Another goalie on the market with Luongo. Very interesting.

There's a chance that Tim Thomas will be traded over the summer. Thomas' no-movement clause will no longer be in effect starting on July 1st. As great as Thomas has been, there is a couple of reasons the Bruins might trade him. The first is that he recently turned 38 and his contract will expire at the end of the 2012-13 campaign, so if they ever wanted to get a return for him in the trade market, they're running out of time. Another is that they have a great young goaltender in Tuukka Rask, who is ready to assume the starters job. Rask is also scheduled to become a restricted free agent this summer, so it would be expensive to keep both of them.
Source: Boston Globe
- stveshdy

I think I could see the Sharks going after Luongo. The Sharks have toughness in guys like Ryan Clowe and Douglas Murray. They have secondary scoring in Pavelski and Marleau. Frankly, I think the Sharks are going to blow it up anyway. Whatever they have going for them isn't working. Maybe it never has. Hang on to Thornton and Boyle, grab Luongo and allow the chips fall where they may with the other guys.

Question for the Devils fans,
Is Harrold a better option over the rookie Larson?
Zidlicky was a nice pick up.
What's up with Tallinder? Hurt or just benched?

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 5th time in 12 years
- bmeltzer

I agree that looking at past years has no bearing on this series. Except, maybe the rivalry factor. However, I do believe that what happen this past year - I didn't look it up but didn't we win the majority of the games versus NJ? I thought we'd beat the Pen's for the same reason - and I am or was concerned about playing teams that we had a losing record this year - Boston, Rangers.

Also, we know about our injuries... How is NJ holding up after the longer series with FLA?

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 5th time in 12 years
- bmeltzer

I see the last Devils/Flyers series compared to this one like this. The Devils are basically the same team but the Flyers aren't. So the question is, are the Flyers better then that last Flyers team led by Carter and Richards. I think so. Under Mike Richards, you didn't see a full 60 minute effort on a nightly basis. Maybe on this team you don't see a 60 minute effort today but it's slow early rather then late. Until this season the Flyers had ZERO ability to come back when falling behind. They do now, which I feel is key. One could also argue we have the goaltending now. We've always had the balance of offense and defense but if you add in goaltending and the relentless ability to storm by when playing from behind, we're a better team. Bill is right, this won't be an easy series but the odds are in our favor. Stick with the plan, avoid key injures, win series.

IMO, I think the Flyers are the better team but that means nothing because they still have to go out there and prove it. They cant take any opponent lightly at this stage of the playoffs. Play your best hockey and see where the chips fall.
- stveshdy

Correct. Let us not forget that a few weeks ago the Penguins were the 'better team', look where that landed them.

Correct. Let us not forget that a few weeks ago the Penguins were the 'better team', look where that landed them.
- BulliesPhan87

A few years ago when? They've had both recent success and disappointments.

his 27 points vs henriques 51 points in 3 less games doesnt really lend credence to your claims...and playoff stats dont matter coming out of that circus act you guys called a series
- Xnightwish

Couturier was primarily a 4th line guy and played on the PK. When Couturier is playing top 6 minutes an easier comparison could be made.

This is the playoffs. Your no longer playing every team in the Conference and some of the lesser teams. The field is narrowed. And the competition is the best teams. With the best defense, goaltending, etc. The intensity and checking goes up. The games are by nature lower scoring. The Flyers/Pens series was an anomaly. To think that the remaining teams can't score is simply false. Every team left is dangerous with dangerous offensive players that can score. Show up and don't match the opponents intensity and see what happens.
- MJL

The devils a good team please that is a joke, they almost lost to a rag tag team of nobodys....The rangers who almost lost it until the refs gave them game 6 please...ill respect them when they beat us. Personally i think it flyers/caps ECF. Flyers in 5 caps in 7.

A few years ago when? They've had both recent success and disappointments.
- roenick97

Huh? I think you misread my post, I was suggesting that going into this first round the Penguins were heralded the 'better team', and it landed them in the country club. Put otherwise, let us not hang our hats on an 'on paper' advantage.

On paper this is a good match-up for the Flyers. At the same time, this isn't going to be a cakewalk. The Devils have some highly skilled players, and you know they get fired up to play the Flyers. I expect a very physical series and the Flyers need the defense and Bryzgalov to play like they did in game 6 against Pittsburgh.

In saying that, the flyers D did a good job on Malkin and Crosby. Malkin is better and more physical than Kovy, Crosby is better than Parise.


- bird_dog

Another, comment... The key to beating the Pens was the centers - Malkin, Crosby, and Staal. You shut the centers, you shut down the whole line. Coots played great versus Malkin, and Giroux - not mentioned much - played great defense versus Crosby... Who is Coots going to mirror in the NJ line-up - Zajac... But, the NJ strength on the wings with Parise and Kovalchuk... Our wings - Talbot, Voracek, or whoever plays with Coots need to be sharp.

The devils a good team please that is a joke, they almost lost to a rag tag team of nobodys....The rangers who almost lost it until the refs gave them game 6 please...ill respect them when they beat us. Personally i think it flyers/caps ECF. Flyers in 5 caps in 7.
- Philly1980

Think that's just asking to hear the "You can't beat us" chants again isn't it?

On paper this is a good match-up for the Flyers. At the same time, this isn't going to be a cakewalk. The Devils have some highly skilled players, and you know they get fired up to play the Flyers. I expect a very physical series and the Flyers need the defense and Bryzgalov to play like they did in game 6 against Pittsburgh.
- Jsaquella

The Flyers will be ready to play this series.

Think that's just asking to hear the "You can't beat us" chants again isn't it?
- leightons5hole

I'm sure he's just quivering in his boots at the thought of it

Another, comment... The key to beating the Pens was the centers - Malkin, Crosby, and Staal. You shut the centers, you shut down the whole line. Coots played great versus Malkin, and Giroux - not mentioned much - played great defense versus Crosby... Who is Coots going to mirror in the NJ line-up - Zajac... But, the NJ strength on the wings with Parise and Kovalchuk... Our wings - Talbot, Voracek, or whoever plays with Coots need to be sharp.
- leon neon

This is why its important to have Grossmann back in the lineup. I would match him & Coburn up against Kovy/Parise.

Think that's just asking to hear the "You can't beat us" chants again isn't it?
- leightons5hole

No its the truth. how long you guys think you can last blocking that many shots a game before injuries rear their ugly head. Dubinsky was playing with one leg yesterday. + Im sure thats what the caps fans are going to be screaming "You can beat us" to you...First beat the caps then well talk . Honestly I respect the rangers, but they are going to be to worn down by round three to keep up with the flyers.

This is why its important to have Grossmann back in the lineup. I would match him & Coburn up against Kovy/Parise.
- stveshdy

Do you worry about the speed of Kovy and Parise against Grossmann? I do. convinced that the pairs may have to be juggled a bit for the Flyers D in this round.

I'd rather have Coburn - Timo against that line.

True. It's just that my Dad likes to take me out for Sunday Dinner and the Flyers really screw that up for me. He just ends up taking someone else.
- roenick97

We live parallel lives. This means no Sunday dinner with dad for another week for me, too.

Think that's just asking to hear the "You can't beat us" chants again isn't it?
- leightons5hole

Majority of Flyers fans are well aware of the level of competition they face now in this upcoming series. And also who they might face if they advance.

No its the truth. how long you guys think you can last blocking that many shots a game before injuries rear their ugly head. Dubinsky was playing with one leg yesterday. + Im sure thats what the caps fans are going to be screaming "You can beat us" to you...First beat the caps then well talk . Honestly I respect the rangers, but they are going to be to worn down by round three to keep up with the flyers.
- Philly1980

The Rangers have been blocking shots all Season long. Going on 89 games now. When are all these injuries going to happen? And the Flyers aren't going to be worn down? Why have they had how many players take multiple maintenance days?

This is why its important to have Grossmann back in the lineup. I would match him & Coburn up against Kovy/Parise.
- stveshdy

And, a note on Kovalchuk... I was watching part of the game last night - He sux! on defense. On one play he was in his own end, and sent a blind pass into the slot - FLA didn't score, but it was close... I thought the announcer said that the coach was sitting him and that his average ice time was lower (but on the ice for every PP). I looked at his playoff numbers and he's playing 25+ minutes, which is only a second shy of most (only Zidlicky-D has more).

- Duane B

D. where u been.

Majority of Flyers fans are well aware of the level of competition they face now in this upcoming series. And also who they might face if they advance.
- MJL

I respect these teams, I do. But Marty has not been that good in over three years. He still shows flashes of his former self, but at his age i dont think he can keep up with our guys. he might steal a game, but the fatigue factor will son catch up.

Do you worry about the speed of Kovy and Parise against Grossmann? I do. convinced that the pairs may have to be juggled a bit for the Flyers D in this round.

I'd rather have Coburn - Timo against that line.
- dcflyerfan71

Not really. I dont think Parise is any better than Malkin. Grossmann was on the ice against the best player in the leauge. I'm not concerned over Parise or Kovy.

And, a note on Kovalchuk... I was watching part of the game last night - He sux! on defense. On one play he was in his own end, and sent a blind pass into the slot - FLA didn't score, but it was close... I thought the announcer said that the coach was sitting him and that his average ice time was lower (but on the ice for every PP). I looked at his playoff numbers and he's playing 25+ minutes, which is only a second shy of most (only Zidlicky-D has more).
- leon neon

One play doesn't mean a player sucks. You could look at one play where a mistake was made by many on the Flyers. Does that mean they suck also on defense? The Flyers gave up 10 goals in a playoff game.