Flyers will be scary for years to come

[thehockeyguru]

The fact that two of the best players on the planet can't play together on the same power play is abysmal, and taking one off the power play is all but an admission that you can't figure out how to make it work.

The problem isn't Malkin and Crosby co-existing, its finding a decent point man. Letang IMO isn't that guy. Enter Steve Sullivan and things have been a lot more efficient. The problem is he can't get back when the other team counters and Letang doesn't seem interested in playing D either.

[Malkamaniac]

ironically, increased obstruction has caused our defensemen and forwards to roam around wherever the hell they want. interesting theory.

I would say it's a part of it, because they can't figure out how to get around it, and the coaches aren't either thinking of a decent strategy or they are, and the players just don't believe in it.

So they're left to scattering around the ice thinking they know best.

[thehockeyguru]

ironically, increased obstruction has caused our defensemen and forwards to roam around wherever the hell they want. interesting theory.

I would say it's a part of it, because they can't figure out how to get around it, and the coaches aren't either thinking of a decent strategy or they are, and the players just don't believe in it.

So they're left to scattering around the ice thinking they know best.

When the Pens took the lead in Game 2, I was really hoping to see the 1-3-1, just to see what the Flyers would do.

[shmenguin]

ironically, increased obstruction has caused our defensemen and forwards to roam around wherever the hell they want. interesting theory.

I would say it's a part of it, because they can't figure out how to get around it, and the coaches aren't either thinking of a decent strategy or they are, and the players just don't believe in it.

So they're left to scattering around the ice thinking they know best.

if they're averaging 4 goals per game, i think it's a colossal stretch to say obstruction has anything to do with them losing - unless you're coming from the angle where it turns them into a bunch of undisciplined brats.

[orpchar]

The fact that the coaching staff hasn't changed their philosophy is whats mindboggling.

This.

I don't doubt HCDB's "system" or his way of doing things, what troubles me is his inability to make adjustments against the Flyers this year (Regular season and playoffs.) It's one thing to say "play our game no matter what"... if that works. But it's not working, and it hasn't worked all year.

[Malkamaniac]

ironically, increased obstruction has caused our defensemen and forwards to roam around wherever the hell they want. interesting theory.

I would say it's a part of it, because they can't figure out how to get around it, and the coaches aren't either thinking of a decent strategy or they are, and the players just don't believe in it.

So they're left to scattering around the ice thinking they know best.

if they're averaging 4 goals per game, i think it's a colossal stretch to say obstruction has anything to do with them losing - unless you're coming from the angle where it turns them into a bunch of undisciplined brats.

I think the 4 goals a game mantra is purely because Brygalov has been just as bad a goalie as MAF.

[thehockeyguru]

The fact that the coaching staff hasn't changed their philosophy is whats mindboggling.

This.

I don't doubt HCDB's "system" or his way of doing things, what troubles me is his inability to make adjustments against the Flyers this year (Regular season and playoffs.) It's one thing to say "play our game no matter what"... if that works. But it's not working, and it hasn't worked all year.

Which is why I was hoping for a 1-3-1 when the Pens took the lead in Game 2. Give them something new to think about, work off of our transition game, and forget about the forecheck if its not going to work. The stretch pass has been there all series.

[wild john]

So we need to trade who else to acquire the people that they received? lol

Is the answer "Jesus?"

[shmenguin]

ironically, increased obstruction has caused our defensemen and forwards to roam around wherever the hell they want. interesting theory.

I would say it's a part of it, because they can't figure out how to get around it, and the coaches aren't either thinking of a decent strategy or they are, and the players just don't believe in it.

So they're left to scattering around the ice thinking they know best.

if they're averaging 4 goals per game, i think it's a colossal stretch to say obstruction has anything to do with them losing - unless you're coming from the angle where it turns them into a bunch of undisciplined brats.

I think the 4 goals a game mantra is purely because Brygalov has been just as bad a goalie as MAF.

they need 8-9 goals to win each game. i agree that obstruction has been a problem for the last couple months, but it is the last thing they need to worry about

[thehockeyguru]

How many chances have they had like the Simmonds one yesterday? A virtual 3 line pass? Jagr had one in Game 1, Briere had a goal in game 1. How does that happen consistently?

[AlexPKeaton]

Bryzgalov has been bad but not Fleury bad. Fleury has been all time historic bad.

[Sarcastic]

I'm really liking that Couturier guy. He is their version of Staal. They knew exactly what they were doing when they drafted him. With him, Giroux and Schenn, they have 3 good young centermen they can build around. If Schenn doesn't pan out in the scoring dept. (I'm still not convinced), they can just add one older centerman and they're good to go.

I am very curious how they'll do next year. I can't see Hartnell playing this great again, but who knows.

And clearly their coach knows what he's doing. The way they set up, find open spots, and shoot is brilliant. Or maybe we are THAT bad. I'd like to see Flyers face the Rangers in the Eastern finals.

[Fast B]

The fact that two of the best players on the planet can't play together on the same power play is abysmal, and taking one off the power play is all but an admission that you can't figure out how to make it work.

This. It's been this way for years now, and it's really disturbing. Other teams do fine with neither Crosby nor Malkin (just look at the Flyers!) — why can't the Pens figure something out? It's improved already in this series just by taking Crosby off the first unit; that is crazy.

[Pitts]

Having to worry about signing them in three years is a nice problem to have. Certainly better than having no talent in the system. And, as well as they're playing now, a Stanley Cup is definitely a possibility.

First, why are we talking, or caring about this.

Second, the Pens don't need anyone like that in the system...they have Crosby, Malkin and Staal who are all still very young!

Third, the Flyers are gonna get eaten alive in the next round. They suck just as bad as the Pens right now. No defensive game and a horrible goalie.

[Mr. Colby]

It'd be sweet if Philly traded some of their young guns for fatty Rick Nash

[Pitt87]

The fact that two of the best players on the planet can't play together on the same power play is abysmal, and taking one off the power play is all but an admission that you can't figure out how to make it work.

The problem isn't Malkin and Crosby co-existing, its finding a decent point man. Letang IMO isn't that guy. Enter Steve Sullivan and things have been a lot more efficient. The problem is he can't get back when the other team counters and Letang doesn't seem interested in playing D either.

Letang was never a great PP QB, but is definitely better than he was. Totally lacking the guy with the bomb from the point, for sure, as well as the net-front presence. Kunitz is just ok in that position. I don't think there is anything wrong with seeking a PP specialist of some kind, but it would need to be cheap and not of the top-tier variety...

[offsides]

The more I watch the Flyers, the more I agree with the OP. Very talented team with what seems like a good blend of veterans and rookies. Goaltending is still not solid, but maybe they can overcome that. I'm picking the Flyers to go to the ECF with the Rangers and have a tough 7 game series. I also think the East wins this year.

[Pitt87]

The more I watch the Flyers, the more I agree with the OP. Very talented team with what seems like a good blend of veterans and rookies. Goaltending is still not solid, but maybe they can overcome that. I'm picking the Flyers to go to the ECF with the Rangers and have a tough 7 game series. I also think the East wins this year.

Looking at this post from just one week ago, its actually sort of funny to think that they were dominated completely 5 on 5 for a second straight series, the goaltending has been a complete failure, and the defense is virtually the same. The only difference is the amount of space Giroux has on the PP.

In other words, they took advantage of a phase of our game that we were clearly weaker than anticipated. Not only do I not agree that the Flyers are all that 'scary', but they couldn't even keep up their pace against us for an additional week.

[darkstar57]

The flyers will be a dangerous team sure, they have a nice blend of young talent, but they still don't scare me, unless there is some time of amnesty clause in the next CBA, the flyers are stuck with Bryzgolov, who i don't think has played a bad series agaisnt the devils, he hasn't exaclty been great either. He plays well when the defense insolsates him (like game 6 of the pens series) but when they open things up he gets exposed. Its a catch 22

[offsides]

The more I watch the Flyers, the more I agree with the OP. Very talented team with what seems like a good blend of veterans and rookies. Goaltending is still not solid, but maybe they can overcome that. I'm picking the Flyers to go to the ECF with the Rangers and have a tough 7 game series. I also think the East wins this year.

Looking at this post from just one week ago, its actually sort of funny to think that they were dominated completely 5 on 5 for a second straight series, the goaltending has been a complete failure, and the defense is virtually the same. The only difference is the amount of space Giroux has on the PP.

In other words, they took advantage of a phase of our game that we were clearly weaker than anticipated. Not only do I not agree that the Flyers are all that 'scary', but they couldn't even keep up their pace against us for an additional week.

The Flyers got our number. They beat us all year and could beat us again in the playoffs. Now this NJ team came out of no where. Not sure where the relentless forechecking came from. They combine that with solid D, rolling 4 lines and OK goalie play. To me, NJ is more of a surprise than Philly.

[Fire0nice228]

I agree offsides. Wasn't the relentless forecheck supposed to be the Penguins SOP? I mean, I certainly didn't think the Devils would be in the ECF, and now their one win away.

[shmenguin]

my new favorite thread

[marek]

Uh huh... To quote one off my favorite movies... lock stock and two smoking barrels...

"you'll be really scary"

[cma3585]

They got outstanding rookie seasons out of a handful of players. How many of those types of players pull that off their next year?

[Daniel87]

They got outstanding rookie seasons out of a handful of players. How many of those types of players pull that off their next year?

A third of their team will be sophomore slumping.