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
- MJL

So, if Gudas keeps his nose clean the remainder of this season, he won't be a repeat offender for any offenses committed next season?

Especially if you look at the shot charts from last night's game...it's almost like the Flyers didn't know there was a high slot at all.
- Glak18

Was more wishful thinking than anything. Besides, he has to sit in LHV until the 26th for the roster expansion thing according to Bill's previous commentary.

I didn't discredit the effort. It was a great effort. But, if you didn't think that they didn't make too many turnovers especially in the 1st well then...
- RustyPipes

Yes, there were a bunch of turnovers in the first for both teams and we traded high danger shots... We still had 50 shots and more than enough good scoring chances, those turnovers in the first don't change that.

So, if Gudas keeps his nose clean the remainder of this season, he won't be a repeat offender for any offenses committed next season?
- RustyPipes

yes, But he'll still be able to be disciplined for that incident just can't get the escalation due to repeat offender.

Especially if you look at the shot charts from last night's game...it's almost like the Flyers didn't know there was a high slot at all.
- Glak18

We had more than enough opportunities to score, more plays at the net than a long time too. How many times did we crash the net looking for an ugly goal? Probably 4 point blank chances in the first period alone off rushes too, the issue wasn't shot quality. Hats off to Murray.

Coming back from a long absence from injury, that's a lot to put on a young kid. I was thinking along the line of someone like Goulbourne to shake things up and use that energy to practice his hip checks on Malkin's legs.
- Glak18

Weren't you just saying intent is everything? Its a national game. It's not time to bring up the goons. Hit them legally. Make them hurt legally. And if the game gets out of hand then you have someone go at him with a fight.

Yes, there were a bunch of turnovers in the first for both teams and we traded high danger shots... We still had 50 shots and more than enough good scoring chances, those turnovers in the first don't change that.
- ClaudeFather

I don't care if the Pens turn it over, it is the turnovers the Flyers make that concerns me. To say that turnovers don't matter, well I don't know what to say to that.

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.
- cdearth23

To be honest I would sit Ghost. He is either hurt or his confidence is gone, or both. Either way he needs to get right, and he just aint.

No accuracy on his shot, and no velocity either. (which is why I think he has some sort of upper body something that is effecting his shot)

He also doesn't seem as quick or shifty on his skates. Something is definitely up.

yes, But he'll still be able to be disciplined for that incident just can't get the escalation due to repeat offender.
- dragonoffrost

Well, that's good if he's still a Flyer, not so good if he's on a Metro team.

Maybe Simmonds will handle it as a going away present to the Flyers fans?
- mickel25

I guess anything is possible, but I don't expect much to happen. I mean you can't set it up any more perfect. The Flyers lose an important game they had to win, controversy occurs with a dirty Malkin face slash and the hatred running through the rivalry already. Now you have a nationally televised game, many more eyes will be watching and I am sure the NHL will be sending messages to both teams to have a nice clean pond game or even more severe punishment will take place.

I don't care if the Pens turn it over, it is the turnovers the Flyers make that concerns me. To say that turnovers don't matter, well I don't know what to say to that.
- RustyPipes

Where in my sentence did i say they don't matter? I said those turnovers don't change the fact that we had 50 shots and more than enough opportunities to score. In many games there comes a point where teams might trade grade A chances, just comes with game flow sometimes. Obviously try to limit them but we didn't lose that game because of turnovers we lost that game because we couldn't solve their goalie.

I guess anything is possible, but I don't expect much to happen. I mean you can't set it up any more perfect. The Flyers lose an important game they had to win, controversy occurs with a dirty Malkin face slash and the hatred running through the rivalry already. Now you have a nationally televised game, many more eyes will be watching and I am sure the NHL will be sending messages to both teams to have a nice clean pond game or even more severe punishment will take place.
- Glak18

There will be no message sent saying keep things clean...

Raffl was trying to get geno to retaliate to draw a penalty, he literally punched him in the back of the head before geno lost his mind, you mess with the bull you get the horns. Doesn’t excuse what geno did and I’d hope the league would give him 3-10 but we all know they seem to not factor in intent in these situations.
- gravyboy33

Then you turn around and punch him back, or you drop your gloves and start wailing. You NEVER swing your stick at a guys head.

At least you get he needs to sit. I doubt he gets more than 2. Because the NHL wants that Superstar on the ice for the outdoor game.

That was def a head scratcher. Raffl was playing well and drew the penalty but still.
- Hughjass

It's really not a head scratcher when you think about it.

Weren't you just saying intent is everything? Its a national game. It's not time to bring up the goons. Hit them legally. Make them hurt legally. And if the game gets out of hand then you have someone go at him with a fight.
- youarewrong

Hip checks are legal...

Who else do the Flyers have to buzz around to throw checks...JvR, Varone, Simmonds? I would expect Gudas to do his part, but what the Flyers lacked last night was a forecheck presence, like the Penguins had.

Where in my sentence did i say they don't matter? I said those turnovers don't change the fact that we had 50 shots and more than enough opportunities to score. In many games there comes a point where teams might trade grade A chances, just comes with game flow sometimes. Obviously try to limit them but we didn't lose that game because of turnovers we lost that game because we couldn't solve their goalie.
- ClaudeFather

I see your point, but no one here is Nostradamus and can see the future. Who knows, 1 less turnover could have created a great scoring chance (maybe a goal) and 1 less scoring chance for the opponent. All I said was that there were too many turnovers - period. I'm done.

Then you turn around and punch him back, or you drop your gloves and start wailing. You NEVER swing your stick at a guys head.

At least you get he needs to sit. I doubt he gets more than 2. Because the NHL wants that Superstar on the ice for the outdoor game.
- MBFlyerfan

Exactly, Malkin could of easily turned around got in Raffl's face and punched him and none of this would be talked about. Malkin is a spoiled little turd and has shown it throughout his career and feels no one should touch him or he gets upset.

I guess anything is possible, but I don't expect much to happen. I mean you can't set it up any more perfect. The Flyers lose an important game they had to win, controversy occurs with a dirty Malkin face slash and the hatred running through the rivalry already. Now you have a nationally televised game, many more eyes will be watching and I am sure the NHL will be sending messages to both teams to have a nice clean pond game or even more severe punishment will take place.
- Glak18

I feel the same way. Most likely nothing will happen. Would be good to see Raffl and Malkin drop the gloves though. Good old time answer for your actions and we all move on with our lives.

I feel the same way. Most likely nothing will happen. Would be good to see Raffl and Malkin drop the gloves though. Good old time answer for your actions and we all move on with our lives.
- mickel25

My money would be on Raffl

Yeah no chance they were suspending him for the Stadium Series game. Clearly they care about player safety when swinging a stick at a head only gets a phone hearing. Intent is all that should matter here, not result.

And for any Penguins fan (like the ones sitting next to me at the game) who thinks he shouldn't get anything, I'll pose this question: if Wayne Simmonds swings his stick at Crosby's head, how do they feel? I rest my case.
- five4fighting10

Change it it Tanner Pearson. Wasn't like he took a swing at G.

But I get what you're saying and yes, they'd be crying louder than anyone about it.

Hip checks are legal...

Who else do the Flyers have to buzz around to throw checks...JvR, Varone, Simmonds? I would expect Gudas to do his part, but what the Flyers lacked last night was a forecheck presence, like the Penguins had.
- Glak18

Haag is also very physical. The Flyers had something to rack up the number of shots they put on net last night.

Haag is also very physical. The Flyers had something to rack up the number of shots they put on net last night.
- MJL

Yes, I believe he, Gudas, and Provy were all very physical. How many minutes did Provy play last night? He was out there a lot!

Haag is also very physical. The Flyers had something to rack up the number of shots they put on net last night.
- MJL

Hagg has quietly been very good especially as of late, obviously for him, not expecting him to score a bunch of goals but he's played his physical role very well. Not sure why people are questioning the offensive performance last night, sometimes you just don't find the back of the net. It wasn't due to a lack of effort or quality of shots. Put that behind us and come out and win a game tonight.

Haag is also very physical. The Flyers had something to rack up the number of shots they put on net last night.
- MJL

Speaking of physical play, wasn't it Hakstol who didn't want Gudas and Hagg out there together last year. Currently they don't look too bad together.

Haag is also very physical. The Flyers had something to rack up the number of shots they put on net last night.
- MJL

Hagg is very physical, but tends to do most damage along the boards whereas Gudas loves that open ice. I just think the Flyers need better pressure from the forwards if they are going to dump in the puck.

Last night they kept dumping it to JvR's side and the battles just were not won.