No doubt, the 7th seed is the best they can likely hope for. I don't see them catching Pitts or NYR.
- BiggE

3 points behind Pitt with 2 head-to-heads left? I mean, technically, it's completely within their control. I don't expect the Flyers to finish 9-0, but I think it's completely possible for them to catch up to Pitt. Plus, you'd hope that the lack of Malkin down the line eventually catches up to them. We'll see.

No doubt, the 7th seed is the best they can likely hope for. I don't see them catching Pitts or NYR.
- BiggE

the pens are super hot right now, but neither new york team is lighting it up. Just keep winning, that's all there is.

He's played well but if he is in a bottom 6 role I would rather Laughton in there. Aso gives you another PK person and Laughton was playing well with Cousins and Read.

Also I need to see Read step up a little. Not that he is playing terrible, just need to see more.
- J35Bacher

He has played well, though not so much last night. I just think, looking at his track record, his play will likely start to drop off.

He has played well, though not so much last night. I just think, looking at his track record, his play will likely start to drop off.
- BiggE

Hey I agree.

I think Laughton and Cousins showed a good chemistry together. In the bottom 6 I prefer Laughton.

Also I know people have been down on Laughton's game this year but I think something overlooked is Laughton is basically beginning a whole new role. Previous to this year he played top line minutes and every situation. He now is in a more defined role. I think you'll see next year an improvement as he knows what his role is.

the pens are super hot right now, but neither new york team is lighting it up. Just keep winning, that's all there is.
- BulliesPhan87

Also just one point behind the Bruins with 2 games in hand...

Also just one point behind the Bruins with 2 games in hand...
- jak521

wouldn't mind hopping those chumps in the standings either

Also just one point behind the Bruins with 2 games in hand...
- jak521

And Boston has some pretty tough opponents coming up...not to mention feeling the pressure of lower ranked teams on their heels. Although, I would love to see the Flyers be the team that knocks DET out of the playoffs to ruin their streak.

Yeah, in fact they've been living and dying at 5v5. When the (frank) has that ever happened.

I just like the idea of a switch because I still think Schenn and Coots bring out the best in each other, for whatever reason. I'm not gonna female dog about a Schenn/Coots/Raffl line


Maybe Jake gets going back on line one with G and Simmer. It's important to get him rolling if they want to a) get into the playoffs and b) make any sort of noise
- Giroux_Is_God

I don't mind this at all, I think Schenn can wake up cooter and Jake and G will most likely click immediately, they've played together for quite some time. I hardly ever question Simmonds his entire Flyer career but he is in a serious funk lately, I know he is a streaky player but he just seems really off.

Why isn't anyone talking about the gingerly bounce back from Mason/ potential injury? If that guy is injured the team is sunk! Also, do we see Stolarz soon/ at all? Perhaps with the strain to Mason (God I hope it isn't an injury) we see Stolarz sooner then later?

And Boston has some pretty tough opponents coming up...not to mention feeling the pressure of lower ranked teams on their heels. Although, I would love to see the Flyers be the team that knocks DET out of the playoffs to ruin their streak.
- Corporate_hater

Let's face it: it isn't hard to muster up a 1,000 suns of hate for any one of det, Boston pens rags or isles. So let's hope they all go into death spirals. Meanwhile, we need to keep collecting points.

Where we are right now this season is pure bonus. This team is way better position than anyone on this board thought we'd be in late March and our future is very very bright!!

Why isn't anyone talking about the gingerly bounce back from Mason/ potential injury? If that guy is injured the team is sunk! Also, do we see Stolarz soon/ at all? Perhaps with the strain to Mason (God I hope it isn't an injury) we see Stolarz sooner then later?
- coffee junkie

He said in a postgame interview that he is fine and he's full of energy or something to that effect.

Let's face it: it isn't hard to muster up a 1,000 suns of hate for any one of det, Boston pens rags or isles. So let's hope they all go into death spirals. Meanwhile, we need to keep collecting points.

Where we are right now this season is pure bonus. This team is way better position than anyone on this board thought we'd be in late March and our future is very very bright!!
- FlyersFirst

Agreed on all points. I approve of this message.

Why isn't anyone talking about the gingerly bounce back from Mason/ potential injury? If that guy is injured the team is sunk! Also, do we see Stolarz soon/ at all? Perhaps with the strain to Mason (God I hope it isn't an injury) we see Stolarz sooner then later?
- coffee junkie

He was fine after the game, said he isnt fatigued and wants to play. He is okay. Probably just tweaked something.

Why isn't anyone talking about the gingerly bounce back from Mason/ potential injury? If that guy is injured the team is sunk! Also, do we see Stolarz soon/ at all? Perhaps with the strain to Mason (God I hope it isn't an injury) we see Stolarz sooner then later?
- coffee junkie

He said he was fine in the post game interview. I am curious if maybe Stolarz goes Saturday against AZ to give Mason a little break since there are so many games in the next two weeks and probably back to backs that Mason will need to play.

Let's face it: it isn't hard to muster up a 1,000 suns of hate for any one of det, Boston pens rags or isles. So let's hope they all go into death spirals. Meanwhile, we need to keep collecting points.

Where we are right now this season is pure bonus. This team is way better position than anyone on this board thought we'd be in late March and our future is very very bright!!
- FlyersFirst

This has been one of the most successful seasons I can remember from a expectations/reality stand point. Great fun, good step for certain players, goalies have been great, coach has been awesome, in the hunt for a playoff spot, each month we have gotten better and better.

Awesome season no matter what!

He said he was fine in the post game interview. I am curious if maybe Stolarz goes Saturday against AZ to give Mason a little break since there are so many games in the next two weeks and probably back to backs that Mason will need to play.
- J35Bacher

I could see him playing Saturday and Monday.. off Wednesday and then goes both Saturday and Sunday.

That way he will only have to play two games (Sat&Sunday) over a 9 day span.

He was fine after the game, said he isnt fatigued and wants to play. He is okay. Probably just tweaked something.
- jak521

How many times do we need to see a guy say he is fine or even worse the team say they are fine and then they aren't before we stop listening to the rhetoric and start looking at the empirical evidence of how the player looks. He looked banged up to me and Bill for that matter, 'played in seeming discomfort but was able to finish the game.'

I could see him playing Saturday and Monday.. off Wednesday and then goes both Saturday and Sunday.

That way he will only have to play two games (Sat&Sunday) over a 9 day span.
- jak521

You really think they would send Stolarz in for his NHL debut against the number 1 team in the league?

How many times do we need to see a guy say he is fine or even worse the team say they are fine and then they aren't before we stop listening to the rhetoric and start looking at the empirical evidence of how the player looks. He looked banged up to me and Bill for that matter, 'played in seeming discomfort but was able to finish the game.'
- coffee junkie

Yea and then he skated over to his teammates and celebrated with them with no problem. He also was fine after the game.. Sometimes things happen during the game, and you just gotta play through them, and then youre good. Happens a lot actually.

You really think they would send Stolarz in for his NHL debut against the number 1 team in the league?
- ClaudeFather

I would. Its already going to be a tough game, might be the hardest to win.. Why not rally your team around your rookie goalie. Makes everyone play that much harder. We need to win a lot. So for me, the one game that would be the most difficult I would use any motivator possible.

I would. Its already going to be a tough game, might be the hardest to win.. Why not rally your team around your rookie goalie. Makes everyone play that much harder. We need to win a lot. So for me, the one game that would be the most difficult I would use any motivator possible.
- jak521

I see what you are saying, teams tend to play differently for goaltenders and maybe he sparks something. I just don't know if I like that big of a layoff for Mase. He has been locked in lately and I'd like to have him going every 2-3 days.

Thanks Bill. Gudas is a beast; he has listen to the coaching staff, and is playing hard, and smart hockey. Ghost is still a "Blue-line King." And, Mason is playing out of his mind. As mentioned, if we can start to get some scoring from Coots, and Simmer, then we might just win a playoff spot. However, we are still giving up way too many shots against, and too many quality scoring chances. If Mason can keep healthy, he seems to thrive on a large number of shots, and lots of playing time.
Bill, is it too early to start looking at the team awards for the season? Who do you consider to be the front runners?

I see what you are saying, teams tend to play differently for goaltenders and maybe he sparks something. I just don't know if I like that big of a layoff for Mase. He has been locked in lately and I'd like to have him going every 2-3 days.
- ClaudeFather

Agreed. The game I'd start Stolarz in would be the home game against Ottawa on 4/2. It's the first of the next back to back and the game on 4/3 is against Pittsburgh. By starting the rookie against Ottawa, perhaps the Flyers don't fall into the trap of looking ahead to the next night against the Pens.

I see what you are saying, teams tend to play differently for goaltenders and maybe he sparks something. I just don't know if I like that big of a layoff for Mase. He has been locked in lately and I'd like to have him going every 2-3 days.
- ClaudeFather

Its actually not that bad.. He would play Saturday & Monday, of Tuesday-Friday- back to back Saturday and Sunday, off Monday and Tuesday.

So its 2 games in 9 nights or 5 in 13

Agreed. The game I'd start Stolarz in would be the home game against Ottawa on 4/2. It's the first of the next back to back and the game on 4/3 is against Pittsburgh. By starting the rookie against Ottawa, perhaps the Flyers don't fall into the trap of looking ahead to the next night against the Pens.
- BiggE

Initially I said both yesterday and that Ott game would be the only games Id play Stolie in.. Still dont think the Ott game is a bad idea. Just think the Caps game could be a good one as well.