LETS GO FLYERS!

Whoot

How can Stamkos be a finalist for the league's MVP award if TB did not make the playoffs. How valuable can a player be if his team does not even qualify for the postseason?

What's Yzerman going to say if Stamkos wins it (which he won't, of course)? "We definitely couldn't have missed the playoffs without Steven. He carried our team all year and led us to the golf course".

I think the Devils have better forward line depth then you give them credit for.
The third line with Henrique centering Poni and Clarkson was pretty good against Florida. Henrique was all over the ice and was getting off a lot of shots.

The fourth line is OK. Bernier and Ryan are capable players and little Gionta plays tough for a small guy.

Flyers have better forward depth I believe, but as seen Danny can be a defensive liability and may give the Devils a match up advantage when in NJ. I guess we'll see, but I am imaging a closer series then most people are expecting.

Harrold looks like a weak spot on their D, otherwise the rest of their D seems decent.
- Marc D

Our fourth line was one of the few bright spots from last series. They do a hell of a job forechecking and creating chances. They are all responsible defensive, play with some grit, and have decent skill. I usually don't believe in using +/- too much, but I think it shows their effectiveness when they were a combined +11 in the series.

Our fourth line was one of the few bright spots from last series. They do a hell of a job forechecking and creating chances. They are all responsible defensive, play with some grit, and have decent skill. I usually don't believe in using +/- too much, but I think it shows their effectiveness when they were a combined +11 in the series.
- rmdevil313

I rarely go series to seies in such a way. Each series is like the playoffs started all over again imo.

The only reason i praise Couterier is because he shut-down one of the if not the best Center in the game right now. That's worth mentioning no matter what.

This is for both sides too. Just because the Devils 4th line was good against FLA doesn't mean they will against the Flyers, the same way theres no gurrantee Giroux scores another 14 points.

I rarely go series to seies in such a way. Each series is like the playoffs started all over again imo.

The only reason i praise Couterier is because he shut-down one of the if not the best Center in the game right now. That's worth mentioning no matter what.

This is for both sides too. Just because the Devils 4th line was good against FLA doesn't mean they will against the Flyers, the same way theres no gurrantee Giroux scores another 14 points.
- mochoson

2logical

I rarely go series to seies in such a way. Each series is like the playoffs started all over again imo.

The only reason i praise Couterier is because he shut-down one of the if not the best Center in the game right now. That's worth mentioning no matter what.

This is for both sides too. Just because the Devils 4th line was good against FLA doesn't mean they will against the Flyers, the same way theres no gurrantee Giroux scores another 14 points.
- mochoson

Our fourth line has been consistent ever since we got Josefson and Bernier playing. When JJ went down, Gio has filled in perfectly. DeBoer isn't afraid to put them out there at any time, and I dont see why our fourth line should stop playing solid. I don't expect them to keep up the offense, but they help us roll four lines.

Our fourth line has been consistent ever since we got Josefson and Bernier playing. When JJ went down, Gio has filled in perfectly. DeBoer isn't afraid to put them out there at any time, and I dont see why our fourth line should stop playing solid. I don't expect them to keep up the offense, but they help us roll four lines.
- rmdevil313

I was more or so referring to the offense, yes.

But again, lines don't necessarily carry any type of succes round to round.

Our fourth line has been consistent ever since we got Josefson and Bernier playing. When JJ went down, Gio has filled in perfectly. DeBoer isn't afraid to put them out there at any time, and I dont see why our fourth line should stop playing solid. I don't expect them to keep up the offense, but they help us roll four lines.
- rmdevil313

It is extremely important to be able to continually roll four lines out and keep your scorers fresh.

One thing I've noticed over the years about Devils fans is that while there aren't a lot of them (especially online), they tend to be pretty knowledgeable and non-trollish (unlike, for instance, johnnie-come-lately Pens fans or loudmouth Rangers fans).

Some good stuff on this thread already from a few of you guys...thanks.

It is extremely important to be able to continually roll four lines out and keep your scorers fresh.
- 77rams

Yeah, but our top players still log a lot of minutes because they are responsible for the special teams. Kovy plays both PPs and gets some PK time, Parise, Zajac, Henrique, Elias all get PP and PK time as well.

Yeah, but our top players still log a lot of minutes because they are responsible for the special teams. Kovy plays both PPs and gets some PK time, Parise, Zajac, Henrique, Elias all get PP and PK time as well.
- rmdevil313

That's just a part of hockey. Players get more time then others if your taking a lot of penalties or being awarded a lot of PP's in a close game.

That's just a part of hockey. Players get more time then others if your taking a lot of penalties or being awarded a lot of PP's in a close game.
- mochoson

No they are the special teams. Of Flyers to my knowledge, only Giroux really sees any PK from their top offensive players. Our top players get all our PK time regardless of the game situation. Zubrus is our only PKer that doesn't see any PP time.

Yeah, but our top players still log a lot of minutes because they are responsible for the special teams. Kovy plays both PPs and gets some PK time, Parise, Zajac, Henrique, Elias all get PP and PK time as well.
- rmdevil313

All the better players do, but if you can roll out a fourth line that can give you a 7-8 minutes a game, it give the scorers a much needed blow. The value of a defensively responsible 4th line should never be overlooked.

I don't remember Kovy getting too much PK time. Parise and Zajac perhaps.

All the better players do, but if you can roll out a fourth line that can give you a 7-8 minutes a game, it give the scorers a much needed blow. The value of a defensively responsible 4th line should never be overlooked.
- 77rams

I understand players get time on the special teams. But I am saying that our best forwards make up a significant portion of our special teams compared to other teams. Gaborik or Richards don't kill penalties for the rangers, Ovie and Backstrom don't for the caps, and Giroux is your only top scorer getting PK time. You have guys like Talbot and Coots who don't see much PP time.

Kovy is one of our 6 forwars we use for PK time. Parise-Zajac; Elias-Zubrus; Henrique-Kovy. Look at our ice time. All of those forwards have about a 1:30-2:00 of PK time a game.

I understand players get time on the special teams. But I am saying that our best forwards make up a significant portion of our special teams compared to other teams. Gaborik or Richards don't kill penalties for the rangers, Ovie and Backstrom don't for the caps, and Giroux is your only top scorer getting PK time. You have guys like Talbot and Coots who don't see much PP time.
- rmdevil313

You are making some very good points. I just think as much good that does, it can hurt you as well. These guys don't sit long so they don't get cold and if there is an injury your PP and Pk can glide with ease. However, this can take tolls on players. Especially in tough-physical 7 games series against division rivals. By the the 3rd period especially in games 5, 6 and 7 these guys get worn out. May not have a lot to offer.

You are making some very good points. I just think as much good that does, it can hurt you as well. These guys don't sit long so they don't get cold and if there is an injury your PP and Pk can glide with ease. However, this can take tolls on players. Especially in tough-physical 7 games series against division rivals. By the the 3rd period especially in games 5, 6 and 7 these guys get worn out. May not have a lot to offer.
- Deasr1

Definitely. I was more refuting the idea that the Devils were going to be outmatched by the Flyers depth. Yes, the FLyers have a better group of forwards, but we can still roll 4 lines well. The reason why it doesn't look like this and we have forwards a few forwards with 20+ mins and a couple more close, is because we rely on the same players for the PP and PK. I definitely agree it can tire out our top players.

http://www.csnphilly.com/...blockID=698535&feedID=695

Dempster from the Cubs is a Flyers fan and more specifically a Pelle/ Hextall fan..

Any predictions on Wash/NYR? I think that the Rags are gonna kill them, but I hope I am wrong.

No they are the special teams. Of Flyers to my knowledge, only Giroux really sees any PK from their top offensive players. Our top players get all our PK time regardless of the game situation. Zubrus is our only PKer that doesn't see any PP time.
- rmdevil313

....and like I said, that's part of hockey.

Not only that, but I already previously stated the Devils don't have as great of depth, which is why their top line players also have to fill out the special teams units. There was a reason I mentioned the disparities in ice time. Regardless of the situation, there are guys being used too much, and guys being used too little.

I'm not trying to be a Richard, I'm just trying to clarify my point.

Definitely. I was more refuting the idea that the Devils were going to be outmatched by the Flyers depth. Yes, the FLyers have a better group of forwards, but we can still roll 4 lines well. The reason why it doesn't look like this and we have forwards a few forwards with 20+ mins and a couple more close, is because we rely on the same players for the PP and PK. I definitely agree it can tire out our top players.
- rmdevil313

That's all I'm really trying to say.

And not for nothing, if Kovy is out every other shift, regardless of whether it's 5 on 5, PK, or PP, that's not really rolling four lines.

Definitely. I was more refuting the idea that the Devils were going to be outmatched by the Flyers depth. Yes, the FLyers have a better group of forwards, but we can still roll 4 lines well. The reason why it doesn't look like this and we have forwards a few forwards with 20+ mins and a couple more close, is because we rely on the same players for the PP and PK. I definitely agree it can tire out our top players.
- rmdevil313

Not knocking you at all. Florida can roll 4 lines. So can Columbus. Florida played well, but if you had to pick between facing the Penguins or Florida in the Playoffs, who would you have picked. Flyers got no love from anyone, while others picked NJ to upset Florida. I am not saying a smack down is going to happen. I think the complete opposite. It's going to be a battle. A good one too. Hopefully a FAIRLY clean one as well. I know we tied for the season series(which means nothing now), but you guys have yet to beat our starting goalie. Just a little fun poking. You guys are a good team and it will be a fun series. Obviously I hope you don't win though.

I understand players get time on the special teams. But I am saying that our best forwards make up a significant portion of our special teams compared to other teams. Gaborik or Richards don't kill penalties for the rangers, Ovie and Backstrom don't for the caps, and Giroux is your only top scorer getting PK time. You have guys like Talbot and Coots who don't see much PP time.

Kovy is one of our 6 forwars we use for PK time. Parise-Zajac; Elias-Zubrus; Henrique-Kovy. Look at our ice time. All of those forwards have about a 1:30-2:00 of PK time a game.
- rmdevil313

I didn't see Kovy with that much PK time, but I could be mistaken.

Although last series, we averaged 27.5 penalty minutes per game while the Devils averaged only 11.1 minutes, it was interesting to note that we were whistled for 39 minor penalties (most in the first round of the PO's) to your 33.

man the caps were getting shelled until that penalty

LETS GO FLYERS!
- 2Real

Let's go Caps