Flyers need to play within the system, as well as staying aggressive, and playing with emotion and intensity. They played with emotion, but outside of the system in the first period of game 4. They player well structurally, but without the emotion needed in game 5. Need to bring both tonight,

I hear a lot of talk that the Rangers are the better team. Well they certainly have been in this series to this point. But I've yet to see the Flyers bring their A game in this series. And when they bring that, I don't believe that the Rangers are the better team. I personally don't think the Rangers are that good.
- MJL

The Rangers are very consistent. They won't wow you with skill, but they grind away. They feast on impatience and unstructured play. Thats one of the reasons they match up well with the Flyers over the last few years.

They need to accept the fact that it's going to take low scoring victories to win the series.

If they can get past them, they can have their fun playing the Pens in shootouts.
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't really buy that myself.

They have the firepower, even if it is streaky. However to me they need to take those chances, those risks to get, and keep the puck in the NY end of the ice. That lets your big boys do the work down low.

Focusing so hard on that defensive side of the puck has only had them backing up way too far with the D-men, and playing it "safe" has gotten them nowhere. (frank) that BS.

Just a crazy man's thoughts.

Mike Richards and Jeff Carter about to be the only two people in all professional sports to come back from two 3-0 deficits.
- Winning

Just be sure to clean yourself up after the game

The Rangers are very consistent. They won't wow you with skill, but they grind away. They feast on impatience and unstructured play. Thats one of the reasons they match up well with the Flyers over the last few years.
- PhillySportsGuy

Any good team will feast on impatience and unstructured play. The Flyers can beat them. If the Ranger move on, if they have to go against a team like Boston, Boston will make mince meat out of them. The only hope the Rangers would have, is if Lunqvist stands on his head game in and game out.

I don't really buy that myself.

They have the firepower, even if it is streaky. However to me they need to take those chances, those risks to get, and keep the puck in the NY end of the ice. That lets your big boys do the work down low.

Focusing so hard on that defensive side of the puck has only had them backing up way too far with the D-men, and playing it "safe" has gotten them nowhere. (frank) that BS.

Just a crazy man's thoughts.
- flyer_nutter

I think you're definitely right about needing more emotion. But playing it safe, hasn't been, and never has been the game plan.

I don't really buy that myself.

They have the firepower, even if it is streaky. However to me they need to take those chances, those risks to get, and keep the puck in the NY end of the ice. That lets your big boys do the work down low.

Focusing so hard on that defensive side of the puck has only had them backing up way too far with the D-men, and playing it "safe" has gotten them nowhere. (frank) that BS.

Just a crazy man's thoughts.
- flyer_nutter

If they play well defensively and offer good support all over the ice, the offense will come. They have scored 4 goals at 5v5 this series.

Taking more chances is only going to result in a more lopsided score for the Rangers. The Rangers game plan is be structured and wait for the Flyers to turn the puck over.

I think you're definitely right about needing more emotion. But playing it safe, hasn't been, and never has been the game plan.
- MJL

No worries, but I will agree to disagree on that one.

Its think its been that way since game 1 of this series, to try and hide the weakness of the D.

If you play guys like Rinaldo, Hartnell, Simmonds, Luke Schenn, etc. You also don't hold them on such a tight leash. Which I think has happened to due fearing penalties.

Again, agree to disagree.

Any good team will feast on impatience and unstructured play. The Flyers can beat them. If the Ranger move on, if they have to go against a team like Boston, Boston will make mince meat out of them. The only hope the Rangers would have, is if Lunqvist stands on his head game in and game out.
- MJL

If the Rangers play Boston, they will be one of four teams remaining in the playoffs. It's a decent accomplishment and means they're a good team.

No worries, but I will agree to disagree on that one.

Its think its been that way since game 1 of this series, to try and hide the weakness of the D.

If you play guys like Rinaldo, Hartnell, Simmonds, Luke Schenn, etc. You also don't hold them on such a tight leash. Which I think has happened to due fearing penalties.

Again, agree to disagree.
- flyer_nutter

I don't think the Coaching staff has tried to play any differently then they played in the regular season, nor have they put a leash on any player, in my opinion.
Berube and the Flyers pretty much try to play the same way that every top team such as Boston, St. Louis, and Chicago play.

Mike Richards and Jeff Carter about to be the only two people in all professional sports to come back from two 3-0 deficits.
- Winning

on two different teams.

If they play well defensively and offer good support all over the ice, the offense will come. They have scored 4 goals at 5v5 this series.

Taking more chances is only going to result in a more lopsided score for the Rangers. The Rangers game plan is be structured and wait for the Flyers to turn the puck over.
- PhillySportsGuy

The Flyers to me, played the best in this series for 15 minutes in the 2nd period of game 4. Where they took more chances than before, and actually engaged the Rangers physically. Started to play with emotion, and initiate some scrums to get themselves into it.

To me, that's how they need to play. Dictate the game, and make the Rangers play your style. Don't just bend over and agree to play into their game.

If the Rangers play Boston, they will be one of four teams remaining in the playoffs. It's a decent accomplishment and means they're a good team.
- PhillySportsGuy

Every team in the playoffs is a good team. I just don't think the Rangers are a top team.

The Flyers to me, played the best in this series for 15 minutes in the 2nd period of game 4. Where they took more chances than before, and actually engaged the Rangers physically. Started to play with emotion, and initiate some scrums to get themselves into it.

To me, that's how they need to play. Dictate the game, and make the Rangers play your style. Don't just bend over and agree to play into their game.
- flyer_nutter

Absolutely. Come out and dictate play and take it to them. Flyers have yet to do that for a full game.

I don't think the Coaching staff has tried to play any differently then they played in the regular season, nor have they put a leash on any player, in my opinion.
Berube and the Flyers pretty much try to play the same way that every top team such as Boston, St. Louis, and Chicago play.
- MJL

Again, I'd disagree.

I kind of doubt in general, and especially on home ice at the start of every period you would see your #1 line sat in favour of your 3rd line, all just to shut down the other team.

I'll stop here, I don't want to make tonight about Berube. They have to overcome his BS at this point imo, let see if they can do it. I want Timonen to have more of a last 'hoorah' than game 6 tonight.

Every team in the playoffs is a good team. I just don't think the Rangers are a top team.
- MJL

I think they're better than the Flyers. If the Flyers lose this series, I'm not sure how you can put them on the same level. The Rangers have dominated the Flyers for 3 years now. They have a better record over that span too.

The Flyers are a young team and a work in progress. I like their future. I just don't think they are disciplined enough to beat this team.

The Flyers to me, played the best in this series for 15 minutes in the 2nd period of game 4. Where they took more chances than before, and actually engaged the Rangers physically. Started to play with emotion, and initiate some scrums to get themselves into it.

To me, that's how they need to play. Dictate the game, and make the Rangers play your style. Don't just bend over and agree to play into their game.
- flyer_nutter

What does this taking chances mean? Pinching more often? Attempting stretch passes more? Forwards trying to skate the puck into the offensive zone?

What does this taking chances mean? Pinching more often? Attempting stretch passes more? Forwards trying to skate the puck into the offensive zone?
- PhillySportsGuy

One, it means having your D-men try and stand up at the blueline more. They have not done this all series, and wait for the forwards to take the puck away with back-pressure.

The Rangers just push them back with their speed, and they back off far too easily.

Two, you have your d-men pinch in more as well as trying to skate the puck up slightly instead of passing it off immediately and making your forwards carry it up the ice the whole way. I realise not many of the d-men are great at this, but you must try. Every successful team does that, and its a big reason why NY has easier break-outs compared to the Flyers.

The two biggest, in my mind.

Again, I'd disagree.

I kind of doubt in general, and especially on home ice at the start of every period you would see your #1 line sat in favour of your 3rd line, all just to shut down the other team.

I'll stop here, I don't want to make tonight about Berube. They have to overcome his BS at this point imo, let see if they can do it. I want Timonen to have more of a last 'hoorah' than game 6 tonight.
- flyer_nutter

Most Coaches will line match. One shift at the start of the game doesn't mean a team is playing conservatively and sitting back defensively. And remember, when that happens, that means that the Coach can then get his top line out in the match up that he wants.
Berube is a good coach. And calling his strategy BS seems like hyperbole to me. He plays no differently then other teams do. You don't think that Claude Julien tries to get Bergeron and Chara out against other teams top lines?

Most Coaches will line match. One shift at the start of the game doesn't mean a team is playing conservatively and sitting back defensively. And remember, when that happens, that means that the Coach can then get his top line out in the match up that he wants.
Berube is a good coach. And calling his strategy BS seems like hyperbole to me. He plays no differently then other teams do. You don't think that Claude Julien tries to get Bergeron and Chara out against other teams top lines?
- MJL

No worries, I don't want to get into an endless thing on this. I think he has dropped the ball big time. New topic.

It Is all Giroux's fault. He went and guaranteed a Game 4 win instead of Guaranteeing a series win

I think they're better than the Flyers. If the Flyers lose this series, I'm not sure how you can put them on the same level. The Rangers have dominated the Flyers for 3 years now.
- PhillySportsGuy

They dominated us in 11-12. Since then we have gone 6-8 against them.

It Is all Giroux's fault. He went and guaranteed a Game 4 win instead of Guaranteeing a series win
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

As much as I have defended Giroux, he does need to step up tonight.

McDonagh and Giradi aside, tonight he needs to find a way to yet again put them on his back.

One, it means having your D-men try and stand up at the blueline more. They have not done this all series, and wait for the forwards to take the puck away with back-pressure.

The Rangers just push them back with their speed, and they back off far too easily.

Two, you have your d-men pinch in more as well as trying to skate the puck up slightly instead of passing it off immediately and making your forwards carry it up the ice the whole way. I realise not many of the d-men are great at this, but you must try. Every successful team does that, and its a big reason why NY has easier break-outs compared to the Flyers.

The two biggest, in my mind.
- flyer_nutter

if you have them do this, i dont think you will like the results from a lot of the guys on the roster. gus might be decent at it though

Anybody know a Flyers safe haven in NYC midtown where a guy can watch tonight's game? My buddy is stuck in NYC and won't be able to make it back to Philly in time to catch tonight's game.

Mike Richards and Jeff Carter about to be the only two people in all professional sports to come back from two 3-0 deficits.
- Winning

That LA team was pretty much left for dead.

Can't believe they've come back like this.