I wouldn't underestimate the panthers that's what the devils did and now they are on the verge of losing the series. It can still can go either way. But to underestimate any team in the playoffs is stupid.

Personally, would love to see a Flyers/Bruins match-up again. Should make for another wildly entertaining series.
- bradleyc4

My blood pressure could do with a "less" exciting series. And by less exciting, I mean one that I don't have to be scared of blown leads, or comebacks from the "best" players in the world. That Pitt series was enough excitement to hold me over till the conference finals. Thanks.

fixed
- GoFlyersGoSlovakia

I like your optimism. Take this '+1' with pride.

I thought the Coaching staff made a mistake in game 5 with they way the doled out the minutes to the defense. In game 6, even with Kubina playing 4 minutes, Timonen only played 15 and change. Coburn and Carle can absolutely handle playing the minutes they have been playing throughout the playoffs. Lilja has an occasional bad game but for the most part has been reliable all Season. They need to trust some of the other defenseman more then they did in game 5.
- MJL

Laviolette is handing minutes out based on performance, as well as injury. Obviously Kubina is injured and cannot play a regular shift. Timonen isn't 100% either, so this week of rest will do him a world of good. Coburn and Carle will continue to lead the d-core in ice time going forward.

Has he finally arrived? Gustafsson played a very strong game. We'll see if it continues. A lot of young players have played a strong game or two, only to falter later.
- MJL

wait a minute! did gusty get in his car from his house or appt and actually get to the game? yes or no! the answer is obviously yes, because he played in the game! so he arrived

I like your optimism. Take this '+1' with pride.
- BulliesPhan87

LOL, but don't forget it was prefixed by "If they play like in game 6"

I fear no other team.

We can beat anyone if we play to our game 6 level.

I actually would welcome the chance to destroy the Rangers.

Tortorella is the only person I hate more than King Joffrey.
- DrMidnite

if they got boston it would make an exciting series, wouldnt want to see the rags until the ecf if at all

Stark, the King in the North!

I dont consider Theodore, Holtby, and Anderson top goalies. Holtby and Anderson have had great runs so far, but then again Boston's and Ranger's offense aren't the Penguins or Flyers. I think if either make it, they come back down to earth next round.

But I agree with the second part. Tough call to make on a 5-on-3... bad call.
- RooNosHockey

All that matters in the playoffs is how your playing right now. There has been a huge discrepancy between the Flyers/Pens scoring average per game then the rest of the League in these playoffs. And that's because most of the games were wide open. Boston's offense in the regular Season was equal to the Flyers. As Boston was tied for 2nd in the League in goals per game. And the Rangers were 11th in the League.

I think he will get the chance to continue. But Gustafsson has been up and down in his play. We saw what he was capable of in game 6.
- MJL

I have been watching him closely this season, he has definitely had more ups than downs. His +12 rating in 30 games wasn't an accident....the kid can play.

I have been watching him closely this season, he has definitely had more ups than downs. His +12 rating in 30 games wasn't an accident....the kid can play.
- jeffherrm

He has ability. But he also lacks physical tools. We'll see how he plays here on out. It would certainly be a huge boost to the team if he can continue to play as he did in game 6.

Personally, would love to see a Flyers/Bruins match-up again. Should make for another wildly entertaining series.
- bradleyc4

Last year wasn't too entertaining,

I think he will get the chance to continue. But Gustafsson has been up and down in his play. We saw what he was capable of in game 6.
- MJL

As Laviolette said after game 6, they believe in Gustafsson, and he played extremely well all year, when he was sent back to Adirondack it was never about his level of play, it was due to the Flyers having a healthy stable of defensemen. Makes much more sense for Gustafsson to be playing games, then sitting in the press box.
As we saw during the year Gustafsson dressed quite a bit, making Lilja a healthy scratch.

Last year wasn't too entertaining,
- 12,9 and 22

one tiny slice of it was entertaining: JVR.

Everything else, not so much.

Question: with all of the series in the West now done and 3 still remaining in the East, does the West have a longer gap before starting round 2 so that we can be on roughly the same time schedule? If not, then the problem would continue and rest would be uneven in the SCFs. I assume that all of the West will just rest and wait and start this weekend with us?
- FlyersFirst

My guess is they will scedule the first West Game for the day after the last East game is scheduled to end. So I would expect one west series to start Friday, then 1 east and the other west to start Sat... So only 1 series will be 1 day behind, and that can be fixed by scheduling a back to back day.

He has ability. But he also lacks physical tools. We'll see how he plays here on out. It would certainly be a huge boost to the team if he can continue to play as he did in game 6.
- MJL

What physical tools does he lack? He can skate, pass, and shoot. Because he's not 6'4 225 lbs doesn't mean he can't play. See kimmo timonen. I'm not saying he's going to be as good as timmo but he looks to be pretty good.

He has ability. But he also lacks physical tools. We'll see how he plays here on out. It would certainly be a huge boost to the team if he can continue to play as he did in game 6.
- MJL

Just curious...what physical tools do you think he lacks? I would say his size and inexperience are his only negatives. I don't think he lacks any "physical tools".

All that matters in the playoffs is how your playing right now. There has been a huge discrepancy between the Flyers/Pens scoring average per game then the rest of the League in these playoffs. And that's because most of the games were wide open. Boston's offense in the regular Season was equal to the Flyers. As Boston was tied for 2nd in the League in goals per game. And the Rangers were 11th in the League.
- MJL

Weren't both Boston and the Rangers struggling offensively for the strech drive before the playoffs, and it seems to still be happening. I wouldn't call Washington and Ottawa incredible defensive teams, so to me, it looks like Boston and Rags are struggling offensively, more so then Anderson and Holtby are all of a sudden playing like vesina trophy goalies....

Do you guys think we will still get Flyers games on CSN? Or now that we are down to the "2 games a night" strech, will we only see them on NBCS?

Just curious...what physical tools do you think he lacks? I would say his size and inexperience are his only negatives. I don't think he lacks any "physical tools".
- jeffherrm

Are utility belts allowed in the NHL. Crims lent me a cool batman one that might have the tool he is missing.

Just curious...what physical tools do you think he lacks? I would say his size and inexperience are his only negatives. I don't think he lacks any "physical tools".
- jeffherrm

size and strength

usually, defensemen that lack in ideal size and strength need to have great defensive zone awareness, good positional play and off-the-charts hockey sense to make it as a regular top-4 NHL guy.

otherwise, they become highly-sheltered, one-trick ponies if they can stick (usually PP specialists).

i think gustafsson has a chance to be a good player in this league. i think he's smart enough and his two-way play will improve at the NHL level. we'll see how he handles himself against the larger NHL forwards. that might be key.

Do you guys think we will still get Flyers games on CSN? Or now that we are down to the "2 games a night" strech, will we only see them on NBCS?
- RooNosHockey

I'm 99% sure, starting in Round 2, all games are on the NBC family of Networks.

Andrej Meszaros (who is still a couple weeks away)

Is Meszaros perpetually a couple weeks away or what?

I'm guessing we'll play Saturday at the absolute earliest? Perhaps Sunday?

I'm 99% sure, starting in Round 2, all games are on the NBC family of Networks.
- PLindbergh31

I believe that is correct as well. Thought JJ said something about his final broadcast for the season.

I'm 99% sure, starting in Round 2, all games are on the NBC family of Networks.
- PLindbergh31

I thought it was the first 2 rounds are local broadcasts and the last 2 rounds are national broadcasts.

As Laviolette said after game 6, they believe in Gustafsson, and he played extremely well all year, when he was sent back to Adirondack it was never about his level of play, it was due to the Flyers having a healthy stable of defensemen. Makes much more sense for Gustafsson to be playing games, then sitting in the press box.
As we saw during the year Gustafsson dressed quite a bit, making Lilja a healthy scratch.
- PLindbergh31

What would you expect Laviolette to say? There were clearly numerous instances when the Flyers chose Bourdon over Gustafsson. Would you expect the Coach not to endorse a player they need, and after as well as he played in game 6? Gustafsson deserved that with the way he played in that game. Lilja's role is to be a part time 6/7 defenseman. Of course your going to play some of the young kids over him that you deem to be NHL ready.