Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 4/10/14 @ Tampa Bay

Good blob, Bill.

Let's go Flyers! 60 minutes of hockey is just what the doctor ordered.

And since the game is against Tampa tonight, I fully expect another day-long debate about Vinny, his potential, his short-comings, the impact of his injuries and the unfairness of the universe.

Flyers need to reverse the current trend of poor 3rd periods. Tonight would be a good time to start that.

Flyers need to reverse the current trend of poor 3rd periods. Tonight would be a good time to start that.
- MJL

I wonder if it will be Mase or Rayzor tonight?

I wonder if it will be Mase or Rayzor tonight?
- Hextall271

I say go with the full lineup including Mason unless the game has become meaningless (i.e. we're locked into position).

I say go with the full lineup including Mason unless the game has become meaningless (i.e. we're locked into position).
- jmatchett383

That won't be known until after the Rags game Saturday, or the Flyers lose.

I say go with the full lineup including Mason unless the game has become meaningless (i.e. we're locked into position).
- jmatchett383

I'd do the same, butI guess it depends on whether or not Chief thinks Mase needs a break.

Flyers need to reverse the current trend of poor 3rd periods. Tonight would be a good time to start that.
- MJL

#ClutchTime

That won't be known until after the Rags game Saturday, or the Flyers lose.
- wolfhounds

I think even if we win out, the Rags won't lose to Buffalo or a Montreal team with nothing to play for. I hope I am wrong, because I think home ice will be huge vs the rangers.

Will be interesting to see if the Lightning rally around Lindback, or falter without Bishop.

Flyers need to get continue to develop good habits and chemistry before the playoffs.

Want to see Mason get into hopefully a nice hot streak, and that PP to get back on track.

I think even if we win out, the Rags won't lose to Buffalo or a Montreal team with nothing to play for. I hope I am wrong, because I think home ice will be huge vs the rangers.
- Hextall271

I really just want a split if the Rangers do end up with home-ice.

Flyers will have to show an ability to beat them at MSG, and not let Lundqvist get in their heads. The match-up should give St. Louis/LeCavalier some motivation going up against each other.

I think even if we win out, the Rags won't lose to Buffalo or a Montreal team with nothing to play for. I hope I am wrong, because I think home ice will be huge vs the rangers.
- Hextall271

Yup. A loss for the Rangers seems unlikely, but you know Buffalo would love to be a bit of a spoiler if they can. I'm not worried about home or away, it's going to be a battle regardless and the Flyers are going to need to be on top of their game.

Looking forward to it.

It would be nice to avoid being swept by Tampa. I hate the Lightning.

Edit: Flyers only win over the last two years against Tampa was a 2-1 victory last season. Who scored those two goals? Yup, you guessed it. Tom Sestito.

Yup. A loss for the Rangers seems unlikely, but you know Buffalo would love to be a bit of a spoiler if they can. I'm not worried about home or away, it's going to be a battle regardless and the Flyers are going to need to be on top of their game.

Looking forward to it.
- wolfhounds

I agree with this. I realize the stats, but I think the MSG thing is a bit overblown.
The Rags are the Rags we need to deal with them and beat them.

Nice article on Gaudreau, for those who are interested -- apparently his mom is pushing for him to finish his degree:

http://articles.philly.co...-games-college-ice-hockey

That won't be known until after the Rags game Saturday, or the Flyers lose.
- wolfhounds

If the Flyers lose, they need to worry about Columbus too. There will still be things to play for against Pittsburgh on Saturday. I'd play Mason tonight and Saturday and then evaluate at that point, as the Rags and Columbus will be done with their seasons Saturday.

Nice article on Gaudreau, for those who are interested -- apparently his mom is pushing for him to finish his degree:

http://articles.philly.co...-games-college-ice-hockey
- Tomahawk

If he goes back for one more year, does Calgary lose his rights? How about Flyers/Ghostisbehere? I'm unclear on the NCAA signing period.

I really just want a split if the Rangers do end up with home-ice.

Flyers will have to show an ability to beat them at MSG, and not let Lundqvist get in their heads. The match-up should give St. Louis/LeCavalier some motivation going up against each other.
- flyer_nutter

If the Flyers do indeed draw the Rangers and the series starts at MSG a split of the first two games is imperative. Flyers won't win 4 out of 5 games to win the series with a 10 game losing streak at Madison Square Garden.

Mcginn has 4 goals in 12 games this year. He's on pace for 27 goals!

If he goes back for one more year, does Calgary lose his rights? How about Flyers/Ghostisbehere? I'm unclear on the NCAA signing period.
- jmatchett383

He has to actively seek out the loophole:

http://www.lighthousehock...lege-loophole-ncaa-change

Nice article on Gaudreau, for those who are interested -- apparently his mom is pushing for him to finish his degree:

http://articles.philly.co...-games-college-ice-hockey
- Tomahawk

Probably because she knows the future of her son in the NHL isn't as bright as people on here think it is

So after looking at the schedule, here is how I think the teams in the playoffs or still in the hunt will finish. I'm listing total points and the number in ( ) is ROW

EAST
BOS 118 (52) PIT 107 (44)
MON 100 (40) NYR 97 (42)
TB 96 (36) PHL 96 (40)
DET 93 (34) CBJ 95 (39)

WEST
STL 116 (45) ANA 114 (51)
COL 113 (48) SJS 107 (39)
CHI 109 (41) LAK 99 (38)
MIN 96 (34) PHX 92 (32)
DAL 91 (36) - eliminated by Phoenix on final day of season

PLAYOFF PICKS
BOS 4 - DET 2 STL 4 - PHX 1
PIT 4 - CLM 2 ANA 4- MNS 2
MON 4 - TB 2 CHI 4 - COL 2
PHL 4 - NYR 3 SJS 4 - LAK 3

BOS 4 - MON 2 STL 4- CHG 3
PHL 4 - PIT 3 SJS 4 - ANA 3

BOS 4 - PHL 2 SJS 4 - STL 3

STANLEY CUP FINALS: BOSTON 4 - SAN JOSE 3

Thoughts?

He has to actively seek out the loophole:

http://www.lighthousehock...lege-loophole-ncaa-change
- Tomahawk

The way it always was: An NHL team has the rights to a traditional college player until Aug. 15 after he graduates.

The way it is now: If that traditional college player tries to do a Schultz late in his senior year (so, after he's accumulated most of his credits), his rights are still held until Aug. 15, rather than until June 1.

I'm guessing the bolded part should have stated June 1 (the "old" way), otherwise I don't see a difference in the two.

So basically, for Gaudreau to become a UFA, he's have to finish his senior year, and then wait until August 15th, the way I'm reading it.

It would be nice to avoid being swept by Tampa. I hate the Lightning.

Edit: Flyers only win over the last two years against Tampa was a 2-1 victory last season. Who scored those two goals? Yup, you guessed it. Tom Sestito.
- PhillySportsGuy

So 2 goals for McGinn tonight?