Last night's matchup between the Flyers and the Capitals was widely considered a preview of a possible meeting of the teams in the first round of the playoffs.
The Flyers put to rest any notion that they could not go toe-to-toe with the Presidents' Trophy winners, beating the Caps in a shootout despite some questionable - to put it kindly - officiating.
Yes, the Orange and Black finally won a shootout in South Philly, breaking a curse that has lingered for many seasons. Steve Mason's glove save was one for the books.
But that got me thinking about the Curse of the Presidents' Trophy. The award goes to the team with the best regular season record in the NHL and guarantees home ice advantage throughout the playoffs.
However, only 8 of the 27 Presidents' Trophy winners have gone on to win the Stanley Cup, with several of the most recent winners being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
A curse? The jury's still out. Yet the Caps certainly got a taste of what might be waiting for them in a few short weeks. Having the best regular season is nice but it's no Stanley Cup.
Here's hoping that the Presidents' Trophy becomes for the Caps what it has for so many other teams - a consolation prize.
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Razor
I was as surprised as anyone to see that the Flyers signed Ray Emery to a tryout contract yesterday. I guess it makes sense to have a third goalie as insurance as the team heads down the stretch to the playoffs.
However, Emery was often criticized for his limited lateral movement, a residual effect of hip surgery to stave off avascular necrosis. His return to hockey was pretty amazing given his bleak prognosis; however, opposing teams capitalized on his known weakness in order to score.
In true Philadelphia fashion, he was once at the center of a goalie controversy with Steve Mason in 2014, when Emery went undefeated in regulation - including a win against the hated Penguins - while Mase went winless. The Flyers missed the playoffs, though, and Michal Neuvirth replaced Emery as Mase's backup in 2015.
Emery, nickname "Razor," is known for his aggressive play, commitment to hockey, and mentoring younger players. Yet he is also infamous for mugging the Caps' goalie Braden Holtby back in 2013 when the Caps were killing the Flyers 7-0 on home ice, following a Joel Ward hat trick.
I was at that game. Honestly, I love a good hockey fight as much as anyone, but that was not a good hockey fight. As Emery charged down the ice, Holtby signaled that he did not want to fight and Razor jumped him anyway. I truly felt as though I was witnessing assault and battery. If that fight had taken place anywhere but a professional hockey rink Razor would have been brought up on criminal charges. Emery didn't receive any supplemental discipline following the fight, which seems unfathomable today, given the punishment meted out by NHL Player Discipline on a regular basis.
No matter, that game is ancient history now, but I couldn't help but reflect on it with the Caps back in town and Emery embarking on his third run with the Flyers.
Whether or not we see Razor between the pipes is anyone's guess, but I doubt we'll see him in another goalie fight anytime soon.
However, Emery was often criticized for his limited lateral movement, a residual effect of hip surgery to stave off avascular necrosis. His return to hockey was pretty amazing given his bleak prognosis; however, opposing teams capitalized on his known weakness in order to score.
In true Philadelphia fashion, he was once at the center of a goalie controversy with Steve Mason in 2014, when Emery went undefeated in regulation - including a win against the hated Penguins - while Mase went winless. The Flyers missed the playoffs, though, and Michal Neuvirth replaced Emery as Mase's backup in 2015.
Emery, nickname "Razor," is known for his aggressive play, commitment to hockey, and mentoring younger players. Yet he is also infamous for mugging the Caps' goalie Braden Holtby back in 2013 when the Caps were killing the Flyers 7-0 on home ice, following a Joel Ward hat trick.
I was at that game. Honestly, I love a good hockey fight as much as anyone, but that was not a good hockey fight. As Emery charged down the ice, Holtby signaled that he did not want to fight and Razor jumped him anyway. I truly felt as though I was witnessing assault and battery. If that fight had taken place anywhere but a professional hockey rink Razor would have been brought up on criminal charges. Emery didn't receive any supplemental discipline following the fight, which seems unfathomable today, given the punishment meted out by NHL Player Discipline on a regular basis.
No matter, that game is ancient history now, but I couldn't help but reflect on it with the Caps back in town and Emery embarking on his third run with the Flyers.
Whether or not we see Razor between the pipes is anyone's guess, but I doubt we'll see him in another goalie fight anytime soon.
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Ghosting
To most, "ghosting" refers to leaving a party without saying goodbye or ending a relationship by simply disappearing.
But that was before Shayne Gostisbehere, the beloved "Ghost," came on the scene with the Flyers. It's high time to change the definition.
For Flyers fans, ghosting means a player who:
sets a record point streak by an NHL rookie defenseman
scores only tying or game winning goals
displays true talent by reading and making plays in a thrilling fashion
elevates and energizes the game of his teammates.
Usage: "Did you see that play at the blue line? He's ghosting again."
By all accounts, the Flyers' game winning overtime goal last night never should have happened. With 13 seconds left before a death sentence shootout, Ghost broke up a potential 2-on-1 rush by the Jets. With a move that can only be described as magical, he connected with Giroux, who buried the puck.
It was one of the best hockey plays I've ever seen. I can't remember the last time the Flyers had a player whose presence on the ice inspired so much confidence, or brought such excitement and joy to the game.
Ghost is something special. The book isn't yet closed on this season, but no matter what happens, he's surely the star of the story.
Image via phillyphaithful.com
But that was before Shayne Gostisbehere, the beloved "Ghost," came on the scene with the Flyers. It's high time to change the definition.
For Flyers fans, ghosting means a player who:
sets a record point streak by an NHL rookie defenseman
scores only tying or game winning goals
displays true talent by reading and making plays in a thrilling fashion
elevates and energizes the game of his teammates.
Usage: "Did you see that play at the blue line? He's ghosting again."
By all accounts, the Flyers' game winning overtime goal last night never should have happened. With 13 seconds left before a death sentence shootout, Ghost broke up a potential 2-on-1 rush by the Jets. With a move that can only be described as magical, he connected with Giroux, who buried the puck.
It was one of the best hockey plays I've ever seen. I can't remember the last time the Flyers had a player whose presence on the ice inspired so much confidence, or brought such excitement and joy to the game.
Ghost is something special. The book isn't yet closed on this season, but no matter what happens, he's surely the star of the story.
Image via phillyphaithful.com
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Haikus #PHIvsARI
Flyers left two in
the desert. Playoffs? In their
hands, only time tells.
Mason's mask askew,
Puck hits twine. A review and
a challenge, goal stands.
Giroux's head hits boards
Out cold. Simmer jumps, team fights
Forty seconds... loss.
Fans are groggy from
late night hockey, they wake up
Hope Flyers do too.
the desert. Playoffs? In their
hands, only time tells.
Mason's mask askew,
Puck hits twine. A review and
a challenge, goal stands.
Giroux's head hits boards
Out cold. Simmer jumps, team fights
Forty seconds... loss.
Fans are groggy from
late night hockey, they wake up
Hope Flyers do too.
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