Really first season? Might want to check those stats bud...13th in the league last year and 3rd this year in points doesn't make it a first season as a top performer. He should have earned some leeway by now if they're going to give it to other "top performers"! It shouldn't even be necessary at all but some people whine to the refs about every call or non call gone their way and some don't. G doesn't seem the type to act like a baby...
- aantny88

Unlike some fans that constantly whine about the officiating

Cool, people are female doging about the refs and it's 10 hours before puck drop. Guess it's safe to stay away today

Cool, people are female doging about the refs and it's 10 hours before puck drop. Guess it's safe to stay away today
- Jsaquella

Never ends

Martin is very over-rated and hasn't had a good year. Michalek has been up and down. and I think I'd go with Kubina over MAB
- flyersfan51

Yeah, I am really surprised that we are going with MAB over Kubina. I know he's been crappy of late, but maybe he's nursing an injury.

Really first season? Might want to check those stats bud...13th in the league last year and 3rd this year in points doesn't make it a first season as a top performer. He should have earned some leeway by now if they're going to give it to other "top performers"! It shouldn't even be necessary at all but some people whine to the refs about every call or non call gone their way and some don't. G doesn't seem the type to act like a baby...
- aantny88

I expect the Pens to get the advantage in the calls, but what the team should and I expect them to do is work through it. That's why the win on 1 April was so sweet to me. THey just kept their heads down and won the game.

Yeah, I am really surprised that we are going with MAB over Kubina. I know he's been crappy of late, but maybe he's nursing an injury.
- Hextall271

I was thinking it was injury related, too. Don't see any other reason for the sudden drop off in performance. They got him for this time of year.

Yeah, I am really surprised that we are going with MAB over Kubina. I know he's been crappy of late, but maybe he's nursing an injury.
- Hextall271

Which to me would make playing MAB over him even more logical. What if that nagging injury flairs up during the early part of the game. Then we are down to 5 d-men a whole game.

Unlike some fans that constantly whine about the officiating
- funmaster18

Nothing constant about it...won't hear me say a thing about it unless it's warranted, which after that disgrace 2 weeks ago it is and we'll see how this first game goes tonight. All I can say is if 87 and 71 want to continue their antics, I hope someone in orange and black makes them answer for it!

This is Girouxs first season as a top performer. Do you really think he has earned leeway from the refs?
- funmaster18

He's a Flyer! Of course he has.

Cool, people are female doging about the refs and it's 10 hours before puck drop. Guess it's safe to stay away today
- Jsaquella

I completely agree. We havent even played yet, but its the refs are already to blame.

I understand that people are anticipating calls going the other way.. but to female dog about it and what not is just pathetic.

Ultimately.. if they (the pens) do get the benefit of the refs... the Flyers have to play up to the task. And if there is one thing that this team has shown capable of.. its playing through adversity.

I for one welcome that role. (frank) it.. if we all know that we arent getting calls (even though we havent played a (frank)ing game yet) lets just say BRING IT ON!

Which to me would make playing MAB over him even more logical. What if that nagging injury flairs up during the early part of the game. Then we are down to 5 d-men a whole game.
- jak521

Rest him if need be...don't see much of a drop off between MAB and Kubina. I honestly thought Kubina would bring more from the point with his shot...I remember in the not too distant past seeing this guy really bring it with his slapshot.

Which to me would make playing MAB over him even more logical. What if that nagging injury flairs up during the early part of the game. Then we are down to 5 d-men a whole game.
- jak521

If Kubina's recent struggles are due to the injury that forced him out, then it does make sense to play MAB and Lilja. Honestly, MAB and Lilja is probably a more logical pair than Kubina and Lilja, despite the lack of experience.

Never ends
- funmaster18

The Flyers led the league in Times Shorthanded this year.

They also led the league in Power Play Opportunities.

Go figure.

He's a Flyer! Of course he hasnt.
- MJL

I think thats what you meant

Nothing constant about it...won't hear me say a thing about it unless it's warranted, which after that disgrace 2 weeks ago it is and we'll see how this first game goes tonight. All I can say is if 87 and 71 want to continue their antics, I hope someone in orange and black makes them answer for it!
- aantny88

All that matters to me is the real season that's about to start tonight and since nothing has happens yet, I don't see the point in complaining about the refs. I'm hoping they just let them play hockey this series and only call the obvious. I don't want to watch a series of terrible calls being made to try and stem the heat between these two teams. Let them play hockey!

The Flyers led the league in Times Shorthanded this year.

They also led the league in Power Play Opportunities.

Go figure.
- tangent_man

Totally unfair officiating

If Kubina's recent struggles are due to the injury that forced him out, then it does make sense to play MAB and Lilja. Honestly, MAB and Lilja is probably a more logical pair than Kubina and Lilja, despite the lack of experience.
- Jsaquella

I agree. Kubina is a bull of a man.. but matching up with shifty guys isnt his strong suit. Not that MAB is better at it, but his feet are not nearly as slow as Kubinas

I completely agree. We havent even played yet, but its the refs are already to blame.

I understand that people are anticipating calls going the other way.. but to female dog about it and what not is just pathetic.

Ultimately.. if they (the pens) do get the benefit of the refs... the Flyers have to play up to the task. And if there is one thing that this team has shown capable of.. its playing through adversity.

I for one welcome that role. (frank) it.. if we all know that we arent getting calls (even though we havent played a (frank)ing game yet) lets just say BRING IT ON!
- jak521

Work hard and play smart and you'll avoid penalties. I'm a lot more worried about stopping Malkin and Crosby than refs. I'm a lot more worried about rookies and playoff novices figuring out how to dent Fleury than the refs.

As far as the refs go, I want the same thing I want in the regular season-consistentcy.

Which to me would make playing MAB over him even more logical. What if that nagging injury flairs up during the early part of the game. Then we are down to 5 d-men a whole game.
- jak521

It's gotta be an injury. If so, sit him for a week or so. Otherwise, as you say, why did we get him. One thing though, if he's been hurt, why was he playing in the last few games of the season? He should have sat.

Rest him if need be...don't see much of a drop off between MAB and Kubina. I honestly thought Kubina would bring more from the point with his shot...I remember in the not too distant past seeing this guy really bring it with his slapshot.
- aantny88

yeah, i'm not sure what his issue has been. I was very excited when we got him, finally getting a right handed shot. But if he's healthy, I play him over MAB.

Rest him if need be...don't see much of a drop off between MAB and Kubina. I honestly thought Kubina would bring more from the point with his shot...I remember in the not too distant past seeing this guy really bring it with his slapshot.
- aantny88

I said the day that we got him that we wasnt the PP savior everyone (a lot of ppl) thought he would be. He was a right handed shot, but over the past 2 years had 1 PP goal. When he was healthy he was a steady and solid 3rd pairing d-man who had a powerful shot with an awfully slow release.

Its the players with super quick releases that score the goals and put up the points (Karlsson, Letang, Green when he was on his game, etc.)

All that matters to me is the real season that's about to start tonight and since nothing has happens yet, I don't see the point in complaining about the refs. I'm hoping they just let them play hockey this series and only call the obvious. I don't want to watch a series of terrible calls being made to try and stem the heat between these two teams. Let them play hockey!
- funmaster18

Sorry if you thought I was being condescending, truly not my intention. Just think G has been a top performer since the 2010 playoffs and doesn't get quite the accolades he deserves. I really hope they let the teams play and only call the blatant infractions. It'll be an amazing series if they do that!

I agree. Kubina is a bull of a man.. but matching up with shifty guys isnt his strong suit. Not that MAB is better at it, but his feet are not nearly as slow as Kubinas
- jak521

Could also be the reason he's out. I still think he hasn't looked the same lately, though. Not like the guy we got a couple months ago.

Work hard and play smart and you'll avoid penalties. I'm a lot more worried about stopping Malkin and Crosby than refs. I'm a lot more worried about rookies and playoff novices figuring out how to dent Fleury than the refs.

As far as the refs go, I want the same thing I want in the regular season-consistentcy.
- Jsaquella

One thing I find is that as the playoffs progress.. they start lettingmore and more go and it gets to be more like it was before the lockout. I found that to be the case last year for the Bruins and it worked to their advantage. I don't mind it as long as it's consistent.

Sorry if you thought I was being condescending, truly not my intention. Just think G has been a top performer since the 2010 playoffs and doesn't get quite the accolades he deserves. I really hope they let the teams play and only call the blatant infractions. It'll be an amazing series if they do that!
- aantny88

No worries, these are heated times

If they let them play, man this could be a wild series.