I agree with Bill on his points. I do however believe that the Flyers depth scoring is going to be a huge factor in this series.

Lets just assume Lavi sticks with Talbot, Couturier, Rinaldo on the Neal-Malkin Line. The whole point to this line is to shut these guys down, and goals would be nice, but not looking forward to it. Bylsma also did not try and avoid this match-up either, so no reason to believe anything will change.

Next we know that the Giroux line will be matched to the Staal line. IMO Staal's line wont be able to contain Giroux's line as well as some other teams have. But more importantly we know at least 2 line match-ups.

That leaves Crosby, Dupuis, and (Kunitz Sullivanor Kennedy) Line and Asham-Adams-Cooke?? And for the Flyers Schenn-Briere-Voracek and Wellwood-Read-Simmonds... To me this is a favorable match-up for the Flyers... Briere and Corsby cancel eachother out... as long a we get the Playoffs Briere. Now we have a line of Asham-Adams-Vitele or cooke against Read and Simmonds who are both almost 25 goal scorers and add Wellwoods speed and defense and this is a big time advantage...

IMO the biggest key to this seriers is to Keep Malkin, Crosby, Neal, and Letang to 1 goal per game. We know you cant keep those guys off the score board, but as long as your not getting 2 goals from those guys, then the series should be managable.

You're not 0 or your lifetime against that franchise, I carry a lot of scars and as a hockey fan, how can you not appreciate his skill and contribution but its the sense of entiltlment he carries himself with and I would venture to say much of your fanbase is in agreement...I came here to actually voice some support for your team if we meet then we meet its been a while anyhow...
- Blueshirts4ever

I see where you're coming from.

Flyers 29 PP's to the Pens 22 PP's in the season series. Pretty baseless argument if you ask me.
- canadianpenfan

did you watch the last game? the refs were gearing up for the playoffs

Enjoy the next week and a half because your excitement will be done after that.
- imsorry66

Prediction:

Half the teams in the playoffs today will be out of the playoffs in 2 weeks.

Born in 1970. Tally them up from there if you like.
- imsorry66

Any ref's on here have a problem with this guys avatar? Just curious...

Enjoy the next week and a half because your excitement will be done after that.
- imsorry66

It's a week and a half longer than the canadiens....

did you watch the last game? the refs were gearing up for the playoffs
- 2Real

The last game was poor officiating. But it was meaningless and they just wanted to make sure there were no fireworks. I wouldn't base how the series will be officiated on that game.

Prediction:

Half the teams in the playoffs today will be out of the playoffs in 2 weeks.
- ggunky

amazing

The last game was poor officiating. But it was meaningless and they just wanted to make sure there were no fireworks. I wouldn't base how the series will be officiated on that game.
- canadianpenfan

if rinaldo gets a penalty on wednesday for a legal check it's over

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Three keys to ECQF victory
- bmeltzer

C'mon Bill, if LeBrun and Buccigross can do it, so can you. Winners and number of games please.

OTT#8 - NYR#1 =
WSH#7 - BOS#2 =
NJD#6 - FLA#3 =
PHI#5 - PIT#4 =

LAK#8 - VAN#1 =
SJS#7 - STL#2 =
CHI#6 - PHX#3 =
DET#5 - NSH#4 =

The last game was poor officiating. But it was meaningless and they just wanted to make sure there were no fireworks. I wouldn't base how the series will be officiated on that game.
- canadianpenfan

I agree actually. They knew that game was a powder keg and meaningless. I don't have much of a problem unless a suspension got handed out that I didn't hear of. Again to reiterate my own view on officiating. Its like the weather, you just deal with it.

I hope they target Letang like the Pens did to Kimmo the last series they played. Crush him every time he has the puck.
- FrankDrebbin

5 min major + game misconduct

Same avatar for over 2 years but nice try.
- imsorry66

We're you really born in 1970? Trolling in your 40's is lame dude.

Well, only 2 of the 12 "experts" over at ESPN give us a chance. I was hoping Lebrun would have sided with us. He's had kind thoughts for us in the past.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/pl.../id/7772345/experts-picks

Any ref's on here have a problem with this guys avatar? Just curious...
- RooNosHockey

What's the problem with it? Nobody cares pal

We're you really born in 1970? Trolling in your 40's is lame dude.
- canadianpenfan

I was gonna say that but thought it was actually worse than what I got timeout for already

if rinaldo gets a penalty on wednesday for a legal check it's over
- 2Real

I'm going to be evil here... But thanks to Mister Orpik and Mister Vitale I dont feel so bad...

First hit of the game... Knee to knee shot from Rinaldo to Malkin. Malkin sprains MCL, Rinaldo gets 5 game suspension...

Second hit of the game... Lilja catches Crosby with his head down and a clean hit. Another concussion. Even though the hit was clean... Lilja gets suspened for 1 year.

Hartnell gets crosschecked from behind by Letang and falls on Fluery, seperating his shoulder... In the resulting scrum, Hartnell breaks Letang's fist with his head.

Woot.

What's the problem with it? Nobody cares pal
- keatondixon

Actually as a parent whose 5 year old just asked him what that is on the picture because he's sitting next to me on the couch, yea I have a problem with it. It's in poor taste and I feel its inappropriate.

We're you really born in 1970? Trolling in your 40's is lame dude.
- canadianpenfan

Hey Ref... Isnt trolling ilegal on these boards... If he is trolling... BAN!

I was gonna say that but thought it was actually worse than what I got timeout for already
- JoeRussomanno

Whatever, I don't really care. You have your own mods that do a great job, I just think it's the kind of thing you should grow out of. There was no hockey talk on the agenda when he came in here, I think bo must be at lunch.

Congratulations. A masculine or feminine child?
- bodiva88

A feminine, thanks Our 2nd daughter and they're 20 months apart. I'm bald already, so it works out. Here's hoping they both elope when they're close to 35.

I'm going to be evil here... But thanks to Mister Orpik and Mister Vitale I dont feel so bad...

First hit of the game... Knee to knee shot from Rinaldo to Malkin. Malkin sprains MCL, Rinaldo gets 5 game suspension...

Second hit of the game... Lilja catches Crosby with his head down and a clean hit. Another concussion. Even though the hit was clean... Lilja gets suspened for 1 year.

Hartnell gets crosschecked from behind by Letang and falls on Fluery, seperating his shoulder... In the resulting scrum, Hartnell breaks Letang's fist with his head.

Woot.
- RooNosHockey

Whatever, I don't really care. You have your own mods that do a great job, I just think it's the kind of thing you should grow out of. There was no hockey talk on the agenda when he came in here, I think bo must be at lunch.
- canadianpenfan

I completely 100 thousand percent concur

I told my future brother-in-law if I had to bet I would say Flyers in 5. But it will most likely be a 7 game series with the winner being the team with the coach who can get more out of under performing players.

A feminine, thanks Our 2nd daughter and they're 20 months apart. I'm bald already, so it works out. Here's hoping they both elope when they're close to 35.
- aosplayo

wait what?