Post-Game Talk: #57 FLYERS 5 at Wild 4, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019, 8:00 pm ET

[baudib1]

JVR played his 41st game of the season last night. He has 15 goals and 13 assists, on pace for 30 goals and 56 points over 82 games. He has 106 PP minutes on the year, compared to Simmonds who has 176. But he's outscored Simmonds, 6 goals to 5 (JVR has 1 assist, Simmonds has 3).

 

[Cody Webster]

Neuvirth died for Hextall’s/Hakstol’s sins.

Literally

Is he even alive? Haven't heard his named mentioned lately. Thought it was like a 2 week injury

 

[baudib1]

I'm also amused by the fact that the GDT was a shitshow pre-game with a discussion of how some people think it's totally reasonable to bench one of your best offensive players in a game you're trailing the whole way, and then Ghost actually does get benched and ends up with two assists anyway.

 

[gertbfrobe16]

I'm also amused by the fact that the GDT was a ****show pre-game with a discussion of how some people think it's totally reasonable to bench one of your best offensive players in a game you're trailing the whole way, and then Ghost actually does get benched and ends up with two assists anyway.

wasn't only pre game lol

 

[LegionOfDoom91]

Literally

Is he even alive? Haven't heard his named mentioned lately. Thought it was like a 2 week injury

I honestly have no idea. My guess is we’ve seen the last of him one way or another.

I’d have to imagine he’s a serious candidate to retire after his contract runs up this year. His body has taken a lot of abuse these last four years just here. When he does play he’s not even good anymore on top of it either.

 

[kudymen]

Looking at the GF, GA team totals across the conference is making me dizzy

 

[baudib1]

I honestly have no idea. My guess is we’ve seen the last of him one way or another.

I’d have to imagine he’s a serious candidate to retire after his contract runs up this year. His body has taken a lot of abuse these last four years just here. When he does play he’s not even good anymore on top of it either.

He might decide that just staying home and banging Gudas' sister is better than all this.

 

[GKJ]

This only makes any sense if every one of his seasons is like this. They haven't been, and they won't be.

Here’s the thing on that: if he doesn’t figure it out, and you’re wrong, you have Marc-Andre Bergeron on a bad contract instead. It’s a sell-low asset right now, but the real question lies in risk-aversion. He’s not playing for the regime that watched him put up 65 points after he went on record essentially saying he tuned out the coach. It’s one that’s seen gains made by other players while he makes mistakes that would’ve forced Matt Carle into witness protection.

 

[marcsson68]

He might decide that just staying home and banging Gudas' sister is better than all this.

He will get injured either way...

 

[Foggy14]

Neuvirth died for Hextall’s/Hakstol’s sins.

Yeah, but Neuvy's alright.

I'll always remember his .981 SV%, .67 GAA in the series against the Caps. Heck of a performance.

 

[kudymen]

I don't understand how someone could watch Voracek and not appreciate him. Utterly baffled.

Quietly on an 8 games point streak

 

[Beef Invictus]

Here’s the thing on that: if he doesn’t figure it out, and you’re wrong, you have Marc-Andre Bergeron on a bad contract instead. It’s a sell-low asset right now, but the real question lies in risk-aversion. He’s not playing for the regime that watched him put up 65 points after he went on record essentially saying he tuned out the coach. It’s one that’s seen gains made by other players while he makes mistakes that would’ve forced Matt Carle into witness protection.

Neither Carle nor MAB showed anything like Ghost's skillset.

 

[GKJ]

Neither Carle nor MAB showed anything like Ghost's skillset.

They haven’t. But is Ghost a 24-27 minute defenseman? Because that’s how you get to 70 points.

 

[Beef Invictus]

They haven’t. But is Ghost a 24-27 minute defenseman? Because that’s how you get to 70 points.

He doesn't need to get 70 points to still be a fantastic value.

And as recently as last year, he was perfectly fine as a 25 minute dman.

 

[GKJ]

He doesn't need to get 70 points to still be a fantastic value.

And as recently as last year, he was perfectly fine as a 25 minute dman.

His average last year was under 22, so it’s rational to assume that’s an abberation. If you’re thinking about being a top contender, someone on your defense unit has to be at that level

 

[DancingPanther]

Hagg: had to laugh when he shoveled a NZ backhand 9 foot pass to his partner's skates resulting in a 3-2 which was botched, luckily.

Ghost: that turnover to Kunin tells me he's all sorts of messed up. There honestly wasn't even a plan there. imo, best way to turn him around is to have him not be "the guy" on his pair. So he can just play and use his skills and anticipation. Enough Amac and Hagg. Get Provy and Ghost back together, get Sanheim and Gudas back together, and put Myers the f*** in there.

• Assist on the PP was nice though. Good shot selection- identified a lane and kept it low and hard
• Had a good chance on the 2nd pp too. I like how he's creeping up on the play, almost like a 5 on 3. Allows him to unload with some forward momentum, and that's how he scores a lot of those patented Ghost bombs that either hit net or end up giving JVR a rebound opportunity. Hopefully some bounces go his way and he gets some confidence back. 2 apples tonight might contribute.

Sanheim: loves that wide power move. I love it too. Turned into a pass today, works for me.

Stolarz: first goal was bad. Get to the post, my guy. That's 2 tonight. I forgive you after that amazing pad save though and an overall strong game.

AMac: smokes Coots with a shot. Shocking, I know.

Provorov: continuing to play well. Led another of one man band rushes

• Real nice outlet from goal to red line to Simmonds, who then stumbled and tried a spinning backhand pass to Patrick which was f***ed from the beginning. Shocking, I know. Good pass from Provy though
• That 3-1 in the 2nd where he raced up the NZ, distancing from backcheckers, then pulled a little half toe drag to change the angle on Dubnyk and ripped a seed on net. Nice.

Jake: what if I told you he is on a 8 game point streak? Shocking, I know. That play where he tried to wrap it around in the 1st with a Wild player draped all over him was just something else.

Can we please get some competency behind the bench for the first time in the last 5 years? Ghost benching in the 3rd and TK to the 4th line? The PP has to go stop being overthunked. Get G back to his spot and get Simmonds the f*** off of it. Have Patrick captain PP2 with Sanheim up top. Nevertheless, it got it done tonight. Yay. PK stepped up too. That's the difference- if they pot a PPG or 2 yesterday they come out on top.

Strong special teams and goaltending gives you a chance to win and sets the table for comebacks. Both of those happened tonight. I hope Ghost builds on this and really hope we see Myers on Saturday.

 

[Freddy The Fog]

So glad Sanheim was benched by Hakstink and demoted, otherwise he would never have progressed so well.

Thanks Hak.

You were the best ever.

Please come back and coach in the NHL again. Preferably in Pittsburgh were I promise to really support your career.

 

[Sombastate]

Yeah, but Neuvy's alright.

I'll always remember his .981 SV%, .67 GAA in the series against the Caps. Heck of a performance.

I was at this game. I looked at the girl i went with during warm ups and said "He doesn't look right"

 

[BiggE]

Literally

Is he even alive? Haven't heard his named mentioned lately. Thought it was like a 2 week injury

He was last seen getting into a car with 3 guys in ill fitting suits, one holding a box cannolis.

 

[VladDrag]

When Patrick is moving his feet he's unstoppable. He's actually one of the few players on this team who can make skilled plays while moving at top speed. I don't understand why he spent 2/3 of the season just floating.

Imo, it was confidence. He is getting to more traffic areas, and trying things he wasn’t earlier in the year

 

[VladDrag]

Yeah, but Neuvy's alright.

I'll always remember his .981 SV%, .67 GAA in the series against the Caps. Heck of a performance.

He had the ability to get hot and steal games. If he didn’t have injury concerns he’s a capable NHL caliber 1A/1B type starter. Or an extremely strong backup imo.

 

[MacDonald4MVP]

JVR is the silent assassin. He on top PP all year, easily 30 plus goals.

Myers has to come in , one of 8 or 47 have to come out

He has career high sh% though.

 

[Hiesenberg]

Ghost played 11 mins, huh?

TK played 10 mins?

Gordon getting close to the playoffs seems to have changed his coaching style?

Provy played 30?

 

[VladDrag]

He has career high sh% though.

It’s not crazy high tho. 16.7% isn’t likely sustainable, but it’s not far off a sustainable % of 12-14%.

That puts him around 11-13ish goals in 41 gp. Or 22-26 goals in 82.

 

[Psuhockey]

Here’s the thing on that: if he doesn’t figure it out, and you’re wrong, you have Marc-Andre Bergeron on a bad contract instead. It’s a sell-low asset right now, but the real question lies in risk-aversion. He’s not playing for the regime that watched him put up 65 points after he went on record essentially saying he tuned out the coach. It’s one that’s seen gains made by other players while he makes mistakes that would’ve forced Matt Carle into witness protection.

If Ghost alone was having these terrible turnovers, I would say there is something to worry about with him however it’s the entire defense. So unless guys like Provorov, Ghost and Sanheim all forgot how to play hockey or are all terribly overrated, there might be a team system element at play that some better coaching could fix.