Howie58

Putting aside skill differential, this 0 for whatever PP has to end. We can't play .500 plus hockey long term unless it changes. This is not a Torts specialty. We might need a new set of eyes to figure it out. I am not saying Torts goes, but we may need a new assistant or consultant. It is awful.

A German 77!

And in typical Flyer fashion, we have outshot them. But compare our shots to theirs. Cam Atkinson...kind of a drag. Nic D was scratched. I think Cam is next. Who's on the farm with some scoring punch? We need it. Edmonton got some good draft picks, ehh!

It's not a compete thing. TK scores. But then EDM is back on the attack. They are fast and skilled!

Amen, brother. Edmonton has howitzers, we have semiautomatics.

I have not seen overall advanced stats for the team. I have seen them for our fourth line and the PP. As for the PHD Group, take a gander at the plus/minus to date: https://www.nhl.com/flyers/stats I know plus-minus isn't advanced, but the advanced confirm this for the PHD line--they don't really help us. In fact, they hurt us. And they have a whopping eight goals after 36 games. As for the PP, The Atlantic City Press did a piece that confirms our eye test. Half the shots are missed, most are from a distance. Attack zone time is limited, and there is little tic-tac-toe. I suspect our offense is the same--we are lacking a sniper and a really strong first line. My gut says we are in the same space, with better effort and more potential, than the Hakstol Era. You remember--if the game wasn't a tightly wound defensive effort, with great goaltending, a loss was in the offing. What concerns me, and is ironic, is that we've scored first in two of our last three, and lost. Remember, we had a double-digit run where the opponent scored first. Teams scoring first win 2/3rd of the time. So, we've ended the struggle to open scoring and avoid the chase, but we can't sustain the lead. I suspect there's a point at which a good offense helps defensively, and we aren't there. As Al and Ashlyn noted last game, when you've scored nine shorties and twelve PP goals, something is amiss on the PP. But the PP reflects the offense--limited. Things may get better toward season's end, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Greetings: As was the case with Calgary, we enter as underdog (+160) despite a better record: https://www.fanduel.com/research/oilers-vs-flyers-nhl-prediction-point-spread-over-under-and-betting-trends-for-1-2-2024 That said, they are on a five-game winning streak and score a lot of goals, with a good power play: https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/edm-vs-phi/2024/01/02/2023020583 Historically, we have done well at home (including a win at WFC earlier this season), but Rexall has not been kind to the O and B: https://flyershistory.com/cgi-bin/opponent.cgi?Edmonton_Oilers We can't get into a run-and-gun with this crew.

Grateful: These are gamers. There was no embarrassment. I think we are getting a read on team development/composition. They don't have a strong enough offense to balance goalie or defensive errors. Zamula may be morphing before our eyes. That's a plus. Hopefully, the New Year brings an improved PP. It is unpleasant to watch and a momentum destroyer.

This was like the Seattle game. We scored first and the momentum kept swinging to Calgary. The Gilbert goal was the kind of snipe you'd like to see from our forwards. I don't fault effort or compete level. But we can't play this style of hockey without a different set of forwards. And the PP....that's a poop show. A final note: I agree with Chris Maher that Cam Atkinson is a non-factor these days. I wonder if he's going to recover from his injury and time off?

Maybe the bookies have insight. We are making Calgary look like world beaters. I think we are 0 for 4 on PP. We are making it interesting getting it to 3-2.

Not smart getting into a horse race. Torts must be quietly furious.

Our PP can sap momentum. Meanwhile, we are in a run-and-gun mode. I am amazed they skate this well. Can they win with that approach?

Ersson had his Wheaties. Markstrom is no slouch. This is a battle of PKs. Meanwhile, our offense is lacking. If only we had a PP that could put the puck in the net. There's better movement, but nothing to show for it.

And we've played well against +>.500 teams. Agreed, let's be underdogs.

I was thinking about it earlier today--interesting that we're the underdog. Our record is better and we've played well on the road. I don't know about the algorithms or coin tosses they use to set these line, but this seems a bit strange. Granted, the Flames aren't overwhelming favorites. Still, I wonder if the oddsmakers or their tools are telling us that we're over-achievers or that their methods haven't caught up with our recent play?

Greetings: Calgary is favored (-135) with a 57% win probability: https://www.dimers.com/news/philadelphia-flyers-vs-calgary-flames-prediction-odds-nhl-picks-12312023-48572 Statistically, they are better on faceoffs and a tad better offensively; neither team sets the league on fire with the PP: https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/cgy-vs-phi/2023/12/31/2023020570 Historically, we do well against them, but the advantage has been home-based: https://champsorchumps.us/team/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/head-to-head/calgary-flames We should be rested. LGF!

I agree with all of you assessment, save for one point, our fourth line. Their expected goals is somewhere around .5 a game, and they are giving up dangerous chances. Agreed, they work hard, but it may not contribute. Stats say that ND should go when Cates comes back. The modern NHL needs a fourth line with credible scoring potential. I'm not sure the PHD line has enough jam. They have character, but stats say the team is hurt by them suiting up. My gut says that Hathaway and Poehling have some offensive skill, and Poehling skates well. Nic has character. But he may be clogging things up. I suspect Briere is aware of that.

We saw a game between two teams with similar coaching styles and no dominant scorer. I agree with some who say this could be a Stanley Cup preview a few years down the pike. I hope they're right!!!

Sad loss but they got a point. This was a chess match. Schultz got the squeeze through. On to Calgary.

Seattle is charging. We need an expresso or two.

The second almost put me to sleep. Zamula makes the PP more agile, but that isn't saying much. I hope the Flyers score early in the third. Agreed with Grateful, they can't sit on heels.

According to Torts, a bug is hitting the team and TK was one of the targets. Yes, Ersson was dehydrated but OK after infusion.

Greetings: The Kraken are favored (-135) with a 57% win probability, but as this sportsbook notes, the Flyers do better as an underdog than the Kraken do as a favorite: https://www.bleachernation.com/picks/nhl-picks/2023/12/29/kraken-vs-flyers-prediction-picks-live-odds-and-moneyline-friday-december-29-2023/ Statistically, we are better on the PK, they are better offensively, but neither team is a faceoff leader: https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-sea/2023/12/29/2023020554 Torts downplays fatigue in back-to-backs, but it may be a factor. Historically--we've met four times and split the series, but the Kraken are on a two-game win streak: https://champsorchumps.us/team/nhl/seattle-kraken/head-to-head/philadelphia-flyers I suspect Hart gets the nod, even if he did relief work. Erssson was taking infusions for dehydration after the game.

Torts has them working hard and they are opportunistic. I suspect opponents think it's a fluke and pay a price.

This is an orgy. Three goals in a few minutes. We even score on the PP. Walker increased his trade value.