Uh, when did I say that?
- BiggE

The slightest criticism and there are twenty people ready to jump down your throat with their chivalrous defense of the home town team.

No they don't. I don't think anyone thought this team as currently constructed was a Cup contender though. After the terrible start most thought they weren't a playoff team. I'm still looking forward to watching the playoffs. If the Flyers bring their A game they can compete with Boston and the Rangers. All that would have to happen would be for the Flyers to win one of the first two games, and everyone would be all pumped up.
- PLindbergh31

No doubt, but even with their struggles at MSG, I think they match up much better against the Rangers than they do against the Bruins.

You just know that Tampa and Lindback probably have a letdown tonight and lose to Columbus and that Detroit beats Carolina.

Looks like 2 very important games for the Flyers this weekend.


Oh well, imagine how Blues fans are feeling this morning. St. Louis is now in 2nd in the Central and the Avs control their own fate. Can't you just see Chicago, with a fresh rested Toews, knocking the Blue out in the first round?

- BiggE

Lindback vs. Bobrovsky??!!! You kidding me. A mismatch of Biblical proportions.

i was at work and didn't get to see the whole third period once i got home, but one thing i noticed was downie not playing all that well. when it was 2-1 read was busting down the rt wing and a good pass sends him in alone; downie fired into the corner at 100 mph?? berube even called him out for a breakdown on one goal, i think....it just seems like he's cashed

Uh, when did I say that?
- BiggE

I didn't say you said it

The slightest criticism and there are twenty people ready to jump down your throat with their chivalrous defense of the home town team.
- PLindbergh31

I hear ya.
I don't mind anyone disagreeing with me, but don't put words in my mouth please.

I didn't say you said it
- funmaster18

Sorry, when you directly responded to my post, you kinda gave that impression.

No biggie!

I dvr the union game last night. Did I see this right? Ghost spun around and two hand chopped the ref in the leg!!!

The slightest criticism and there are twenty people ready to jump down your throat with their chivalrous defense of the home town team.
- PLindbergh31

And any poor play by the flyers and there is one person spewing endless nonsense about how the team is doomed for failure

I hear ya.
I don't mind anyone disagreeing with me, but don't put words in my mouth please.
- BiggE

If anyone took my post seriously I think they need their sarcasm detectors checked

i was at work and didn't get to see the whole third period once i got home, but one thing i noticed was downie not playing all that well. when it was 2-1 read was busting down the rt wing and a good pass sends him in alone; downie fired into the corner at 100 mph?? berube even called him out for a breakdown on one goal, i think....it just seems like he's cashed
- hogweed

The problem is, that if you sit Downie in the playoffs, the options to replace him are really limited:

1. Move up Rinaldo to the 3rd line.
All of us and the coaching staff will be holding their breath every time he takes a shift, praying that he doesn't take a bad penalty at a bad time.

2. Put VL at center on the 2nd line and use Raffl on the 3rd.
This leaves you with a 4th line of: McGinn or Rosehill-Hall-Rinaldo, not exactly what you want to roll out their in a playoff game.

The best bet, IMO is to move Vinnie to center on the 2nd line and go with a 4th line of McGinn-Hall-Downie. As bad as Downie has looked, I trust him more than I do Rinaldo when it comes to doing something stupid to cost the team.

The problem is, that if you sit Downie in the playoffs, the options to replace him are really limited:

1. Move up Rinaldo to the 3rd line.
All of us and the coaching staff will be holding their breath every time he takes a shift, praying that he doesn't take a bad penalty at a bad time.

2. Put VL at center on the 2nd line and use Raffl on the 3rd.
This leaves you with a 4th line of: McGinn or Rosehill-Hall-Rinaldo, not exactly what you want to roll out their in a playoff game.

The best bet, IMO is to move Vinnie to center on the 2nd line and go with a 4th line of McGinn-Hall-Downie. As bad as Downie has looked, I trust him more than I do Rinaldo when it comes to doing something stupid to cost the team.
- BiggE

Downie really missed his man last night that was brutal. He is capable of more than the way he's been playing.

Downie had a rough game, but it was his second game back after injury. Getting him in for these last 4 games before the playoffs hopefully helps. Gus too, how long has he sat out?

Luke Schenn really benefits playing with a guy like Macdonald, he is like a pressure release valve for him.

Best thing about yesterday was getting to watch Gotisbehere play a full game.
He is poised with the puck, skates and passes well, and has a big shot. Granted it was against college kids and not Nhl players, but it was a pressure packed game against a very good BC team. If any of that translates to NHL level the Flyers will have a very good player.

Downie had a rough game, but it was his second game back after injury. Getting him in for these last 4 games before the playoffs hopefully helps. Gus too, how long has he sat out?

Luke Schenn really benefits playing with a guy like Macdonald, he is like a pressure release valve fort him.

Best thing about yesterday was getting to watch Gotisbehere play a full game.
He is poised with the puck, skates and passes well, and has a big shot. Granted it was against college kids and not Nhl players, but it was a pressure packed game against a very good BC team. If any of that translates to NHL level the Flyers will have a very good player.
- Marc D

THIS

Yeah it is. The Flyers are, IMO, a slightly above average team. Sadly, slightly above average teams don't win cups.
- BiggE

Not normally no. And I'm not expecting them to win the Cup. But middle of the road 5-8 seeds have made long playoff runs, and even won Cups before. A goalie can get hot. Injuries can affect other teams. Things can happen. I'm expecting certain players such as Giroux and Timonen to ramp up thier games come playoff time. I want this team to compete. And if they compete and battle hard, and lose to a better team, then I'm okay with that. But I think it's reasonable to say that this team has a realistic chance to beat any team in the East in a 7 game seires, with the possible exception of Boston. I think that would be a difficult task.

No doubt, but even with their struggles at MSG, I think they match up much better against the Rangers than they do against the Bruins.
- BiggE

I agree with you. The Bruins don't seem to have many weaknesses if any at all. The Rangers do struggle to score goals at times.

The slightest criticism and there are twenty people ready to jump down your throat with their chivalrous defense of the home town team.
- PLindbergh31

Nobody on this thread has a problem with legitimate criticism. However when nothing but criticism is offered from a source, then that could be objected to. Especially when it is frivolous criticism, or hyperbole.

Downie had a rough game, but it was his second game back after injury. Getting him in for these last 4 games before the playoffs hopefully helps. Gus too, how long has he sat out?

Luke Schenn really benefits playing with a guy like Macdonald, he is like a pressure release valve for him.

Best thing about yesterday was getting to watch Gotisbehere play a full game.
He is poised with the puck, skates and passes well, and has a big shot. Granted it was against college kids and not Nhl players, but it was a pressure packed game against a very good BC team. If any of that translates to NHL level the Flyers will have a very good player.
- Marc D

Gus played the game in St. Louis. But prior to that I think he sat at least 15 straight games.

Not normally no. And I'm not expecting them to win the Cup. But middle of the road 5-8 seeds have made long playoff runs, and even won Cups before. A goalie can get hot. Injuries can affect other teams. Things can happen. I'm expecting certain players such as Giroux and Timonen to ramp up thier games come playoff time. I want this team to compete. And if they compete and battle hard, and lose to a better team, then I'm okay with that. But I think it's reasonable to say that this team has a realistic chance to beat any team in the East in a 7 game seires, with the possible exception of Boston. I think that would be a difficult task.
- MJL

I agree with all of this. But fact is fact, and no matter who they face in the first round, they will be the underdog.

Nobody on this thread has a problem with legitimate criticism.
- MJL

now that is hyperbole

Not normally no. And I'm not expecting them to win the Cup. But middle of the road 5-8 seeds have made long playoff runs, and even won Cups before. A goalie can get hot. Injuries can affect other teams. Things can happen. I'm expecting certain players such as Giroux and Timonen to ramp up thier games come playoff time. I want this team to compete. And if they compete and battle hard, and lose to a better team, then I'm okay with that. But I think it's reasonable to say that this team has a realistic chance to beat any team in the East in a 7 game seires, with the possible exception of Boston. I think that would be a difficult task.
- MJL

Yeah, I have been really optimistic all year (even in October), but for the first time, I am starting to miss the silver lining here. I think we might be looking at a first round exit.

I agree with all of this. But fact is fact, and no matter who they face in the first round, they will be the underdog.
- BiggE

lower seeded teams generally are. in 2010 they were every round

I agree with all of this. But fact is fact, and no matter who they face in the first round, they will be the underdog.
- BiggE

Which means what? Being an underdog really means nothing.

My realistic expectations:
If they get Boston and manage to win two games, they will have played very well against the best team.

If they get the NYRs and play very well, I expect them to win.

Pittsburgh, any result either way wouldn't surprise me and it will be wild either way.

Yeah, I have been really optimistic all year (even in October), but for the first time, I am starting to miss the silver lining here. I think we might be looking at a first round exit.
- FlyersFirst

So be it. If they play well, play hard and bust it, but just get beat by a better team, then I'm okay with that. Regroup and address the weaknesses and needs in the off season and try to get better. Now if they play stupidly, take some bad penalties, play poorly defensively, like they've been prone to do at times this year, then I'm not okay with that.