this is why i just feel the odds are so long for the flyers to make the playoffs after getting off to such a bad start. they get 19 of 20 points, lose one and find themselves 8 out. not impossible but not likely. just want to see them play well, the young players continue to improve and move on from players who are not part of the future.

i look at the Ducks with so many 30 plus players who were/are signed to long term deals and it reminds me why i don't want simmonds signed to a long term deal

JVR was so hot heading into the break and has been invisible since

rough game for Sanheim/provorov along with Giroux

pedestrian game from Hart. hasn't happened too many times
- nastyflyergirl

17 of the next 18 vs the eastern conference. You win 12 you could be in a playoff position

I had to work late so I missed most of the game. Only saw the last few minutes of the 2nd and the 3rd period. They lost and there are no moral victories but I can take a loss like that where by all accounts they competed hard and carried large chunks of the play. Compared to the way they were losing earlier in the season. That's something they can build on.

I had to work late so I missed most of the game. Only saw the last few minutes of the 2nd and the 3rd period. They lost and there are no moral victories but I can take a loss like that where by all accounts they competed hard and carried large chunks of the play. Compared to the way they were losing earlier in the season. That's something they can build on.
- MJL

I agree with this. I hate losing to the penguins but there were some bright points to walk away with.
I thought Simmonds played a very physical game. I hope other teams were paying attention.
Malkin's stick swing was disgusting. If the league doesn't suspend him I'll be pissed because it just proves that if you are a big enough name you can do anything.

Unfortunately the league will go light on him as they will say he is not a repeat offender. The only reason he is not a repeat offender is that they use this excuse every time, so he has little number of games being suspended. Of course, if he played for a couple different teams, then the suspension would be much more severe. I hope I am mistaken and the league addresses this fairly, but I am not holding my breathe.
- ncflyer27613

You're talking about a player where the league rescinded an automatic, no questions asked suspension.

Since Raffl wasn't injured and the NHL judges everything by result, I'd expect 2 games at most, more likely 1 game or a fine.

I agree with this. I hate losing to the penguins but there were some bright points to walk away with.
I thought Simmonds played a very physical game. I hope other teams were paying attention.
Malkin's stick swing was disgusting. If the league doesn't suspend him I'll be pissed because it just proves that if you are a big enough name you can do anything.
- FlyersGrace

The suspension will be judged on result. Remember Gudas' chop to Perrault last year? If that seriously injures Perrault, that's 25 games, easily. Since Malkin didn't connect hard with Raffl, he'll get a slap on the wrist.

I rarely feel this way when the Flyers lose, but they really deserved a W in this game. They carried the play for large portions of the game. Yes, Hart wasn't stellar, but if we don't have that bs no-goal call in the second, things could have easily gone the other way. I'll take 60-minutes of compete and 50+ shots a game any day.

I rarely feel this way when the Flyers lose, but they really deserved a W in this game. They carried the play for large portions of the game. Yes, Hart wasn't stellar, but if we don't have that bs no-goal call in the second, things could have easily gone the other way. I'll take 60-minutes of compete and 50+ shots a game any day.
- dramado

They deserved L’s in recent others

They deserved L’s in recent others
- Just5

That’s true. The start to the season was so bad it was too much to overcome. I hope they win as much as possible at this point to prepare for next year.

Fun game to watch but a poor outcome. Looking forward to what they get for Simmer and seeing the kids play. It’s all about next season now.

Sell Mortimer, sell!

"It’s a high stick, but it’s not like I broke his face. I think I won’t get suspended.”

Evgeni Malkin suggested he won't miss any games after he swung his stick at Michael Raffl Monday.

"It’s a high stick, but it’s not like I broke his face. I think I won’t get suspended.”

Evgeni Malkin suggested he won't miss any games after he swung his stick at Michael Raffl Monday.
- arichardson22

Haha their bench looked as if what he did wasn't that bad. They gave the "come on" look.

Haha their bench looked as if what he did wasn't that bad. They gave the "come on" look.
- ClaudeFather

Well Raffl dove, no doubt. Regardless, you don't swing your stick like that, ever.

Tought game. JVR, Giroux and Ghost were pretty bad last night. If Lindblom ever develops some finish he will score 30 easy. He gets to the right areas just cannot buy a goal it seems.

Weird game for Hart. That third goal needs to be stopped.

The Pens just have more skill and finish. If the Flyers play like they did last night they will win a lot more than they lose.

Malkin should get suspended. I am skeptical as to whether he will or not.

Being labeled a repeat offender is not a judgement call. It is a technical term under negotiated guidelines under the CBA pertaining to the timing of past suspensions.
- MJL

It is when this douche keeps getting a fine because he isn't a repeat offender. How many time has he been before DoPS recently. At least this time they gave him a match penalty for intent to injure on the ice so they are forced to address the white elephant that is his conduct on the ice. This guy has to face the music soon or he will keep being this way.

"It’s a high stick, but it’s not like I broke his face. I think I won’t get suspended.”

Evgeni Malkin suggested he won't miss any games after he swung his stick at Michael Raffl Monday.
- arichardson22

He got punched, so he could have thrown one back. There's never a time to retaliate with your stick. Ever.

Tought game. JVR, Giroux and Ghost were pretty bad last night. If Lindblom ever develops some finish he will score 30 easy. He gets to the right areas just cannot buy a goal it seems.

Weird game for Hart. That third goal needs to be stopped.

The Pens just have more skill and finish. If the Flyers play like they did last night they will win a lot more than they lose.

Malkin should get suspended. I am skeptical as to whether he will or not.
- mickel25

We were by far the better team, ran into a hot goalie. You don't just get 50 shots, they got a few bounces and we did not. Giroux had a rough first half and a better second half. I thought Sanheim struggled, they were putting the body on him and he was throwing the puck away, fumbled a few offensive opportunities too. Thought Ghost actually played well but just can't hit the damn net. JVR's game is extremely frustrating, if he doesn't score he's not really doing anything.

One loss and were sellers ? Win a few more games and best them at the stadium series and this whole game is negated. I sell pieces who wont be here next year - raffl simmer potentially. I dont sell my roster away. And I still look to buy on guys like dzingel stone Coyle etc who can be parts of our team moving forward.
- Tfaehner

I think I hit the flag by accident....sorry :-(. anyways, its not one loss. for me, I want to see them continue to try to win and snag that last wild card spot but I don't think that should alter the approach of trying to improve the team for next year and beyond and for me if a player isn't in their plans and they are a UFA I just think they should try to move them. I don't think Simmonds will get the same return that we saw when acquiring him because Richards was under contract but if they can get a good NHL ready forward I would do the trade.

Haha their bench looked as if what he did wasn't that bad. They gave the "come on" look.
- ClaudeFather

They wanted the two for the punch to the head by Raffl. They knew that Malkin's stick was that bad.

He got punched, so he could have thrown one back. There's never a time to retaliate with your stick. Ever.
- Pelle31Forever

His reaction is why people continue to go after him. He reacts. Raffl accomplished his mission. Malkin almost cost his team the game there.

I fear the league will see the match penalty as penalty enough.

17 of the next 18 vs the eastern conference. You win 12 you could be in a playoff position
- Tfaehner

hey, I am hoping. i want to see the playoffs. I want Hart and the young players get a taste and another taste for those who were here last year.

It is when this douche keeps getting a fine because he isn't a repeat offender. How many time has he been before DoPS recently. At least this time they gave him a match penalty for intent to injure on the ice so they are forced to address the white elephant that is his conduct on the ice. This guy has to face the music soon or he will keep being this way.
- dragonoffrost

If a player goes 18 months without a suspension he's no longer a repeat offender regardless of how many suspensions he has had previously. Mandated under the CBA

He got punched, so he could have thrown one back. There's never a time to retaliate with your stick. Ever.
- Pelle31Forever

Yup this X 1000. Just punch him back or put your glove on his face.

I agree with this. I hate losing to the penguins but there were some bright points to walk away with.
I thought Simmonds played a very physical game. I hope other teams were paying attention.
Malkin's stick swing was disgusting. If the league doesn't suspend him I'll be pissed because it just proves that if you are a big enough name you can do anything.
- FlyersGrace

he has a hearing. I love Malkin saying "It wasn't dangerous, he wasn't bleeding or anything". seriously are players this dumb? Yes, Raffl punched him in the back of the head and should have gotten 2 but you simply cannot react like that and to say it wasn't dangerous because he didn't connect is just ridiculous. if he did connect he could have easily broken Raffl's jaw. Intent matters.

I wonder if Bailey or Myers get into the lineup tonight.

I wonder if Bailey or Myers get into the lineup tonight.
- J35Bacher

I say yes to both. Please. Might bring a little spark.

Do we sit AMac or Ghost? What might have seemed like a no-brainer is a legit question now.