Game #15 - Flyers (3) at Leafs (6) - Nov 11, 2016 @ 7:00 ET

[AlaskaFlyerFan]

Flyers will be wearing #88 for warm ups tonight in Toronto to honor Eric Lindros who goes into the HHOF on Monday.

 

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Bill-Meltzer/Flyers-Gameday-111116--TOR/45/80579

 

Flyers Gameday: 11/11/16 @ TOR

 

Preview: Flyers @ Maple Leafs

Dave Hakstol's Philadelphia Flyers (6-6-2) start a back-to-back weekend set of games with a road tilt on Friday night against Mike Babcock's Toronto Maple Leafs (5-5-3). Game time at the Air Canada Centre is 7 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on CSN Philadelphia.

This is the first of three meetings between the teams this season, and the first of two in Toronto. The teams will rematch on January 26 at the Wells Fargo Center and March 9 at the Air Canada Centre. Last season, the Flyers went 1-1-1 against the Leafs.

In honor of the upcoming Hockey Hall of Fame induction of Eric Lindros, the Flyers will wear number 88 jerseys during the pregame warmup. On Sunday, Lindros will captain one of the teams in the Legends Classic game at the Air Canada Centre, where he will reunite the Legion of Doom line with John LeClair and Mikael Renberg; the trio will also be together for the Flyers 50th Anniversary Alumni Game on January 14. On Monday, Lindros and the late Pat Quinn will be among the inductees enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Flyers Outlook

In a staccato perfomance that was ragged at times on both sides but picked up as the game moved along, the host Flyers never trailed the Detroit Red Wings at any point but had to settle for one point on Tuesday after a 65-minute 2-2 tie. The Red Wings claimed the skills competition bonus point, one goal to zero. Philadelphia is now 2-1 in shootouts this season.

Flyers captain Claude Giroux blasted home a first-period power play goal to establish and early 1-0 lead but was denied on third period and overtime breakaways by Howard before being stuffed in the shootout. Later, Sean Couturier capped off a lengthy cycling and forechecking shift in the third period with a go-ahead goal on a tap-in from the crease after the Flyers had a couple of cracks in close.

Making his first start in the last five games, Steve Mason provided a much-needed lift in goal for the Flyers, turning back 33 of 35 shots during the hockey game and the first two shots he faced in the skills competition.

Before last season, Mason had enjoyed success against Toronto in his Flyers career. The best performance was a scintillating 30-save home shutout on January 31, 2015 in a game in which the Flyers were severely outplayed and Mason had to make a 1-0 lead stand up the rest of the night.

On Feb. 20, 2016 Mason severely but temporarily cramped up in the third period of a wild 6-5 win in Toronto in which Michal Neuvirth ended up being the goalie of record. After removing himself from the game until the sensation subsided, he was denied re-entry into the game by Hakstol. Michal Neuvirth then received each of the next five starts, during which time the Flyers went 3-2-0.

On April 7, the Flyers rallied back from deficits of 2-0 and 3-1 to force OT on a tying goal by Wayne Simmonds in the the final minute of the third period. In overtime, an Andrew MacDonald tripping penalty resulted in a heavily contested game-winning power play goal by Jake Gardiner on a play in which Mason had seemingly been intefered with in identical fashion to how the Flyers had a would-be game winning regulation goal disallowed in a game in Detroit (a game the Flyers subsequently won but from which Detroit got a point). The Gardiner goal stood, however.

Ultimately, of course, the Flyers got into the 2016 playoffs, anyway, as did Detroit.

Entering Friday's tilt, Jakub Voracek (six goals, nine assists) and Giroux (four goals, 11 assists) are tied for the Flyers' scoring lead through the first 14 games. Simmonds (six goals, six assists) and defenseman Mark Streit (three goals, seven assists) have already hit double-digit points, with the defensively struggling Shayne Gostisbehere (three goals, six assists), rookie forward Travis Konecny (three goals, six assists) and Brayden Schenn (two goals, seven assists in 11 games) all on the cusp of double digits.

The Flyers had a few too many turnovers in Tuesday's game. Over the previous few games, they had been gradually cleaning up some of the defensive breakdowns that had been plaguing them in the early going of the season. Most notably, the level of backchecking support and five-man-unit play started trending the right way after a hideous start. On Tuesday, the Flyers' defensive play took a step backward but the goaltending, which had been so-so, took a step forward.

The Flyers held an optional practice on Wedesday and a full practice on Thursday. Scott Laughton was activated from long-term injured reserve and assigned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. In a cap-related pair of on-paper moves, the Flyers assigned Roman Lyubimov to the Phantoms on Wednesday and recalled him on Thursday. Boyd Gordon remains on LTIR, and MacDonald is still out of the lineup as well.

Based on Thursday's practice combinations, the Flyers spare forward for Friday's game appears to be checking left winger Chris VandeVelde; a healthy scratch only once last season and not at all this season.


Maple Leafs Outlook

The Maple Leafs started their November schedule with wins against Edmonton, Buffalo and Vancouver but ran into the business end of a buzzsaw on Tuesday night at the Air Canada Center. The LA Kings, buoyed by a four-goal second period, shredded the Leafs to the tune of 7-0. After starting goalie Frederik Andersen yielded the first four Los Angeles goals on 26 shots, Jhonas Enroth relieved him for the remainder of the game.

Friday's game will be the Flyers' first-ever look at highly touted rookie Auston Matthews. After debuting in the NHL with a four-goal game on opening night, he has scored twice since then and added five assists for 11 points in 13 games. William Nylander leads the team in scoring with 12 points (four goals, eight assists) while ex-Flyer James van Riemsdyk (four goals, six assists) and dynamic young forward Mitch Marner (four goals, six assists) are already in double digits for points as well.

The game is also the Flyers' first look at defenseman Nikita Zaitsev; a player whom they scouted heavily in Russia in recent years and, at various times, were heavily rumored by the Russian sports media to be pursuing for a contract.

Following this game, the Maple Leafs are on the road on Saturday to take on the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

Projected Lineups (subject to change, will be updated)

FLYERS

10 Brayden Schenn- 28 Claude Giroux - 17 Wayne Simmonds
11 Travis Konecny - 14 Sean Couturier - 92 Jakub Voracek
12 Michael Raffl - 25 Nick Cousins - 22 Dale Weise
24 Matt Read - 76 P-E Bellemare - 13 Roman Lyubimov

15 Michael Del Zotto - 53 Shayne Gostisbehere
23 Brandon Manning - 3 Radko Gudas
9 Ivan Provorov - 32 Mark Streit

35 Steve Mason
[30 Michal Neuvirth]

Scratches: Nick Schultz (healthy), Chris VandeVelde (healthy), Andrew MacDonald (lower body), Boyd Gordon (LTIR, upper body).

MAPLE LEAFS

11 Zach Hyman - 34 Auston Matthews - 29 William Nylander
25 James van Riemsdyk - 42 Tyler Bozak - 16 Mitch Marner
47 Leo Komarov - 43 Nazem Kadri - 12 Connor Brown
15 Matt Martin - 18 Ben Smith - 26 Nikita Soshnikov

44 Morgan Rielly - 22 Nikita Zaitsev
52 Martin Marincin - 8 Connor Carrick
51 Jake Gardiner - 46 Roman Polak

31 Frederik Andersen
[35 Jhonas Enroth]

Scratches: Peter Holland (healthy), Seth Griffith (healthy), Frank Corrado (healthy), Matt Hunwick (IR, lower body), Joffrey Lupul (LTIR).

[intheslot]

Go Flyers ... !!!

4 to 2 ..win Fly Guys

[AlaskaFlyerFan]

Empty netter?

[Howie58]

It's hard to figure who's worse?  We are winning but aren't so hot.  The Leafs are underperforming given talent. But you might say that whether it's Quinn....Babcock...what else is new.  One thing...Wayne plays well in his hometown.

[Howie58]

It looks another performance that will do wonders for Mason's save percentage.

[Howie58]

This is the worst game of the year.  I am not sure who's worse--Mason or Hakstol?   Seeing Sittler at the opening ceremony should have been a warning.  My Turkey Day Deadline for our goaltending duo is approaching.  But I am not sure Hexy can wait that long to do something. I agreed with the Leaf announcers; the Flyers goaltending duo isn't getting the job done.  I'd bring up Stolarz for a start...hell, Neil Little might do a better job than our current duo.

 

Goal aside, can anyone play D?  It was hard to watch this. Very hard.  

[pilldoc]

WTF .... I leave work with Flyers up 3-2.... I get home and it is 6-3.  What in blazes hell happend?????

[Howie58]

3 minutes ago, pilldoc said:

WTF .... I leave work with Flyers up 3-2.... I get home and it is 6-3.  What in blazes hell happend?????

Pilldoc:

 

We were outworked; our D caved and could not keep the Leafs away, and Mason seemed to forget he had either a stick or glove at his disposal.  And as the announcers noted, he even failed to secure the center of the goal to play the percentages on a screen.  In sum--system failure; I had to ask if Hakstol could adjust quickly enough.

[BobbyClarkeFan16]

I was hoping that with the game in Detroit, Mason was getting back to being himself. Something is up. He seems to be the Mason of Columbus. I'm wondering if there's tension between him and the goalie coach. Maybe a trace centered around Mason and Halak can be done. Either way, Mason has to go. That was major regression tonight. It's now affecting everyone on the team.

[flyercanuck]

When you get smoked by the Leafs....THE LEAFS, you can tell where you stand as far as contending goes. You aren't. 

 

Tough to play in front of either goalie when you know any shot has a 30% chance of going in. WTF happened to these two clowns?

[OccamsRazor]

Well you know you are getting shiity goaltending when not just one but FOUR guys score their 1st goals of the season on you.

 

YOU STINK!

 

I'm just thankful that they aren't committed to these goaltenders beyond this season....

[OccamsRazor]

What a great hustle goal right here...

 

[flyercanuck]

With the season going the way it is, just thought some of us could use a little distraction.

 

And now, back to watching this wreck of a season....

 

[OccamsRazor]

So know i ask WTF can you do about the stink goaltending???

 

Call up Stolarz??

 

They did win last night with Lyons in net 4-1. Lyons stopped 26 of 27 shots for the win.

 

Let him take over for awhile and call Stollie up to play in net??

 

I guess it couldn't hurt. They need to do something.

 

These games are going to come back and bite the come the end of the year.

 

Someone has to step up in net i guess you could see if he could help before looking outside.

[flyercanuck]

Just now, OccamsRazor said:

So know i ask WTF can you do about the stink goaltending???

 

Call up Stolarz??

 

They did win last night with Lyons in net 4-1. Lyons stopped 26 of 27 shots for the win.

 

Let him take over for awhile and call Stollie up to play in net??

 

I guess it couldn't hurt. They need to do something.

 

These games are going to come back and bite the come the end of the year.

 

Someone has to step up in net i guess you could see if he could help before looking outside.

 

While something needs to be done about this pathetic netminding, I'm not sure Stolarz in the NHL with that D is a great idea. As many mistakes as Provorov is making, he still looks miles better defensively than anything else we have.

 

We already have two guys with zero confidence...not sure I want to risk all those years of development on a 3rd.

[OccamsRazor]

1 minute ago, flyercanuck said:

 

While something needs to be done about this pathetic netminding, I'm not sure Stolarz in the NHL with that D is a great idea. As many mistakes as Provorov is making, he still looks miles better defensively than anything else we have.

 

We already have two guys with zero confidence...not sure I want to risk all those years of development on a 3rd.

 

 

Good point. I wonder then if the Flyers need to start waiving and/or moving some of the defensive impersonators then...like start with Shultz and Mcdud.

 

Sure that would be a lot of salary buried and you'd only free up like one 1.9mill but it would give you a spot to call up some kids to see if they could help on the blueline.

 

One guy i think could help is a solid stay at home type in Reece Willcox former captain at Cornell with good size at 6-4 190 and a right hand shot. He is nothing flashy but he is positionally strong he'll be 23 this year and well it could help. He has more goals than Sanheim this year.

 

Anyways i can't stand to watch this team flounder like this. Every team makes mistakes during a game it is what you need a good goaltender for to give you a chance and they ain't getting it. 

 

Man Schultz (who wasn't alone) did not look good last night. He has to stop going down on the ice if he can't make the stop because then he takes himself out the play and they skate around his ass....

 

[RJ8812]

That;s what happen when you make defenseman play above their roles....they look terrible. Keep Stolarz far away from this team at the moment. 

[OccamsRazor]

I wouldn't mess with the Phantoms to much they are finally winning sitting 2nd in the Atlantic at 6-3-1 and they could use some success down there so maybe just leave the kids alone and let them gel and gain confidence down there.

[RJ8812]

1 minute ago, OccamsRazor said:

I wouldn't mess with the Phantoms to much they are finally winning sitting 2nd in the Atlantic at 6-3-1 and they could use some success down there so maybe just leave the kids alone and let them gel and gain confidence down there.

 

Flyers fans showing patience? uh oh......

[OccamsRazor]

Just now, RJ8812 said:

That;s what happen when you make defenseman play above their roles....they look terrible. Keep Stolarz far away from this team at the moment. 

 

 

I don't think it has anything to do with playing above their roles.

 

They are defensemen.

 

You have to know how to play some semblance of defense and that is just it they don't.

 

They have a bunch of offensive minded guys combined with some cast offs and a rookie.

 

It is what it is.

 

Hexy has to find guys who can play SOME defense and some guys who can clear the porch even Gudas has let guys just stand there and screen Mason the whole D unit has sucked.

[OccamsRazor]

2 minutes ago, RJ8812 said:

 

Flyers fans showing patience? uh oh......

 

It's not just patients i don't want to screw these kids heads up so soon. There will be plenty of time for that later! 

[DaGreatGazoo]

I'm blaming some of this on the coaches as well. Goaltending is worst in the league. Mason looks like the Columbus Mason again. Lack of focus, weak goals, etc.  He's not cold-he's appears to have regressed. 

 

Hakstol'a lineup decisions look like he picks them out of a hat each game. Raffl and Weise go from top line to scratched???  Shultz dresses against a Toronto team with several excellent skating forwards?  Every game 3 or even all 4 lines are different. Every game most/all D pairings are changed. How they hell can players expect to build any chemistry that way? Not to mention building any confidence. One mistake and they're scratched. At some point, that's counterproductive-and they've reached that point. 

 

I get the "players play" crowd and that's true. But a coaches number 1 job is to put those players in the BEST position to win. Every game. 

 

I dont think that is happening right now with all the non-stop tinkering by the mad scientist. 

[RJ8812]

14 minutes ago, OccamsRazor said:

 

 

I don't think it has anything to do with playing above their roles.

 

They are defensemen.

 

You have to know how to play some semblance of defense and that is just it they don't.

 

They have a bunch of offensive minded guys combined with some cast offs and a rookie.

 

It is what it is.

 

Hexy has to find guys who can play SOME defense and some guys who can clear the porch even Gudas has let guys just stand there and screen Mason the whole D unit has sucked.

It may not be the sole reason, but it's a big reason. I outlined it in the Provorov thread. Players like him can't (currently) handle the other team's top players

[OccamsRazor]

1 minute ago, RJ8812 said:

Players like him can't (currently) handle the other team's top players

 

Maybe but they don't have any vets who can either so he plays against them by default. Not saying it's right just the reality of the situation. I'll be glad when Streit, Schultz and Mcdud aren't part of this roster in any shape or form. They are just tainting the youth here.

[OccamsRazor]

25 minutes ago, DaGreatGazoo said:

Every game most/all D pairings are changed. How they hell can players expect to build any chemistry that way? Not to mention building any confidence.

 

This is a very good point. I'm not sure i would put the issues i see in net on the coaches though.

 

The two guys they have aren't making easy stops.

 

I mean come on just look at the two last goal given up last night by Mason the short handed one (sure it would help if Giroux didn't make that boneheaded pass that lead to the damn turnover) and them the last one routine saves....Mason looked like a damn sieve....end of story...neither guy is playing with any confidence at all.