Howie58 Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 (edited) Greetings: The Flyers are a mild favorite (-115) despite this sportsbook's model giving the Isles a 51 percent win probability: https://www.dimers.com/bet-hub/nhl/schedule/2023_175_phi_nyi There isn't much to separate these teams statistically, and they've split the season's prior two games: https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-phi/2024/04/01/2023021183 One observation: Both Sorokin and Varlamov have save percentages over .900; the same can't be said for Sam Errson. Will the Big Russian get surprise start as a pick-me-up for a demoralized squad? Edited March 31 by Howie58 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OccamsRazor Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 2 hours ago, Howie58 said: Will the Big Russian get surprise start as a pick-me-up for a demoralized squad? Absolutely. Sam needs rest. They need wins. Why wait it's hockey. It's keep the biscuit out the basket. The time is now! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samifan Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 If they start Fedotov tomorrow Ersson can rest until Friday in Buffalo or Saturday in Columbus should the Big Fella play well tomorrow and beat the Islanders. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GratefulFlyers Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 2 hours ago, Howie58 said: Will the Big Russian get surprise start as a pick-me-up for a demoralized squad? 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. 3 hours ago, Howie58 said: a demoralized squad 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howie58 Posted March 31 Author Share Posted March 31 1 hour ago, GratefulFlyers said: 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. Grateful: I hope they get their bleep together tomorrow night. Watching another demolition is no fun. And for their sakes, it would be a great training to make the playoffs. I hope it hasn't become a bridge too far. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OccamsRazor Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 I want to see a Sorokin vs Fedotov battle!!! If we get to see that i will defiantly tune in!!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkscrewy Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 Would you accept a Sorokin vs. Fedotov shellacking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howie58 Posted April 1 Author Share Posted April 1 (edited) 12 hours ago, OccamsRazor said: I want to see a Sorokin vs Fedotov battle!!! If we get to see that i will defiantly tune in!!! The dude will get an ovation when he takes the ice. We will reincarnate Nikita Kruschchev to officiate. He will use a skate to bash heads of guilty players. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nikita-khrushchev-throws-a-tantrum-at-the-united-nations Edited April 1 by Howie58 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howie58 Posted April 1 Author Share Posted April 1 Here is a good take on the game: https://www.inquirer.com/sports/betting/nhl-islanders-vs-flyers-odds-pick-20240401.html These are spent teams entering with serious shortcomings over the last 10 games. Both teams will be cautious. I say start the Russkie. Per the article, our backups have been dismal. BTW, a 4.10 Goals Against after the last 10 is bad news; our 5-5 isn't too bad. We've seen it--our goalies ain't coming up with needed saves. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OccamsRazor Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 24 minutes ago, Howie58 said: Both teams will be cautious. Reinforcements coming hopefully some help for the powerplay. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OccamsRazor Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 I wonder who sits this seems to be unfair... Yet i bet Ginning comes out which isn't right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OccamsRazor Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 What we are more likely looking at... I will now claim Ivan Fedotov as our Finn for the lineup... ...he was born in Lappeenranta Finland so yes Flyers have their lucky Finn they will make the playoffs now!!! Ivan needs this start!!!!! FINN FOR THE WIN!!! 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OccamsRazor Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GratefulFlyers Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GratefulFlyers Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 It's Ersson again tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OccamsRazor Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 2 minutes ago, GratefulFlyers said: It's Ersson again tonight. Where you seen that?? I haven't seen that announced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OccamsRazor Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 Ok found it here. This sucks. They are going to run him into the ground. They must yank him if he starts letting in weak goals they need this win vs this team. This is a 4 point game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GratefulFlyers Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 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... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OccamsRazor Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 5 minutes ago, GratefulFlyers said: 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... What???? he has practiced with the team i already posted highlights of some of it. This is a 4 point game vs the team chasing them with 2 games in game and only 5 points back. If Ersson struggles in the slightest he must be yanked to get this win hopefully in regulation. Bad decision not to get Sam some rest. With back to back games coming this weekend. Would have gone with Ivan tonight and then gave Sam Buffalo then Ivan the Jackets the next day. Would have gave Sam 6 days of rest before Buffalo....i hope they don't regret being scared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GratefulFlyers Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 (edited) 12 minutes ago, OccamsRazor said: What???? he has practiced with the team i already posted highlights of some of it. 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... Edited April 1 by GratefulFlyers 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JR Ewing Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 I don't know if it's so much that Ersson has been badly over-worked as that the the club traded their best blue-liner and added their worst one during this stretch. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GratefulFlyers Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 (edited) 1 hour ago, JR Ewing said: I don't know if it's so much that Ersson has been badly over-worked as that the the club traded their best blue-liner and added their worst one during this stretch. 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... Edited April 1 by GratefulFlyers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howie58 Posted April 1 Author Share Posted April 1 7 minutes ago, GratefulFlyers said: God only knows what he's got left in the tank for tonight... I guess we find out in a few hours. Let's hope the Flyers open the scoring. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GratefulFlyers Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 Just now, Howie58 said: Let's hope the Flyers open the scoring. 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! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howie58 Posted April 1 Author Share Posted April 1 5 minutes ago, GratefulFlyers said: 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! Yep...scoring first is critical in the NHL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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