I try and not be a homer as well but the Rangers have players that tend to disappear in the playoffs and the Flyers have tons of guys that step up. My question mark is Mason. Will he choke? If not the Flyers will grind out a series win. Rangers aren't as good as everyone is thinking. Flyers are due for a win at the Garden.
- GOA88

You know, from what I have seen from Mase since he got here.. I don't think he'll choke.. I am more worried about discipline in the playoffs.. Rino has to be smart.

I am wondering if Downie draws back in the lineup for the playoffs or has chief seen enough?

Unless Downie really shows me something in the playoffs here, I can't see him coming back.

So...Flyers fans are a bunch of retards?
- MBFlyerfan

Even I had to laugh at that.

BTW it came from: http://hockey-blog-in-canada.blogspot.com/

They have a nice free playoff pool with swag prizes. Unique pool too. I finished 4th or 5th last year.

Yeah, I know.. If they don't make it for let's say the next two years..I'd say it's a disaster. I am actually kind of surprised they aren't letting the Gm go as well there..
- Hextall271

They lost a great defenseman in Suter and Rinne missed a lot of the season. I don't see how any coach can get more from that group than Trotz.

This isn't the NBA. One player can't take a team to the playoffs.

You know, from what I have seen from Mase since he got here.. I don't think he'll choke.. I am more worried about discipline in the playoffs.. Rino has to be smart.

I am wondering if Downie draws back in the lineup for the playoffs or has chief seen enough?

Unless Downie really shows me something in the playoffs here, I can't see him coming back.
- Hextall271

He wont be back even if he scores 20 goals in the playoffs IMO.

I kinda feel bad for Weber, he signed that deal with Philly because he wanted out, and then they matched it. Imagine A D corps with your top 4 being Weber, Kimmo, Coburn and AMac.
- flyersbuzz

I kind of think Weber wanted the $ more than to get out of Nashville. A couple more non playoff years and he might change his tune..

Watching the olympics all I could think of was how awesome it would be to have Weber or Doughty on the FLyers?

I worry about that second point. Still, no fear.
- BulliesPhan87

Im excited regardless. However, the one thing that really makes me worry is the Rags defense.

He wont be back even if he scores 20 goals in the playoffs IMO.
- SchennBros

Downie might be done. This is the reason he was traded to begin with, bonehead plays.

He wont be back even if he scores 20 goals in the playoffs IMO.
- SchennBros

Well, I want him to score 20 in the playoffs and we'll see.. lol

Im excited regardless. However, the one thing that really makes me worry is the Rags defense.
- jak521

Yep.. they are solid.. I really want to see Vinny flip the switch here in the playoffs.. We're going to need his secondary scoring.

Yep.. they are solid.. I really want to see Vinny flip the switch here in the playoffs.. We're going to need his secondary scoring.
- Hextall271

We are going to see Giroux, Vinny, Couts, Timonen, Voracek, B.Schenn, Simmonds, Hartnell in beast mode. Pretty confident in that

Yep.. they are solid.. I really want to see Vinny flip the switch here in the playoffs.. We're going to need his secondary scoring.
- Hextall271

The key to this playoff series is strong secondary scoring from our second line. Let's see what Schenn can do in the playoffs. I really wish there weren't so many question marks with our second line atm.

Yep.. they are solid.. I really want to see Vinny flip the switch here in the playoffs.. We're going to need his secondary scoring.
- Hextall271

I agree.. but he does have 5 goals and 7 points in his last 10..

The key to this playoff series is strong secondary scoring from our second line. Let's see what Schenn can do in the playoffs. I really wish there weren't so many question marks with our second line atm.
- FlyersSteve118

He stepped up last playoffs. If he struggles... Look for Vinny to take his spot on the 2nd line. He will produce. Vinny is money in big games.

Yeah, I guess, but you'd think his system would work a little better with the Canucks or Leafs, I don't think Nashville is offensive-minded enough to play to his system. He likes to win 9-8 games, while Trotz likes to win 1-0 games, though I am quite interested to see what he could do with Rinne and Weber.
- flyersbuzz

I don't even know what the Leafs are thinking right now -- they have a real mess up there.

Do you hire a guy like Laviolette, who can get a team playing consistent offense most of the time...but isn't always too concerned with the defensive end, and the Leafs are already historically horrific?

Or do you change the entire mix up there, risking the one thing you know you can do?

The Leafs...what a mess up there. I'm dead serious -- I have a lot of opinions, and I don't know what I'd do up there, with their contract structures the way they are, with both compliance buyouts already used.

The key to this playoff series is strong secondary scoring from our second line. Let's see what Schenn can do in the playoffs. I really wish there weren't so many question marks with our second line atm.
- FlyersSteve118

I have a feeling we are gonna see Couts take his play to the next level.

I have a feeling we are gonna see Couts take his play to the next level.
- jak521

I'm...not quite ready to guess yet.

I try to be realistic about certain things. I think the Rags are better than they get credit for being, but they do have some flaws that can be exploited. Same as the Flyers -- there are things the Flyers do well, and a few that don't.

I guess there are three things that trouble me about the Flyers, as of today:

1. Will the Flyers get any production from the second line at even strength? I don't worry about Wayne Simmonds on the PP, but will that line have enough positive shifts to help the Flyers over four, five, six or seven games?

2. Will the Flyers play a lineup that is more prone to taking penalties? In other words, are the things that Zac Rinaldo does well, or Steve Downie -- and there some things they can do -- enough to offset the inherent risks that come with playing them consistently?

3. Who is playing RW with Sean Couturier and Matt Read? Is it conceivable that Jason Akeson might actually play in Game 1, if Craig Berube opts not to go with Downie or Rinaldo?
- AllInForFlyers

1. I think they will, Simmonds is a machine and I think VL, who will get spotted on that line, is going to have a good series

2. They better. I have to think that Rinaldo and Downie have been warned by the coaching staff to behave. I'm actually more worried about Hartnell when it comes to stupidity.

3. I'm guessin Downie gets game 1, but after that ???

The ownership in Nash has to be slightly irritated with consecutive non playoff appearances since they ponied up all that dough to keep Shea.
- Hextall271

Good, maybe they'll realize they need to trade Shea Weber.

Good, maybe they'll realize they need to trade Shea Weber.
- MJL

For the Flyers sake I hope they do.

Im excited regardless. However, the one thing that really makes me worry is the Rags defense.
- jak521

The rags just don't seem to make mistakes against the Flyers. I'm excited, but it'll have to be a hard fought series for the Flyers to come out on top.

So...Flyers fans are a bunch of retards?
- MBFlyerfan

stupid is as stupid does, MB

The rags just don't seem to make mistakes against the Flyers. I'm excited, but it'll have to be a hard fought series for the Flyers to come out on top.
- BulliesPhan87

Playoffs change things and we have a chance to game plan just on them, make adjustments. Berube will need to press the right buttons.

He is waiting for when Pitt loses horribly in the first round again and they fire Bylsma.
- FlyersSteve118

TBH? I don't think the Pens can win anymore with that core of players. I don't think it matters who the coach is.

James Neal is an undisciplined punk -- look at Saturday, when he wastes the 1-0 lead they had by taking a stupid penalty, where the Flyers scored on the PP.

You're better off starting me or any other guy off the street in the net in the playoffs than the sieve they have.

After all these years, they're still easily rattled, angered and thrown off their game. That's not going to change -- it's their collective personality, embodied by their captain.

They might beat Columbus, because Columbus doesn't have a ton of playoff experience. But I have no doubt that the Pens aren't winning a thing this year or next year, or anytime soon, no matter who goes there.

Playoffs change things and we have a chance to game plan just on them, make adjustments. Berube will need to press the right buttons.
- GOA88

Agreed

He stepped up last playoffs. If he struggles... Look for Vinny to take his spot on the 2nd line. He will produce. Vinny is money in big games.
- GOA88

Yeah. Despite a tough first season here.. We got him for the playoffs IMO. I think he will bring the noise. Good point by another poster as well. If Schenn has any issues, move him to the second line .