I think Neal might end up delivering a concussion to Malkin the way those games will unfold.
- Just5

I'll say this, if Datsyuk is coming back for the playoffs and det-pitt is the matchup. Penguins dont stand a chance in hell
- Just5

I don't know if Pittsburgh doesn't stand a chance, but a surging Detroit team is going to be far more problematic for the Pens than anyone might have guessed a month or so ago.

jeez i didnt realize Umberger was at healthy scratch status this year
- Crimsoninja

Richards is a moron according to him Comeau >>> RJU

You're dead to me
- BulliesPhan87

I don't know if Pittsburgh doesn't stand a chance, but a surging Detroit team is going to be far more problematic for the Pens than anyone might have guessed a month or so ago.
- johndewar

If they can get Datsyuk and Zetterberg back, it would make things very interesting. Top 3 centers of Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Nyquist.

If they can get Datsyuk and Zetterberg back, it would make things very interesting. Top 3 centers of Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Nyquist.
- PhillySportsGuy

If Datsyuk and Zetterberg are anything close to 100 percent for that series, it will definitely be problematic for Pittsburgh.

They're not nearly as hopeless at the Devils, but the Flyers should consider this:

http://www.sportingnews.c...lvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

They're not nearly as hopeless at the Devils, but the Flyers should consider this:

http://www.sportingnews.c...lvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
- Tomahawk

I don't think its worth wasting a roster space on a shootout specialist.

The only thing I could see would be the team finding a goalie who is very good at shootouts and using him as the backup and shootout specialist. He would never start a game and would only play in case of injury and during shootouts.

They're not nearly as hopeless at the Devils, but the Flyers should consider this:

http://www.sportingnews.c...lvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
- Tomahawk

I don't disagree with that.

Wasn't the Jussi Jokinen's role for awhile before he finally found a regular lineup spot?

I don't think its worth wasting a roster space on a shootout specialist.

The only thing I could see would be the team finding a goalie who is very good at shootouts and using him as the backup and shootout specialist. He would never start a game and would only play in case of injury and during shootouts.
- PhillySportsGuy

It's for the rest of this season, not next -- since they are scrounging for points and all.

It's for the rest of this season, not next -- since they are scrounging for points and all.
- Tomahawk

Who would he replace in the lineup? Rinaldo? Hall? Downie (when healthy)?

Who would he replace in the lineup? Rinaldo? Hall? Downie (when healthy)?
- PhillySportsGuy

McGinn probably.

McGinn probably.
- Tomahawk

Until Downie returned or even after?

Until Downie returned or even after?
- PhillySportsGuy

If Downie can play, it should be Rinaldo... but there's only 7-games left and this SO specialist wouldn't be eligible for the PO's, so eventually the roster would return to normal.

Who would he replace in the lineup? Rinaldo? Hall? Downie (when healthy)?
- PhillySportsGuy

Wasn't Christensen one of the 2 players stopped in the 2010 Flyers/Rags season finale shootout? I think he and Jokinen were stopped and Parenteau scored.

If Downie can play, it should be Rinaldo... but there's only 7-games left and this SO specialist wouldn't be eligible for the PO's, so eventually the roster would return to normal.
- Tomahawk

Here is to hoping they have some sort of clairvoyant to predict which games will have shootouts. Otherwise it wouldn't really be worth it huh?

It's for the rest of this season, not next -- since they are scrounging for points and all.
- Tomahawk

If the Flyers lose every game from here on out in a shootout, they'll still make the playoffs

Here is to hoping they have some sort of clairvoyant to predict which games will have shootouts. Otherwise it wouldn't really be worth it huh?
- MBFlyerfan

Its not like Erik Christensen can't play hockey better than McGinn and Rinaldo... you wouldn't exactly be shorthanded.

If you want somebody more turnkey, trade for Brad Boyes. Likewise he wouldn't be eligible for the PO's since it's post-TDL, but he would be a net plus to the PO push all around.

If the Flyers lose every game from here on out in a shootout, they'll still make the playoffs
- Just5

This (although they could potentially face Boston).

Its not like Erik Christensen can't play hockey better than McGinn and Rinaldo... you wouldn't exactly be shorthanded.

If you want somebody more turnkey, trade for Brad Boyes. Likewise he wouldn't be eligible for the PO's since it's post-TDL, but he would be a net plus to the PO push all around.
- Tomahawk

I think Rinaldo has actually played quite well over the past few games. It's a shame he has hands made of granite.

If the Flyers lose every game from here on out in a shootout, they'll still make the playoffs
- Just5

If that's true, that's a great point. So maybe there was a lack of foresight in suggesting the Flyers should consider a shootout specialist for the rest of the season, and replace a regular in the lineup?

If the Flyers lose every game from here on out in a shootout, they'll still make the playoffs
- Just5

There's literally millions of scenarios where they could miss out by 1 point, though.

There's literally millions of scenarios where they could miss out by 1 point, though.
- Tomahawk

Literally millions? I think that's a bit of an overstatement. Maybe a few hundred, if that. After all, all teams have 7 or less games to go, so 7 (games) *14 (teams alive in playoff) * 2 (max. teams per game) = 196 possible point scenarios.

Its not like Erik Christensen can't play hockey better than McGinn and Rinaldo... you wouldn't exactly be shorthanded.

If you want somebody more turnkey, trade for Brad Boyes. Likewise he wouldn't be eligible for the PO's since it's post-TDL, but he would be a net plus to the PO push all around.
- Tomahawk

Oh yeah Christensen is a stud.

There's literally millions of scenarios where they could miss out by 1 point, though.
- Tomahawk

Literally literally millions?