A week and a half out from the trade deadline and rumors are:
the Flyers could acquire some new talent; this change could give them some hope
at the chance to finish the season with a little dignity. In order for this team to make the play offs
they would have to win 10 of their final 16 games. Winning is not something the
Flyers are consistently good at and it is doubtful that a few changes would fix
anything. One can only wonder what is going through Laviolette’s mind as he
tries to coach this team. Last night the Flyers had home ice advantage over the
Ranger who won 5-2 in a game where the Flyers struggled to look alive on the
ice. The Flyers have been consistent
only in their mistakes on the ice and have even been finding more ways to loss
games. There was no lack of mistakes last night; this team is all around in
shambles and there is not one single person to blame. Let’s review:
Wayne Simmonds
One of the top scorers for the Flyers, Wayne Simmonds had a
very rough night and it is going to be a very rough day in the mirror for
Simmonds in light of a few incidents. Last night as Luke Schenn attempted to
clear the puck out of the danger zone, it struck Simmonds’ visor-free face sending
him to the locker room. Simmonds’ would return to the game with a burst of energy
and make a lucky goal in the 2nd period during a power play, where
he scored via a puck reflection off of his skate. Finishing out the game
battered and bruised, Simmonds set an example for the team, who mostly were
asleep during the entire 60 minutes of play. Unfortunately, the night did not
simply end there for Simmonds, who also took a few sticks to the face curtsey of
the Rangers. Post game Simmonds said:
“..The losses are just a result of us not coming to battle shift after
shift. To win games in this league that's what you have to do and it just
didn't happen tonight."
Ilya Bryzgalov
One of the best players during the last few
games, Ilya Bryzgalov, the goaltender was lights out last night. When the puck was coming, he was no where to
be found. Often pucks came against no
resistance and an unguarded net. Where was Bryzgalov the entire game? And, why
did Laviolette not switch out goaltenders? One of the biggest mistakes
Laviolette made during the game was not realizing it was time for a change. As
the trade deadline approaches hopefully he will be able to find a talented backup
goaltender to add to the roaster. Post game Bryzgalov said:
"For me it seems like one team really was to play and wants to win
the game and the other team not so much. It was obvious since the puck was
dropped. I think that was the main difference in the game."
Claude Girioux
During the crucial
homestand, right when there needed to be leadership on the ice the team captain
Claude Girioux was no where to be found. Nothing much came from Girioux until 3rd
period when he got lucky and deflected a shot off of Jakub Voracek’s chest and
bounced the puck into the goal. Right at that moment the team was coming back,
3-2 score on the board with plenty of time to turn the game around. That did
not happen. It was such a disappointment to see the disconnect between these
players.
Scott Hartnell
A super star
veteran, Scott Hartnell continues to struggle. Another lack of leadership from
one of the Alternate Captains, seeing him not perform is a major disappointment
but not a surprise. Hartnell has not really offered much all season, except for
cheap shots and shocked looks when he gets sent to the penalty box. It seems as if the Flyers only keep him around
in hopes he returns to the shinning hockey player he was in years past. Hartnell
is a best player of the past, he has not shown up this season and its time to
cut him loose. Hartnell you’re old go home!
The whole
unit of the Flyers team completely fell apart last night; the lack of
leadership and lack of awareness were among so many of the mistakes that lead
to their down fall. The Flyers can
pretty much be assured they will not be making play offs with the way they have
been playing lately. They would have to
win 10 out of 16 games and it is highly unlikely that they will turn it around
this late in the season. This season has
really put Laviolette in no position to be considered to coach the 2014 USA winter
Olympic Hockey team in Russia. The GM
and Laviolette have some difficult decisions to make as the trading deadline
approaches. The Flyers could use a forward, a back up goaltender and some
talent on the blue line. But, will that even be enough to break the ice on this
teams problems? Laviolette had a pretty profound reaction post game:
"It's a disappointing night. We needed to compete better than we
did and we didn't."
This loss was certainly not the fault of poor
coaching, but unprepared players. From watching Laviolette on the bench, it is
clear that he is pouring his heart into this team and it is a shame that they
are not rising to the occasion. With last night’s loss, the Flyers are 7 points
away from a play off spot. With 16 games left in the season, the Flyers face a
very challenging schedule. Kimmon Timonen’s post game statement says it all:
"I think it always comes down to individual preparation. You're
either ready or play or you're not. A lot of people blame coaches, but if we're
out there making plays, like I said you have to be ready to play or not. When you're
not ready to play you'll lose one-on-one battles a lot. "
I can only
imagine that Coach Laviolette is yelling: “Let’s fucking gitty-up and go”
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