See that’s the rub.....you have Giroux, Coots and Vorecek having career years....ghost and Provy forming a legit # one pairing and Elliot playing a really reliable game....so are they winning in spite of Hak or because of? Could they be better? I’m not a big fan of Hakstol but that would change if he can have playoff success....to me the jury is still out on whether he will be a long term successful NHL coach.
- landros 2

He's definitely put his most effective players in a place to succeed yet so many focus on the bottom half of the line up and players in the minors.

He's going with experience with the Filppula line. I don't love it and certainly don't like the offensive output but for the most part they've been solid.

Raffl and Laughton were having rough games last night which explains why the the hated bastards saw more ice time.

I was screaming at the screen for the flyers to move up when he dropped. I still don't understand why he dropped that far.

In a round about way the Have ended up with the poopty Drouin tho so I'm ok with it.
- hereticpride

I was doing the same thing. He's going to be so good. Might be the best overall dman in the league in a few years. He just does everything so well.

I would not make any significant deal for a forward or defenseman unless it was a deal for the future. Other than making a reasonably cheap deal for a goaltender with the right contract, I would not give up any future significant assets for a playoff rental.
- MJL

That’s the prudent way to look at their situation right now. I think you can find a goalie for a late-round pick, given that they’re quite a few available.

He's definitely put his most effective players in a place to succeed yet so many focus on the bottom half of the line up and players in the minors.

He's going with experience with the Filppula line. I don't love it and certainly don't like the offensive output but for the most part they've been solid.

Raffl and Laughton were having rough games last night which explains why the the hated bastards saw more ice time.
- Baxter27

That's absolutely true. They were getting destroyed the whole night. But the prior nights, when they were dominating play (particularly Weal -- who has put together some very good hockey for the last 5-8 games despite not scoring), they don't get additional ice time.

That's why I get annoyed.

Not sure why considering it worked.

Flyers need to cash in on points where they can get them with the state of their division.
- Baxter27

The end does't always justify the means. Just because they came out on top last night wouldn't inspire me to follow that particular blueprint in every similar instance.

Based on the fact that the Flyers historically played to the losing end in Columbus over the recent years, and they fared just as poorly in OT and SO's against the Jacks, I'd be a little hesitant to play conservatively against them in the closing minute.

It worked out well last night. However, I wouldn't wanted to make a steady diet of that rotation late in any close game.

I was doing the same thing. He's going to be so good. Might be the best overall dman in the league in a few years. He just does everything so well.
- VladDrag

I will always believe Roy coaching McKinnon in junior carried a lot of weight with the Avs. The next 2 choices made little sense at the time.

Don’t look now, but that St Louis pick may just be better than expected. They could end up, with a bit of luck, just missing the playoffs. The pick is top 10 protected, but if it ends up at 14 or 15, I’ll be very happy!
- BiggE

I figured that it could be in that mid to late teen range. They’ve been dealing with injuries since the start of the year and it’s starting to catch up to them. Not to mention that team has a history of early playoff round exits....that is probably the best case scenario Hextall could’ve hoped for.

That's absolutely true. They were getting destroyed the whole night. But the prior nights, when they were dominating play (particularly Weal -- who has put together some very good hockey for the last 5-8 games despite not scoring), they don't get additional ice time.

That's why I get annoyed.
- VladDrag

I agree the Laughton line should be considered the 3rd line. Weal has been good lately and made some great plays last night. Had no issue with the other 2 losing their ice time.

The end does't always justify the means. Just because they came out on top last night wouldn't inspire me to follow that particular blueprint in every similar instance.

Based on the fact that the Flyers historically played to the losing end in Columbus over the recent years, and they fared just as poorly in OT and SO's against the Jacks, I'd be a little hesitant to play conservatively against them in the closing minute.

It worked out well last night. However, I wouldn't wanted to make a steady diet of that rotation late in any close game.
- 77rams

Im more concerned they've blown leads to divisional rivals late in games. However after doing it I don't think it's a bad play to ensure a point. Not sure they were doing that last night though asside from the last minute.

I will always believe Roy coaching McKinnon in junior carried a lot of weight with the Avs. The next 2 choices made little sense at the time.
- ravishingone

MacKinnon would still be a no brainer over Jones. Barkov was a surprise at the time but is a hell of a player in his own right. The real mis step was Tampa buying into the drouin hype. It was running wild at the time.

Im more concerned they've blown leads to divisional rivals late in games. However after doing it I don't think it's a bad play to ensure a point. Not sure they were doing that last night though asside from the last minute.
- Baxter27

I absolutely agree about the blown leads and understand wanting to grab a point.

It just worries me when you play conservatively that too often it comes back to bite you on the bum.

I guess I'm greedy that way and maybe even a bit reckless, but I'd have gone for the win in regulation.

Last 5 mins of a game when up a goal, the bench needs to be shortened. You may have to mix and match a bit, but so be it. I’d also bring up Lindblom and get Lehterä out of the lineup. I don’t think Lindblom playing limited minutes during the stretch drive will do any lasting damage to his development and replacing Lehterä with him improves the team

With that in mind, here are my 3 lines for the last 5 or so mins when protecting a lead:

Giroux-Coots-Tk
Raffl-Patrick-Jake
Lindblom-Filppula or Laughton*-Weal or Simmonds*

*depends on matchup and who is playing better that night. Weise would be glued to the bench.

On D
Provorov-Ghost or Gudas for D zone draws
AMac at times with Hagg and at times with Gudas

Manning should also be glued to the bench in this situation!

Last minute go with
Giroux-Coots-Raffl
Provorov-Gudas
And use your timeout if they need a blow. This is the best recipe for locking down a late game lead.

MacKinnon would still be a no brainer over Jones. Barkov was a surprise at the time but is a hell of a player in his own right. The real mis step was Tampa buying into the drouin hype. It was running wild at the time.
- Baxter27

Think maybe they were envisioning a Martin St. Louis part 2?

Think maybe they were envisioning a Martin St. Louis part 2?
- 77rams

Probably, but they just missed the boat...thankfully. A top pair of Hedman-Jones would just be frighteningly good.

Last 5 mins of a game when up a goal, the bench needs to be shortened. You may have to mix and match a bit, but so be it. I’d also bring up Lindblom and get Lehterä out of the lineup. I don’t think Lindblom playing limited minutes during the stretch drive will do any lasting damage to his development and replacing Lehterä with him improves the team

With that in mind, here are my 3 lines for the last 5 or so mins when protecting a lead:

Giroux-Coots-Tk
Raffl-Patrick-Jake
Lindblom-Filppula or Laughton*-Weal or Simmonds*

*depends on matchup and who is playing better that night. Weise would be glued to the bench.

On D
Provorov-Ghost or Gudas for D zone draws
AMac at times with Hagg and at times with Gudas

Manning should also be glued to the bench in this situation!

Last minute go with
Giroux-Coots-Raffl
Provorov-Gudas
And use your timeout if they need a blow. This is the best recipe for locking down a late game lead.
- BiggE

Wouldn't have an issue with more Ghost in the last couple minutes, personally. But I feel you

Lehtera has 22 shots all season, in 40 games.

Even Weise has 39 shots in 39 games.

Lehtera has been so completely ineffective its mind boggling. 3 assists, ZERO goals. The only thing he does remotely well is win faceoffs (54.3% in a relatively small sampling of 105 faceoffs taken)
- MBFlyerfan

1 point in his last 27 games.

Wouldn't have an issue with more Ghost in the last couple minutes, personally. But I feel you
- Giroux_Is_God

The only reason I kind of lean towards Gudas for the D zone draws is because it seems that the refs are swallowing the whistle and it often comes down to puck battles along the wall and in front of the net. Other than D zone draws, it would be Ghost with Provy every time.

MacKinnon would still be a no brainer over Jones. Barkov was a surprise at the time but is a hell of a player in his own right. The real mis step was Tampa buying into the drouin hype. It was running wild at the time.
- Baxter27

I don't know about a no brainer. Hes a number 1 dman who eats 26 mins a night. I know McKinnon is a stud 1 center, but to me it's not a no brainer.

Last 5 mins of a game when up a goal, the bench needs to be shortened. You may have to mix and match a bit, but so be it. I’d also bring up Lindblom and get Lehterä out of the lineup. I don’t think Lindblom playing limited minutes during the stretch drive will do any lasting damage to his development and replacing Lehterä with him improves the team

With that in mind, here are my 3 lines for the last 5 or so mins when protecting a lead:

Giroux-Coots-Tk
Raffl-Patrick-Jake
Lindblom-Filppula or Laughton*-Weal or Simmonds*

*depends on matchup and who is playing better that night. Weise would be glued to the bench.

On D
Provorov-Ghost or Gudas for D zone draws
AMac at times with Hagg and at times with Gudas

Manning should also be glued to the bench in this situation!

Last minute go with
Giroux-Coots-Raffl
Provorov-Gudas
And use your timeout if they need a blow. This is the best recipe for locking down a late game lead.
- BiggE

I like the way you think.

Lehtera has 22 shots all season, in 40 games.

Even Weise has 39 shots in 39 games.

Lehtera has been so completely ineffective its mind boggling. 3 assists, ZERO goals. The only thing he does remotely well is win faceoffs (54.3% in a relatively small sampling of 105 faceoffs taken)
- MBFlyerfan

At this point, the only reason he seems to play is size.

I'd rather play Leier and be at a size deficit than the skill and speed deficit Lehtera puts the team in.

Yep.

Though I agree with Hextall's and Hak's MO of moving young players through the system and lineup respectively until they're ready, sometime they overcook them.

Players like Coots and TK were left on bottom 6 lines too long. Most here were repeatedly demanding for them to be given an opportunity to show what they can do with better players and when finally given the chance, have been productive.

Confidence can be a game changer.
- 77rams

I just dont see the overcooking thing..

Coots has been on this team since the first year he was eligible ..Yes he is a beast this year..yes some of that is playing with Giroux and recently TK but as much as it is Coots looks like a totally different player. They have tried playing Coots with other strong players before and prior to this season he never produced like this.

I just dont see the overcooking thing..

Coots has been on this team since the first year he was eligible ..Yes he is a beast this year..yes some of that is playing with Giroux and recently TK but as much as it is Coots looks like a totally different player. They have tried playing Coots with other strong players before and prior to this season he never produced like this.
- opeth_pa

Yeah I don't understand that logic. Maybe it just took coots a while to develop his offensive abilities at the nhl level. His usage as a shutdown center definitely didn't help but it also allowed him a comfortable entry into the league unlike sanheim who was asked to play to his weaknesses

The fact that Hak placed out his 4th line during the last minute of play to try and reach overtime instead of taking a shot at winning in regulation is very disturbing to me.
- 77rams

Solid strategy by the coach. Columbus had carried play for the majority of the game and had ramped up momentum with the tying goal. The Giroux line had just come off the ice on a shift that ended at 19:10 on the game clock. Placing out experienced veterans and responsible defensive center at that point was the right call. I don't find winning the game on the road and getting two points disturbing at all. I find it to be fantastic.

Don’t look now, but that St Louis pick may just be better than expected. They could end up, with a bit of luck, just missing the playoffs. The pick is top 10 protected, but if it ends up at 14 or 15, I’ll be very happy!
- BiggE

I think they'll get in. They have Schwartz back now. However, if they don't I will be crossing my fingers for Hayton. Will probably be a couple defenseman around there too

He's definitely put his most effective players in a place to succeed yet so many focus on the bottom half of the line up and players in the minors.

He's going with experience with the Filppula line. I don't love it and certainly don't like the offensive output but for the most part they've been solid.

Raffl and Laughton were having rough games last night which explains why the the hated bastards saw more ice time.
- Baxter27

It's more of the same such as the complaints in the Vegas game because MacDonald/Hagg had a slightly higher minutes total in the 3rd period.