It's a flat out joke, too bad the joke is on us. At this point in the season, you go with your best and if someone's feelings are hurt, tough sh!t.

The lines for game 4 should be:

G-Coots-TK
Lindblom-Patrick-Jake
Raffl-Filppula-Weal
Read-Laughton-Simmonds

Lehtera is trying, but his lack of speed really stands out against the Pens and right now, especially at ES, the 4th line is where Simmonds belongs. If he picks it up, move Weal to LW and put Simmonds on line 3 and drop Raffl to the 4th, but Simmonds needs to earn with his play at this point.
- BiggE

I really don't get all the Weal love. I understand Simmonds has not had a great season and hasn't done much in the series to this point, but he's still twice the player that Weal is. I go with Simmonds before going with Weal.

I take it you are hoping for a low penalty game... sitting Read who has been decent on the PK since his recall.
- dragonoffrost

I need some offensive help. If they aren't going to be 2-1 games then I need more Weal then Read.

That would just be my thoughts

Plus at the draft more teams will be involved.

I just am not sure he will be the 30 goal guy if he isn't getting 1st PP time which I don't see moving forward. And what he does at 5 on 5 is not enough for me to want to keep him long term.
- J35Bacher

Do you honestly believe that Patrick's NHL future on the PP is as a net front forward?

They are playing as a expected them to play in playoff hockey... they are the targets of extreme playoff checking. They arent given any space. When that happens its up to the linemates to get open and make things happen.
- youarewrong

I question your expectations. What about other top players in the NHL playing in the playoffs that are producing? Are they not also the targets of extreme playoff checking?

Can someone explain AMac's play while Brassard scored?
- dragonoffrost

"Poor"

Do you honestly believe that Patrick's NHL future on the PP is as a net front forward?
- MJL

Right now yes. So that will limit Simmonds production. i think he provides more on the PP then Simmonds at this time.

Future he probably slides into where Giroux is being a right handed shot.

But why can't Patrick be a net front guy. look at the Pens. Crosby goes down there. Hornquist is there.

Time to spin the scratch weal?

Tear it all down.

Everything is literally terrible again.
- hockeylover

Yes, until we win a game by any means, then it's, "You know, if this team can keep this up..."

In other words, we're all closet Eagles fans.

Yes, until we win a game by any means, then it's, "You know, if this team can keep this up..."

In other words, we're all closet Eagles fans.
- jmatchett383

My original prediction was Pens in 7 and it can still happen especially with team Jeckyl and Hyde.

Right now yes. So that will limit Simmonds production. i think he provides more on the PP then Simmonds at this time.

Future he probably slides into where Giroux is being a right handed shot.

But why can't Patrick be a net front guy. look at the Pens. Crosby goes down there. Hornquist is there.
- J35Bacher

You said you don't see Simmonds getting first unit PP time in the future. The Pens PP is different. They have a lot more player movement. As long as Simmonds remains a Flyer, I think he'll see plenty of first unit PP time. I think Patrick in that spot is just a temporary change but I could be wrong.

who is saying its acceptable. #1 on my list was stay out of the damn box. Just saying complaining about AMAC (or laughing) on that play is ridiculous. Broken stick put him and the other 3 in a bad situation.
- nastyflyergirl

Yeah. Not having enough talent to compete is understandable. But what is the saying? You can't fix stupid. I can see if they were committing penalties to prevent scoring chances, but that isn't it at all. It's high sticking, slashing, all undisciplined BS that gives you zero chance to win. It's really a disgrace.

I really don't get all the Weal love.
- MJL

I never have.

You said you don't see Simmonds getting first unit PP time in the future. The Pens PP is different. They have a lot more player movement. As long as Simmonds remains a Flyer, I think he'll see plenty of first unit PP time. I think Patrick in that spot is just a temporary change but I could be wrong.
- MJL

Well Simmonds only has one year left.

With Patrick getting better and better I expect him to be involved on that first unit next year. And the only logical spot I see him in is Simmonds because Giroux will still be on that half wall.

Well Simmonds only has one year left.

With Patrick getting better and better I expect him to be involved on that first unit next year. And the only logical spot I see him in is Simmonds because Giroux will still be on that half wall.
- J35Bacher

I see Patrick's future on the PP as the half wall puck distributor on the 2nd unit for the Flyers. It would be nice to have two very good PP units. Patrick is not a better net front guy than Simmonds is. Simmonds is and has been among the best in the NHL at that spot for 5-6 years.

One change I'd make for game 4 is to put Simmonds back on that top unit.

Ok so one positive from this series so far is the play of the youth. Beating the Pens was/is going to be hard, but if the boys keep taking penalties they have no chance.

Put Hagg in for next game, at least give him some playoff experience because he is another piece of the future on the blueline.

I never have.
- Scoob

So how'd Hextall do with free agency? We have Neuvirth, Weal, Weise... Batting 1,000?

I see Patrick's future on the PP as the half wall puck distributor on the 2nd unit for the Flyers. It would be nice to have two very good PP units. Patrick is not a better net front guy than Simmonds is. Simmonds is and has been among the best in the NHL at that spot for 5-6 years.
- MJL

Ok.

I don't see us agreeing. While I understand what Simmonds did while here, looking at the future i see Patrick getting a 1st PP role. Especially since the 2nd PP doesn't get enough time for him to make a significant impact.

I expect some changes with Patrick on PP1 next year and maybe a more moving PP almost like the Pens PP to use the creativity of Patrick and Giroux better.

I do truly believe Simmonds won't be here after this season. So I don't see him on the PP next year.

We have to face it Giroux just isn't a good leader. He can't get this team fired up and playing good tough hockey.

Just look at how good Lindros, Primeau, and Richards were
- 2Real

I'll admit he's nowhere near as good as Crosby. And even though the Hart Trophy is a regular season award, it's hard to unsee what I've seen in the playoffs and say he's the MVP of the league.

Even before the playoffs, my vote would be for McKinnon.

I'll admit he's nowhere near as good as Crosby. And even though the Hart Trophy is a regular season award, it's hard to unsee what I've seen in the playoffs and say he's the MVP of the league.

Even before the playoffs, my vote would be for McKinnon.
- Pelle31Forever

Hall

Hot take.

Patrick is going to be the #1 C in 2-3 seasons from now.

Hot take.

Patrick is going to be the #1 C in 2-3 seasons from now.
- flyer_nutter

If they can get to a point where Patrick and Frost can push Couturier down to 3rd on the center depth chart in 2-3 years, that would be fantastic.

Hot take.

Patrick is going to be the #1 C in 2-3 seasons from now.
- flyer_nutter

When he blew by Maatta in the first period yesterday that was really impressive. Didn't know he had that gear.

What is the Doom and Gloom level today?

Oh wait I see who is posting.. =)

So how'd Hextall do with free agency? We have Neuvirth, Weal, Weise... Batting 1,000?
- PLindbergh31

Elliott hasn't been a bust.

Weal was a trade not a FA. Yes he resigned him but that's more of a going with the devil you know thing. Plus Weal didn't get a full look last year. It was a cheap signing to hope he continued.

Elliott hasn't been a bust.

Weal was a trade not a FA. Yes he resigned him but that's more of a going with the devil you know thing. Plus Weal didn't get a full look last year. It was a cheap signing to hope he continued.
- dragonoffrost

And if I remember correctly everyone wanted him resigned.

He has one more year at 1.75. Could be a depth guy again next year or he could een be moved for maybe someone that has other attributes like being bigger or someone that is a PK stud.