Flyers: After having that huge slump at the end of 2009, this team has turned it around and been one of the top three hottest teams since mid December. They rank third in the Atlantic division and sixth in the conference with 55 points as of Jan 24. I have had the chance to watch more of these games and it seems like the leaders are finally coming to the top and carrying this team.
Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Chris Pronger and Danny Briere are the four players I think of first when I think of this team. Through the slump, it almost looked as if Carter and Richards forgot how to play and stopped playing with their love for the game. Recently, this has changed as they have regained that edge that they need to have to succeed. Richards is stepping up as the captain of this team and making good decisions passing and on his shots.
The Flyers had the honor of playing in the Winter Classic this year, and even though they lost in overtime, I believe that game put things in perspective. They would not have been playing in the classic unless the league believed they were a team that deserved it and they are starting to show that. The backup goalies have played a large part of the success as of late with the injury to Emery. Michael Leighton rose to the opportunity and went 8-1-1 in 12 games with a 2.34 goals against average. New coach Laviolette turned the spot between the posts to Emery when he was ready to return but the recent Flyers record can be attributed to Leighton.
The Fly Guys have gone 6-4-1 in the month of January and are coming off of a tough defeat at the hands of the rival Penguins, who took the season series. They could not capitalize on the multiple power plays and could not catch a break, hitting the post on numerous occasions. Let's go one game before that. They managed a 2-0 shutout of the Rangers thanks to the aggressive play of Carcillo and Hartnell combined with the star effort of Mike Richards. I was never a huge fan of Carcillo just because of his mustache but the intensity he brings to the ice every game, putting his body out there, really drives this team. Players like him Hartnell and Asham have done a great job of keeping the hitting and taking no prisoners mentality. On a defensive note, I believe Kimmo Timonen has been the best player on defense for this team and it is also good to see young players like James Van Riemsdyk and Oscars Bartulis succeed on their offensive and defensive roles.
APTER THOUGHTS: The future of this season lies in the hands of the leaders. If Richards and Carter keep up their play and the defense continues to kill the power play like it has. I think the Flyers will be one of the hottest teams in the second half of the season and end up anywhere from 5-8 in the conference. Once they get their, I believe their playoff experience can carry them as high as the conference finals, or at least until they play the Penguins as past years have shown.
Good analysis of the flyguys. What are your thoughts on the referee conspiracies around the NHL, involving not only the Flyers, but also Vancouver and various other teams?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Zanan in your analysis, but I'd like to know your thoughts on all the 'issues' off the ice between Richards and the media and if you think what occurs off the ice effects the game in itself or just his role as capt?
ReplyDeleteI cannot say too much about the ref conspiracies around the NHL but I believe it happens in every sport. Calls going one way and not the other. Especially since I watch the Flyers, we see it all the time when they get hooked or tripped and then we get called for retaliating. It is kinda ridiculous but to be honest if it becomes in issue, they should do what the NBA did and just school new refs and bring in fresh blood....as for Richards off the ice...I don't think the Richards thing is making an impact on the ice for him but I believe that letting that kinda stuff get to him will make people question that captain name. I believe the captain needs to go through these things and be able to ignore the media. The media will always boast things up so much more than need be (i.e. Carcillo vs. Gaborik) but I think he let it get to him. That was not too good of an idea on his part but on the other side, this reporter was the same guy who made Brett Myers go ballistic. I think that when you are in the heat of the game, it carries over to post game interviews and sometimes emotions get the best of you. I think he will learn not to let this affect him in the future and just step up to be the captain this team needs.
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