The Flyers are not going to make it to the next round if they continue to keep playing this way. The second and third games against the Montreal Canadiens are proof of that. Both teams are evenly matched at the moment, so the Flyers need to step things up significantly. Head Coach Alain Vigneault said it early on at Training Camp last Fall, “Be a f****ing Flyer” now it’s time for the Flyers to bring that intensity. The orange and black have been sloppy, had multiple turnovers, uncharacteristic off-sides, icings, and penalties. Everyone is salivating for the Cup and our hungry dogs need to skate much faster.
By now everyoneI has seen the video of the team stick tapping the ice for Oskar Lindblom at practice. I thought that was what would drive our Flyers through the third game, it did not. During the third game there seemed to be bursts of positive energy from the Flyers, but that did not last long. The Flyers kept turning the puck over. Moreover, Carter Hart bailed them out over and over again. The defense has to be stronger, and the forwards have to be more aggressive. It is the only way they will make it to the next round.
I understand the pandemic and civil unrest have taken a toll on everyone’s psyche, and I get that they all miss their families, friends, etc. At the end of the day, I can understand the exhaustion of the mental toll it could take on a person. Moreover, playing without the energy from the crowd and fans is not ideal, and I am not unsympathetic to any of this. I do get it, but these are the cards that have been dealt.
What the Flyers need right now is a boost. I had a thought of doing something similar to Tampa Bay’s glass idea. One can only imagine how energizing it must be to come out and see that pane of glass covered in signatures and well wishes. Better yet, maybe Flyers management could hold a pep rally for season ticket holders at the Wells Fargo Center which could be broadcasted to the players (Following the rules, and protocols set forth for Covid), But, who am I to suggest such things? I am only a novice writer.
Possibly Flyers management could make a highlight reel video from the 2010 Playoffs. The Flyers beat the New Jersey Devils in five games. It took seven games for them to win against the Boston Bruins. Moreover, the Flyers beat the Montreal Canadiens in five games, en route to losing lost the Stanley Cup Finals in six games to the Chicago Blackhawks. I remember the standing ovation from the crowd that night after the Flyers lost it was amazing. In the end, I can assure you if Flyers management were to show this team the highlights of the 2010 run, then it could possibly make a difference. It would remind them of how strong being a Flyer is. They need that 2010 grit, they need a Mike Richards empty net goal against Jaroslav Halak. The Canadiens defenseman Roman Hamrlik was slow on the puck retrieval, and goalie Jaroslav Halak came out of the net. Those two collided with each other, and Richards was quick to get up, put his stick on the puck and shoot it in net. The Flyers also could use a Chris Pronger to stir things up by throwing out pucks. Simply put, the Flyers need something to get into the heads of their opponents.
The bottom line is that the Flyers need some life to be injected into this team. I for one, do not want to see another season end without a Cup victory.
