Defenseless Flyers Trounced by Bruins

Tuu muuch Tuukka!

I can try to be as creative as possible, but it’s hard when you write about the same thing over and over again. In tonights 5-1 shellacking the Flyers defense was pretty nonexistent, and the team completely lacked energy.  Sure, there were a few chances, but Tuukka Rask had his glove ready for anything. Anyone who has followed my blog knows that I’m not a fan of Leighton, but he is not at all to blame for this. There’s not too much a goalie can do when his defenders are letting everyone skate circles around them.  The forwards weren’t much help either, as they too stood around and watched.

I don’t know what it is with this group of players that constantly goes out and plays games with no enthusiasm.  Do they really have no pride, no desire, no will to go out and work hard night in and night out?  Two seasons ago this team made a surprise run to the Eastern Conference Finals.  Most of the main pieces are still there, and should be better then they were then. The additions to the roster should also be an upgrade.  Yet, this teams plays remarkably inconsistent, seeming almost heartless.  This is hard to fathom considering the combination of the dedication it took to become a professional player and the passion of Philadelphia hockey fans. Scoring streaks aside, I don’t see anybody really taking charge and leading the team.  Richards is not a vocal guy, and prefers to lead by example.  That’s fine, but he hasn’t been very noticeable since getting back from Vancouver (I know he’s put up points, I’m talking intangibles).  Is there anyone in this locker room that will flip some shit and get this team going?  Or are we doomed to see a repeat of last year, with another early playoff exit.

In the game tonight, Boston had no trouble breaking out of their zone.  Even more alarming, was how easily they skated around the Flyers end of the ice.  They had plenty of room to be as nasty as they wanted to be. The worst example came on the final goal of the game.  Bergeron came down the right side with speed directly at Pronger.  Prongs looked at the puck rather than the chest, and Bergeron slipped the puck through his legs, jumped past him, and sent a pass right in front of Boucher (he replaced Leighton after the fourth goal) that Sturm buried into an open net.  Knowing Prongers history, this is not a typical mistake that he makes, and this was probably one of those bad games that good players have.  But for the entire team to play poorly again, for pretty much the sixth straight game is pathetic.  Chicago comes to town next, and a similar effort by the Flyers will easily result in them giving up a 10-spot.

Thanks for reading!

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