Couple things.
First, the Schenn crosscheck on Crosby was not after the whistle. Not sure what game people were watching but it was BEFORE the whistle and here is the proof: The penalty does not show up on the box score yet was called. Reason for this? It happened in the time between the Pen's goal being scored (after which play continued because it was initially waved off) and the whistle actually being blown. Because it was BEFORE the whistle but after the goal, it doesn't actually count.
Second, to the guy who was comparing Letang faking to Giroux embellishing. Giroux ACTUALLY got hit by a stick on the BENCH by a player on the ICE. That is a penalty even if he doesn't make contact. Yeah G embellished but there was actually contact. Letang NEVER GOT HIT. That is the difference between a dive and an embellishment.
- vipeviper

whatever makes you feel better chief, I mean Flyer fan.

Grossman's injury had nothing to do with the "controversy" if that is what you want to call it. He was injured in the first period, right? Remind me, how did Grossman get hurt?
- Oneonta Penguin

Knee on knee. It didn't look deliberate, but the replay was so quick I really can't say.

Grossman's injury had nothing to do with the "controversy" if that is what you want to call it. He was injured in the first period, right? Remind me, how did Grossman get hurt?
- Oneonta Penguin

If your on their boards it was a Marcment like knee and if your on ours it was incidental knees.

Grossman's injury had nothing to do with the "controversy" if that is what you want to call it. He was injured in the first period, right? Remind me, how did Grossman get hurt?
- Oneonta Penguin

And..if Briere isn't admiring the logo on the puck as he skates through center ice, there is no "controversy" or subsequent injury on the play.

whatever makes you feel better chief, I mean Flyer fan.
- Oneonta Penguin

Does anybody find it a little entertaining that the flyers fans and coach are complaining about crap that their team has been doing for almost as long as I've been alive. Year after year I watched the Pens get the sh*t beat out of them in front of their drooling, blood thirsty fans. Now, tables turned a little and the tears are flowing. Entertaining!

I've been giving this some thought...

Does anybody think the old 'cold war' analogy MIGHT prevail?

Both sides realize a bloodbath, at least early on, won't help them if they advance.

I kind of think that's why, although things will certainly stay warm or heat up a little more...it MAY not get as bad as we think.

I expect a lot of hitting and physical play...and maybe some nasty stuff in the season finale...but in Round 1, I am not so sure.

I don't think they will play All-Star hockey (although the Pens seem more likely to want to do that recently) just saying it MIGHT not get as bad as we think if both sides see the mutual destruction it can cause.
- icedog97

It will be physical but both teams obviously won't be doing anything stupid to jeopardize a win or ultimately the series. There will be many after the whistle scrums and if a win is out of reach then a team will most definitely be looking to send a message for next game. Refs will be on lock down but hopefully they just let the boys play.

whatever makes you feel better chief, I mean Flyer fan.
- Oneonta Penguin

He's right about the whistle on the Schenn cross-check though...that was before the whistle. Not saying it's right, but it is the reason Schenn's penalty was nullified. Had that occurred after the whistle, the Pens would've had a power play.

On Bylsma: I hope there is a method to his madness. If he doesn't start countering what the Flyers are doing in the playoffs he's going to get schooled. Settle on some lines, simplify the powerplay and for god sakes put a defenseman on it.

I still believe Bylsma is playing with his new toys and tinkering. I have faith we'll return to some form of normalcy in the playoffs. Or at least I hope we do.

Finally, I franking love this rivalry and I can't wait until April 11th.
- canadianpenfan

My biggest complaint about Bylsma yesterday was that he didn't double shift the fourth line down by two goals. Lavy brought up a good point that that line didn't even play for 12 minutes in the third. What was Bylsma thinking? I really hope in the playoffs Bylsma asks Lavy for what lines he should send out on the ice during the games.

just a question... say we win both games this week heading into Saturday and the Flyers lose one of two giving us a 3 point edge and the 4th seed heading into saturday. do you sit some guys like Crosby or Letang that have either been battling injuries or even guys like Sully or Adams that are a bit older and could use a game off? Obviously if 4th will be decided Saturday everyone has to play but if we have nothing to play for, maybe giving some guys the day off isn't such a bad idea.

heck bring Steve MacIntyre up and this game will really get out of hand!

It will be physical but both teams obviously won't be doing anything stupid to jeopardize a win or ultimately the series. There will be many after the whistle scrums and if a win is out of reach then a team will most definitely be looking to send a message for next game. Refs will be on lock down but hopefully they just let the boys play.
- keatondixon

If the seeding is locked up, I would expect both teams to either rest key players or limit their ice time significantly since they will be meeting each other a few days later for game 1. I also don't think there will be any major fireworks in either case because neither team will want to risk losing a player to suspension for any period of time.

It will be physical but both teams obviously won't be doing anything stupid to jeopardize a win or ultimately the series. There will be many after the whistle scrums and if a win is out of reach then a team will most definitely be looking to send a message for next game. Refs will be on lock down but hopefully they just let the boys play.
- keatondixon

i agree. i like physical as long as there is nothing cheap or stupid by both teams. both teams have a guy or two that could do something stupid but i think in the end the idea of winning will outweigh the need to hit someone. I think if Saturday determines who is 4th and 5th then we will see little to nothing, but if Saturday determines nothing... then who knows.

Does anybody find it a little entertaining that the flyers fans and coach are complaining about crap that their team has been doing for almost as long as I've been alive. Year after year I watched the Pens get the sh*t beat out of them in front of their drooling, blood thirsty fans. Now, tables turned a little and the tears are flowing. Entertaining!
- madmike71

I actually had a conversation with a Flyer fan that the Flyer Cup winning teams had a malicious misconception - his words - about them. Seriously, you can't make this stuff up.

Lets not forget this is a team that has Rinaldo on it and at other times during the year Shelley and Sestito on the team but a line that consists of Vitale, Asham, and Adams are the ones that are considered goons by their fans.

just a question... say we win both games this week heading into Saturday and the Flyers lose one of two giving us a 3 point edge and the 4th seed heading into saturday. do you sit some guys like Crosby or Letang that have either been battling injuries or even guys like Sully or Adams that are a bit older and could use a game off? Obviously if 4th will be decided Saturday everyone has to play but if we have nothing to play for, maybe giving some guys the day off isn't such a bad idea.

heck bring Steve MacIntyre up and this game will really get out of hand!
- SuperHenderson13

If home ice is already clinched then yes, for sure rest most of them.

My biggest complaint about Bylsma yesterday was that he didn't double shift the fourth line down by two goals. Lavy brought up a good point that that line didn't even play for 12 minutes in the third. What was Bylsma thinking? I really hope in the playoffs Bylsma asks Lavy for what lines he should send out on the ice during the games.
- acdc1206

I've yet to hear anybody say something I find obvious. Bylsma is repeatedly getting out-coached by Lavi. Bylsma's scheme has faults especially when the team is playing this carelessly. Now that obstruction is back it's an extra difficult to get through the neutral zone as quickly as they would like.

The PP is a cluster-fu*k. Players all out of positions. Sully getting reduced to a bit role when he's the major reason for earlier success. C'mon Dan, wake the hell up make some tough decisions and focus this team on preventing goals as much as they like scoring them.

Never said it wasn't, but clearly it pissed the players/coach off at the time and the fact that it resulted in him out indefinitely is just going to fuel things even more.

I agree, the hit was a textbook open ice hit.
- Flyers2821

I would happily trade the Flyers winning the game on Saturday for the exact same hit on Crosby delivered by Rinaldo. It doesn't have to be with a minute left in an already decided game but that would make it perfect.

If home ice is already clinched then yes, for sure rest most of them.
- canadianpenfan

I wouldn't sit them. I would just limit their time on the ice. Keep them around 12-15 minutes. Its hockey, don't baby people so they don't get injuries. I understand the theory behind it but I think limiting is a better solution.

I wouldn't sit them. I would just limit their time on the ice. Keep them around 12-15 minutes. Its hockey, don't baby people so they don't get injuries. I understand the theory behind it but I think limiting is a better solution.
- kgrpitt

I disagree but to each their own. If somebody wants to run Crosby or Malkin they can do it in 2 minutes of ice time or 22 minutes. Just don't see the reason to risk it if there is nothing to play for.

I disagree but to each their own. If somebody wants to run Crosby or Malkin they can do it in 2 minutes of ice time or 22 minutes. Just don't see the reason to risk it if there is nothing to play for.
- canadianpenfan

I think Lavy might consider that "gutless".

I think Lavy might consider that "gutless".
- TheRat14

I guess he'd just have to cry some more about it....

I would happily trade the Flyers winning the game on Saturday for the exact same hit on Crosby delivered by Rinaldo. It doesn't have to be with a minute left in an already decided game but that would make it perfect.
- TheRat14

Pretty sure Hac Rinaldo couldn't line up Crosby with a head on open ice hit if he had 10 tries to do it.

I really think Saturday is going to be tame in comparison... Neither team is going to want to have an injury or a suspension going into the playoffs.

I disagree but to each their own. If somebody wants to run Crosby or Malkin they can do it in 2 minutes of ice time or 22 minutes. Just don't see the reason to risk it if there is nothing to play for.
- canadianpenfan

I say play them. That 5 Fwd PP needs all the in game work the refs are willing to give it.

Malkin on the point!

For the record, any non-tourist knows that Geno's isn't the best cheesesteak. I know you wanted to use that to go along with your story, but come on now.

1. NYR-107
2. Bos-98
3. Fla-91
4. Pit-102
5. Phi-101
6. NJD-96
7. Ott-92
8. Was-88

If you ask me FLA and OTT need to thank the NHL for the division leaders getting the 2-3 spots. They avoid the Pens and Flyers. It is a shame that the Flyers are going to be out after the first round.

In all honesty I don't see the winner of this series having a great run. These teams will kill each other and whoever they meet in the 2nd round will just scavenge the remains.

I actually had a conversation with a Flyer fan that the Flyer Cup winning teams had a malicious misconception - his words - about them. Seriously, you can't make this stuff up.

Lets not forget this is a team that has Rinaldo on it and at other times during the year Shelley and Sestito on the team but a line that consists of Vitale, Asham, and Adams are the ones that are considered goons by their fans.
- acdc1206

Rinaldo and Sestito actually bring a skill set to the table. They're decent skaters and aren't too bad with the puck. They're there to provide sandpaper and grit and check the other team. If you had them on your team you'd like them too.

If home ice is already clinched then yes, for sure rest most of them.
- canadianpenfan

I tend to agree with this and think both teams might follow a similar plan.

I can't see either coach wanting to risk the injury and in both cases there are players that could use the extra day(s) off.

Both teams play Thursday and are off Friday...so they will know well in advance if Saturday's game means anything.

I kinda get the feeling that Saturday's game will be for 4th place though...