Week Seven is done in the National Hockey League!
The Flyers, statistically, had another good week, but altogether, their play was extremely poor. They should not have won most of these games...
It's time for my weekly review of the Flyers' schedule!
I will briefly recap each game, and then assign a plus or minus rating based on the Flyers' performance in the game. For example: if the Flyers played horribly, yet came out with a win, they get a plus-two rating—they were not expected to win, but did. If they play great and lose, they get a minus-two rating, for the opposite reason.
If the Flyers play well and win, they get an even rating, and the same for the opposite. They can also get plus and minus-one ratings for getting one point in the game.
Flyers at Hurricanes, 11/26/08 (W, 3-1)
Simon Gagne continued his hot season, scoring two goals and an assist, while newcomer Matt Carle had his first goal as a Flyer, and a great one, in that it was the game winning goal against this Carolina team that is better than most people expect. The Flyers played well for the majority of the game, and got two points out of it.
Even
- B/R Ticket Guide
Flyers vs. Hurricanes 11/28/08 (L 3-2, OT)
Joffrey Lupul scored, as did Jeff Carter, to put him on top the league lead for goals. The Flyers played a pretty bad game, but ultimately lost in overtime after Sergei Samsonov skated around the Matt Carle as if Carle was standing still, and put an easy wrist shot past Marty Biron.
This game showed the Flyers' inconsistency, as they looked great for a few minutes, then decided to stop playing for the next few. They should've lost this, as they played just okay.
Plus-1
Flyers at Maple Leafs 11/29/08 (L 4-2)
The Maple Leafs are greatly underrated, and the Flyers apparently did not realize that going into this game. They did not work hard at all, while the Leafs, with newly appointed GM Brian Burke watching, had a huge jump in their steps. Where were the Flyers? They must have left their game in Philly when they left.
Even
Week in Review
The Flyers had an okay week. Kinda inconsistent. Once again, as I've said over and over again, they will never win anything if they play a week on and a week off. They need to continue to be consistent to not just make the playoffs, but to succeed as they did last season. Hopefully, for Philly fans, this means that the inconsistencies are coming now rather than in May. Hopefully...
For the week: Plus-1
For the season: Plus-3
The Flyers have 27 points. They should have 24.
Alan Bass is a Senior Writer for Bleacher Report and the Community Leader for the NHL and Philadelphia Flyers’ section. He is also the co-host of NHL 2Day, a weekly radio show on Youcastr.com. You can contact him at ALN424@aol.com. You can also check out his BR archives here.
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about 1 month ago
Don't the Flyers have 27 points Alan?"
from about 1 month ago
Shoot, typo...thanks Chris
about 1 month ago
I wanted to help out. lol
about 1 month ago
I'll agree with you on the point about inconsistency, but keep in mind this team was very inconsistent last year and was still able to make the conference finals. This team has a clear mentality problem, because the streakiness this year has been absolutely absurd. I see an interesting parallel between Biron's consistency struggles and the team's. This team is built well, and even if Biron plays well all year, he tends to have bad days that can really demoralize the team. I think Niittymaki should be given a shot at the starting role, and hopefully that will level things off. Biron might be better overall, but his bad streaks just aren't acceptable. I'll never forget the "Pittsburgh Massacre" that ended our run last year, and Biron deserves a good part of the blame. Biron wasn't a starting goalie for a long time, and I think he still struggles with being a starter. His contract is up this year, and I'm not sure I want to see him back as the main guy. I look at this team, and see a very strong core, but a shaky goalie. On paper Biron might not look like the problem, but I think he's a big part of it.
from about 1 month ago
It's the whole team...Idk how to fix it. I'd like to say coaching, but I hate blaming coaches...
about 1 month ago
Well as I commented on another article, Paul Holmgren has spoken of John Stevens before as an unlikely hockey genius like Charlie Manuel was (for baseball) with the Phillies. I don't buy that, but I think the coach might be to blame here. This team needs to get balanced out- a new goalie, coach, or veteran might solve that problem.
about 1 month ago
Aren't the Flyers 8-1-1 in their last 10? If you ask me Stevens lit a fire under this team with the demotion of Lupul temporarily to the 4th line and benching Hartnell for part of a game for lack of effort. Since then they have fought harder for the puck and the forwards are playing two-way hockey. The goals against is getting better and will continue to get better once Jones and Parent were back. As far as Biron goes, I was his biggest critic last year but considering his performance in the playoffs I would give him some slack this year. The truth is between him and Nittymaki and our offensive depth we will definetely make the playoffs and if he plays as well as he did in last year's playoffs we will have a shot at the Cup.
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