Howe was also playing 30-35 mins a game every night and you wanted him out late with a one-goal lead to protect. FWIW, I don't think Gostisbehere is going to get better offensively than where he is now -- but he doesn't have to, because he is clearly excellent offensively. His defense is the level of an undersized #5 but when you add in all the offense he brings, it is clearly good enough. Ghost doesn't kill you defensively. Howe was a defensive impact player -- better than Timonen, and Kimmo was real solid despite his lack of size.
- bmeltzer

Honestly.. The points, the plus/minus.. all of that dont touch the fact that he played that many minutes in that league against some of the greatest players of all time. Absurd.

Happy for the win but that third period was pathetic. Going into a shell and hoping to survive is not a good strategy. Proof that they're not ready/able to take the next step. I'm hopeful that some changes in the off season can remedy that.

You may feel tired and hungry after eating it though as its first few ingredients are rice, wheat gluten, sugar, and high fructose corn syrup.

Enjoy your high blood sugar
- Streit2ThePoint

Im healthy as a mother(frank)er

IThat Mason stop on Zetterberg in the 3rd period was the difference.
- Pixote Andolini

That was a fantastic save.

I think it would be downright wrong if Ghost doesnt win the calder. He's among the top producing dmen in the league, 16 goals so far (just about all lead changing/winning goals), like 5 OT goals, will get 40+ points as a rookie dman. How can't he win it.
- orangekrush2010

Bread Man...

I think AMac has been a positive for this team ( Lord Vadar would be in his glory)
He has chipped in 3 points, blocking shots , and is a solid +5. Seems to be playing very well positional hockey.
- 3flyerkids

He'll be back. And frankly, I can't wait.

Michael Raffl
2nd on the team in G/60 at even strength
6th on the team in P/60 at even strength
2nd on the team in Corsi
27 years old
Scheduled to make $2.35M over the next 3 years

Fans complain that he should have been traded or should play on the 4th line.

P Kane will 100% burn Manning down the side at least once tonight.
- arichardson22

frank that creep

Michael Raffl
2nd on the team in G/60 at even strength
6th on the team in P/60 at even strength
2nd on the team in Corsi
27 years old
Scheduled to make $2.35M over the next 3 years

Fans complain that he should have been traded or should play on the 4th line.
- PhillySportsGuy

hes a very good 3rd liner

Solid game. Held off a desperate Wings team who looked real bad in the 1st. Great 2 points.

Ghost just keeps improving, is no slouch defensively, smart with positioning and stick.

4th line looked good. Bad news for Cousins, imo, when Jake gets back.

Suck it Raffl haters.
- wolfhounds

I see your Suck it Raffle haters and raise you a Suck it Hakstol haters. He knows what he's doing so the doubters here should just shut the frank up.

frank that creep
- Scoob

he might roofie our water bottles.

Michael Raffl
2nd on the team in G/60 at even strength
6th on the team in P/60 at even strength
2nd on the team in Corsi
27 years old
Scheduled to make $2.35M over the next 3 years

Fans complain that he should have been traded or should play on the 4th line.
- PhillySportsGuy

And you can play him pretty much anywhere in the lineup.

Happy for the win but that third period was pathetic. Going into a shell and hoping to survive is not a good strategy. Proof that they're not ready/able to take the next step. I'm hopeful that some changes in the off season can remedy that.
- Scoob

100% agree.

1st period shots Flyers 22 Wings 2

2nd Flyers 37 Wings 16

Final tally Flyers 46 Wings 37

That's a game they should of had 5-1 instead of 4-3

They are going to need 3 1st period against Detroit efforts tonight to grab 2 at Chicago.

I was at the game and haven't seen a replay of it, but why wasn't the Detroit dump in that resulted in their 3rd goal called an icing?

100% agree.

1st period shots Flyers 22 Wings 2

2nd Flyers 37 Wings 16

Final tally Flyers 46 Wings 37

That's a game they should of had 5-1 instead of 4-3

They are going to need 3 1st period against Detroit efforts tonight to grab 2 at Chicago.
- Pelle31Forever

Not if we plant a hot young blonde against the glass in the neutral zone to distract Kane

I'm surprised Laughton gets the amount of ice time because I don't think he's very good at all...not even for a 3rd liner. He brings absolutely nothing. He's weak against puck battles, his shot is a joke
- Corporate_hater

The trick with trolling is to keep it believable. Laughton has one of the best shots on the team, so you failed.

http://video.flyers.nhl.c...ocenter/console?id=906555

I see your Suck it Raffle haters and raise you a Suck it Hakstol haters. He knows what he's doing so the doubters here should just shut the frank up.
- Scoob

Coach of Year possibly?

Great article, as always, Bill.
Over the last few years I have never once read the word "growth" being used to describe the atmosphere in the locker room or the process the team is going through. Are old(er) dogs learning new tricks??? (Amac? Gudas - relatively low PIMs as of late).

Excited for this push-also excited for playoffs in the "Q" as First place Rouyn is about 1.5 hours away from me and 2nd place Val D'or is another 2 hours further up the road....
Hoping to catch Aube-Kubel on his way to a point-per-game in the playoffs this year.
Any talk about his progress and chances with the Phantoms next season, Bill?

I was at the game and haven't seen a replay of it, but why wasn't the Detroit dump in that resulted in their 3rd goal called an icing?
- five4fighting10

Bad officiating.

Happy for the win but that third period was pathetic. Going into a shell and hoping to survive is not a good strategy. Proof that they're not ready/able to take the next step. I'm hopeful that some changes in the off season can remedy that.
- Scoob

False...the first period domination by the Flyers and third period domination by the Red Wings does not mean the Flyers played really well in the first and didnt in the third. It was a combination of both teams and where the game was at. The game mattered just as much for the Red Wings and they were going to give it all they could to equalize. Could the Flyers have gotten more offense or give up less shots? Sure...but they didnt just say screw it, we've tried enough tonight

[quote=Corporate_hater]I'm surprised Laughton gets the amount of ice time because I don't think he's very good at all...not even for a 3rd liner. He brings absolutely nothing. He's weak against puck battles, his shot is a joke, and there is no creativity or speed.

I heard he can't dance

Panarin is going to win it. Regardless of how deserving ghost is. And he definitely is. Panarin will win because... point.. and.. blackhawks... that's reason enough right? Cuz (frank) the fact he's playing.with the lead point scorer in the league... and (frank) 2 way play... and (frank) the fact he's played against true men in the khl for years. This has me fired up, far too early in the morning.
- benjichronic

Fake rookie. Frank him

Michael Raffl
2nd on the team in G/60 at even strength
6th on the team in P/60 at even strength
2nd on the team in Corsi
27 years old
Scheduled to make $2.35M over the next 3 years

Fans complain that he should have been traded or should play on the 4th line.
- PhillySportsGuy

A simple "I told ya' so" would have sufficed.

Anyone else get iTunes app pop ops on this site ?
- Winning

Ad blocker ftw

frank the nag screen

The trick with trolling is to keep it believable. Laughton has one of the best shots on the team, so you failed.

http://video.flyers.nhl.c...ocenter/console?id=906555
- Feanor

I'm voicing my opinion, which I believe, i'm entitled to do. The last time I checked, that isn't the definition of trolling.

I've watched the games, I've seen his "shots" and i'm far from impressed.

Sorry that you took my comment so personally, I didn't know he was such a close friend of yours.