"If Crosby had done that..."

Sorry Filonius, I know it isn't just you, but this line's getting old as a response to what other players do. Crosby earned his rep in his first couple of years in the League, and I give him credit for getting past it (for the most part), but some Pens fans use this line as a crutch, it seems.
- tangent_man

Just speaking the truth. Crosby did earn his rep, but ripping Sid for piddly stuff remains the popular thing to do.

No question about it. He certainly deserved a suspension. And frankly I wish Shanahan would have taken the possibility of Laviolette dressing him again out of the equation.
- PLindbergh31

I was hoping to see him in as he's good for at least one free powerplay per game...

I can only imagine how this all plays out if our team is 100% healthy.

If they use 7 D, I suspect it would be Wellwood who comes out for a game. But I agree that if JVR barely plays -- then again, it's going to take a few games to get him worked back into the rotation -- it's kind of pointless.
- bmeltzer

Dont know if they have the luxury of taking out wellwood. Need him on the PK. With the way some of these games have been officiated you need every able PK body. If JVR isnt contributing to special teams and playing less than 10 I sit him

If they use 7 D, I suspect it would be Wellwood who comes out for a game. But I agree that if JVR barely plays -- then again, it's going to take a few games to get him worked back into the rotation -- it's kind of pointless.
- bmeltzer

They also could use a few goals at even strength, can't always wait to get a power play.

Just speaking the truth. Crosby did earn his rep, but ripping Sid for piddly stuff remains the popular thing to do.
- Emperor Filonius

Lets speak the truth here the national media along with the NHL do eveything in their power to give Sid love. Everything he does people watch because they forced it on people. The obsession is beyond ridiculous over him.

need to get back to hitting their D
make life a little harder on letang

They can definitely beat the Pens. Only need one. But I have the feeling they are going to need five or six goals to do it.... a minimum of 4.
- bmeltzer

Bill, would you switch up the personnel betwen the Briere and Read lines? Staal line is crushing Briere 5v5. First thought would be to swap Voracek and Schenn, but obviously Read is an option, too, but prefer Voracek at first blush for his size and possession skills.

I was hoping to see him in as he's good for at least one free powerplay per game...
- Emperor Filonius

As I said before, Rinaldo has the discipline of Andy Reid at a buffet. And less maturity than the cast of Sesame Street.

need to get back to hitting their D
make life a little harder on letang
- Don'tForgetTocchet

morning, sir.

- Bryz was ok, but we need better than ok in the POs. And he let in another weak goal.
- Apparently it's ok for the Pens to trip and run a Flyers goalie.
- Malkin is one of the dirtiest players in the league, without a doubt.
- The Penguins are one of the dirtiest teams in the league.
- Apparently it's ok for Orpik to sit on JVR in the crease.
- A lot of times it seems there are 2 sets of rules, one for the Penguins, and one for the team they are playing.
- Flyers need to target Letang and Crosby and lay them out every time they get the chance.
- Penguins have tried to hurt (and succeeded) to hurt our players, we need to play the same game.

- Best hit of the night: Malkin on Crosby. I hope it happens again. And if Crosby woke up with a headache, the spins and felt like puking, that would be justice.

Overall, good game where a few bounces here and there were the difference.

Bill, show me some spectacular Fleury save...
- Ondrej F

Compare the way Fleury played that 3rd period save on Voracek on the Flyers' PP with 7 shots to the way Bryzgalov played the first Penguins goal. Fleury knew right away what was up, and got over to turn a near impossible save into a routine one while Bryz went down to the ice way early and had no chance at a recovery when Letang made the pass (as Clement put it, Bryz guessed and guessed wrong).

That's the difference between getting outstanding goaltending in a game and average goaltending. In the third period Fleury made several tough stops look easier than they were. He did the same on that save on Jagr in the second period. Every shot on Bryzgalov is an adventure right now because he is NOT moving well.

need to get back to hitting their D
make life a little harder on letang
- Don'tForgetTocchet

dissappointed in Schenn and Simmonds last night. They have a lot more nasty to their game that they need to find

Compare the way Fleury played that 3rd period save on Voracek on the Flyers' PP with 7 shots to the way Bryzgalov played the first Penguins goal. Fleury knew right away what was up, and got over to turn a near impossible save into a routine one while Bryz went down to the ice way early and had no chance at a recovery when Letang made the pass (as Clement put it, Bryz guessed and guessed wrong).

That's the difference between getting outstanding goaltending in a game and average goaltending. In the third period Fleury made several tough stops look easier than they were. He did the same on that save on Jagr in the second period. Every shot on Bryzgalov is an adventure right now because he is NOT moving well.
- bmeltzer

need to get back to hitting their D
make life a little harder on letang
- Don'tForgetTocchet

I agree. Have to get pucks in deep. Whenever the Flyers do this they control the game because Pitts defense cant handle them.

As I said before, Rinaldo has the discipline of Andy Reid at a buffet. And less maturity than the cast of Sesame Street.
- PLindbergh31

That's crap. It has little to do with discipline and everything to do with the subjective perceptions of the officials.

If it was discipline and objective, Bryz getting tripped was a penalty, Malkin running into Bryz was a penalty, and Kennedy and Malkin are sitting a game for their headshots. And Malkin did it again last night...but he still won't sit a game, apparently not until he knocks another Flyer out of the lineup.

Very little of the officiating has to do with 'discipline'.

dissappointed in Schenn and Simmonds last night. They have a lot more nasty to their game that they need to find
- Just5

love them both, but they were terrible last night. and are as much of the problem in the staal line's effectiveness as danny. staal's and kennedy's goals last night were maddening. no clue what was going on out there. really a shame because the flyers pretty much made no other mistakes. which is good, but also scary to think their third line cashed in on literally our only mistakes.

Bill, would you switch up the personnel betwen the Briere and Read lines? Staal line is crushing Briere 5v5. First thought would be to swap Voracek and Schenn, but obviously Read is an option, too, but prefer Voracek at first blush for his size and possession skills.
- OrangeBlack27

Not sure. Flyers are definitely having defensive matchup problem with Staal vs. Briere line at five-on-five. They want to keep 14 vs 71 and 28 vs 87, so the other option is what you suggest.

I can only imagine how this all plays out if our team is 100% healthy.
- mochoson

I thought you're not supposed to use injuries as an excuse... I thought Philly played very well last night, a break here or there and you guys are moving on. IMO game 6 is your game 7.

And before you all rip me a new one I realize Calgary is crap and about 10 years away from the playoffs.

That's crap. It has little to do with discipline and everything to do with the subjective perceptions of the officials.

If it was discipline and objective, Bryz getting tripped was a penalty, Malkin running into Bryz was a penalty, and Kennedy and Malkin are sitting a game for their headshots. And Malkin did it again last night...but he still won't sit a game, apparently not until he knocks another Flyer out of the lineup.

Very little of the officiating has to do with 'discipline'.
- wolfhounds

If the Flyers lose this series the whining about the officiating will be epic.

That's crap. It has little to do with discipline and everything to do with the subjective perceptions of the officials.

If it was discipline and objective, Bryz getting tripped was a penalty, Malkin running into Bryz was a penalty, and Kennedy and Malkin are sitting a game for their headshots. And Malkin did it again last night...but he still won't sit a game, apparently not until he knocks another Flyer out of the lineup.

Very little of the officiating has to do with 'discipline'.
- wolfhounds

Are you defending Rinaldo?

If the Flyers lose this series the whining about the officiating will be epic.
- PLindbergh31

True statement.

I thought you're not supposed to use injuries as an excuse... I thought Philly played very well last night, a break here or there and you guys are moving on. IMO game 6 is your game 7.

And before you all rip me a new one I realize Calgary is crap and about 10 years away from the playoffs.
- whipper334

Seriously hate this concept.

Flyers went from worst team in the league to ECF in one year. Edmonton rebuild model is over-rated, dont tead Cloutiers blogs.

Feaster is a smart guy, there is a such thing as rebuilding on the fly (and yes, it can be done much better then how the Maple Leafs are attempting to do so).

You trade Kipper and Iginla and continue to draft/sign FA's well this summer, Flames could be a totally different team next year.

If the Flyers lose this series the whining about the officiating will be epic.
- PLindbergh31

Now you're changing the argument, aka moving the goalposts.