I'd rather see the Flyers promote from within then get into a UFA contract and overpay. I believe with the state of the PK that they could use a legitimate PK specialist who can also skate a regular shift on the 4th line. They need some moxie on the PK.
- MJL

It’s a shame everyone a couple years ago would have penciled in either Laughton/rubstov as the 3C for an 18-19 season. I’m sure the team envisioned it also. But right now there is as big a hole there as there’s ever been.

It’s certainly early on rubstov.

I wouldn't like the Flyers chances against Boston at all. I think they're the best team in the East.
- MJL

call me crazy but I would rather play the Bruins than Tampa. The Bruins are limping in, some of their rookies seem to be hitting the wall and Chara looks slow. I think our top end talent lines up well against theirs, If G, Coots and Jake continue.

Tampa is so fast and skilled, I think the Flyers struggle against that type of team.

I wouldn't like the Flyers chances against Boston at all. I think they're the best team in the East.
- MJL

If the Flyers could get in and win a round, that would be a tremendous accomplishment. Sure we all want more, but taking a step back the holes on the roster are obvious. However, Ghost, G, and Voracek bounced back. Coots grew tremendously. All the kids are farther along then when the season started. A lot of steps forward no matter what happens tomorrow.

call me crazy but I would rather play the Bruins than Tampa. The Bruins are limping in, some of their rookies seem to be hitting the wall and Chara looks slow. I think our top end talent lines up well against theirs, If G, Coots and Jake continue.

Tampa is so fast and skilled, I think the Flyers struggle against that type of team.
- wcorvette

Carlo is a big loss as well

I wouldn't like the Flyers chances against Boston at all. I think they're the best team in the East.
- MJL

All the match ups are tough.
I think they play fairly well vs Boston, but also see a best case scenario as the Flyers being competitive and losing in 6.

If the Flyers could get in and win a round, that would be a tremendous accomplishment. Sure we all want more, but taking a step back the holes on the roster are obvious. However, Ghost, G, and Voracek bounced back. Coots grew tremendously. All the kids are farther along then when the season started. A lot of steps forward no matter what happens tomorrow.
- ravishingone

Good morning, my cheesesteak-snarfing friends.

Just wondering: who are you fellas hoping to meet in the first round?

It's going to be a wild final weekend for the Metro division.

IMHO, you should be hoping for Washington.
- Atomic Wedgie

I don't think it matters much. The goaltending and drop off of talent after the top 3 D and top 6 FWDS is abysmal and leaves major holes which will promptly get exploited in the 4 games they play.

I'd rather see the Flyers promote from within then get into a UFA contract and overpay. I believe with the state of the PK that they could use a legitimate PK specialist who can also skate a regular shift on the 4th line. They need some moxie on the PK.
- MJL

The PK needs an upgrade. Matt Read who is playing at 2/3rds of where he was a few years ago is a big upgrade to this team, which is not good.

Getting someone with more speed and who can reliably clear pucks will go a long ways to improve things.

Having Morin with his reach and size playing PK should be an upgrade.

Also I think next year Sanheim should get PK time. Hopefully guyslike Morin and Sanheim are improvements, but have to wait and see.

I just can’t wait for next Wednesday night. To me it’s one of my favorite nights of the year. I’ve come close to taking off work before to watch the late game. Just love when it kicks off.

It’s a shame everyone a couple years ago would have penciled in either Laughton/rubstov as the 3C for an 18-19 season. I’m sure the team envisioned it also. But right now there is as big a hole there as there’s ever been.

It’s certainly early on rubstov.
- Just5

I haven’t seen much of Rubstov but I did watch him in world juniors. He looked like he could be an nhl player.

The PK needs an upgrade. Matt Read who is playing at 2/3rds of where he was a few years ago is a big upgrade to this team, which is not good.

Getting someone with more speed and who can reliably clear pucks will go a long ways to improve things.

Having Morin with his reach and size playing PK should be an upgrade.

Also I think next year Sanheim should get PK time. Hopefully guyslike Morin and Sanheim are improvements, but have to wait and see.
- Marc D

Reach and poke check are huge in the new NHL. Gudas, Manning and AMAC don't have, Sanheim is getting better and hopefully Morin and Myers make it.

I haven’t seen much of Rubstov but I did watch him in world juniors. He looked like he could be an nhl player.
- Marc D

right now a bottom 6 winger, hope that changes.

I haven’t seen much of Rubstov but I did watch him in world juniors. He looked like he could be an nhl player.
- Marc D

I think he will be one, just a matter of how much scoring upside he has. I think it will largely depend on who he ends up playing with here

call me crazy but I would rather play the Bruins than Tampa. The Bruins are limping in, some of their rookies seem to be hitting the wall and Chara looks slow. I think our top end talent lines up well against theirs, If G, Coots and Jake continue.

Tampa is so fast and skilled, I think the Flyers struggle against that type of team.
- wcorvette

Boston is a heavy team and they have a top line that can shut down the Giroux line while taking it too them offensively.

Boston is a heavy team and they have a top line that can shut down the Giroux line while taking it too them offensively.
- MJL

That is possible but then Tampa is a fast team who can shut them down.

I was ok starting Elliott last night, I thought it was the right decision. I can see allowing a softie due to rust, but he gave up 3 goals last night that are routine saves. You have to go with a goaltender who can make a routine save. I'd go with Mrazek or Lyon and hope they bring their A game. Mrazek was great in a pretty big game against the Bruins. Amazing game 82 and they are the only team in the league who doesn't know who the goaltender is during the playoffs.
- PLindbergh31

that's not exactly fair. Elliott would have been the hands down started had he not gotten hurt and getting hurt could happen to any goalie. I would also argue St. Louis isn't exactly happy with Allen. I'm sure he will get the all important start against Colorado which will decide that final spot but I know he's been very shaky

Amac blindly throwing the puck in the slot was egregiously awful. I was waiting for the circus music when he tripped on a banana peel on the Canes first goal.

It's amazing the Flyers have two defenseman worse than him. Gudas and Manning are laughably bad. Morin was drafted 5 years ago and the guy has played 2 NHL games. Hard to believe. I think it's safe to say next year is make or break for him.
- PLindbergh31

I was at at the game and yelled "what are you doing?" JFC that was bad.

I thought Morin should have made the team this year to be honest but what do I know.

Reach and poke check are huge in the new NHL. Gudas, Manning and AMAC don't have, Sanheim is getting better and hopefully Morin and Myers make it.
- wcorvette

I like Amac and think there is a role for guys like Gudas and Manning.

But that role doesn’t include killing key penalties in the third or being out there for the 6 v 5 when the other team is trying to tie it up in the last minutes.

Other then Provorov, they don’t have anyone I really trust to get the puck and clear it in the late game play, and even Provy has made some big turnovers this season.

They have been forced to use Manning full time, when he should be ideally a #7.

Amac has played well this year, but when he is asked to play top 4 minutes and the PK, he’s going to have an ugly turnover.

Gudas I think could play 3rd pair with the right partner, but since his suspension he has looked tentative. I think he’s still playing because he’s the lone RH. But he’s the guy Haks sends out with Provy for the key PK minutes vs the top PP.
Not a role he’s going to succeed in most of the time.

Boston is a heavy team and they have a top line that can shut down the Giroux line while taking it too them offensively.
- MJL

Nolan Patrick vs Krecji would have to work for the Flyers to have a chance vs Bs.

Although Bergeron has not looked quite 100% since coming back, that line is still really good.

I was at at the game and yelled "what are you doing?" JFC that was bad.

I thought Morin should have made the team this year to be honest but what do I know.
- nastyflyergirl

Can’t imagine being at the game.
My heart was racing for most of the third period.

How the hell did Filpula get more ice time than Giroux? WTF???
- PLindbergh31

I think I'd take Holtby/Grubauer combo over what the Flyers have. Washington will go with Holtby. I'd be pretty surprised if they didn't.
- PLindbergh31

Pretty certain they start Holtby but he will have a very short leash. Despite his loss to the Preds last night with not a lot of shots he was simply amazing in the third period until the he finally broke down. The loss was not on him. The way Holtby is playing the Caps would likely have been trampled last night.
I go back with Elliott, he is your guy and I would expect him to be better, he is a very competitive guy and will bounce back.

that's not exactly fair. Elliott would have been the hands down started had he not gotten hurt and getting hurt could happen to any goalie. I would also argue St. Louis isn't exactly happy with Allen. I'm sure he will get the all important start against Colorado which will decide that final spot but I know he's been very shaky
- nastyflyergirl

Agreed, Allen, Elliot, Holtby, and even Murray are all a little scary heading into the playoffs. Actually even Vasilevski has dropped off considerably in the last month.

I just can’t wait for next Wednesday night. To me it’s one of my favorite nights of the year. I’ve come close to taking off work before to watch the late game. Just love when it kicks off.
- Just5

Its like April Christmas, and I always find myself thinking, wow, this isn't going to be over until the middle of June. And when June comes around and its the conference finals, SC finals, I find myself thinking back to that time when it started and think about what a different person I was so long ago......

Boston is a heavy team and they have a top line that can shut down the Giroux line while taking it too them offensively.
- MJL

The Bruins are a force but they appear to running out of gas as they have been trying to overtake Tampa Bay and look wiped, even little Brad. They have been on the road and very likely regroup at home but a long playoff series and they could be had. Either way whoever is in goal for the Flyers will have to be on his game.