pilldoc Posted October 14, 2014 Posted October 14, 2014 http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=63052#.VD0Jk1WxeJ8.twitter From Bill Meltzer..... GAMEDAY PREVIEW: FLYERS VS. DUCKSStill in search of their first win of the 2014-15 regular season, the Philadelphia Flyers (0-2-1) will take on the powerful Anaheim Ducks (2-1-0) at the Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday night. Game time is 7 p.m. EDT. The game will be televised locally on CSN Philadelphia.This is the first of two meetings this season between the teams, and the lone clash at the Wells Fargo Center. The clubs will rematch in Anaheim on Dec. 3.After tonight's game, the Flyers will have a few days of practice in Voorhees. Starting on Saturday night, Philadelphia embarks on a three-game road trip that will take them to Dallas, Chicago and Pittsburgh.Flyers OutlookIn their two games, the Flyers lost a low-scoring (2-1) game in Boston and a high-scoring (6-4) home match against the Devils. Philly showed resiliency in battling back from deficits in both games but ultimately walked away empty.Saturday's game against Montreal was the most disturbing. The Flyers looked dominant in building a 3-0 lead over the Canadiens and cruised into the third period with what should have been a comfortable lead. In the third period, the wheels fell off for the Flyers. The Habs attacked in waves en route to a 19-4 shot disparity and three unanswered goals to send the game to overtime.After an unsuccessful overtime power play for the Flyers and four straight Philadephia shooters failed to score on Carey Price, Montreal's P.A. Parenteau won the game. Ray Emery (35 saves on 38 shots in regulation and overtime, 3-for-4 in the shootout) deserved a better fate and ended up being the main reason why Philly even got one point from the game.Assistant captain Wayne Simmonds has been the Flyers' best player through the first three games. The power forward has racked up four goals -- an even strength tally and power play goal apiece against both New Jersey and Montreal -- and five points.With Vincent Lecavalier out two weeks as a result of taking a puck off his left foot in the first period of Saturday's game, 29-year-old first-year forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare has been moved up from the fourth line to center Lecavalier's line with Brayden Schenn (one assist in three games) and Simmonds.Yesterday, the Flyers officially upgraded injured defenseman Braydon Coburn (lower-body injury) to day-to-day status after the veteran was examined by a specialist. Nicklas Grossmann missed yesterday's practice due to a stomach virus but is expected to be ready to play tonight.Steve Mason is likely to get the start tonight in goal for the Flyers He was outstanding on opening night in Boston (31 saves on 33 shots) and ordinary in the home opener against New Jersey (20 saves on 25 shots). None of the first four goals he yielded in the Devils game were his fault -- one was scored through a heavy screen, two were unstoppable deflections and one was scored by a wide-open Patrik Elias from point blank range. However, the game winning goal by ex-Flyer Dainius Zubrus was a stoppable shot.Ducks OutlookTonight is the fourth and final match of a four-game road trip to start the Anaheim Ducks' 2014-15 regular season. After dropping a 6-4 decision on opening night in Pittsburgh, the Ducks have won their last two games.On Saturday night in Detroit, the Ducks and Red Wings entered the third period tied at 1-1. After Gustav Nyquist put the Wings ahead early in the third period, Matt Beleskey re-tied the score a little more than one minute later. With time ticking down below 25 seconds remaining in regulation, 2013-14 Hart Trophy finalist Ryan Getzlaf scored his second goal of the game to give Anaheim a 3-2 win. Frederik Andersen (27 saves on 29 shots) earned the win in goal.Last night, the Ducks paid a visit to Buffalo. Anaheim took a 2-0 lead into the third period on a power play goal by Corey Perry (third goal of the young season) and rookie William Karlsson's first NHL goal. In the third period, Anaheim went to score three more times to savage the Sabres by a 5-1 final. Beleskey extended the lead to 3-0 before Karlsson notched his second goal of the game. Ryan Kesler completed the scoring by converting a penalty shot. Andersen, who saw just 12 shots for the game and stopped 11, got the victory.Former Flyers farmhand Patrick Maroon, who has been skating on Getzlaf's line and compiled three points in his first three games, sustained a leg injury in last night's game. He is out of the lineup tonight. Dany Heatley (groin) is also unavailable for the Ducks.With the Flyers having had an off-day on Sunday and an idle night on the schedule last night, Philadelphia is theoretically the fresher team. Tonight's game is Anaheim's third in four nights and the second half of back-to-back games.Nevertheless, the Ducks are a dangerous team under any circumstances. They are one of the NHL's most physical teams. The top line with Getzlaf and Perry is highly skilled and aggressive. The team added veteran Kesler in the off-season to provide a one-two punch with Getzlaf down the middle. The team also has a skilled supporting cast with the likes of Jakob Silfverberg (two assists), Karlsson, Beleskey (two goals) and others all capable of making timely plays.The Anaheim blueline features grizzled veteran Francois Beauchemin but is primarily marked by its core of young and mobile puck movers such as Cam Fowler (one assist), Sami Vatanen (three assists) and Hampus Lindholm (one assist). The club also has former Minnesota defensive defenseman Clayton Stoner and Ben Lovejoy to reliably fill minutes.The Flyers learned firsthand last season how tough the Ducks can be to beat. Philly actually played two of its better overall games of the 2013-14 regular season against Anaheim and came away with a pair of regulation losses to show for their toil.On Oct. 29 of last season, the Flyers dominated the Ducks in the first period, building a 2-0 lead. The momentum reversed in the middle stanza but Philly managed to take a 2-1 lead to the second intermission. In the third period, Anaheim scored early to tie the game on a Kyle Palmieri goal and then won the game late in regulation on another tally by Palmieri.On Jan 31, the teams met again in Anaheim. Philly played a generally solid game and stayed out of the penalty box. They stayed competitive throughout the night. Nevertheless, they still gave up five goals and lost the game, 5-3.In the rematch in Anaheim, Lecavalier (power play goal), Matt Read and Michael Raffl scored for the Flyers in a losing cause. Mason stopped 23 of 27 shots. For Anaheim, Getzlaf had a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, while Perry, Maroon, Daniel Winnik (shorthanded) and the now-retired Saku Koivu (empty net) also scored. Andersen stopped 27 of 30 shots.Projected Lineups (subject to change, will be updated as needed)FLYERS12 Michael Raffl - 28 Claude Giroux - 93 Jakub Voracek10 Brayden Schenn - 78 Pierre-Edouard Bellemare - 17 Wayne Simmonds24 Matt Read - 14 Sean Couturier - 18 R.J. Umberger36 Zac Rinaldo - 41 Blair Jones - 42 Jason Akeson47 Andrew MacDonald - 55 Nick Schultz8 Nicklas Grossmann - 32 Mark Streit15 Michael Del Zotto - 22 Luke Schenn35 Steve Mason[29 Ray Emery]Scratches: Vincent Lecavalier (left foot), Braydon Coburn (lower body, day-to-day).DUCKS (based on last night's lines and Maroon injury)67 Rickard Rakell - 15 Ryan Getzlaf - 10 Corey Perry39 Matt Beleskey - 17 Ryan Kesler - 12 Devante Smith-Pelly7 Andrew Cogliano - 38 William Karlsson - 33 Jakob Silfverberg16 Emerson Etem - 44 Nate Thompson - 18 Tim Jackman23 Francois Beauchemin - 47 Hampus Lindholm4 Cam Fowler - 6 Ben Lovejoy3 Clayton Stoner - 45 Sami Vatanen36 John Gibson[31 Frederik Andersen]Scratches: Patrick Maroon (leg), Dany Heatley (groin), Bryan Allen (healthy), Mark Fistric (healthy).**************So is this finally the game where the Flyers get their first win???? Againts the Ducks....no way. With the defense that Berube has to put out their, the Ducks top line will be skating circles around them. Ducks 4Flyers 1 This won't even be close......
pilldoc Posted October 14, 2014 Author Posted October 14, 2014 Also .. is it me...but for all the talk of having Coots trying to develop his offensive skills by centering the 2nd line...why is he back on the 3rd line. I just don't get. It looked like he fit in just fine on the 2nd line to me....am I missing anything? And they want to move Belle to the 2nd line?
brelic Posted October 14, 2014 Posted October 14, 2014 Also .. is it me...but for all the talk of having Coots trying to develop his offensive skills by centering the 2nd line...why is he back on the 3rd line. I just don't get. It looked like he fit in just fine on the 2nd line to me....am I missing anything? And they want to move Belle to the 2nd line? It's called the Schenn Domino Effect. Schenn got bumped off the top line after 5 whole periods, and Raffl got bumped to the top line. They could have stopped right there, and Coots' line would have been fine. But Berube wants speed. Which does not bode well for cement foot Couturier. Or lazy Schenn.
Poulin20 Posted October 14, 2014 Posted October 14, 2014 Since none of you bums will take my tickets it looks like I am going to suffer through this game by myself tonight. I am expecting a bloodbath with the Ducks eviscerating Homer's awesome D. Since I am wrong with my predictions most of the time when it comes to game results I hope to be pleasantly surprised but am not holding my breath.
intheslot Posted October 14, 2014 Posted October 14, 2014 Tonight is a break out game the Fly guys romp all over the ducks 6 to 3 G has three.
Poulin20 Posted October 14, 2014 Posted October 14, 2014 Tonight is a break out game the Fly guys romp all over the ducks 6 to 3 G has three. I hope you are right bro...after 2 games I am already sick of leaving there with my head hanging down.
Vanflyer Posted October 14, 2014 Posted October 14, 2014 With Vincent Lecavalier out two weeks as a result of taking a puck off his left foot in the first period of Saturday's game, 29-year-old first-year forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare has been moved up from the fourth line to center Lecavalier's line with Brayden Schenn (one assist in three games) and Simmonds. Great read and thanks (Meltzer is the best). Re: Bellamare, sorry Vinny, but you just lost your job. Watch what this guy is going to do. I am ecstatic they have moved him up- and did without having to ruffle feathers. He is the real deal and far better than VLC.
pilldoc Posted October 14, 2014 Author Posted October 14, 2014 Great read and thanks (Meltzer is the best). Re: Bellamare, sorry Vinny, but you just lost your job. Watch what this guy is going to do. I am ecstatic they have moved him up- and did without having to ruffle feathers. He is the real deal and far better than VLC. I really thought they would give Coots a chance on the 2nd line, but mayber you are right as he skates a bit faster than Coots. Either way VLC is off the ice where he can't hurt this team. PS: I agree.. I love Meltzer's blogs/post. The guy is spot on. Rumor has it that he frequents this board. If he does and is reading this. Keep up the great work! Thanks!
Vanflyer Posted October 14, 2014 Posted October 14, 2014 I really thought they would give Coots a chance on the 2nd line At this juncture, they need to stop the bleeding and coots can do that. Belle is very dynamic. I might wrong and probably will be again, but I think there will be french fry specials in upcoming games and french toast for the matinees.
AlaskaFlyerFan Posted October 14, 2014 Posted October 14, 2014 Tonight is a break out game the Fly guys romp all over the ducks 6 to 3 G has three.I like your enthusiasm! I'm going with 3-1 Flyers. Jake, Bellemare,and Simmer with the goals.Have fun in game chat. I'm not gonna make it in there.
jammer2 Posted October 14, 2014 Posted October 14, 2014 Although all signs point to a Ducks win, I say this is one of those weird games where the Flyers somehow solve the Ducks tough defense and goaltending. These Ducks goalies might be super talented, but they are still young and inexperienced... the best chance to win is to come out hard and fire the puck from every angle possible. Flood the front of the net and outmuscle the kids on the Ducks blueline. Should be fun to see Hampus Lindholm so early in the year, see how his game has grown...one of the very best teenagers in the NHL. What can you say about a 18 year old kid who puts up 30 pts and a staggering +29....wow, some scary numbers there!! Flyers 4 Ducks 2 Jake with his first goal, singles to Streit, B.Schenn and Luke the Fluke....yes, mark this day down, both the Schenns score. Belly with his first NHL point tonight also.
Vanflyer Posted October 14, 2014 Posted October 14, 2014 Although all signs point to a Ducks win, I say this is one of those weird games where the Flyers somehow solve the Ducks tough defense and goaltending. These Ducks goalies might be super talented We don't match up well pound for pound or skill to skill. I always like rooting for the underdog. I just hoofed it to get my wife and daughter "bacon and eggs" so I get a free pass for a period or two. For those that know where I live, they will understand the hoofing it part! :-) I say 5-4 anaheim.
OccamsRazor Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 I say 4-3 Ducks in a shootout!! Winner by a rookie! WHAT?
brelic Posted October 15, 2014 Posted October 15, 2014 I thought that was the Flyers best overall game. Bellemare looked outmatched on the 2nd line. Moves that might work in Sweden and France do not work here - it's a bit of a learning curve. Mason played really well and gave his team a chance to win. Couturier looked faster and made some really nice defensive plays, and a few offensive ones too. He still often tries very low percentage things in the offensive zone (e.g. passes that you *know* will get intercepted before he even tries them, dumps to nowhere in particular, poor poor shot selection that always seems to get blocked). Chalk it up to still being young, perhaps. If he gets smarter with his choices in the o-zone, the points will come. Brayden Schenn was noticeable last night in a good way. Forechecking hard, causing a few turnovers/takeaways, and making a few nice plays. And predictably, Berube played musical lines again, shuffling them up and down. Guess he was reaching his limit in stability.
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