Lava has tried to be much better this season than last about limiting veteran minutes and giving days off/optional skates to keep guys fresh. He clearly learned from last year that his idea that you have to spend the last month playing hard minutes to get them used to it backfired in leaving him with a spent team when the playoffs started. But winning is important. Putting in a team's mind that they're better off playing such and such an opponent can backfire with either them not getting that opponent and being prepared to fail against a "tougher" opponent or having them enter a series with the "easier" opponent and being complacent.
- bodiva88

You make very valid points, especially with lavy managing his bench better. However I think these guys are all adults and understand the logic of avoiding Pittsburgh in the first round. Like I said I think we can take them, but the battle of PA is one big grind fest especially in the playoffs, no need to go all out in the first round, have nothing in the tank...then have to play the blue shrits in the 2nd round... I would prefer to avoid an Atlantic division opponent for as long as possible.

Haven't asked him yet because it's completely irrelevant to anything hockey-related, but I noticed for the first time after the game last night that it appears Wayne Simmonds is starting to grow dreadlocks for the playoffs. Had noticed before it had been quite awhile since he got a hair cut but last night was the first time I noticed mini-dreads sprouting.

If so, here's hoping his hair looks like Bob Marley's by the time the team's done for the postseason .

The Phillies had worse problems than match up. If they couldn't beat the Cardinals, they wouldn't succeed either way. That's not how a champion plays.
- BulliesPhan87

I disagree with that mindset.... St Louis was RED hot, they were foolish to put themselves in a position to play them especially when they pretty much were able to pick their post season opponent.
This is professional sports, these players are adults...all that matters is winning, not how you do it. (as long as you do it within the framework of the rules).

If this was beer league hockey or something else of course id want to take the hardest route to the finals cause it means more when you win, but its not and all that matters is that parade down broad..... I dont care how they get there, actually id prefer if they played all the bad teams and took the easy way in just like in 2010

Haven't asked him yet because it's completely irrelevant to anything hockey-related, but I noticed for the first time after the game last night that it appears Wayne Simmonds is starting to grow dreadlocks for the playoffs. Had noticed before it had been quite awhile since he got a hair cut but last night was the first time I noticed mini-dreads sprouting.

If so, here's hoping his hair looks like Bob Marley's by the time the team's done for the postseason .
- bmeltzer

awesome

Now for something hockey-relevant. The Flyers asked me to write an article for the official site about Jagr's Masterton Trophy nomination. Was told it would go live online today. Will post link here and on Twitter.

Also, I did a profile for the Flyers site on Nicklas Grossmann. That should run Sunday or next Tuesday. Will post that one when it does.

You make very valid points, especially with lavy managing his bench better. However I think these guys are all adults and understand the logic of avoiding Pittsburgh in the first round. Like I said I think we can take them, but the battle of PA is one big grind fest especially in the playoffs, no need to go all out in the first round, have nothing in the tank...then have to play the blue shrits in the 2nd round... I would prefer to avoid an Atlantic division opponent for as long as possible.
- flyers4487

Logic isn't something that works that well in the heat of battle. Hockey is an emotion driven sport. What they KNOW and what they DO are often two different things.

Logic isn't something that works that well in the heat of battle. Hockey is an emotion driven sport. What they KNOW and what they DO are often two different things.
- bodiva88

I understand but they are professionals and get paid very well for it, thats not an excuse.

He didn't say. Just was talking about what he's been up to now that he's done playing and said he's starting a family, will be a dad in June. It was on Sports Night.
- bodiva88

Lucky girl.

I disagree with that mindset.... St Louis was RED hot, they were foolish to put themselves in a position to play them especially when it could have been avoided...

This is professional sports, all that matters is winning, not how you do it. (as long as you do it within the framework of the rules).

If this was beer league hockey or something else of course id want to take the hardest route to the finals cause it means more when you win, but its not and all that matters is that parade down broad..... I dont care how they get there, actually id prefer if they played all the bad teams and took the easy way in just like in 2010
- flyers4487

Speaking of 2010, how do you think the Pens and Caps felt about the "easy draw" they had in the Habs? I'd prefer the Flyers focus on gaining momentum, finding their offensive flow, and carrying that into the playoffs than fooling around trying to fix match ups. It's not about the hardest route or whatever, it's about being the best team they can be, and proving it against whoever they face. If the circumstances getting there are favorable, that's fine.

As for the Phillies, with the way they batted in the playoffs they were due for a disappointing out either way. Even if Cliff hadn't faltered in game 2, the offense had nothing. St. Louis was white hot, sure, but I have doubts the Phillies could've gone anywhere with that ice cold offense they were due to be defeated, if not by somebody else then by the Cardinals in the second round.

Haven't asked him yet because it's completely irrelevant to anything hockey-related, but I noticed for the first time after the game last night that it appears Wayne Simmonds is starting to grow dreadlocks for the playoffs. Had noticed before it had been quite awhile since he got a hair cut but last night was the first time I noticed mini-dreads sprouting.

If so, here's hoping his hair looks like Bob Marley's by the time the team's done for the postseason .
- bmeltzer

- rockychocbill

"Ain't no thang"

He didn't say. Just was talking about what he's been up to now that he's done playing and said he's starting a family, will be a dad in June. It was on Sports Night.
- bodiva88

The mother had better be his fiancee, Nicole, or else he has a lot of explaining to do . Actually, he was extremely polite to Lisa Hillary during the interview, not correcting her about still being very much involved in hockey (just not as a player) apart from his other ventures.

Forsberg has as amazing mind for business.

"Ain't no thang"
- aightwebang17

I was surprised to read Bill's comment about him having not scored in the SO since pre-season. I was under the impression he had at least one or two.

Speaking of 2010, how do you think the Pens and Caps felt about the "easy draw" they had in the Habs? I'd prefer the Flyers focus on gaining momentum, finding their offensive flow, and carrying that into the playoffs than fooling around trying to fix match ups. It's not about the hardest route or whatever, it's about being the best team they can be, and proving it against whoever they face. If the circumstances getting there are favorable, that's fine.

As for the Phillies, with the way they batted in the playoffs they were due for a disappointing out either way. Even if Cliff hadn't faltered in game 2, the offense had nothing. St. Louis was white hot, sure, but I have doubts the Phillies could've gone anywhere with that ice cold offense they were due to be defeated, if not by somebody else then by the Cardinals in the second round.
- BulliesPhan87

It was not an easy draw persay it was all about match ups, we matched up better vs the habs then they did, we also drew the habs after they put it all on the line twice (not saying we didn't). There is no "easy match up" at that level, but there are more favorable match ups. I care about the bottom line, I love the journey, but I want to win.... I dont care how they do it but I want that cup back in philly more then anything, and to see them put themselves an harder match up vs the pens when they could play the panthers round 1 is foolish.

just my opinion, but i don't think holtby panicked on the poke check. you have a split second to make the decision to stay or go, and he went, but for some odd reason he stayed on his feet while poking rather than diving and taking some ice away in the process if he missed. i've never seen a goalie do something quite like that. had he gone to the ice he might have tripped up giroux and gotten the puck at the same time. holtby's always done well in his call ups, but with the caps needing every point, i was surprised he got the start over neuvirth.

.
- hammarby31

Just realized the Caps play in Winnipeg tonight so perhaps that is why Holtby played last night. Gotta think Neuvirth plays tonight

The mother had better be his fiancee, Nicole, or else he has a lot of explaining to do . Actually, he was extremely polite to Lisa Hillary during the interview, not correcting her about still being very much involved in hockey (just not as a player) apart from his other ventures.

Forsberg has as amazing mind for business.
- bmeltzer

Doesn't he own a bunch of golf courses?

- rockychocbill

Simmonds is a pro.

Lucky girl.
- aightwebang17

Aww, you have a crush on wolf-eyes!

Just realized the Caps play in Winnipeg tonight so perhaps that is why Holtby played last night. Gotta think Neuvirth plays tonight
- nastyflyergirl

Its actually in DC, I was going to go to the game but I couldn't get off work.

GO JETS GO!!!!

Nice play on the penalty shot.



Bryz is such a character. This one made me laugh.

Doesn't he own a bunch of golf courses?
- flyers4487

And was one of the main owners of Crocs, I think.

Simmonds is a pro.
- roenick97

x2

Nice play on the penalty shot.



Bryz is such a character. This one made me laugh.


- rockychocbill

Loving the avatar rotation.

this second one will be used by naysayers to show that he isn't mentally tough enough for the playoffs!

It was not an easy draw persay it was all about match ups, we matched up better vs the habs then they did, we also drew the habs after they put it all on the line twice (not saying we didn't). There is no "easy match up" at that level, but there are more favorable match ups. I care about the bottom line, I love the journey, but I want to win.... I dont care how they do it but I want that cup back in philly more then anything, and to see them put themselves an harder match up vs the pens when they could play the panthers round 1 is foolish.
- flyers4487

I want a cup too, as does every Flyers fan, the staff, and the roster. I'm sorry, but I just can't agree with this, it's a loser mentality to throw games at this phase in the season. A match up with the Penguins first round isn't ideal (well, not for us, ideal for the rest of the Eastern Conference, though), but you can't predict the effect that match up will have. You say it'd wear down the Flyers, but who's to say they don't grind out a big win against a divisional opponent (who's been a playoffs demon for them in the not so distant past) that galvanizes them to a huge cup run?

Doesn't he own a bunch of golf courses?
- flyers4487

He owns a golf course/country club in Örnsköldsvik, owns a couple race horses (including one that was very successful), made a fortune in buying the rights to Crocs in Sweden before they became trendy (he later sold the rights as profits started to drop but still quadrupled his original investment), is half owner of the arena Modo plays in (built in 2006), and is involved in various real estate (hotel and commercial center) development projects in northern Sweden.

When he was in the US, he used to track local real estate trends. He knew what neighborhoods in Philly were selling at about what prices, etc.

The guy has a great mind for business as well as hockey.