i hope giroux is ready to play tomorrow i heard he was goofing around with grilled cheese sandwiches
- 2Real

Grilled cheese has always been G's thing.

I only deal in fax
- PhillySportsGuy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-E029odGrs

Grilled cheese has always been G's thing.
- johndewar

yea but he should be focused and ready to kill the caps tomorrow

Kinda how I feel about it.

My heart says the Flyers win in 7.

My brain says the Caps win in 5.

I'm still cool with how this season went. They've made good strides, gotten away from some bad contracts, and gotten growth from some key young players.
- johndewar

I would be more surprised if this ended in 4 or 5 games than I would be if the Flyers won it.

So much of hockey is about luck. Especially in small sample sizes (like a series). I think this thing could go either way, but I lean more towards the Caps because of their special teams play. I, also, think our current defense is a mess other than Ghost and Gudas. Teams are really going to target Amac on carry-ins, and Schultz and Manning on dump-ins. I imagine they'll do everything possible to force the puck away from Ghost and make Amac beat them.

This series will really make it evident how much they need Medvedev in the lineup over a guy like Manning.

Not to mention it's a bit harder to attract the next Peniriean without recent Cups.
- Tomahawk

Don't underestimate the value of Villanova winning in attracting NHL free agents.

And their tv crew. Already as old as that damned goal song.
- tangent_man

yes, rooting for St Louis

yea but he should be focused and ready to kill the caps tomorrow
- 2Real

grilled cheese brings him focus and power

I would be more surprised if this ended in 4 or 5 games than I would be if the Flyers won it.

So much of hockey is about luck. Especially in small sample sizes (like a series). I think this thing could go either way, but I lean more towards the Caps because of their special teams play. I, also, think our current defense is a mess other than Ghost and Gudas. Teams are really going to target Amac on carry-ins, and Schultz and Manning on dump-ins. I imagine they'll do everything possible to force the puck away from Ghost and make Amac beat them.

This series will really make it evident how much they need Medvedev in the lineup over a guy like Manning.
- PhillySportsGuy

There's definitely a lot of luck involved, but a huge part of playoff hockey is how well you run your system, and how well you've analyzed your opponent's. I'd imagine Hak and Lappy are watching endless hours of Caps power plays to figure out ways to shut it down. We'll really see how disciplined and structured this team can be, from the top down, in the next week or so. Hopefully structure doesn't equal Umberger.....

Not to mention it's a bit harder to attract the next Peniriean without recent Cups.
- Tomahawk

People see the Blackhawks signing both of those guys to huge deals and think that since they did it, it's the right move for everyone. This is the first year they've each had that huge sum and their depth has suffered. We really haven't seen the real effect it has on the future of their team.

What about fax similes?
- tangent_man

As good as it gets

I would be more surprised if this ended in 4 or 5 games than I would be if the Flyers won it.

So much of hockey is about luck. Especially in small sample sizes (like a series). I think this thing could go either way, but I lean more towards the Caps because of their special teams play. I, also, think our current defense is a mess other than Ghost and Gudas. Teams are really going to target Amac on carry-ins, and Schultz and Manning on dump-ins. I imagine they'll do everything possible to force the puck away from Ghost and make Amac beat them.

This series will really make it evident how much they need Medvedev in the lineup over a guy like Manning.
- PhillySportsGuy

shh Trotz could be reading this

I would be more surprised if this ended in 4 or 5 games than I would be if the Flyers won it.

So much of hockey is about luck. Especially in small sample sizes (like a series). I think this thing could go either way, but I lean more towards the Caps because of their special teams play. I, also, think our current defense is a mess other than Ghost and Gudas. Teams are really going to target Amac on carry-ins, and Schultz and Manning on dump-ins. I imagine they'll do everything possible to force the puck away from Ghost and make Amac beat them.

This series will really make it evident how much they need Medvedev in the lineup over a guy like Manning.
- PhillySportsGuy

Medvedev vs. Manning is truly a non-issue. They're both fringe NHL players and likely wouldn't be 7's on a cup contender. If the reason we lose this series is Medvedev vs. Manning, then we should be ecstatic. It would mean we are #6 D-man away from beating a powerhouse. I think everyone can see how silly that sounds....

Forgive me if this has been poste already, but this is awesome!

http://www.csnphilly.com/...mp-video-star-wars-mashup

The expansion rules really determine what Hextall should do with him.

If his NMC is going to force the Flyers to protect him in a June, 2017 expansion draft then you have to buy him out this summer.

If his NMC doesn't count because his contract is expiring, but his cap hit counts towards the 25% requirement then he's worth keeping on the roster.

Honestly, I think this team would be just as good if not better with Umberger on the 4th line and Laughton and Raffl taking VdV's PK minutes.
- Feanor

Yup, you're probably right.

New blog up...

There's definitely a lot of luck involved, but a huge part of playoff hockey is how well you run your system, and how well you've analyzed your opponent's. I'd imagine Hak and Lappy are watching endless hours of Caps power plays to figure out ways to shut it down. We'll really see how disciplined and structured this team can be, from the top down, in the next week or so. Hopefully structure doesn't equal Umberger.....
- Coleman

I do think the Flyers play structured (not on the PK). I just think their inability to move the puck on the backend is really going to hurt them in this series. It's difficult to generate offense when the forwards constantly need to come back and hold a defenseman's hand as they move up ice.

I loved their lineup when they had Ghost, MDZ, Medvedev, Streit and Gudas all in the top 6.

Medvedev vs. Manning is truly a non-issue. They're both fringe NHL players and likely wouldn't be 7's on a cup contender. If the reason we lose this series is Medvedev vs. Manning, then we should be ecstatic. It would mean we are #6 D-man away from beating a powerhouse. I think everyone can see how silly that sounds....
- steelydan

Couldn't disagree more about Manning vs Medvedev. Medvedev is a strong puck mover who makes occasional blunders. Manning is a poor puck mover who makes more than occasional blunders. With the way the Flyers struggle to move the puck, playing Manning over Medvedev is a significant downgrade.

And their tv crew. Already as old as that damned goal song.
- tangent_man

Frank them and their fans. I really cannot stand anything about that organization.

Couldn't disagree more about Manning vs Medvedev. Medvedev is a strong puck mover who makes occasional blunders. Manning is a poor puck mover who makes more than occasional blunders. With the way the Flyers struggle to move the puck, playing Manning over Medvedev is a significant downgrade.
- PhillySportsGuy

I disagree.

I think Manning moves the puck well. He isn't as dynamic offensively but I also don't think the Flyers need that.

I have said it before. When Manning plays they seem to just play better compared to when Medvedev is in. I don't have nice fancy stats to support it but they just look better defensively with Manning in compared to Medvedev. Also I think Manning's physicality will be useful in this series.

Couldn't disagree more about Manning vs Medvedev. Medvedev is a strong puck mover who makes occasional blunders. Manning is a poor puck mover who makes more than occasional blunders. With the way the Flyers struggle to move the puck, playing Manning over Medvedev is a significant downgrade.
- PhillySportsGuy

Medvedev does have consistency issues (overblown though imo -- people like to harp on turnovers and neglect the dozen good plays he makes per), but Man Dog is at best a 6/7. At worst, he's an AHL player. Medvedev when on his game is the second best d man on this team behind Ghost. Would he have good games? I don't know. I believe so, or at least he'd play as well as some others. But he is a true X factor if deployed. He's the very definition of a potential difference maker.

Medvedev does have consistency issues (overblown though imo -- people like to harp on turnovers and neglect the dozen good plays he makes per), but Man Dog is at best a 6/7. At worst, he's an AHL player. Medvedev when on his game is the second best d man on this team behind Ghost. Would he have good games? I don't know. I believe so, or at least he'd play as well as some others. But he is a true X factor if deployed. He's the very definition of a potential difference maker.
- Mononoke

What I've never understood is how Medvedev's turnovers and gaffs are reasons for scratchings, but Manning's and Schutlz's are just things we accept. At least Medvedev offers offense

I disagree.

I think Manning moves the puck well. He isn't as dynamic offensively but I also don't think the Flyers need that.

I have said it before. When Manning plays they seem to just play better compared to when Medvedev is in. I don't have nice fancy stats to support it but they just look better defensively with Manning in compared to Medvedev. Also I think Manning's physicality will be useful in this series.
- J35Bacher

You can use the eye test all you want, but Medvedev is significantly better in terms of shot suppression and is also better at reducing scoring chances and high danger scoring chances. He's significantly better offensively.

Manning is consistently beaten for odd man rushes, but no one bothers to direct the hate at him like they do at Medvedev for similar plays. It makes no sense.

What I've never understood is how Medvedev's turnovers and gaffs are reasons for scratchings, but Manning's and Schutlz's are just things we accept. At least Medvedev offers offense
- PhillySportsGuy

Death by 1000 failed chip outs. Schultz I understand a teeny bit more than Manning, because as much as he irks me, he is responsible in coverage and on the PK. It's everything else...which is kinda important. Manning adds about as much offense as Schultz while being a lot more haphazard defensively in coverage, and not much better with the puck on his stick. Manning does however excel at NZ defense, an important Hak staple. Yet, Medvedev is just as good at NZ defense, is far far superior at breakouts, and has serious offensive touch.

Apologies to steely, but stats schmats -- I am puzzled how anyone can watch Medvedev and think he's a fringe NHL talent. I see him as an ace up the Flyers's sleeve that could close the gap in this series. And it will stink when they find that ace card turn up 2 weeks later in the wash.

grilled cheese brings him focus and power
- BulliesPhan87

it better or imma be pissed

Yup, you're probably right.

New blog up...
- wolfhounds

bump