same went for the Blues early on...they were a good, but unlucky team. they change their coach, and everyone proclaims him the savior, but it was more because their luck regressed back to normal.

(sorry crims)
- bradleyc4

i think both teams' problem was that they just didn't want it enough until their coaches got canned.

same went for the Blues early on...they were a good, but unlucky team. they change their coach, and everyone proclaims him the savior, but it was more because their luck regressed back to normal.

(sorry crims)
- bradleyc4

So you don't believe Hitch did anything to help that team right the ship? If they keep the old coach you believe the same results would of occured?

definitely were
- OrangeBlack27

Carter is definitely a top line player, imo.

Average first line centers get around 70 points/season (based on 82 games). Richards had 62 points or more his previous 4 seasons. His offense suffered this season big-time. Is it an anomaly or the continuation of a decline, i don't know. I'd still call him a low-end 1C or high-end 2C.

so meszy is in and gusty is out? i'd rather have lilja over gusty at this stage.

So you do'nt believe Hitch did anything to help that team right the ship? If they keep the old coach you believe the same results would of occured?
- stveshdy

I believe they would have had similar results, yes.

I believe they would have had similar results, yes.
- bradleyc4

I always say you can have talent but you need someone to push that talent. I'm not saying Hitch did exactly that but I thought he did a nice job of getting those players in believing they can win.

I always say you can have talent but you need someone to push that talent. I'm not saying Hitch did exactly that but I thought he did a nice job of getting those players in believing they can win.
- stveshdy

so meszy is in and gusty is out? i'd rather have lilja over gusty at this stage.
- hammarby31

the media types reported that Lilja stayed out longer with the other scratches, so who knows.

I always say you can have talent but you need someone to push that talent. I'm not saying Hitch did exactly that but I thought he did a nice job of getting those players in believing they can win.
- stveshdy

impossible to quantify, I just don't believe that coaches make that much of a difference in the outcome. at this level, it's more about motivating than "coaching". perhaps Hitch was able to motivate them a little more than Davis Payne, but I still think they would have been a top-4 team in the West regardless.

- OrangeBlack27

I like that. Nice work.

I want to believe that this team can mount a comeback, however, I just don't see it. This isn't Boston 2010. There isn't a rookie goalie about to choke. Injuries aren't mounting up for the competition. They had a great season that no one could have expected. The division was the best in sports. I tip my hat to NJ. I will be cheering and hoping. But, in the end, I will not hold my breath. Bryz is the man though.

impossible to quantify, I just don't believe that coaches make that much of a difference in the outcome. at this level, it's more about motivating than "coaching". perhaps Hitch was able to motivate them a little more than Davis Payne, but I still think they would have been a top-4 team in the West regardless.
- bradleyc4

I don't disagree. Ultimately it falls on the players in the end. You can have the best coach in the world but if your players dont play it won't matter. Motivation is important because without it theres no push or drive to be even better. The Blues haven't had success in awhile so it was good to see them become relevant again in the NHL.

the media types reported that Lilja stayed out longer with the other scratches, so who knows.
- wilsonecho91

i meant to say meszy is in, and lilja out.

Carter is definitely a top line player, imo.

Average first line centers get around 70 points/season (based on 82 games). Richards had 62 points or more his previous 4 seasons. His offense suffered this season big-time. Is it an anomaly or the continuation of a decline, i don't know. I'd still call him a low-end 1C or high-end 2C.
- bradleyc4

Richards has had a good playoffs so far. He's been a difference maker.

It is kind of unbelievable that Bryz has had a very good series against the Devils and the Flyers are in the spot they are in.

I thought his play would be the key factor before the series started.

Also a little surprised with Wayne Simmonds. I didn't expect him to score as he is pretty streaky that way, but I thought he would have been much better in the scrums and along the walls getting puck possession. He was a beast there all season. It makes me wonder if he is playing hurt.

I want to believe that this team can mount a comeback, however, I just don't see it. This isn't Boston 2010. There isn't a rookie goalie about to choke. Injuries aren't mounting up for the competition. They had a great season that no one could have expected. The division was the best in sports. I tip my hat to NJ. I will be cheering and hoping. But, in the end, I will not hold my breath. Bryz is the man though.
- Deasr1

The devils aren't boston 2010 but maybe they can be philly 2000.

so meszy is in and gusty is out? i'd rather have lilja over gusty at this stage.
- hammarby31

I'd play Lilja over Gus right now -- Gus seems very nervous.

never say die, at the very least go down swinging

flyers should flip the script and trap the debs

So do the Flyers rally together as a team and grind out a victory on home ice or continue along the road of playing for themselves, not for each other - and end up getting embarrassed off the ice via a blow out?

Richards has had a good playoffs so far. He's been a difference maker.
- Marc D

I haven't watched every minute of all 9 Kings games but outside of 2 games I haven't noticed Richards to that degree. I've felt they have riddent the backs of Brown and Quick.

I'd play Lilja over Gus right now -- Gus seems very nervous.
- flyersfan51

Which is surprising to me (about Gus) because he can use his speed and skate the puck. Its not like the Devils forwards are that physical but yet they keep winning these puck battles.

I haven't watched every minute of all 9 Kings games but outside of 2 games I haven't noticed Richards to that degree. I've felt they have riddent the backs of Brown and Quick.
- nastyflyergirl

same

I haven't watched every minute of all 9 Kings games but outside of 2 games I haven't noticed Richards to that degree. I've felt they have riddent the backs of Brown and Quick.
- nastyflyergirl

Quick, Brown and Kopitar have been the big three, but Richards has been pretty effective I think.

I haven't watched every minute of all 9 Kings games but outside of 2 games I haven't noticed Richards to that degree. I've felt they have riddent the backs of Brown and Quick.
- nastyflyergirl

Richards was all over Kesler in round 1, and has potted a decent amount of goals too