Day 119 - Benevolent Flyers Give Western Conference a Point

I can't believe that the Flyers won that game. The played absolutely flat and uninspired - like a bunch of ugly people taking the uptown 6 train to their cubicles and annoying co-workers. The Kings are currently the worst team in the NHL and the Flyers are toying with hopes of a decent play-off run. The Red Wings have beaten the Kings 4-1, 6-2, and most recently 3-0 this season. The Flyers are currently 2nd in the Eastern Conference but hardly ever look it. They are managing to win, which is most important of all, but they can't put together a significant stretch of strong defense, good passing, and significant scoring chances. Their break-outs last night were abhorrent. If it wasn't a bad first pass from the defense then it was a good pass that the forwards couldn't handle for some reason. The Red Wings treat the Kings like shit and so should've we.

I hope John Stevens is driving it into their heads today that every pass needs to be perfect, every move decisive and with purpose. If a player is forced to chip a puck up the boards those forwards who weren't open have to make up for it and win that puck, get it deep, and bang (not each other). Sami Kapanen was the only Flyer consistently showing fire out there last night. I know the forecheck turned extremely passive out there and am fine with that - it's a proven technique. That does not mean, however, that the lowest forward (aka Mike Richards) 's demeanor should reflect that of my aunt on a Sunday skate, twirling around with one hand on his stick in front of the net.

Flashes of intensity - Coburn on Brian Willsie, Sami running through the boards, Upshall getting roughed up after the whistle - breed energy among the other players. They lead to turnovers and chances, and these lead to a sense of getting closer to scoring - which is the strongest encouragement available. When players feel a goal coming on they want the puck and it's easier to work hard.

I'd like to see one game where it looks like the Flyers are blowing lines before the game and between every period.

Listened to: Fiction Planes - Two Sisters