GratefulFlyers

Can't you disagree and be polite about it? If you can't reach that high try simple courtesy. This isn't the first time ... here's hoping you make it the last . I'm turning into a Tortorella apologist..good lord!... hopefully his comments embarrassed them the way they embarrassed themselves in that game. It could backfire but I honestly don't think he was trying to "send a message" or do public therapy: he was just disgusted and didn't hide it.

I've been disappointed in Farabee for months now. "Invisible" is exactly what comes to mind. I suppose he hasn't had a horrible year stat-wise - he'll break 50pts (21G/28A) - but this is what I see too: Tortorella had to be thinking of Farabee when he talked about "if you don't have enough balls to play these types of games..." Maybe the neck injury spooked Farabee; he wouldn't be the first to dial it back after a scary injury / rehab. That makes perfect sense but for the rebuild Briere is doing a tight PO race is better than a somewhat higher pick. Meaningful games ultimately serve the rebuild better than picking 8th instead of 12th (or whatever)*. Evaluating the roster is what this year is all about, right? There's no substitute for pressure. The Flyers brought it on themselves and now it's intense. Who can execute and who can't? How much does the mental and physical fatigue factor into the evaluation? etc. * there was no chance the Flyers would be in the race to pick top 5 this year. Briere can always trade up and where they finish has little bearing on how that plays out.

Yes it was obvious they weren't even trying to attack and score. They skated like they didn't even know why they were out there. "if you don't have enough balls to play in these types of games rest doesn't do us any good..."

Tortorella's comments post-game - sounds to me like he's right on the money... harsh but the truth hurts...this is what a coach sounds like when his team sleepwalks through an entire period of hockey...then has no intent, no direction or intensity in OT...just fumbling around waiting out the clock...WTF was that? Embarrassing is right...

LOL he called them "soft" in the 2nd and it was "an embarrassment for the Flyers uniform." Fedotov was "the only goddamn guy who played." Guys won't like hearing the truth... but they have to play better it was an embarrassment, the 2nd and the OT too. How the hell they can be so flat at home with a brand new goalie standing on his head his first NHL game... they might as well just spit in the guy's face.

The NHL should 86 that stupid OT format. Corny skating around behind the red line... I hate it when other teams do it to the Flyers I hate it seeing the Flyers do it tonight.

Frost with a horrible play in OT fumbles the puck then stares at Palmieri never once looks around to pick up Nelson the goal scorer... too easy for the Isles.

Way to go Frost made up for that bonehead play earlier. Hanging in the paint found the puck slam it home. Great work. and Frost is the goat anyway...UNREAL.

I keep hoping too - this time they'll connect, they have to get a PP goal here ... and instead it's another big nothing.

what the hell Flyers' skaters ... nice to see Fedotov making great saves but enough watching the Isles ... 12 SOG in the 2nd and the Flyers have 2 maybe 3?

bold move pulling Ersson but the right one. That 2nd goal went short side and was not good. but Couturier didn't return for the 2nd that's not good. Went down along the wall I think he hit his head into the boards.

The Islanders scored 64 goals in the 1st this year, 18th in the league. The Flyers and Caps have 56, tied for 27th. Only the Ducks, Hawks, Jets (all with 52) and the Sharks (43) have scored fewer. Canucks are #1 with 88. I think I'm done looking at stats...

I haven't seen the stat lately but isn't it like 70% wins when you score first? Courtesy of NHL.COM: Flyers' Win% Leading After 1 is 64.3%. Trailing After 1 period...18.5%. Yikes... "Let's hope..." is right!

Yeah the whole back end went into a downward spiral for a few weeks after the TD. Ersson's struggles are part of it but Walker's absence left a huge hole that nobody (surprisingly not even Eric Johnson ) can fill. By the Boston game they were getting their swagger back, the transition game came alive again. Unfortunately Sandstrom floundered in his starts so Ersson was basically on his own. Ersson's struggles might've been expected. Last year with the Phantoms, after a good reg season (24 W 17 L), he really struggled in the POs. In 3 starts he allowed 12 goals. His individual stats haven't been impressive (to say the least) and now it's 2 years in a row his game has gone south at the end of the season. I hear he's all about preparation but there's something missing in his training or in how he's been used. God only knows what he's got left in the tank for tonight...

I thought they had a "Welcome" get together on the ice but that was it. Did the team actually practice with Fedotov? I can't imagine when...Anyway...still risky. I agree tonight would've made sense just acknowledging it's a risk starting a brand new guy. Ersson - if he's not flat out terrible - should be "good enough" - no more than 1 soft goal ... If the Flyers shooters hit the net instead of the glass...that would help. Scoring 1 prob isn't going to cut it tonight. maybe they figure they have 3 days off after tonight...let Ersson start one more...

Obvious risks whoever starts - Fedotov hasn't even practiced with the team, but of course Ersson is looking beat down...a lot like last year with the Phantoms I hear...

It's Ersson again tonight.

If Couturier and Atkinson could still play top 6 effectively I like those forward lines. Maybe Couturier can but hoping Atkinson hits another mini-hot streak is probably not the best use of the roster.

If he's ready why not? Ersson is obvious burnt out. He's making the easy saves but not enough of the tougher ones. I like Ersson a lot. I believe he's got a great NHL career ahead of him. This year he's had to face too much too soon. I wonder. In some circles it's all Tortorella's fault. He wore them out; it was inevitable; his style is just too demanding. is what I think of that. I'll never blame a coach for trying to win games. With the limited talent Tortorella's got I'm amazed they came this far. POs or no POs to me this year is a huge success. For now it's everybody pulling on the rope - every night every shift, night in night out. It's physically taxing, mentally exhausting and the only way to get relief is to play better. It's a tough ask; some guys really resent it. You're already wiped out and the coach is yelling "you need to be better." Later on you realize (hopefully) that your legs really are lighter in the O zone, when you're attacking, when you're in control, and scoring goals is the best medicine after all, especially for "a demoralized squad." It's the constant defending, chasing the game that's what kills you and the team. Flyers 5 Islanders 2.

wow glad I went out instead of watching that turd of a game... I saw 5-1 and figured it was prob 3-1 with a couple EN tacked on. Not so, 5 legit goals and Bedard without any. Joey Anderson for chrissakes the guy hasn't scored since like November. well this is supposed to be an evaluating year so maybe we found Ersson's limit...30-35 games maybe? OTOH he is a rookie and this has been a trial-by-fire for him, more so than for the rest I guess. Flyers lose 5-1 at home to Chicago ... when every point ... blahblahblah... Well maybe they'll find their 2nd-wind in time who knows...

missed shots and turnovers... the Flyers again don't look ready to play... not in sync with each other at all.

Pardon me I'm twitter-illiterate does the "aha" at the end mean this a joke? I can't believe the Flyers need to win out just to get the 8 seed. Or maybe he's saying if the Caps and the Wings both win all their remaining games the Flyers need to do the same, and if they do they get the 8 seed? But can he do better? Will his body cooperate? I think you're right to say Couturier's not "washed up" but for me it's more of a hope than a conviction. After a grueling camp then 70+ NHL games under Tortorella his body may be telling him "stop!" He could be washed up. If he finishes his career the way he started, a solid 2-way 3C who occasionally skates against top lines, kills penalties, wins important draws - the Flyers will get their money's worth out of Couturier - or maybe "break even" we can say. Nothing but a miracle resurgence will ever justify his contract. If the Flyers get 18mins a night out of him as a defensive forward that's probably the best we can hope. But that's not a given and won't be a cake walk for Couturier. There's already guys on the roster better suited for 3C. Poehling and Cates are both better skaters and are not far behind Couturier defensively.

Is this the Kiss of Death for the Flyers? Probably not. Last night wasn't about being favored it was being unprepared (or unwilling) to give100% effort the way they usually do. And Primeau played really well. Yeah the Flyers' PP is the real Kiss of Death. They don't give up a ton of shorties but that's about the only good thing you can say about it. I'd love to see Foerster (19 goals) get a HT, pass Bedard (21) and Rossi (20) for rookie goal-scoring.

The Canadians deserve some credit - about 20% IMHO - Flyers are just lifeless...

Well that was one of the worst periods the Flyers have played all year. PK still struggling gives up the first goal...Standing around, letting the Habs just run through them...2-0... now another penalty ... Attard trips up his man on the wall. Flyers aren't skating - bound to take penalties. edit: 30 minutes into the game Flyers have 7 SOG. But I won't be surprised if they come back to win it ...