Boucher injured as Flyers fall
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Boucher injured as Flyers fall
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Can it get any lower?
I don't see how.
The Flyers lost another goalie, lost another game, and were lost for answers after Monday's 4-1 loss to visiting Florida.
Brian Boucher cut the ring finger on his right hand while making a diving save early in the second period. He was replaced by Michael Leighton, who allowed the final two goals.
Boucher is expected to miss one game, and the Flyers plan to recall Johan Backlund for Wednesday's game in Tampa.
For Florida, it was sweet revenge for a 5-1 loss to the Flyers on Oct. 24, a game in which Mike Richards gave David Booth a concussion with an open-ice hit. Booth hasn't played since that night.
Florida dominated the special teams. The Panthers were 3 for 8 on the power play, and they killed all seven of their penalties.
"We came in here and I think we righted some wrongs," Florida coach Peter DeBoer said. "That’s why Bryan McCabe is our captain. He took care of business in the first period, set the tone for us, and we just competed hard tonight for sixty minutes. We got a lot of contributions from a lot of different people.”
McCabe fought Richards to a draw in the first period.
The Flyers have scored nine goals in their last 10 losses; they are 2-7-1 under new coach Peter Laviolette.
“There are players in there that have proven that they can play, win, and be successful," Laviolette said. "Right now that’s not happening for us. I think everybody has to take a look at it, dig a little bit deeper and work a little bit harder. We seem timid to make plays; we need to make plays, and there are skilled players in that room. Execute the plays, do it with a purpose and do it with a passion.”
The players say Laviolette's system isn't the problem; they say it's their execution.
Whatever the reason, the Flyers (15-18-2) are seven points out of the eighth playoff seeding. That seems impossible when you consider that the Flyers began the season 12-5-1 under John Stevens.
The problem is the players. Time to change some faces-just have to decide if it's to save this season or to rebuild/retool for the future.— JSaq- Flyers season ticket holder who is seriously considering not to re-new for next year. Instead I will get Devil's season tickets, much better product.— zammer25
- Even the fights were lifeless and dull tonight.— AreaMan
- Legion of Suck at its finest...good to see not much has changed since 06...bring back Foppa and our journey towards the darkside will be complete!— pucky88
- It just amazes me how an entire team can be timid. I completely with PL about that. I went to the game on Saturday and even I picked up that the team was hesitating at taking shots, giving hits, and getting a little physical to take possession of a puck. I know that there are a lot of young guys on this team, but for the guys that have been around for 2-3 years, they should have learned from the veterans the intensity that needs to be brought to the ice for all 82 games. This should carry over to the young guys like JvR/Giroux, who should be hungry to prove that they are everything that they have been hyped up to be. I'm not seeing any of that. This whole team needs to step it up. This was supposed to be a Stanley Cup caliber club out there, but these guys should understand that predictions don't mean anything.— jpotts89
JVR is not NHL ready despite his 10 points in his 1st 12 games or whatever it was...what has he done since November 10th? Zip... I can't remember the last time I heard his name other than, "He dumps the puck in..." Giroux, Carter, and Carcillo, to me, seem to be the only ones who are giving 100% night in and night out. The only reason Richards fought tonight was because he was targeted by Florida after that hit on Booth. What is it going to take for them to strip the 'C' off of him and acknowledge that he is not ready for it? I guess the problem is that Pronger hasn't done squat to earn the C either... Carter is the only one who deserves to wear the Capataincy right now, except for Gagne, and that's because Gags gets a pass for missing the last 6 weeks or so. Heck, I would put it on Carcillo based on effort, but that would signify an epic failure.— kjuggs77- Bring Kovalchuk here. It can and has to be done.— ChopItDown
- I've never seen anything like this. This team all of a sudden can't score goals. Everyone doesn't go in a slump at the same time. This is mental. I've never been so frustrated with a Flyers team. It truly is pathetic. Trade the whole team away. I rather we bring in some new players as these guys have lost me.— ChrisM
- Mike Richards is no Bobby Clarke.— JBP
- Right now it is all about lack of confidence. You can see it so clearly on the ice. They are hesitant about everything and right now the defense is in a mess as well. Bringing Hartnell to the Flyers was a huge mistake. The guy makes 4 million and all he is doing is taking stupid penalties. I never want to see that clown in a Flyers jersey anymore. Maybe Holmgren (and the rest of us) did overestimate the Flyers this year. But no matter what, the team is NOT this terribly bad! I think it's too late to make any major changes this year. Let it play and see what happens. I would strip Richards of his C and try to get rid of Hartnell and possibly even Briere or Gagne if that is possible after this season. Gagne is a great player but he is over the top. And Briere has a silly contract that should have never been signed.— Ruffles
- The Flyers are 6 games under .500 since the Upshall-Carcilla trade. While the guy gives an effort everynight, he's not a good NHL player. He can't take a pass cleanly, he hesitates w the puck on breakouts causing offsides, and while he brings energy, it's mostly misdirected, like instead of digging out a puck in the offensive zone, he starts shoving matches, or my fav is when he starts a shoving match in the d zone while the Flyers are moving up ice on an odd man rush. But at this point the team is filled with DUMB players, so Carcilla fits right in.— Zeke24a
- I'm out of words to describe this mess. Even Pronger looked lazy. Carcillo looks like the best player out there. I don't get it. I'll say it again, blow it up already.— rob611
Richards doesnt want to be a hockey player anymore. Its too much hard work— Inchon- I think they're trying too hard, they need to stop thinking and play hockey, operative word PLAY— imnamerican
- I am not loving Laviolette's new system. Someone please help this team!!!!!— jacdjc1
