Howie58

Well. we are off to a lousy start. A breakaway score and a dumb penalty by Frost. The ice looks like crap. The announcers said they feel like they're in Hoboken, that's how far away they are. Yikes.

Greetings: The O and B are underdogs (+135) despite the better record: https://www.lines.com/nhl/predictions/flyers-vs-devils-over-under-feb-17-2024 Over the last 10 games going back to 2021, the series is tied 5-5. The two games this year have gone to OT. Statistically, they are better offensively, we are better defensively; otherwise, family similar save for the PP: https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/njd-vs-phi/2024/02/17/2023020859 Officially, we are the away team, but that should be to our advantage given the season's body of work. I agree with this bookie that this will probably be low-scoring with a Flyers win: https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/nhl/2024/02/16/nj-devils-flyers-nhl-stadium-series-2024-betting-odds-picks/72613877007/ LGF!

This says the team has taken on the character to grow and win. It also tells me Laughton isn't likely to move this year.

Greetings: Toronto is favored (-185); despite the Flyers having a better overall record (perhaps reflecting a tougher Atlantic Division). The bookies may consider that we are on a six-game losing streak against them, and a 1-5 streak in Toronto: https://www.oddsshark.com/nhl/philadelphia-toronto-odds-february-15-2024-2021718 Toronto thumps us on faceoffs, the PP, and offense: https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-tor/2024/02/15/2023020843 It's interesting that we're through a good chunk of the season and haven't played the first of three games in the series. This is a good test against a team that has given us a lot of problems in recent years, particularly in their house. We better not open the game with dumb penalties, per Arizona. It might be nice if we scored on the PP.

There will be games you play well, and end up losing. And the reverse is true. We had one very good period--the third. We snatched victory from the jaws of mediocrity. The game against Toronto is a real benchmark. That should be interesting.

If their PP were competent, this might have been a sleepwalk. On to Toronto.

Really dumb penalties. Arizona looks hungrier. Frost's beauty was wasted.

Torts will be chewing asses out between periods. We need to wake up and stop taking dumb penalties!

At some point you expect a stink bomb squad to play over over heads for at least one game. Clayton Keller plays in obscurity out in the desert but seems to be a good player. Meanwhile, it looks like we are doing the 12-6 gig with Ersson in goal: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nhl/arizona-coyotes-vs-philadelphia-flyers-projected-lineups-nhl-starting-goalies-for-today-12th-february-2024/ar-BB1i9XvN

Greetings: We are actually the favorite for a change (-146) against a team that's lost 5 of their last 6, is awful on the road....and we've beaten 4 of the last 5: Arizona Coyotes vs Philadelphia Flyers Odds - Monday February 12 2024 (oddsshark.com) There isn't much difference between these teams statistically: https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/ari-vs-phi/2024/02/12/2023020821 The question is whether this becomes a trap game because Arizona is due for an above-average performance.

Occ: Is this your happy dance?

Well, Petersen's save percentage after 2 is nearly .950. Are the shots softers or is he playing well?

His numbers at LVH aren't much different than Sandstrom's. Is it Cal or the team? I hope Cal plays well. The dude is not in a good career space.

Well, Cal Petersen to start. That is a twist.

It's interesting how the bookies view this game. Statistically, they have a better power play, but overall, they are a toss-up. We have more wins and home ice advantage. Would I make us heavy favorites: no? But I sense the sports books (I hate that term) still view us as a fluke 50+ games into the season. Maybe we're better off this way as a motivator. Or do they see something we don't? I am out-of-town and communication. I'll look forward to your take.

Greetings: The bookies seem torn on this one, with a virtual dead heat on odds. That seems strange given their records (a bit disrespectful of the Flyers). Seattle beat us in OT, 2-1 in December. This is a streaming game.

Key to Flyers Success Past Two Games: I haven't watched other than highlights. Maybe I should stay away.

Greetings: The Flyers are underdogs (+119) against a Jets team that has been offensively challenged of late. https://sportsbookwire.usatoday.com/article/winnipeg-jets-vs-philadelphia-flyers-odds-tips-and-betting-trends-5/ The teams are fairly even on the stat front, but Winnipeg is the top defense: https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/phi-vs-wpg/2024/02/08/2023020797 We beat them 2-0 in January. Meanwhile, here is the lineup: https://phillysportsnetwork.com/2024/02/08/flyers-vs-jets-020824/ We are going 11-7. I guess they want Risto in to get some beef in the lineup. Cam Atkinson on the first. No real 4th line...which is not saying much. What scouts are present?

Heck, I only watched the last 10 minutes. The bookies were off on this one--Flyers win and half the predicted goals. Go figure.

I hope it is respectable and enjoyable. That hasn't been the case of late.

Greetings: Florida is heavily favored (-210) and the bookies say this will be high scoring: https://www.lines.com/nhl/predictions/flyers-vs-panthers-over-under-feb-6-2024 The tale of the tape says we better not go to the sin bin too often: https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/fla-vs-phi/2024/02/06/2023020786 The home team has a big advantage in this series, and we have lost our last three in Sunrise: https://flyershistory.com/cgi-bin/opponent.cgi?Florida_Panthers I wonder if someone will announce the scouts present as we approach March 8th. This is the first of three games against the Stanley Cup runner-up that is playing great hockey. Breaking the losing streak will be a challenge.

I wonder if Petersen is a buyout candidate next year? Meanwhile, he might turn into a decent back up. I understand the view that overpaying at the trade deadline may hurt the team long-term. If the team's play mirrors what we've seen the last five games, Parent or Leighton in their primes wouldn't make much difference.

The picks versus prospects "debate" is getting some attention in the blogosphere and Philly press. It's interesting to me. If you want quicker results with some expected outcomes, the prospect route makes sense. If you want to stockpile at low cost, the picks make sense. We know the Flyers are seeing 25 and under as cut-point. After that, it beats me what they do. From my vantage, a game-changing forward still rates highest as an organizational priority, but what the hell do I know? Meanwhile, it would surprise me if Walker is still around post-March 8th. Another question MIGHT be whether they expend any draft or veteran capital to acquire a backup goalie? Assuming CH is history, do they want Sam to get a breather with someone other than Petersen or Sandstrom? They might say--what the hell, let's get through the season and take it from there. Or they might want a seasoned vet or prospect with some juice. I know we have folks in the draft pipeline, but how long will it be before we see them...and in the case of the Russians...will we ever see them? The command staff are playing a long game. From that vantage, Atkinson and Laughton, even if they aren't rentals, are expendable.

All's quiet on Hart Front. I suspect the League and Comcast have imposed a serious gag order to avoid any perceived interference with legal proceedings. We've lost to good teams. And we may have been due for a rough patch. But the drop off in intensity and lousy penalties tell me the last week may be contributing. They played well the first five or ten minutes. Then Pasta scores and they fold. Not good.

JVR....third point. Petersen overplayed to boot.