Damn. A friend of mine went to the game and posted this about an hour ago on facebook...

Nothing puts a damper on a hockey game like a guy having a heart attack eight rows in front of you. Apparently, he didn't make it.
- tangent_man

wow, sure brings reality back in a hurry.

best wishes to the guys family.

Damn. A friend of mine went to the game and posted this about an hour ago on facebook...

Nothing puts a damper on a hockey game like a guy having a heart attack eight rows in front of you. Apparently, he didn't make it.
- tangent_man

That'll definitely put a damper on the mood for the surrounding fans, but when it's time, it's time. And I can think of worse places than checking out at a Flyers game.

JSaq said this a while back, and for the most part, I've tried to do this (with a couple of debates, here and there, because we all get frustrated): We should all do our best to enjoy the ride with this team, when possible

They're flawed, have some youth/inexperience, but they have played pretty damn well for a long time

I would hope, after the last two games, we can retire the narrative that Vinny can't play anymore -- he has limitations, but he is still a capable NHL player who we need to play well

I'll try to be less critical of Baby Schenn, as well -- we need him to play well, too
- AllInForFlyers

That's all it is, in the long run...a ride. Unless, of course, you've wagered the house on a Stanley Cup winning season; then I can see someone writhing through each and every play.

JSaq said this a while back, and for the most part, I've tried to do this (with a couple of debates, here and there, because we all get frustrated): We should all do our best to enjoy the ride with this team, when possible

They're flawed, have some youth/inexperience, but they have played pretty damn well for a long time

I would hope, after the last two games, we can retire the narrative that Vinny can't play anymore -- he has limitations, but he is still a capable NHL player who we need to play well

I'll try to be less critical of Baby Schenn, as well -- we need him to play well, too
- AllInForFlyers

Amen to that.
The way I look at it, after the way they started making playoffs is just gravy
this year.

Mase and this team are battlers.

Amen to that.
The way I look at it, after the way they started making playoffs is just gravy
this year.

Mase and this team are battlers.
- Marc D

They've far exceeded my expectations on the year. I didn't think they would make the playoffs, so all of this is great to me.

With Downie apparently close to returning, having 4 lines that have the ability to generate offense and actually have a chance to score will help them immensely. This team doesn't quit. It will be a fun ride in the playoffs.

With Downie apparently close to returning, having 4 lines that have the ability to generate offense and actually have a chance to score will help them immensely. This team doesn't quit. It will be a fun ride in the playoffs.
- ravishingone

I still think Vinny should stay on the 4th line. What a weapon that line has been.

I still think Vinny should stay on the 4th line. What a weapon that line has been.
- Giroux_Is_God

I don't think Berube is going to tinker with the lines, but I wonder if he puts Downie back on the Coots line and drops Raffl to play with Vinny? It is a good problem to have this many forwards who are just more then muckers and grinders.

JSaq said this a while back, and for the most part, I've tried to do this (with a couple of debates, here and there, because we all get frustrated): We should all do our best to enjoy the ride with this team, when possible

They're flawed, have some youth/inexperience, but they have played pretty damn well for a long time

I would hope, after the last two games, we can retire the narrative that Vinny can't play anymore -- he has limitations, but he is still a capable NHL player who we need to play well

I'll try to be less critical of Baby Schenn, as well -- we need him to play well, too
- AllInForFlyers

couldn't agree more....

I don't think Berube is going to tinker with the lines, but I wonder if he puts Downie back on the Coots line and drops Raffl to play with Vinny? It is a good problem to have this many forwards who are just more then muckers and grinders.
- ravishingone

Yeah I mean if Downie comes back and is ok to play, what would we be looking at?

Hartsy-G-Jake
_______ -Schenn-Simmer
Downie-Coots-Read
Raffl-Vinny-Rinaldo

??

I really think Akeson could play well on that second line. I think it could be worth a shot. The other thing I see them doing besides moving Vinny back to the 2nd line is bumping Raff up to play with Schenn and Simmer, and having the 4th line we see now of Hall-Vinny-Rinaldo.

Lots of options here. Hopefully something works. If this team finds the right mix of players that lines can be rolled to the tune of the 4th line seeing 8+ minutes a game....look out.

Damn. A friend of mine went to the game and posted this about an hour ago on facebook...

Nothing puts a damper on a hockey game like a guy having a heart attack eight rows in front of you. Apparently, he didn't make it.
- tangent_man

So sad

I still think Vinny should stay on the 4th line. What a weapon that line has been.
- Giroux_Is_God

I agree. He's really reaping the benefit of plying against other 4th lines.

It also allows the team to monitor his minutes more. The Ducks have done the same thing with Selanne.

Yeah I mean if Downie comes back and is ok to play, what would we be looking at?

Hartsy-G-Jake
_______ -Schenn-Simmer
Downie-Coots-Read
Raffl-Vinny-Rinaldo

??

I really think Akeson could play well on that second line. I think it could be worth a shot. The other thing I see them doing besides moving Vinny back to the 2nd line is bumping Raff up to play with Schenn and Simmer, and having the 4th line we see now of Hall-Vinny-Rinaldo.

Lots of options here. Hopefully something works. If this team finds the right mix of players that lines can be rolled to the tune of the 4th line seeing 8+ minutes a game....look out.
- Giroux_Is_God

I believe they view as Akeson as too small to play in his own end. I do not want to see Schenn moved to wing. A lot of complaining about him going back and forth earlier in the year, now he has settled in at center, let's move him again, makes no sense to me. I'm glad Vinny is playing well, having him move up to other lines in certain situations is a good problem to have.

I don't think McGinn has been bad, seems to be pretty defensively responsible. I still think he will be the odd man out because they want Hall's faceoff ability and PK work. If this is the case, I would move Raffl to 2nd line LW and let Vinny be a floater depending on situations in the second half of games.

I agree. He's really reaping the benefit of plying against other 4th lines.

It also allows the team to monitor his minutes more. The Ducks have done the same thing with Selanne.
- PhillySportsGuy

I say give him 4th line minutes, and put him on both PPs in his office at the right circle.

Sub him in for Jake on the first unit, and have Jake be the disher of the 2nd unit, with Vinny also playing on it.

Problem there though is that 1st unit is dynamite

Rolling a guy like Vinny out there against other 4th lines means he's the best (most skilled) forward on the ice, and he can drive the possession game. That's how he was so successful in TB. Now 7-10 years ago, he was a possession driver against other team's TOP lines...but that's still how he plays the game. Here, with him on the 4th line, it's almost like catering to his needs. When he can control the flow of the game...that's when he's at his best and most dangerous. He simply can't do that anymore playing against other teams' top 2 lines.

On the 4th line though...different story. That'd be HUGE in the playoffs.

I believe they view as Akeson as too small to play in his own end. I do not want to see Schenn moved to wing. A lot of complaining about him going back and forth earlier in the year, now he has settled in at center, let's move him again, makes no sense to me. I'm glad Vinny is playing well, having him move up to other lines in certain situations is a good problem to have.

I don't think McGinn has been bad, seems to be pretty defensively responsible. I still think he will be the odd man out because they want Hall's faceoff ability and PK work. If this is the case, I would move Raffl to 2nd line LW and let Vinny be a floater depending on situations in the second half of games.
- ravishingone

Indeed. I just figure Akeson-Schenn-Simmer can't be THAT bad compared to Vinny-Schenn-Simmer in the dzone.

It's kind of a fickle situation simply because we don't want to see any steps backwards by shuffling around lines too much. I'd really hate to be Chief honestly.

exhilarating tying goal to earn a point with 24 seconds left !!

... let's talk about akeson again

I say give him 4th line minutes, and put him on both PPs in his office at the right circle.

Sub him in for Jake on the first unit, and have Jake be the disher of the 2nd unit, with Vinny also playing on it.

Problem there though is that 1st unit is dynamite

Rolling a guy like Vinny out there against other 4th lines means he's the best (most skilled) forward on the ice, and he can drive the possession game. That's how he was so successful in TB. Now 7-10 years ago, he was a possession driver against other team's TOP lines...but that's still how he plays the game. Here, with him on the 4th line, it's almost like catering to his needs. When he can control the flow of the game...that's when he's at his best and most dangerous. He simply can't do that anymore playing against other teams' top 2 lines.

On the 4th line though...different story. That'd be HUGE in the playoffs.
- Giroux_Is_God

I agree completely with this. Ive wanted Vinny on the top PP unit for a while. I think his shot would be a tremendous asset to that unit. Jake would help the second unit too.

I agree completely with this. Ive wanted Vinny on the top PP unit for a while. I think his shot would be a tremendous asset to that unit. Jake would help the second unit too.
- PhillySportsGuy

Not a lot of speed on the blueline if you make that change. I would be surprised if they make any changes to either PP unit this late in the year. The only real question right now is what to do with 2nd line LW.

A lot to like about this team.

exhilarating tying goal to earn a point with 24 seconds left !!

... let's talk about akeson again





- -davies-

Thought the Flyers did a great job against Kreci Lucic and Iginla
That line has been really good

Not a lot of speed on the blueline if you make that change. I would be surprised if they make any changes to either PP unit this late in the year. The only real question right now is what to do with 2nd line LW.

A lot to like about this team.
- ravishingone

I'm really impressed on the way they are playing down the stretch.... Against teams like Pittsburgh, Chicago, Boston, etc. They've made me a believer that they 'can' beat anyone. Hopefully they play like this in a couple weeks.

I'm really impressed on the way they are playing down the stretch.... Against teams like Pittsburgh, Chicago, Boston, etc. They've made me a believer that they 'can' beat anyone. Hopefully they play like this in a couple weeks.
- moylander

They certainly can beat everyone.

They elevate their game against the best in the league, no doubt about it.

I still think Vinny should stay on the 4th line. What a weapon that line has been.
- Giroux_Is_God

he moved him back up, or didn't you hear pierre say that 937 times?

exhilarating tying goal to earn a point with 24 seconds left !!

... let's talk about akeson again





- -davies-

he moved him back up, or didn't you hear pierre say that 937 times?
- hammarby31

Thankfully the game ended.... I was nearly brainwashed into thinking bergeron for MVP.
Funny thing is he won't even be a finalist for the award ... Watch.

Yeah I mean if Downie comes back and is ok to play, what would we be looking at?

Hartsy-G-Jake
_______ -Schenn-Simmer
Downie-Coots-Read
Raffl-Vinny-Rinaldo

??

I really think Akeson could play well on that second line. I think it could be worth a shot. The other thing I see them doing besides moving Vinny back to the 2nd line is bumping Raff up to play with Schenn and Simmer, and having the 4th line we see now of Hall-Vinny-Rinaldo.

Lots of options here. Hopefully something works. If this team finds the right mix of players that lines can be rolled to the tune of the 4th line seeing 8+ minutes a game....look out.
- Giroux_Is_God

They could always bump Raff up to that 1st line and get Hartsy grinding on that tough 2nd line