This week for the Flyers started off pleasantly surprising, then quickly turned to being as predictable as a tennis match between Roger Federer and a high school player. The Flyers opened the week with a terrific thrashing of a Ranger team that has proved itself to be just terrible, followed by blowing a lead and losing the Winter Classic, and then being embarrassed in Ottawa. What did this team prove?
For one, they proved that nothign really changed over that road trip. Yeah, sure, I guess it was successful since they went 4-1-1 over the six games. But they played four teams that absolutly stink, and the two teams that didn't stink they lost to. What does that tell you?
The Ottawa game really stuck out to me the most. It was certainly strange, lots of scoring, both starting goalies pulled, and just an ignorance for defense all around, but especially from Philadelphia. This is a team that simply lacks how to play fundamental defense. All season, forwards have been skating freely in the slot area without a defender near him and just pounding the Flyer net with shots. At first, it was ok because Ray Emery started the year on a roll and was stopping all of the shots. However, eventually that hot streak ended and so did the wins stemming from it.
The game against the Rangers last Wednesday was a complete joke. The Flyers played well, but the Rangers played so terrible bad a team of chimpanzees on skates could have beat them. New York humiliated themselves in a rivalry game at home no less, and it showed.
The Winter Classic, meanwhile, despite the reslts, was memorable, mostly because the Flyers actually showed up to play. They played hard hitting, tight defense for much of the game. Boston matched this defense and it culminated in a low scoring but exciting battle. Unforutnatly, missed oppurtunities plagued the Flyers again late in the game and Boston took advantage of a missed too many men call and won the game in overtime.
So, tonight, at home against Toronto, the second half begins and with it a new hope for the Flyers. They have an oppurtunity to start over again and play up to their expectations. They better be ready for a challenge though. After hosting Toronto tonight, they have to go to Pittsburgh tomorrow. What will the rest of the year have in store? We shall see, though recent play isn't looking promising.
Thumbs Up This Week
1. Simon Gagne- He brough back memories of earlier years when he would tear apart the Rangers on an every game basis. His hat trick in New York brought back memories of better seasons.
2. Dan Carcillo- Not only did he participate in the first Winter Classic fight ever, he pounded Boston tough guy Shawn Thornton into a pulp and a day where the cold weather probably made those punches hurt more than usual. Hats off to you, Carcillo.
3. Danny Syvret- Poor play in Ottawa on Sunday, but I will give you props on your first NHL goal, in the Winter Classic no less, as well as solid defensive play against the Rangers and Bruins, at least someone is improving defensively. You get an A for effort.
Thumbs Down This Week
1. Braydon Coburn- Absolutly atrocious play defensively and no play offensively. Coburn looks more and more like a has-been defenseman with each passing game...except he's only 24 years old. Sorry, but a -3 against Ottawa won't cut it.
2. Mike Richards- I know I'm picking on Richards, and he played well in New York, but didn't everyone? A non-factor in Boston and an atrocious game despite a goal in Ottawa. I'm still waiting for the real Richards to start playing.
3. Ottawa Senators Fans- Alex Kovalev scored a hat trick in the Flyers-Senators game on Sunday, yet all of five hats came down to the ice. Instead, the stupid Ottawa fans insisted on waving their obnoxiously large flags around like it was a soccer match or something. Get a clue, guys!!!
From the Medical Table
Ray Emery- Big news from Emery, as the Philly Enquirer reported on Monday that Emery could be back on th roster come Saturday against Tampa Bay. He has been out since early dEcemeber with an abdominal injury.
Ryan Parent- Parent remains day-to-day with a back strain, though rumors are floatign that his injury is more serious than the team is making it out to be. This injury is rather mysterious, keep checking in here for updates.
Ole-Kristian Tollefsen- He remains on IR with a sprianed knee, no timetable set on his return yet.
My Flyers Picks This Week
This is a Flyer team that I've figured out; they're better than the other bad teams, btu they're no where near as good as the good teams. Therefore, I've kind of set a pattern for my picks for the time being.
With the Olympic break coming closer and closer, more games are being played weekly. The Flyers have four this week, three of which come at home. Tonight against Toronto "should" be a breeze, give Philly a win. Follow that with a loss tomorrow in Pittsburgh. I have a bad feeling about Saturday night in Tampa, a lot of empty seats could be possible with the Eagles playing as well and the Lightning gave the Flyers a scare last meeting in Tampa. However, the Lightning have to play in New Jersey the night before, so the Flyers will win. Then finally, a home meeting with the underachieving Dallas Stars on Tuesday. I like the Flyers here as well, a good start to the second half.
Last Week 2-1
Season 10-7
Wed. vs Toronto WIN
Thurs. at Pittsburgh LOSS
Sat. vs Tampa Bay WIN
Tues. vs Dallas WIN
Around the NHL
Atlantic- Welcome back to Rick DiPietro!!! The most overpaid goalie in the NHL is finally returning to the New York Islanders after being out for quite a long time with injury problems. The question remians, is he the same goalie he was three years ago?
Northeast- I learned one big negative about the Winter Classic this year and that was how terrible the sightlines at baseball stadiums are. Most of the seats at Fenway Park were obstructed view and even though most fans didn't car they couldn't see the action, I would never dish out hundreds of doallars for obstucted view seats. Note to NHL: play this game in a FOOTBALL stadium next time.
Southeast- Our consdolences go out to Eric Staal and his family, after his wife's sister passed away from cancer at the age of 26. Staal has been granted a leave of absence from the team. Our prayers go out to the family.
Central- There's a new man in charge in St. Louis. The disappointing Blues fired coach Andy Murray over the weekend. He has been replaced by interim coach Davis Payne, who looks to be leading the team for the remainder of the season.
Northwest- On Sunday, in my NHL midseason predictions, I predicted the Calgary Flames to win the Cup, despite them not even leading the Northwest Division at the time. That has changed. The Flames have won five straight and after defeating the Predators last night, they moved into first in the division, one point ahead of Colorado. Watch out for the Flames.
Pacific- Speaking of teams to watch for, the San Jose Sharks had a recent eight game win streak just snapped by the Kings. It wasn't a fluky win streak either, four of their eight wins included two over second place Phoenix, Washington, and Chicago. Pretty impressive and a lot of why the Sharks are playing the best hockey in the NHL right now.
What to Watch For This Week
Wednesday- St. Louis at San Jose 10:30 NHL Network
Thursday- Philadelphia at Pittsburgh 7:30 NHL Network
Friday- Tampa Bay at New Jersey 7:00 MSG+
Saturday- Colorado at Buffalo 7:00 MSG Buffalo
Sunday- Anaheim at Chicago 7:00 Hockey Night on Yahoo
Monday- San Jose at Los Angeles 10:30 Hockey Night on Yahoo
Tuesday- San Jose at Phoenix 9:00 CSN Bay Area
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment