Martin isn't hurt.
- nhindian

Well he's hurtin', does that count?

Well he's hurtin', does that count?
- canadianpenfan

I think it's safe to say every player is hurting to some degree at this point in the season.

I think Lavy has to figure out what he's gonna do about the Briere vs Staal 5 on 5 scenario b/c the Pens are eating our lunch on that matchup. It doesn't help that Briere stands around with his head up where the sun don't shine on defense. I said earlier and say again, our D-corp is depleted and our goalie is banged up, ALL HANDS ON DECK. With that said, I think lavy figures something out.

If we don't get Grossmann back which looks unlikely at this point, gotta get Manning in there b.c as I understand Bourdon is hurt too. Kubina and even Lilja look stationary out there to me.

On the bright side I thought the Flyers could have easily won this thing if not tied it if Briere and Hartnell connect on a couple opportunities. Hartsy completely whiffed on a puck with a wide open net in front of him and despite my criticisms Briere is gifted enough to elevate that puck, it just didn't happen there so he gets mulligan from me there. The good thing is the Flyers were able to generate those chances late in the game. If they weren't getting those opportunities then I'd be worried.
- JoeRussomanno

Neither of the 2 goals the Staal line scored in game 5, were the fault of Danny Briere.

I think it's safe to say every player is hurting to some degree at this point in the season.
- 77rams

I mean he's hurtin because he's terrible, not because he's actually hurt.

Lilja again was the difference in a loss last night, the third goal it was definately Briere's missed assignment but once again Lilja pinched and failed.


- jimlahey18

Lilja wasn't on the ice for a single goal against in game 5. And it also wasn't Briere's missed assignment.

Neither of the 2 goals the Staal line scored in game 5, were the fault of Danny Briere.
- MJL

No, No, No... its Briere's fault that Coburn jumped the play to give the Pens a 2 on 1 when Staal scored. Also Briere's fault that five Flyers were down below and left a wide open Pens player to skate to the dot and fire a rocket for a goal.

Briere and Bryz are to blame.

I mean he's hurtin because he's terrible, not because he's actually hurt.
- canadianpenfan

Martin isn't hurt.
- nhindian

Hurt or not, he still didn't play.

So which game are we looking forward to most tonight? I'm torn between watching the Blues close out like the well oiled machine they are and the Rangers losing a tight one to go back to Ottawa on the ropes

Hurt or not, he still didn't play.
- MJL

Want him?

No, No, No... its Briere's fault that Coburn jumped the play to give the Pens a 2 on 1 when Staal scored. Also Briere's fault that five Flyers were down below and left a wide open Pens player to skate to the dot and fire a rocket for a goal.

Briere and Bryz are to blame.
- stveshdy

I hear you, and another poster blamed Lilja for one of the goals. Wasn't even on the ice.


By the way, your analysis of what the Flyers have to do to win, on the first page or so of this thread. Spot on!

Want him?
- canadianpenfan

Sure.

Sure.
- MJL

Cool. How can we do this...

Giroux and Read straight up would only be a cap difference of 100K...

Maybe we'll toss in a 5th to even things out.

I hear you, and another poster blamed Lilja for one of the goals. Wasn't even on the ice.


By the way, your analysis of what the Flyers have to do to win, on the first page or so of this thread. Spot on!
- MJL

The Flyers need to cycle the puck down low. Its that simple. When they do this the Pens cant contain them and the Flyers get great scoring opportunities. They just cant match the Flyers with those battles. Even when the Pens do get to the puck first their defenseman turn it over. Thats the best way to control the game against the Pens. When the Flyers dont do this the Pens have dominated the play imo.

Want him?
- canadianpenfan

Will you pick up half his salary?

Will you pick up half his salary?
- 77rams

No, and no givesy's backsy's.

The Flyers need to cycle the puck down low. Its that simple. When they do this the Pens cant contain them and the Flyers get great scoring opportunities. They just cant match the Flyers with those battles. Even when the Pens do get to the puck first their defenseman turn it over. Thats the best way to control the game against the Pens. When the Flyers dont do this the Pens have dominated the play imo.
- stveshdy

What I've noticed is a complete flip flop. The first 3 games the Flyers were putting the puck deep and getting on our D forcing turnovers. Now it's the Pens doing that to the Flyers and the fact that these guys are playing close to 30 minutes it's taking a toll. Whether we have one game left or 2 I expect both teams to bring it and provide us with some stellar hockey.

What I've noticed is a complete flip flop. The first 3 games the Flyers were putting the puck deep and getting on our D forcing turnovers. Now it's the Pens doing that to the Flyers and the fact that these guys are playing close to 30 minutes it's taking a toll. Whether we have one game left or 2 I expect both teams to bring it and provide us with some stellar hockey.
- canadianpenfan

They're tiring out a depleted D. It's sound strategy.

They're tiring out a depleted D. It's sound strategy.
- 77rams

That's what I'm saying. I think Philly should play with 7 D like we are. Even if that guy only gets 6 minutes it could make a big difference late in the 3rd.

What I've noticed is a complete flip flop. The first 3 games the Flyers were putting the puck deep and getting on our D forcing turnovers. Now it's the Pens doing that to the Flyers and the fact that these guys are playing close to 30 minutes it's taking a toll. Whether we have one game left or 2 I expect both teams to bring it and provide us with some stellar hockey.
- canadianpenfan

The Flyers got back to doing that in the third period last night but prior to that they got away from it. Too much stick handling or risky passes in the offensive zone.

Now we have players who are wastes of a uniform. That's just brutal. Kubina has been a solid NHL defenseman his entire career. He's obviously not 100%. Lilja has played well in his role all Season.
- MJL

Clearly Laviolette doesn't think much of Kubina or Lilja for whatever reason, hurt or otherwise, based upon their playing time last night. Therefore them being a bit of a waste of a roster spot the last game isn't too far off and is no way a critique of their careers.

The Flyers got back to doing that in the third period last night but prior to that they got away from it. Too much stick handling or risky passes in the offensive zone.
- stveshdy

And the result was 15 minutes of relentless offensive zone pressure.

And the result was 15 minutes of relentless offensive zone pressure.
- canadianpenfan

Thats why its important to cycle the puck low because it keeps the Pens from moving the puck in the other direction.

Hard to score when you cant control the puck.

That's what I'm saying. I think Philly should play with 7 D like we are. Even if that guy only gets 6 minutes it could make a big difference late in the 3rd.
- canadianpenfan

Suggested that myself but nobody ever listens

And the result was 15 minutes of relentless offensive zone pressure.
- canadianpenfan

Well, they were well rested after taking the 2nd period off.