Flyers - Senators In-Game Recap

Sorry this is a little late, but I just finished the game so here it is...

1st period
Zherdev Breakaway - Trying to prove that he deserves a spot on an NHL roster +1
Defense - keeping everything to the outsides +1
Richards' Line - Good scoring chances and Richards getting physical around the net +1
Power Play #1 - Couple of good chances by the D, no one in front of the net for 1st PP unit -1
Neutral Zone - Couple of bad turnovers, one leading to Ottawa's first scoring chance -1
No Icing - Carter beats Ottawa D to cancel an icing call +1
Claude Giroux - Starting to throw some nice checks +1
Power Play #2 - This drop pass shit is getting on my nerves, dump it in and go get it -1
Erik Gustafsson - Looked in his first NHL period, no major mistakes and good positioning +1
Scott Hartnell - What a beautiful half-slapper for the opening goal. Great pass by Giroux. Didn't know Hartnell had that shot in him +2
Three Shots - That is all the Senators had all period +1

1st Period - The team looked alright. They were not as dominant as they should have been against the worst team in the NHL, even though there was a 12 shot differential. +6

2nd period
Power Play #3 - Anderson with a good save on Briere, 1 shot on goal, fucking useless -1
Nodl - Nice steal at the blueline leads to a chance +1
Carle - Bad turnover in is own end. luckily Boosh made the save on a botched deke -1
Failed Clears - Three in a row on the same shift -1
Power Play #4 - Pretty sure they were out shot, it is getting worse and worse -1
Erik Gustafsson - Still looking good in his first game. +1
Penalty Kill #1 - What the hell was that? Richards and Timonen just got abused in the corner -1
Zherdev - Showing off his speed beating two Seantors to the puck and generating a scoring chace +1
Peter Laviolette - Juggling the lines like crazy. Apparently the "give a shit" speech through the media didn't work -1
D to O - Struggling to get clean a clean exit out of the zone -1
Eric Condra - Congrats on your 1st NHL goal. The Flyers get what they deserved. Stupid passes in the O zone and poor play in the D zone. -2
Sean O'Donnell - Two bad passes in the his own end leading to multiple scoring chances, wouldn't be surprised if the Sens add one more this period. -1
Final Two Minutes - That was embarrassing. 2-on-3 rush and the Flyers can cover the second man. A bad turnover in the neutral zone. Getting abused in their on end. The Sens should have picked up another goal or two there. -3

2nd Period - Well the last 10 minutes of that period were just sad. Team looks like they just gave up. I still expect them to win the game based on talent, but I kinda hope they get blown out in the third so they might learn something from this game. -8

3rd period
And It Countinues - Flyers give easy access to their zone and then have a bad turnover which turns into a great chance. -1
Meszaros & O'Donnell - Struggling this game. Multiple bad passes and bad decsions on coverage. -1
Richards- Verteeg-Zherdev - Appears to be the only line prodiceing any (but only a little) offense this period -1
Flyers Announcing - Please shut the fuck and tell it like it is. The Flyers just are not into this game -1
Erik Gustafsson - Still looking good in his first game, too bad it will probably be his only game +1
And It Still Countinues - Failed clears and bad D lead to more scoring chances -1
Chris Phillips - Weak shot from the point finally gets the Sens up by two -1
Shots On Goal - Flyers are getting dominated since the end of the first -1
Penalty Kill #2 - Sens were able to get some nice chances, but Flyers killed it off +1
Giroux Hit Hard - There was a small response by Hartnell and Gustafsson, but not enough for me. -1
[B]Erik Gustafsson[/B - Despite the above post, ill give him credit for stepping up for his teammate in his first NHL game +1
Penalty Kill #3 - The penalty is bullshit. Taking notes Philly? That is how a power play works.-1
Peter Laviolette - Is fucking pissed. Lets see what he can do with three days off. +1

3rd Perod - Well there was a total lack of effort all around. The Flyers were dominated at times by the worst team in the NHL. Luckily the Flyers are not desperate for points, and ca afford to have off games. -5


I hope they enjoy the Carnival, because Peter should be pissed after he called the team out in the media and got this kinda response. Even though Zherdev had a good game it was a fluke that he got on the ice at all, so I think he will find himself back in the press box. Hopefully Laviolette can use the extra days off to get the team motivated again. I really think the power play will benefit from dumping the puck in more. Gustafsson looked good in his first game.

Islanders - Flyers in game recap +/-

1st PERIOD 
Great Start - Peter Laviolette rolled all four lines out to start the game, and all four lines look dominant. The team had nine shots on goal in the first eight minutes, and the Islanders had blocked seven shots. Great to see from a team that sometimes has problems getting out of the gate, and for that I'l give them a +2
Forecheck - It only took :12 seconds for the Flyers to get a shot on goal off of a dump in, unlike on Tuesday night where it took 54 minutes. They did a much better job applying pressure during the first, resulting in a few turnovers and more scoring chances. +1
Frans Nielsen - First he skated right by Powe and his weak stick check. Then he left Carle standing still on the half wall. Then he beats Bob from a bad angle. All around a bad goal to give up after starting so well. That is a -3 for each player that looked bad on this play, and I'm gonna throw in another -1 for giving up the first goal of the game. -4
Penalty Kill #1 - Always a positive to kill of a penalty, but that is their job. They get a +1 for generating excellent scoring chances while down a man. 
Hip Check - When was the last time se saw a great hip check from a Flyer? How about from a forward? Claude Giroux earns a +2 for the great hip check and showing off his ability to skate backwards. 
1ST PERIOD TOTAL = Even though the Flyers are trailing on the scoreboard, they played good that period and have something to build off of going into the second period. +2

2nd PERIOD
Game Tying Goal - Great shift by the Richards line. Great retrieval on the dump in. Great shot by Richards. +2
Frans Nielsen - Can someone please hit this guy, he is absolutely dominating the Flyers.-2
Hartnell- Richards - Versteeg Line - Looking great tonight. After scoring the goal they had three more great shifts in a row. Probably should have had more than one goal that period. Probably Richards' best game in weeks. +2
Forecheck - Flyers are again doing a good job on pressuring the D. Hartnell has been doing a great job of getting in on the forecheck. +1
Odd Man Rushes - They gave up too many that period. The period started with a 2-on-1 rush for the Islanders. -1
Bob - He has done a much better job of handling the puck this game. He also made a couple of great saves in close. The D, and the posts, have also helped him out. +1
JVR Goal - Amazing behind the back pass by Giroux and and nice finish by JVR putting the Flyers up for the first time. +2
Claude Giroux - Great period. Good assist, great back check and shot block. +1
Failed Clears - Multiple failed clears this period. It hasn't cost them yet, but it will eventually. -1
2ND PERIOD = They built on what they started in the 1st. Great forecheck and physicality payed off with two goals. Only a few negative that period. Lets see if they can get a sold 60 minute game in tonight. +5

3rd PERIOD
Bob - Another series of good saves. +1
Carter Goal - Giroux is on fire tonight. Anyone on the ice with him tonight is benefiting from his play. +1
Martin Goal - Carle beat on the dump in and no one picked up Martin. The Flyers didn't have a chance to enjoy that two goal lead. -2
Power Play #1 - Looked alright, but still can't convert. -1
Islanders Pushin - Aside from the two minutes on the penalty kill, the Islanders have been pushing since they score their last goal. Hopefully Laviolette can remotivate his team during the TV timeout. -1
Pronger Injury - Blocked a shot with his right hand, hope it isn't serious. -/+
Uninspired Play - After two great periods, they just didn't look nearly as interested in the 3rd. Lets hope they can get out of the last two minutes. -1
Bob Miscue - Bob's miscue behind the net leads to a turnover -1
Tying Goal - With :27 seconds left the Islanders tie the game off of the Bob turnover. I felt that coming. -3
3RD PERIOD - The Flyers got what they deserved. They took their foot off the gas and let the Islanders back into the game. After building the lead in the second they let it go to waist in the 3rd. -7

OVERTIME
Timonen's Chance - Nice pass and nice move by Timonen.+1
Claude Giroux -Still a beast in OT. Great decisions making with the puck +1
Meszaros' Goal - Great patients by the entire line and agreat shot by Meszaros. +2
OVERTIME - The game never should have ended in OT, hopefully the Flyers will learn to play for the entire 60 minutes soon. +4

You see in this world there's two kinds of people...

...those with loaded guns, and those who dig.
When Blondie said those words, it was a good thing to be the guy with the loaded gun, but I am not so sure that the Flyers couldn't benefit from a little more digging.

The Flyers are a team full of loaded guns; nine players with at least 10 goals, four players with at least 50 points, 12 players with at least 20 points, and seven players with shorthanded points. The Flyers are also third in the league in goals per game (3.27), third in goals for (198), and the best in the league at winning games that they score the first goal (.824%). All the numbers prove that the Flyers know how to put the puck into the net.

What Really Grinds My Gears

I had all intentions of writing a recap for the Flyers-Rangers game when I sat down to watch the game, but right before I turned the game on I ate about 3/4 of a baked brie that my lady cooked. That sent me into a food coma that left me almost as cognizant as the Flyers in the 3rd period of yesterdays game. The game really wasn't that exciting, but at least the Flyers picked up the two points. So, since I wasn't in the proper state of mind or properly stimulated to write a recap, I bring the first installment of:

What Really Grinds My Gears

You know what really grinds my gears?

1) Asinine NHL Planing: Its Hockey Day In America! So the NHL plans five games for three time slots on two channels. Sounds great. Run two games at 1 and two games at 4 and put one on VS and one on NBC in each time slot, and then run the outdoor game at the regular time of 7. I guess that made too much sense for the NHL, so they decided to run three games at the same time and put them all on the same channel. What the fuck? So if you are a fan of one of those six teams and don't live in your teams area, you miss the game. Great planning NHL.

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do…

ST. Louis Blues Send Former First Overall Pick Erik Johnson and Defensive Specialist Jay McClement to Colorado for Kevin Shattenkirk and Chris Stewart.

Chris Pronger Part II? And Flyers fans seems to think their organization doesn’t have patience.

Development hindered by a freak golf cart accident, Erik Johnson has been a bit of an enigma to the St. Louis Blues and to the NHL as a whole. Immensely talented, though often times suffering from confidence issues, some observers are quick to point out that EJ has yet to ‘put it all together’. What’s magnified EJ’s situation is that rookie Alex Pietrangelo has come in this season and played lights out for the club, reliable in both the offensive and defensive end.

Flyers - Panthers Recap

1st Period
After brining the game to a stop last night in Tampa, the Flyers looked happy to be able to stretch out their legs against the Panthers. After turning in a good performance the night before, Dan Carcillo was promoted up to the Richards-Versteeg line and showed his gratitude by assisting on Richards' first goal in the last 10 games. For the second shift in a row, Richards received a nice set up pass form Versteeg and was able to score on the second one, giving Versteeg his first point as a Flyer. The Flyers second goal was a result of patience and good passing. The defense cycled the puck in their own end as the forwards changed lines and then the team executed a perfect rush up the ice. Coburn started the rush with a pass to Timonen who found Hartnell at the blueline. Hartnell cruised in slowly from the left point as Nodl crashed the net and Briere rushed up the right side. Hartnell snapped a quick pass to Briere who hit Nodl directly in front of the net for an easy tip in.

Flyers - Lightning Recap

The Flyers traveled south to Tampa and earned an important win against the team chasing them for first place in the Eastern Conference, and James van Riemsdyk record his first Gordie Howe hat trick. Maybe JVR's first NHL fight got his blood pumping, because he was the Flyers' best player the rest of the night. He scored the Flyers' first goal less than a minute after being released from the penalty box , and picked up an assist on the Flyers second goal from his new home on the point of the Flyers' second power play unit. I have to admit that I am still skeptical about JVR's presence on the point of the PP, he seems hesitant to use that 101 mph slap shot that earned him a spot on the PP. Even his assist last night came off a well place wrist shot as he crept in from the point. 

It was great to see JVR dropping the gloves to defend teammate Claude Giroux, who was taken down on a questionable hit by former Flyer Randy Jones. JVR skated in and gave Jones a hard elbow and some lip in response to the hit, and Jones immediately drop the gloves. JVR may not have been looking for a fight, but he held his own. Jones eventually got the take down, but not before JVR landed a few punches.

Adding Kris Versteeg what's not to like

Flyers GM Paul Holmgren does it again with what this blogger terms a ‘Holmgren Signature Move’, striking 2 weeks before the deadline. Before the desperation level among NHL GM’s reaches a fever pitch during the trade deadline’s proverbial 11th hour, Homer sends a first and third round draft pick in the upcoming draft to Brian Burke and the Toronto Maple Leafs for Kris Versteeg, an exciting and gritty player with a Stanley Cup ring. The deal made sense for both GM’s, as both teams walked away with fair value towards their respective clubs needs, a rarity in today’s NHL trading landscape.

Holmgren isn’t ever adverse to adding vets, but if Holmgren has shown us anything, it’s his willingness to add pieces to this team that make sense for the present and the future.

This latest deal to add Versteeg is no exception. Potentially one of Homers finest moves, it makes sense on a variety of levels, let’s take a look:

The Devil's Advocate

On Saturday January 8, the Devils capped off a four game losing streak by losing back to back games to the Flyers. That night the Devils went to bed with 22 points (10-29-2) and 27 points out of a playoff spot. Exactly half way through the season and the Devils had 22 points, and everyone (including me) dismissed them for the year. Well, the Devils decided to turn their game around starting with game 42.

Since the two losses to the Flyers, the Devils have picked up 26 additional points in 15 games, going 12-1-2. They picked up more points in the last 15 games than they did in the first half of the season. That is one hell of a turn around. If the Devils continue at this pace, they will pick up 71 points in the second half of the season. Combine that with their first half output, and that gives them 93 points, which would have been good enough for sixth in the East last season and seventh in our projected points standings.

It won't be easy for the Devils to keep up this pace, 18 of their last 26 games are against teams that are currently in a playoff spot or fighting for one. Although, nine of their last 15 games have been against similar opponents and it hasn't stopped them from winning. So you can't say that the schedule is going to slow them down. It doesn't seem possible for the Devils to keep up this pace. They played so poorly the first half of the year I just expect them to slip back into it at some point.

I really don't expect the Devils to make the playoffs, but it is not a foregone conclusion like it was a month ago. Flyers fans enjoyed the Devils' misfortunes for the first half of the season, lets hope we can enjoy them missing out on the playoffs and a high draft pick.

They're All Gonna Laugh at You...

Unless You Beat the Shit Out of the First Person that Laughs.

First off, lets gets some of the numbers out there for you to digest:
taken from ESPN.com
346 total penalty minutes:

163 for the Penguins
183 for the Islanders

16 fighting majors:

1st Period: Michael Haley, Craig Adams, Eric Godard, Trevor Gillies
2nd Period: Josh Bailey, Pascal Dupuis, Travis Hamonic, Mike Rupp, Matt Martin, Maxime Talbot, 
3rd Period: Brent Johnson, Maxime Talbot, Michael Haley, Michael Haley, Andrew MacDonald, Joe Vitale

21 Game Misconducts:

2nd Period: Josh Bailey, Pascal Dupuis, Mike Rupp, Deryk Engelland, Travis Hamonic, Matt Martin, Matt Martin
3rd Period: Eric Godard, Eric Godard, Craig Adams, Michael Haley, Michael Haley, Trevor Gillies, Trevor Gillies, Maxime Talbot, Zenon Konopka, Kris Letang, Kyle Okposo, Brett Sterling, Jack Hillen, Ryan Craig