Perhaps the Rangers don't grasp what it is to be physical. Being physical is not sending out your goon to fight another goon and then getting in a few cheap shots behind the plays. Being physical is forechecking, putting the guy into the boards, forcing the play and standing up for your guys.
Physicality is what the Flyers do, and they did it to near perfection in their 4-1 win over the Rangers tonight. The Blueshirts didn't have the size or the smarts to break through the Philly toughness and it cost them.
I'm still shaking with rage so I'm just gonna start firing them off:
*Cally gets thrown head-first into the boards by Kimo Timonen and the Rangers do nothing. After a whistle, the play goes deep in the Ranger end and Marc Staal bumps Nik Zherdev from behind - not even a full check - and gets penalized. There are good penalties and bad penalties kids. The Rangers missed the chance to take the good one and took a stupid one instead.
*And the Flyers didn't take any even though Dirtbag Dan Carcillo tried to remove Ruslan Fedotenko's head from his shoulders with a leaping illegal hit. No penalty was called, and no Ranger did anything. Prust eventually treated Carcillo like a man and honoured him with a fair fight but it was several minutes later - after Prust took a dumb penalty on Zherdev and Pronger scored on the ensuing power play. It was way too late.
*Eye for an eye folks - the Flyers went after two skill guys and the Rangers didn't touch Carter or Richards. That's pathetic. Our all-so-intimidating Derek Boogaard didn't do squat. He had a meaningless fight against Shelley to justify his paycheque and some hits late in the third when the damage was already done. He did get the better shots in in his pre-planned, pointless fight against Shelley, but, as I tweeted 'people wonder why hockey players are deemed barbarians. A stupid fight between stupid players for a stupid reason.' Like Brashear before him, what is the point of having an enforcer if he doesn't enforce anything? He looked oh-so-scary in warmups stepping between Avery and Carcillo and yet he did NOTHING to defend his teammates after the puck dropped.*I would give credit to Shelley for drawing the penalty on Boogaard and a pretty solid effort but his slew foot against Grachev - called a trip - was cheap and classless.
*Here are my notes on the goals: 1-0 Rangers power play wears down the Flyers, Blair Betts loses his coverage. 1-1 Flyers power play keeps puck low, three Ranger killers descend on one Flyer and no one bothers to cover Richards, leaving him wide open for the slap dunk. 2-1 MDZ strikes again with a horrific defensive play. 3-1 Hank softie - Z from the goal line; replay shows Hank in a good spot, hard to really get on him as his positioning was sound, just a bad bounce. Still a softie. 4-1 Pronger ppg long bomb after stupid cheap shot.
*Bettsy and Zherdev both scored against the team that dumped them - guess they will go to bed with a smile tonight.
*Two dump, pointless little retaliations that didn't physically achieve anything resulted in two power play goals against. Horrendous.
*Against Toronto I wrote "we have reached at the point where I wonder if a little time with JJ Daigneault might do MDZ some good." If Phoenix can send '07 No. 3 pick Kyle Turris to the AHL after a full season in the NHL, the Rangers can send MDZ down. And he needs to be sent down or benched. We need the kids to play and there are growing pains to be dealt with when we do but this kid's play has regressed; he needs to be put back on track.
*Right after the Rangers opened the scoring, they came back down the ice and put on the pressure. Bobrovsky made two utterly outstanding saves back-to-back and the Flyers marched back to score four straight. That was the play of the game.
*Wow are Sam and Joe horrible at times (Joe alone is horrible all the time). With play going on in the first period they spent more than 30 seconds talking about Boomer Esiason. A former quarterback with an obnoxious radio show who has nothing to do with the team other than the fact that he gets free tickets and nothing to do with the game action whatsoever.
*Erik Christensen had a really good game but just couldn't get the puck in. He could be quite the weapon if he recaptures his chemistry with Gabby. We can only pray that the Slovak's return turns Frolov into a useful player because he isn't. He has one move - a wrap-around - that just doesn't work against most goaltenders.
*Mike Sauer's slashing penalty or his part in the Richards goal could very well get him bumped from the lineup on Friday and that would be a shame. He was strong in the Ranger zone - miles ahead of MDZ and even better than Rozy, who wasn't completely incompetent. Eminger probably had one of his best efforts as a Ranger and yet he still stinks. Dan Girardi can't play 25 minutes a night.*Sean O'Donnell is exactly the kind of defenseman that the Rangers need. He signed with Philly on July 1st. The Rangers traded for Eminger on the 9th. Too bad Dylan McIlrath is still a season or two away from the NHL.
*Proof that the 'hits' stat is arbitrary? The Flyers were credited with just 15 in the game.
*Cally, Dubi and Arty were good again but the tough Flyer defense was able to key in on them and shut them down. Dubi, who scored the lone Ranger goal, had a sick move later in the game to get inside on the Philly D but couldn't finish.
*I think it is set; next week I will order a Prust throwback sweater. It's down to him, Cally and Sauer but Prust has the edge. He did eventually fight Carcillo and can you imagine if he hadn't hit the post in the first period?
*PHW Three Stars
3-Blair Betts - one goal.
2-Sergei Bobrovsky - 20 saves.
1-Claude Giroux - two assists.
Scotty Hockey Three Stars3-Hank - Aside from the freaky bounce soft goal, Hank was solid. He had no chance at stopping the other three Philadelphia goals and he gave the team a chance to win that they really didn't deserve.
2-Bobrovsky - As I said, those two saves turned the game towards his team. He didn't get the clean sheet and made just 20 saves but it was enough.
1-Chris Pronger - The former Norris winner is the anchor of that Flyer defense, which may very well be the best in the NHL one-through-six.
The Battle of Physicality: Analyzing the 6-5-1 Start for the Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers have a reputation for being one of the most physical teams in the NHL. With a roster filled with gritty, hard-nosed players, they often embrace a smash-mouth style of play that can wear opponents down. The 2021-2022 season has been no different, as the Flyers have started with a record of 6 wins, 5 losses, and 1 overtime loss through the first 12 games. In this article, we'll delve into the Flyers' early-season performance, examine the impact of their physicality, and look ahead to what the future holds for this unique team.
The Power of Physicality
One of the defining characteristics of the Flyers' playstyle is their physicality. From bone-crushing hits to scrums after the whistle, they make sure opponents feel their presence on the ice. This physicality can disrupt an opponent's game plan and create turnovers, leading to scoring opportunities.
The Flyers' early-season success can be attributed, in part, to their ability to use physicality strategically. By forechecking aggressively and maintaining a strong defensive presence, they've been able to control the tempo of games. This style of play has been especially effective against teams that prefer a finesse-based approach.
Strength Down the Middle
The Flyers boast a formidable group of centers, with players like Sean Couturier and Claude Giroux leading the way. Their strength down the middle of the ice allows them to win crucial faceoffs and control possession. Additionally, these centers contribute offensively, making them a multi-dimensional threat.
Defensive Woes
While the Flyers' physicality and offensive prowess are clear strengths, they have struggled defensively. Giving up too many goals per game has been a recurring issue. Goaltender Carter Hart, despite his talent, has faced a barrage of shots, and the Flyers' defensive unit has had its share of lapses.
Coaching Adjustments
Head coach Alain Vigneault and his staff have been tasked with finding the right balance between physicality and defensive structure. Adjustments to the defensive systems and line combinations will be critical as they seek to tighten up their play in their own zone.
The Penalty Conundrum
One challenge that comes with a physical style of play is the propensity for taking penalties. The Flyers have had to kill numerous penalties, putting additional stress on their penalty killers and goaltenders. Striking the right balance between physicality and discipline will be crucial for their success.
What Lies Ahead?
As the Flyers continue their season, they must address their defensive issues while maintaining their physical identity. The offensive firepower is there, and if they can improve their goals-against average, they have the potential to be a playoff contender.
The Philadelphia Flyers' 6-5-1 start to the 2021-2022 season showcases their unique blend of physicality and offensive talent. While they've faced challenges defensively, their style of play has allowed them to control games and wear down opponents. With adjustments and improvements on the defensive side, the Flyers have the potential to be a force in the Eastern Conference. As they navigate the remainder of the season, one thing is certain: the physicality of the Flyers will continue to be a defining characteristic of their game.
FAQs
Q1: Who are some key players for the Philadelphia Flyers this season?
A1: Key players for the Flyers this season include Sean Couturier, Claude Giroux, and Carter Hart.
Q2: How does the Flyers' physical style of play impact their opponents?
A2: The Flyers' physicality can disrupt opponents' game plans, create turnovers, and wear down opposing players.
Q3: What has been a recurring issue for the Flyers this season?
A3: The Flyers have struggled defensively, giving up too many goals per game.
Q4: What will be crucial for the Flyers' success moving forward?
A4: Striking the right balance between physicality and defensive discipline will be crucial for the Flyers' success as they aim to tighten up their play in their own zone.
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