They've lost 3 games in this series by a combined score of 17 - 1.

Any adjustment at all would be better than what is going on right now.
- johndewar

Yeah I agree. I haven't rewatched the GA, but I thought Weal was noticeable for most of the game

Pre-season prediction: The Flyers will squeak into the playoffs but lose in the first round.

HB, October 1, 2017: Hooray! Progress and some playoff experience for the kids! I like where this is going!!!!1

Actual results: The Flyers squeaked into the playoffs but lose in the first round.

HB, April 19, 2018: This team sucks!!! Hakstol is the worst!!!!1 No, wait, Hextall is the worst, Hakstol is the second worst!!!!1
- Scoob

I can handle a first round loss, it's the complete lack of effort that's troublesome to me.

Pre-season prediction: The Flyers will squeak into the playoffs but lose in the first round.

HB, October 1, 2017: Hooray! Progress and some playoff experience for the kids! I like where this is going!!!!1

Actual results: The Flyers squeaked into the playoffs but lose in the first round.

HB, April 19, 2018: This team sucks!!! Hakstol is the worst!!!!1 No, wait, Hextall is the worst, Hakstol is the second worst!!!!1
- Scoob

I mean I am frustrated because I hate losing and the effort. But you also have to be aware of where this team is. There is a reason both the Jackets and Devils sat guys to avoid the Pens

I'd take Trotz over Hak every day of the week and twice on Sunday. I've had my fill of Hakstol.
- BiggE

I agree.

Look, I know that Hakstol can't go on the ice and play, and I know that he has limited options based on what he is given by Hextall.

That said, I have never seen a team play less inspired hockey. They were 100% passive last night aside from the short flurry right before Elliott let in a terrible goal. There was zero pushback, the were just going through the motions for 58 minutes last night. To me, that falls on the coach. They're playing like they're afraid of making any physical contact, they have zero bite to their game, and their complete lack of cohesion displayed last night was absolutely atrocious.

Nolan Patrick played well last night.

There is a reason both the Jackets and Devils sat guys to avoid the Pens
- J35Bacher

I don't think that either team did that.

Pre-season prediction: The Flyers will squeak into the playoffs but lose in the first round.

HB, October 1, 2017: Hooray! Progress and some playoff experience for the kids! I like where this is going!!!!1

Actual results: The Flyers squeaked into the playoffs but lose in the first round.

HB, April 19, 2018: This team sucks!!! Hakstol is the worst!!!!1 No, wait, Hextall is the worst, Hakstol is the second worst!!!!1
- Scoob

I firmly believe that they got into the playoffs despite Hakstol, not because of him.

I mean, oh wait, he moved Giroux to wing, he is the best coach ever, that's some Scotty Bowman-esque genius right there.

I don't think that either team did that.
- Scoob

I think the Jackets did.

I know you can say it was for them to rest players but i also think they wanted the matchup against the caps. i probably would have done it too if the Flyers didn't need the game 82 win to get in

I can handle a first round loss, it's the complete lack of effort that's troublesome to me.
- Doctor DOOM

Exactly. Hell, if they got swept by a superior team but went down swinging all the way, I could live with that. It's the manner in which they are losing that's infuriating.

Not to mention Hakstol's apparent attachment to players like Gudas and Manning and his unwillingness to not make either a healthy scratch when they have both played horribly (not that other coaches don't do the same).

I think the Jackets did.


- J35Bacher

I don't. Nobody can predict which path is "easier" and it'd be foolish to try.

I don't think that either team did that.
- Scoob

The Devils also did. They didn't dress Hall or Kinkaid....who they THOUGHT was going to be their stud starter for the playoffs. Didn't exactly pan out that way though. I think they sat a couple other players too.

Funniest thing is that the Devils were 3-1 vs. the Pens this year

I don't. Nobody can predict which path is "easier" and it'd be foolish to try.
- Scoob

I agree with you both. I agree that you can't predict which is easier, and I also feel like Columbus tried to do so.

Whatever system they are playing vs Pittsburgh hasn’t worked all season or in the playoffs.

You’d expect the coach to try and make some adjustments given that.

I completely realize he doesn’t have many options but would have liked to see him try something. Also realize the results likely could be the same given the personnel on the two teams we are watching.

The Devils also did. They didn't dress Hall or Kinkaid....who they THOUGHT was going to be their stud starter for the playoffs. Didn't exactly pan out that way though. I think they sat a couple other players too.
- Hckygoalie31

But both NJ and Columbus were only trailing by a goal during the 3rd period of their final games. If the coaches wanted to "throw" the game by scratching players, that's one thing. But the players are programmed to try to win.

So a pat on the pants will make Voracek show up? Maybe if he hugged Simmonds more he would actually play a little better? Damn a reach around on Elliott and he might make a big save.

I don't care if he is emotional or not on the bench.
- J35Bacher

I didn't say hug guys or wrap arounds buddy I said show them you care being stoic and showing no emotion is not working they are playing uninspired right now and need a lift, maybe the Coach can help with that by showing he cares.

Whatever system they are playing vs Pittsburgh hasn’t worked all season or in the playoffs.

You’d expect the coach to try and make some adjustments given that.

I completely realize he doesn’t have many options but would have liked to see him try something. Also realize the results likely could be the same given the personnel on the two teams we are watching.
- Marc D

And that's fine. I think we all know that the Pens are a flat-out better team. But if what you're doing isn't working, it seems like the most logical thing in the world would be to try something else. Hell, I'd rather have Hagg in the lineup for the experience of playoff hockey if nothing else.

Pre-season prediction: The Flyers will squeak into the playoffs but lose in the first round.

HB, October 1, 2017: Hooray! Progress and some playoff experience for the kids! I like where this is going!!!!1

Actual results: The Flyers squeaked into the playoffs but lose in the first round.

HB, April 19, 2018: This team sucks!!! Hakstol is the worst!!!!1 No, wait, Hextall is the worst, Hakstol is the second worst!!!!1
- Scoob

but honestly did you see Giroux having a 102 pt season? or Couturier having 70 + points or Ghost having a career year? had some one said that at the start of the year I honestly wouldn't have even thought there was a chance they wouldn't make the playoffs....I think "some" of the criticisms are justified.

Pre-season prediction: The Flyers will squeak into the playoffs but lose in the first round.

HB, October 1, 2017: Hooray! Progress and some playoff experience for the kids! I like where this is going!!!!1

Actual results: The Flyers squeaked into the playoffs but lose in the first round.

HB, April 19, 2018: This team sucks!!! Hakstol is the worst!!!!1 No, wait, Hextall is the worst, Hakstol is the second worst!!!!1
- Scoob

I'm pretty much on this same page, but losing 3 games by such a sizable margin is not the way to go out.

So a pat on the pants will make Voracek show up? Maybe if he hugged Simmonds more he would actually play a little better? Damn a reach around on Elliott and he might make a big save.

I don't care if he is emotional or not on the bench.
- J35Bacher

They'd probably help more than the emotionless, beady-eyed stare he has all game long.

Elliott isn't a viable goaltender in the playoffs. He's a sieve.
- PLindbergh31

Elliott is the Pens MVP of this series.

And that's fine. I think we all know that the Pens are a flat-out better team. But if what you're doing isn't working, it seems like the most logical thing in the world would be to try something else. Hell, I'd rather have Hagg in the lineup for the experience of playoff hockey if nothing else.
- jmatchett383

Re Hagg: exactly, the kid should be gaining vital experience not sitting out for a piece of crap like Manning.

Whatever system they are playing vs Pittsburgh hasn’t worked all season or in the playoffs.

You’d expect the coach to try and make some adjustments given that.

I completely realize he doesn’t have many options but would have liked to see him try something. Also realize the results likely could be the same given the personnel on the two teams we are watching.
- Marc D

any series should show teams making adjustments

i'm cranky at hak

And that's fine. I think we all know that the Pens are a flat-out better team. But if what you're doing isn't working, it seems like the most logical thing in the world would be to try something else. Hell, I'd rather have Hagg in the lineup for the experience of playoff hockey if nothing else.
- jmatchett383

BINGO!

Don't tell us that "you don't like the way he plays with Gudas".

Ok Fine. Bench Gudas and see how Hagg does with Manning! It's not like there's much of a difference there!

OR....do what everyone's been saying for months....BENCH Manning, and try new defensive combinations! Clearly the Ghost/Provy thing is not working!

Elliott is the Pens MVP of this series.
- ggunky

He's in a tight race with Gudas. Horrible defensive play, turns the puck over, and took out Couturier.

Re Hagg: exactly, the kid should be gaining vital experience not sitting out for a piece of crap like Manning.
- BiggE

hopefully hak makes a couple of changes in the lineup Friday night....Id like to at least see an effort to change the momentum.

BINGO!

Don't tell us that "you don't like the way he plays with Gudas".

Ok Fine. Bench Gudas and see how Hagg does with Manning! It's not like there's much of a difference there!

OR....do what everyone's been saying for months....BENCH Manning, and try new defensive combinations! Clearly the Ghost/Provy thing is not working!
- Hckygoalie31

Exactly!!

Why not roll with

Provorov-Gudas
Ghost-Hagg
Sanheim-AMac

To just keep rolling out the same 3 pairs every game is just asinine.