm off if someone said it would guarantee getting this city another Stanley Cup. Ed Snider lives and breathes this team. Does he sometimes push hasty decisions? Yes. But I’d rather an owner who tries to do too much than one who doesn’t do enough. Ed Snider rules.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving everyone. Go Flyers and stuff.

Steve Mason Has Been Great, but Don’t Expect A Huge Contract Extension

Somehow, we live in a world so topsy-turvy that a once lost goaltender comes to Philadelphia and becomes their best player.

This is the reality of the 2013-2014 Flyers.

Steve Mason has been nothing short of brilliant. 2.17 GAA, .931 SV% (.938 at even strength), and has yet to allow more than 3 goals in a single game. That he’s only 7-8-2 on the season is a testament to just how incredibly bad the team was playing in front of him to start the year…CONTINUE READING…

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/steve-mason-great-don-t-expect-huge-contract-222300114–nhl.html

Flyers Winning with Depth

In case you haven’t noticed: hockey is a team sport.

It’s not the best player who wins the Stanley Cup, it’s the best team. That’s why in today’s NHL, it’s more important than ever to feature a deep core of reliable players, rather than a top-heavy team with nothing usable after your top two lines.

Before the season began, the Flyers were considered to have a deep group of forwards. It was literally the only reason anyone picked them to make the playoffs. Then when the season began it brought the “Great Flyers Goal Drought of 2013” and all that offensive power was forgotten about.

Until now.

The Flyers are 5-0-1 in their last six games. Finally playing north-south hockey and responsible team defense. But above that: they’re SCORING GOALS. They’re outscored opponents 22-8 in the same span. So who’s responsible for the offensive uptick?

Everyone.

As predicted before the season began, the Flyers sport an incredibly deep forward group. Here is the breakdown of how the Flyer’s lines have contributed goals at even strength over the past 6 games:

• Line 1 (Voracek, Giroux, Hartnell): 4 goals
• Line 2 (Schenn, Lecavalier, Simmonds): 4 goals
• Line 3 (Downie, Couturier, Read): 5 goals
• Line 4 (Rosehill, Hall, Rinaldo): 1 goal (LOL Rosehill)

 

What this tells us is the Flyers have 3 lines the opposing team has to worry about. And at least for the last few games, the Flyer’s depth is outplaying the opponent’s depth. When everyone is scoring at the rate your first line is scoring, it forces teams to place more responsibility on their top defensive pairings and top forwards to shut them down. In essence: it means the Flyers will wear teams out by constantly providing offensive pressure no matter who is out there.

Even that fourth line has been effective. Sure, they haven’t scored as much, but they win faceoffs (Adam Hall has been winning over 80% of his draws) and play aggressive, but intelligent hockey.

So yes, guys like Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek, and Brayden Schenn are starting to find life in this season. But so is everyone else, and it’s probably driving opposing teams crazy.

HOORAY FOR THE POWER OF TEAMWORK!

Flyers Play Full 60, Beat Senators 5-2

Editor’s note: Sorry for the hiatus. Been a lot of traveling and haven’t had a free moment to write. The perils of managing a blog by yourself. But hey the Flyers are winning and stuff.

Kimmo Timonen had 3 points, Sean Couturier finally scored, and Steve Mason stopped 32, as the Flyers beat the Senators in Philly 5-2.

The Flyers have won 4 of their last five and have not lost in regulation since November 7. They are now 8-10 and looking poised to finally get out of the Metropolitan basement.

As Flyers fans, we have always heard the old motto, “we need to play a full 60 minutes.” Typically I treat that as a “No shit?!” kind of sentiment. But in the case of the ‘Flyers lately’ versus the ‘Flyers to start the season’, it actually makes sense.

Even when the Senators clawed their way back in to the game, it wasn’t for a lack of Flyers effort. Philly absolutely dominated 5 on 5 play–the only goals they allowed were on power plays.

(Which side note: HOW DO YOU SHOOT THE PUCK OUT OF PLAY 3 TIMES?!?! I’M GLAD YOU WON BUT C’MON GUYS)

The Flyers won this game by, as asinine as it may sound, playing the full 60 minutes and keeping the skates moving. A team that was once marked as slow and one-dimensional is now dynamic and quick. This is starting to look like the Flyers we were promised this offseason.

Quick Notes:

• Steve Mason is my new best friend for stopping Kyle Turris on this penalty shot

• Was it just me, or did Mark Streit look terrible last night? I felt like any time I noticed him it was when he turned over the puck.
• Kimmo Timonen scored the game winner. If that doesn’t make your day then your probably aren’t a Flyers fan.

Next game is against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday.

YAY FLYERS!

3 in a Row! Flyers beat Penguins 2-1

NBC Sport’s self-proclaimed, “Rivalry Night” did not disappoint.

Ray Emery made 30 saves, and Brayden Schenn scored twice, as the Flyers hung on in Pittsburgh to defeat the Penguins 2-1. Sidney Crosby scored the lone goal for the Pens who dropped their third in a row–while the Flyers won their third in a row.

Despite being on opposite ends of the Metropolitan Division, the Flyers and Pens came in to the game pretty even. Pittsburgh has been losing and having trouble scoring (sound familiar?) and the Flyers had finally begun figuring out the whole winning games things.

The result was a tightly fought game that showed both teams getting their fair share of chances.

The beginning of the first period was all Pittsburgh. They raced out and scored almost instantaneously. It looked like a sign of ominous things to come for the Flyers. But the goal was overturned after replay showed Pittsburgh’s Chris Kunitz using a kicking motion to guide the puck in. It acted as a wake-up call for the Flyers, who began playing a more even-sided game. Not to mention Ray Emery stood on his head and steered every potential rebound to the far corners of the earth. He made 16 saves in the first period alone. A strong forecheck by Wayne Simmonds caused a turnover deep in Pittsburgh’s zone and set up Brayden Schenn for his first goal of the night–giving Philly the lead to close out the first.

The second period saw both teams score. First Crosby tied it up on a power paly when Nicklas Grossman inadvertently left him alone in front of Ray Emery. But the Flyers responded with a power play goal of their own from none other than, Brayden Schenn, his 4th goal in six games. The third period was really just a great combination of the Flyers preventing Pittsburgh from getting second chances on scoring opportunities and Ray Emery standing on his head when necessary.

Despite being outshot 31-21, the Flyers maintained control through most of this game. Many of Pittsburgh’s shots were not from dangerous areas of the ice (except Crosby’s breakaway…that’s always dangerous) and the defense was sweeping away most of the second opportunities. Philly also made it difficult for Pittsburgh to enter the zone, making the Pens force opportunities and settle for less than ideal positioning. And even when they did get through, Emery was always up to the task.

Quick Notes:

• 5 points in 3 games for Brayden Schenn just saying…Remember when he was the fifth overall pick and widely considered the top prospect not in the NHL? I don’t want to talk any further and jinx it, just keeping my fingers crossed.
• Claude Giroux was pointless on the night, but I still thought he was contributing in other facets of the game. Do I really have stat proof of this? No not right now. But C’mon, have you seen that mustache? Tell me that doesn’t help win games.
• Loved what I saw from the Schenn, Simmonds, Lecavalier line. So much energy. So many big bodies. Maybe I’m starstruck but I think that could become one of the best second lines in the league.
• And some love for the defensemen. Grossman (overlooking the blown coverage) Brayden Coburn, and Kimmo Timonen all seemed to have noticeably strong games shutting down Pittsburgh. This is a slow corps, but they were all spectacular at positioning themselves between the Pens and the goal. The end of the game where Timonen and Coburn are guarding opposite sides of the goal from Malkin behind the net? Awesome.

Next game is Friday at Winnipeg. Let’s keep the good times rolling so I don’t have to write another article about a fire sale!

 

Flyers Suffocate Senators, Win 5-0

Jakub Voracek potted 2 goals, Claude Giroux had two assists, and Steve Mason stopped all 24 shots he face as the Flyers domintated the Ottawa Senators in a 5-0 victory. It was the third time this season Philly scored more than two goals in a game, and second in a row.

The Flyers controlled play throughout; scoring in every period and keeping most of the Ottawa chances away from Mason. The second period opened with Giroux and Hartnell connecting with Voracek for a wrap-around goal. Later in the period, Voracek added another on a slick play between Giroux and Simmonds who was right in front of the net for their second power play goal in 21 tries. The rest of the second period saw the Senators begin to push back, but the Flyers clogging the lanes and having all 3 forwards participating on the backcheck.

By the the time Vinny Lecavalier tallied his 7th of the season to make it 4-0 in the third, Philly had successfully knocked the wind out of the Sens’ sails. Brayden Schenn added a power play goal at the end as icing on a the cake.

This was easily the best all-around game the Flyers have played this season. And they did it against an Ottawa Senators team who had previously not lost to an Eastern Conference team in regulation, and has been one of the most potent offenses this season.

The Flyers kept Ottawa forwards frustrated all game by clogging up the middle lanes–forcing them to the outside. Any pucks that managed to get through the middle were quickly swatted away before rebound opportunities could surface. For the first time all year, Steve Mason was getting defensive support.

The offense looked exactly how it was promised to when the season opened: crisp passing, fast skating with puck control in to the offensive zone, and winning the 50/50 battles along the boards (well enough of them). The Flyers put together a complete effort against a very good team. And tonight they’ll face another good team as they travel to Pittsburgh to battle the Penguins.

Let’s hope the momentum keeps building.

Quick Notes:

• Defensemen were jumping on the rush. and that was awesome. Mark Streit looked great moving through the neutral zone with the puck
• Don’t look now, but Brayden Schenn now has 3 points in his last 2 games. Could be nothing. Could be something.
• Speaking of offensive uptick, Claude Giroux with 4 points in his last four games, including beautifully setting up both Voracek goals. But no I’m sure people still want to take away his C…

GO FLYERS!