EHM The Blue Line

I'm in the 2019-2020 season with the flyers, and if I could say something is holding me back, it'd be goaltending. In my opinion I have a good team, but year after year my goaltending has struggled, Mason only having one year that I'd consider up to par (2016-2017.) I've sadly yet to make the playoffs with this flyers team, and I think it's mostly goaltending. The other teams controlled by AI don't seem to have these issues, so I really would like to know if I just need to trade for a new starter, or if theres some tactics that will help mason play better.

The problem may also be your overall defending!?

I agree with CJ. That defense is very young after the top 2. And the top 2 really are miscast. Del Zotto is not really a #1 dman, and SHattenkirk is a decent #2. You need help there.

Your team up front looks pretty young as well, and not exactly built to play in their own end. I hate to see guys like Giroux (although capable), Raffl, Couturier killing penalties. Komarov is fine, but not exactly a stud defesnsively in the game I do not believe. Lots of offense and okay 2 way players who lean towards offense.

A good team, not a great team. And there is not much physical going on there outside your fourth line wingers. I would bring in a big strong boy or two on the top 3 lines.

I see one huge issue with your Flyers team. Total lack of defense. Del Zaster and Shattenkirk is nothing near a good top pair. Depending on who I'm playing with, I always go for a top notch D-man or two unless I have a decent D-man already. It's important as hell, I even overpay to get it.

Another difference I would suggest, is giving your best defensive defensemen more time 5 on 5. Or pair one OFF and one DEF D-man. I have a lot of success with that.

Another factor, Mason isn't really that good, at least that's my experience.

From my previous experience, Mason is solid. It is possible to get with him AvR over 7.50, SV% over 92 % etc.

Just the guys in front of him have to help him more. Try to split Provorov and Sanheim (e.g. Sanheim-Morin, Rissanen-Provorov) and tune your tactics (backcheck hard with at least one defender and one forward, do not set everyone to attacking mentality etc.). If possible, get one solid mobile D, who is not just one dimensional.
If not, MDZ and Shattenkirk should be fine, I had a lot of success with top pair MDZ-Streit and that is way worse then MDZ-Shattenkirk..

Also you can set your goalies to Stay in the crease, very safe passing, very defensive mentality. This help me as well. I do not know, how in this save developed trio of your LWs, but to me this roster looks like capable reaching post-season.

batdad wrote:I agree with CJ. That defense is very young after the top 2. And the top 2 really are miscast. Del Zotto is not really a #1 dman, and SHattenkirk is a decent #2. You need help there.

Your team up front looks pretty young as well, and not exactly built to play in their own end. I hate to see guys like Giroux (although capable), Raffl, Couturier killing penalties. Komarov is fine, but not exactly a stud defesnsively in the game I do not believe. Lots of offense and okay 2 way players who lean towards offense.

A good team, not a great team. And there is not much physical going on there outside your fourth line wingers. I would bring in a big strong boy or two on the top 3 lines.

Thank you, I may feel like they really are better than they are because, well I'm biased
and yes, my defense is still young, and not the best. Del zotto surprisingly has developed well in my game to borderline top 2, but still probably not there. My defense does need work, if only I had someone like hank to carry me

sao.phim wrote:Also you can set your goalies to Stay in the crease, very safe passing, very defensive mentality. This help me as well. I do not know, how in this save developed trio of your LWs, but to me this roster looks like capable reaching post-season.

I agree that this team is capable of post-season play, as they've at times played dominantly, but then I always tend to go on mid-season losing streaks and fall out of playoff contention, almost every season.. I feel like a genius gm after drafting Pius Suter in the fourth round, this is his nhl career so far