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12 Comments (8 conversations)
Vandit Kalia
I don’t think the Flyers won this cleanly.
Their best path to winning is keep things close and hope to get some lucky bounces/better goaltending. Thats an unlikely formula for winning 4 but it may get them 2, which is about their ceiling, I feel.
Fixing special teams needs to become a priority this offseason.
Vandit Kalia
*Re the first sentence – I just saw it and have no idea what I trying to say. A lesson to not type while distracted.
Michael Curran
Ironically this game went the way I thought. The Canes were rested and like Charlie hinted I thought the Flyers were “feeling themselves” after the Penguin series win. I didn’t think they were prepared for what the Canes bring to a game and dumping the puck out to relieve pressure is not going to work, not against this team. You are just giving this team more chances which is going to be more goals and the Canes have 4 lines that can can put the puck in the net.
I also think this is another case of the Flyers youngsters not understanding what was about to hit them, much like the Penguins desperation play to survive in round 1. The pressure and intensity is ramped up in round 2 and if Vladar is off by just a tick the Flyers have no shot at pulling the upset.
I had told many of my friends that I thought the Canes would win this in 5 and I was looking for the Flyers to be competitive in every game and not get their doors blown off. I had hope after the regular season series but game 1 was UGLY.
Defensive zone turnovers, Vladar maybe off a tick and a PP that no team fears are not issues that push this team to a 6 or 7 game series.
Lets see what the response is for game 2. Getting a goal in the 1st period is a simple plan right?
Vandit Kalia
Also, I am not as down on Michkov as others. That first turnover was pretty bad but I think it was more a case of him not being ready for the pace of the game. It’s clear he’s still a work in progress.
Peter Sherman
I was very disappointed on the kid as he was not seriously pressured when he gave away the puck in the defensive zone (in the middle of the ice no less) then he followed that up with a half-hearted effort to the D man who shot.
He’s got to be better at defense, it seems non-existent at times and his giveaways can kill a team.
It’s not like he’s been a great sniper either
I recognize he’s a kid and has great puck handling. But he’s so careless…….
Vandit Kalia
I think he thought he had someone there to pass too – or was trying to make a move and failed.
I remember watching it happen and going “wtf” – it was too unforced to be anything except a brain fart.
That’s the sort of thing which should get better. But yeah, he does need to be better. It’s a bit concerning that most of their top 6 players are not very good defensively. You can get away with 1-2 such players but not so many.
Michael Curran
I am not down on him either but he needs to better at situations on the ice. Juulsen was another one, why didn’t he use the boards to get the puck out then trying to turn it inside where it was easily blocked. Situational play is going to be a key against this team. Get that outlet pass moving before Carolina gets someone on you in your zone.
Carolina is a different animal than Pittsburgh and the quicker the Flyers understand that they can balance the ice.
Michael Sheahan
Agreed, Charlie. If major changes are not made, this will be a very short series. As if the Flyers don’t have enough on their plate, once again, at least in my mind, there were several instances where really questionable calls by the officials were made against the team. Not saying that made the difference in the game, but for as long as I can remember, there is usually always at least one very questionable call when the team is in this rink. While the last series had a great ending for us, too many of our top guns have disappeared. Both at the end of the last series and now at the beginning of this one. I’m hoping to again see the Flyers team that we saw in the first two games against the Pens. Anything less and they might as well start making plans on where to go golfing.
Randy
Charlie: I see what you did there with the horse references, on a day that saw the running of the Derby! Very clever.
On a Flyers note: Playoff Risto is the team’s leading scorer…you know you’re in trouble when. They need much, much more from all their forwards.
The Michkov of it all: If Tip’s back in, Mich needs to sit. Hell, even if Tip’s not back in, we ain’t gonna win with what Mich showed. I’ll take Grundstrom on that backcheck when both Mich & Sanheim looked helpless (not to mention Vladdy).
Richard
Konecny continues to be invisible. What a disappointment.
jonas
This series will serve as a valuable lesson in how much work the Flyers still have to do to reach the level of the conference’s top teams. Carolina looks stronger, faster, and more cohesive. I won’t be surprised if they’re skating around with the Stanley Cup in a couple of months.
David LaVeck
This series is serving as quick wake up call for the Flyers on how far they still need to go to seriously be considered contenders in the Stanley Cup playoffs. This line summed up their early efforts best: “maybe the Flyers were still high on their own supply from the Penguins series win just three nights earlier.” The Flyers enter this series on a rest disadvantage and it showed. I did however appreciate all the changes made during the game that you pointed out, if for nothing else, it shows that they are willing to search for any solution. Now try something different on the anemic power play. This could have been a huge difference in the game if they had scored at all but it was more of the same and is embarrassing to watch. Go Flyers!!