What a pleasant Easter surprise yesterday. With the exception of the cross ice passes that are leading to what amount to open net goals for the Rags, the Flyers are doing a good job keeping things to the outside. Emery played a really strong game yesterday. I would start him in game 3 giving Mason more time to recoup. If Emery plays well and the Flyers win again, keep riding him.

Felt really good for Akeson, he played a strong game 1 and was not to blame for the loss. He certainly looks like he belongs in the NHL.

One thing that really needs to improve or it's going to come back and bite them, have to stop taking so many penalties. It's one thing to take a penalty to prevent a scoring chance, but the stick infractions in the offensive zone have to stop.

Akeson's a great story -- some guys just need a chance!
- AllInForFlyers

say what you want about his limitations but the kid does have 2 goals and 1 assist in 4 NHL games. Its yet to be seen what his potential is but its nice to have another option for the lineup. He seems to fit in quite well with Couturier and Read. If the kid keeps playing like he is, its going to be hard for Downie to get back in there I would think.

What a pleasant Easter surprise yesterday. With the exception of the cross ice passes that are leading to what amount to open net goals for the Rags, the Flyers are doing a good job keeping things to the outside. Emery played a really strong game yesterday. I would start him in game 3 giving Mason more time to recoup. If Emery plays well and the Flyers win again, keep riding him.

Felt really good for Akeson, he played a strong game 1 and was not to blame for the loss. He certainly looks like he belongs in the NHL.

One thing that really needs to improve or it's going to come back and bite them, have to stop taking so many penalties. It's one thing to take a penalty to prevent a scoring chance, but the stick infractions in the offensive zone have to stop.
- PLindbergh31

I would play your goalie with a more complete game. The rags seemed to be trying too hard to go cross ice. If they start taking the shots the gave up in this game in game 3, the out come is very different.

I really hope that Mason is available for game 3...

What a pleasant Easter surprise yesterday. With the exception of the cross ice passes that are leading to what amount to open net goals for the Rags, the Flyers are doing a good job keeping things to the outside. Emery played a really strong game yesterday. I would start him in game 3 giving Mason more time to recoup. If Emery plays well and the Flyers win again, keep riding him.

Felt really good for Akeson, he played a strong game 1 and was not to blame for the loss. He certainly looks like he belongs in the NHL.

One thing that really needs to improve or it's going to come back and bite them, have to stop taking so many penalties. It's one thing to take a penalty to prevent a scoring chance, but the stick infractions in the offensive zone have to stop.
- PLindbergh31

Not totally related, but with respect to Coburn...I didn't really see a "hold" on his penalty. I saw an outright mugging, maybe a choke, and some unnatural stuff, but...I didn't really see a hold, or anything that was a "penalty." The play looked wrong in so many ways, but it didn't look like a hold, hook, rough, etc. It just looked like a very awkward physical play. Just my take on it.

Also, with regard to Akeson, I'll eat my words at this point. He hasn't looked out of place for the most part. He moves his feet and is battling just as hard as everyone else, and definitely isn't shy with the puck. Hope he keeps it up.

I would play your goalie with a more complete game. The rags seemed to be trying too hard to go cross ice. If they start taking the shots the gave up in this game in game 3, the out come is very different.

I really hope that Mason is available for game 3...
- FlyersSteve118

Emery just made 31 saves on 33 shots, and has been your best player in two games in a building where we couldn't buy a win (actually, not sure if Snider ever tried that tactic). I'd feel more comfortable going into the series with Mason, but right now, Emery has earned that net. I'd play him in Game 3 to start, and if things get rocky, you know you have Mason who can step back in. But right now, I feel it's important for the team to reward Emery and keep that confidence high, and not get into a potential Fleury/Vokoun situation from last year's Pens' team.

Not totally related, but with respect to Coburn...I didn't really see a "hold" on his penalty. I saw an outright mugging, maybe a choke, and some unnatural stuff, but...I didn't really see a hold, or anything that was a "penalty." The play looked wrong in so many ways, but it didn't look like a hold, hook, rough, etc. It just looked like a very awkward physical play. Just my take on it.

Also, with regard to Akeson, I'll eat my words at this point. He hasn't looked out of place for the most part. He moves his feet and is battling just as hard as everyone else, and definitely isn't shy with the puck. Hope he keeps it up.
- jmatchett383

Say my name

Say my name
- PhillySportsGuy

Giroux's hands are in a perfect position to give McDonagh an Undertaker style choke slam.

Say my name
- PhillySportsGuy

This picture makes me content.

Not totally related, but with respect to Coburn...I didn't really see a "hold" on his penalty. I saw an outright mugging, maybe a choke, and some unnatural stuff, but...I didn't really see a hold, or anything that was a "penalty." The play looked wrong in so many ways, but it didn't look like a hold, hook, rough, etc. It just looked like a very awkward physical play. Just my take on it.

Also, with regard to Akeson, I'll eat my words at this point. He hasn't looked out of place for the most part. He moves his feet and is battling just as hard as everyone else, and definitely isn't shy with the puck. Hope he keeps it up.
- jmatchett383

Coburn did what Chara does 3 times a game

Tough day to be a Schenn hater…
- PhillySportsGuy

Coburn did what Chara does 3 times a game
- Jsaquella

THANK YOU

I SAID THIS ALSO

Emery just made 31 saves on 33 shots, and has been your best player in two games in a building where we couldn't buy a win (actually, not sure if Snider ever tried that tactic). I'd feel more comfortable going into the series with Mason, but right now, Emery has earned that net. I'd play him in Game 3 to start, and if things get rocky, you know you have Mason who can step back in. But right now, I feel it's important for the team to reward Emery and keep that confidence high, and not get into a potential Fleury/Vokoun situation from last year's Pens' team.
- jmatchett383

Keeping a healthy Mason on the bench would create a controversy. Would it not? Mason is the reason we are in the playoffs to begin with. He absolutely gives this team the best chance at winning. He needs to come back when he's healthy and ready. No rush... because Emery is doing his job as the BACKUP.

A few things:


I can't remember that Stralman interference on Hartnell that led to the PP Akeson scored on for goal #2, but I'm curious to see if it was because the Flyers entered the neutral zone playing a north-south game.


/soapbox
- Giroux_Is_God

I don't remember how the puck entry happened on the Stralman interference call, but the penalty was a direct result of one of the Flyers best forechecking efforts of the game. I think it happened with the first line just keeping spectacular pressure on the rags D, and as a result Stralman had to tackle Hartnell as he was cutting into the slot.
All three guys including G were working their butts off and were very effective in that shift.

It was something G and company did that resulted in a PP that altered the game.
But the story line is "no shots again for G". Ha.

He made a difference yesterday and was noticeable to those watching the game.

Good win to get the Flyers right back in the series. And the curse of MSG has been put to rest...until the next curse rears its media-driven head.

Hopefully the penalty door swings a bit more often for the visiting team at the WFC as it did in MSG. The idea that the Rags play this squeaky clean game is laughable. Either way, the Flyers can't give them all kinds of powerplay chances.

Keeping a healthy Mason on the bench would create a controversy. Would it not? Mason is the reason we are in the playoffs to begin with. He absolutely gives this team the best chance at winning. He needs to come back when he's healthy and ready. No rush... because Emery is doing his job as the BACKUP.
- GOA88

Agreed.

- jmatchett383

David Schwimmer????

I think the fear that the Flyers have with Akeson is that while he is very skilled, he is kind of slow and not very strong. He is also questionable defensively. I'm not saying that he can't continue to play well, but it is very rare for a player to succeed just on skill alone, usually you need to also have speed or size.
- BiggE

My only concern was whether he could translate his remarkable anticipation over to the next level... signs look good so far.

I'll take a guy with a questionable toolbox but can think a step ahead at the top level, over guys like Chris Gratton who are blessed with everything but can't think their way out of a wet paper bag.

Keeping a healthy Mason on the bench would create a controversy. Would it not? Mason is the reason we are in the playoffs to begin with. He absolutely gives this team the best chance at winning. He needs to come back when he's healthy and ready. No rush... because Emery is doing his job as the BACKUP.
- GOA88

I don't think Carolina minded that "controversy" that starting their rookie backup caused in 2006. Backup or not, if you have a guy that the team is winning with, you stay with him until he starts to crack.

Back in 2000, there was the do you/don't you play Lindros in the ECF. The Flyers were playing great hockey without their "star" player, and conventional wisdom states that your best player gives you a better chance to win. Well, they played him, they became a broken team, and blew their 3-1 series lead. Just because one player is better on paper, you stick with what makes the team win until that stops.

Say my name
- PhillySportsGuy

Remember when you cross-checked me in the back the other day...

David Schwimmer????
- PhillySportsGuy

Who played the role of?

I don't remember how the puck entry happened on the Stralman interference call, but the penalty was a direct result of one of the Flyers best forechecking efforts of the game. I think it happened with the first line just keeping spectacular pressure on the rags D, and as a result Stralman had to tackle Hartnell as he was cutting into the slot.
All three guys including G were working their butts off and were very effective in that shift.

It was something G and company did that resulted in a PP that altered the game.
But the story line is "no shots again for G". Ha.

He made a difference yesterday and was noticeable to those watching the game.
- Marc D

Perfect! Goes along perfectly with what I was saying.

Wholeheartedly agree about G. His game yesterday was effective. I'd certainly like to see him get on the scoreboard, but it is what it is.

He pots one for the first goal in Philly, and the place goes rock. Book it.

Good win to get the Flyers right back in the series. And the curse of MSG has been put to rest...until the next curse rears its media-driven head.

Hopefully the penalty door swings a bit more often for the visiting team at the WFC as it did in MSG. The idea that the Rags play this squeaky clean game is laughable. Either way, the Flyers can't give them all kinds of powerplay chances.
- wolfhounds

I think the Power Plays are 13-4.

Flyers have deserved many of them, but the Rangers have been flopping like fish. I'm hoping things turn around a bit at home. Flyers can dictate the match ups, so that may help as well.

Who played the role of?
- jmatchett383

HAHAHAHA!!!

Coburn did what Chara does 3 times a game
- Jsaquella

He basically got submarined by Zucc. Im not sure what he could have done to avoid the appearance of holding him. Zucc skated underneath him. Is he supposed to just get out of the way. I understand the call but it was a wierd play.

My only concern was whether he could translate his remarkable anticipation over to the next level... signs look good so far.

I'll take a guy with a questionable toolbox but can think a step ahead at the top level, over guys like Chris Gratton who are blessed with everything but can't think their way out of a wet paper bag.
- Tomahawk

That feels like a very traumatizing experience.