Post-Game Talk: #56: Flyers at Devils, Tuesday, February 16, 2016

[orangecrush8]

Back reading the GDT I came across a hilarious comment saying he was indescribably bad defensively tonight, and the anti-Ghost in that respect. Of course the possession numbers from the game tell the exact opposite story. Ghost is already an incredible points machine, but he's not yet a dman you can put in any situation and except him to break even in shot attempts.

Context pal. That comment was mine and it was specifically related to the fact that Macdonald conceeds the zone far too often. There were several situations where it was a 2 on 2, 1 on 2 or even 1 on 3 where Macdonald continuously backed into the zone essentially gifting the Devils a scoring chance. Ghost has shown he isn't afraid to challenge the opposition upon zone entry. Hence the anti Ghost comment.

 

[BringBackHakstol]

Is it me or did the Devils dive for 60 straight minutes, almost non-stop? They know their best chance at scoring is on the PP because their O is nonexistent 5v5.

Devils are a fraud team that will get worked hard in the playoffs when PP's are harder to come by

 

[sabremike]

Lol what happened tonight should have been nothing more than a 2 min minor for interference.

Are you lurking around our message board waiting to pounce on Gudas?

Nope, I go down to Philly all the time and like the Flyers and their fans. They are one of the only NHL teams that doesn't put me in a coma.

 

[AndHeMissedTheNet]

Not much to complain about regarding this particular game.

That being said, at what point do we start getting concerned about Laughton? He's a healthy scratch when they're this thin at center? Hak would rather start Raffl as the 3rd line center over him?

Cousins has been playing well, have to imagine they want to get a real good look at him until Couts comes back. Might have to make a difficult roster decision if they decide he deserves to stay.

 

[Hiesenberg]

Basically Cousins looks like what we hoped Laughton would've been. My concern is minimal because of this.

Let Laughton sit it out and possibly hit the reset button.

 

[Curufinwe]

When MacDonald had the worst Corsi Rel against the Rags it was all over Twitter and posted in the post game thread as if one game was conclusive evidence of something, with no mention of his OZ start % only being 20.

When Ghost has the worst Corsi Rel against the Devils it's ignored, despite him getting 77% OZ starts, highest on the defense. It just shows how desperate some people are to bury MacDonald because of his overly large, overly long contract.

 

[FlyersFan61290]

As far as the Gudas play goes, it was illegal and completely pointless but I don't think it was worthy of a major. It put the team in a bad position and in a big game. Lucky it didn't cost them...this time.

Anybody have a clip or gif of the flop?

 

[Hiesenberg]

So wait...Cousins is smaller than Laughton???

ESPN has Cousins @ 5'9" and Laughton @ 6'1".

No way Laughton is 6'1"

 

[FlyersFan61290]

So wait...Cousins is smaller than Laughton???

ESPN has Cousins @ 5'9" and Laughton @ 6'1".

No way Laughton is 6'1"

I thought he was 6'0" but everywhere I've checked has him listed as 6'1" so I guess he is and Yes Cousins is smallish.

They were both bulldogs on the fore check in juniors, I think Laughton relied on his man body to dominate physically while Cousins was still smaller but found a way (positioning and determination). Cousins game looks like it could translate to the NHL better then Laughton's but it's still too early IMO.

 

[Appleyard]

So wait...Cousins is smaller than Laughton???

ESPN has Cousins @ 5'9" and Laughton @ 6'1".

No way Laughton is 6'1"

Laughton is likely just under 6'1 in reality. He was measured at 6'0.5 at the combine... and is a similar height to Schenn when side by side, but Schenn does seem a smidge taller.

Cousins is listed at 5'11 (and ~188-190 in most up to date listings) most places. He was measured at 5'10 flat at the combine. The truth is probably closer to 5'10.

 

[LegionOfDoom91]

Devils are a fraud team that will get worked hard in the playoffs when PP's are harder to come by

They're like Montreal. They rely too heavy on their starting goalie to cover up the flaws of their team. A great goaltender can only take you so far in this league.

Schneider would probably keep them in most of the games & even steal a couple but they'd be a first round exit if they make the playoffs.

 

[VanFlyer]

Both. He's reaching Raffi Torres/Kaletta/Matt Cooke territory at this point. Someone needs to sit him down because he is eventually going to cost you a game getting a major.

If I am the coach / gm, I let him sit upstairs eating popcorn the rest of the year. Two games in a row he has made needless boneheaded physical plays. I love physical hockey and I love revenge hockey, but his play against the rangers and this play tonight had nothing to do with the game and were flat out stupid. Give him bag skates everyday and a popcorn bag up in the press box until the end of the year.

 

[Curufinwe]

Context pal. That comment was mine and it was specifically related to the fact that Macdonald conceeds the zone far too often. There were several situations where it was a 2 on 2, 1 on 2 or even 1 on 3 where Macdonald continuously backed into the zone essentially gifting the Devils a scoring chance. Ghost has shown he isn't afraid to challenge the opposition upon zone entry. Hence the anti Ghost comment.

I read the same **** about MacDonald all last season and the CA numbers never supported it. If a player was that bad at conceding the zone compared to the team's other dmen, it would necessarily lead to him allowing the most shot attempts per minute unless he was being very heavily sheltered the way Manning has been. However, MacDonald was nowhere near doing that, he was actually third best in CA/60. But why let facts get in the way of a fun narrative.

 

[Hiesenberg]

Laughton is likely just under 6'1 in reality. He was measured at 6'0.5 at the combine... and is a similar height to Schenn when side by side, but Schenn does seem a smidge taller.

Cousins is listed at 5'11 (and ~188-190 in most up to date listings) most places. He was measured at 5'10 flat at the combine. The truth is probably closer to 5'10.

Cousins plays bigger, seems tougher to get off the puck and does more damage when he lays a hit.

I'm shocked.

 

[VanFlyer]

So Ghost is firmly in 5th spot with 32 points for Rookies. He can definitely catch 2, 3 & 4. Panarin will be tough, don't see it happening.

However, what people may start to take notice is that he's also up there in goals for a rookie as well. Leader is Panarin @ 19. Ghost now has 11. One is a damn D-man. I hope they are noticing that.

He's also ******** all over the PP points.

I don't get to see many games living abroad, but what I saw tonight is that he is really good at making outlet passes (so not always using his jets to get up ice). The other thing is that it seems that every time he is on the ice, something is happening. I havent seen panarin, but his stats are pretty impressive.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Couturier is apparently ahead of schedule. Updates could come tomorrow on the three injured parties (MDZ, Weal, too).

 

[Hiesenberg]

Well Weal was just announced to be out for 3 weeks today, right?

I assume the updates are the actual information of the injury?

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Well Weal was just announced to be out for 3 weeks today, right?

I assume the updates are the actual information of the injury?

I don't think the specifics will be released unless surgery is something needed. That is standard for player injuries, non-specific unless accompanied by surgery and that may be an option in this case.

The fact that "weeks" was issued as a timetable is foretelling. Normally, there would be a "indefinitely" or "day-to-day" if something ominous wasn't expected.

 

[Hurricane28]

Some winnable games coming up followed by a 6 game home stand. If Coots comes back earlier than expected...maybe just maybe...

 

[CutOnDime97]

As far as the Gudas play goes, it was illegal and completely pointless but I don't think it was worthy of a major. It put the team in a bad position and in a big game. Lucky it didn't cost them...this time.

Anybody have a clip or gif of the flop?

https://vine.co/v/ivnBVdwDVIE

 

[GhostIsBae]

https://vine.co/v/ivnBVdwDVIE

What an embarassing flop. Wow. Should have just been 2 mins for embellishment.

What's worse is the devils announcers trying to defend this guy. "there's a nerve around there" yeah bs. He had that moment of hesitation to process it and jump up in the air like he got shot. Lookout decaprio, blandisi might steal the oscar from you this year.

 

[onlylordsvsmorebp]

i really think that was the single worst embellishment ive ever seen.

 

[Juicy Pop]

Next point is G's 500th!

 

[klutch]

When MacDonald had the worst Corsi Rel against the Rags it was all over Twitter and posted in the post game thread as if one game was conclusive evidence of something, with no mention of his OZ start % only being 20.

When Ghost has the worst Corsi Rel against the Devils it's ignored, despite him getting 77% OZ starts, highest on the defense. It just shows how desperate some people are to bury MacDonald because of his overly large, overly long contract.

Yep, I say it often. MacDonald is by no means a horrible defensmen. Just overpaid by a few million with length. Other teams would gladly take him on as a mid-bottom pairing dman to make a playoff push. I'm fine with MacDonald playing where he's at. Way better than Manning to say the least

 

[onlylordsvsmorebp]

not big guys but i can see both konecny and cousins becoming huge pain in the ass guys to play against. fearless little ****ers too.