Thanks Bill! So, I hope AV isn’t gonna start overthinking things with this team! I have mixed feelings about Ghost for Haag. Chemistry and team camaraderie are everything this time of year. As some of you have said, Ghost needs to play to keep sharp. On the other hand, Haag has been solid. Doesn’t do anything special, just steady. Ghost, in an attempt to stay in the lineup tends to overdo things too much and against TB that would be a huge problem. Hope Jake is ok, but JVR regardless needs to use his 6-5, 200 plus pound frame and play with some conviction tonight!! Let’s Go Flyers!!

Agree. While there are a few teams that play a fast style, Tampa’s defense is impressive. With a bunch of sound two way forwards as well.

And it’s now or never for Tampa. They will have some cap issues moving forward.

I wonder if AV is gonna put Ghost back on top PP to try and spark the PP

I don’t know. I look at the playi styles positions and chemistry. Hayes has good chemistry with k
Tk. As g coots and jake do as well. Without jake I could see jvr as a possible net front. Also don’t like that both pp have a forward on defense.
- Peter Richards

I think you read it wrong

Giroux, Provorov, Couturier, JvR and Hayes is what I suggested for PP1

Konecny, Ghost, Niskanen, Farabee, Grant/NAK is what I suggested for PP2. Meaning Grant or Aube-Kubel.

would love to see philly in 1st but im not confident about Tampa
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I’m more confident today, than I was yesterday now that I’ve seen what they’re coming with.

Thanks Bill! So, I hope AV isn’t gonna start overthinking things with this team! I have mixed feelings about Ghost for Haag. Chemistry and team camaraderie are everything this time of year. As some of you have said, Ghost needs to play to keep sharp. On the other hand, Haag has been solid. Doesn’t do anything special, just steady. Ghost, in an attempt to stay in the lineup tends to overdo things too much and against TB that would be a huge problem. Hope Jake is ok, but JVR regardless needs to use his 6-5, 200 plus pound frame and play with some conviction tonight!! Let’s Go Flyers!!
- HockeyLifer

Gostisbehere at his best is a better player than Haag. Problem is we haven't seen Gostisbehere at his best is quite some time. JVR is 6'3".

I wonder if AV is gonna put Ghost back on top PP to try and spark the PP
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

If he does and it comes to life, and he plays worse D than Hagg, do you keep him in the lineup?

Not so worried about winning or losing this game. Tampa is a good test to see how well the Flyers can play. If they can hang with Tampa then there’s really no playoff matchup I’m too worried about.

Not so worried about winning or losing this game. Tampa is a good test to see how well the Flyers can play. If they can hang with Tampa then there’s really no playoff matchup I’m too worried about.
- hereticpride

Tampa didnt exactly blow the doors off of Washington or Boston, so I hope I'm not being an overly optimistic orange-and-black koolaid drinking fool when I say that I think the Flyers should be competitive and have a fair shot to win tonight's game.

I think the tampon guys is afraid what JVR could do, with his stealthy hide in the shadows approach.
- Landsbergfan

JVR has been a thorn in the Lightning's side for a long time.

I've watched both of Philly's round robin games and my impression is that the Flyers are prepared, sharp, and haven't missed a beat since the stoppage. Hart looks legit and if he goes on a roll, then anything is possible.

This Tampa fan is not underestimating the Flyers in these playoffs.

I think the tampon guys is afraid what JVR could do, with his stealthy hide in the shadows approach.
- Landsbergfan

Very lazy sometimes in board battles despite his size. Need a ton of strides to get up to speed. Couts actually way faster than JVR

JVR has been a lazy player his whole career. Hopefully getting benched hurt his pride and gets him motivated? As an old stay at home defenseman myself, I like Hagg, but I know that Ghost needs some playing time before the next round starts. Hopefully he shows improvement and helps our PP? That being said, the playoffs are a lot more physical than the regular season and I would rather have Hagg in the lineup. Hagg may not be flashy, but he's steady on defense, is willing to block shots, make heavy hits and clear the crease. Ghost rarely does that. Plus, Hagg and Braun have gelled as a D pairing.
Let's beat the Bolts and have Home Ice for the rest of the playoffs. It's not the same w/o fans in the stands, but having last change the rest of the playoffs would be a nice advantage to have.

Be nice to get a win to face Montreal. Toronto seems to have woken up and their forwards can be dangerous

JVR has been a lazy player his whole career. Hopefully getting benched hurt his pride and gets him motivated? As an old stay at home defenseman myself, I like Hagg, but I know that Ghost needs some playing time before the next round starts. Hopefully he shows improvement and helps our PP? That being said, the playoffs are a lot more physical than the regular season and I would rather have Hagg in the lineup. Hagg may not be flashy, but he's steady on defense, is willing to block shots, make heavy hits and clear the crease. Ghost rarely does that. Plus, Hagg and Braun have gelled as a D pairing.
Let's beat the Bolts and have Home Ice for the rest of the playoffs. It's not the same w/o fans in the stands, but having last change the rest of the playoffs would be a nice advantage to have.
- Thors-Hammer

I agree with everything you said especially the bolded.

JVR has been a thorn in the Lightning's side for a long time.

I've watched both of Philly's round robin games and my impression is that the Flyers are prepared, sharp, and haven't missed a beat since the stoppage. Hart looks legit and if he goes on a roll, then anything is possible.

This Tampa fan is not underestimating the Flyers in these playoffs.
- GalacticStone

First line is not up to speed to where they were before stoppage. And neither is Grant's line (3rd line) . D looks like they are up to where they were. Uncle Nate is playing much better than before lockdown.

JVR has been a thorn in the Lightning's side for a long time.

I've watched both of Philly's round robin games and my impression is that the Flyers are prepared, sharp, and haven't missed a beat since the stoppage. Hart looks legit and if he goes on a roll, then anything is possible.

This Tampa fan is not underestimating the Flyers in these playoffs.
- GalacticStone

Flyers team D and collective discipline is amazing under AV

First line is not up to speed to where they were before stoppage. And neither is Grant's line (3rd line) . D looks like they are up to where they were. Uncle Nate is playing much better than before lockdown.
- PT21

Once that first line wakes up, look out. Philly looked like the better team in both round robins. I liked Nate in Tampa. Solid guy. Doesn't bring a lot of offense, but one of those well-rounded grinders that seems to fit well with Philly's system.

Flyers team D and collective discipline is amazing under AV
- THE EVIL WITHIN

Put that in front of a solid goalie, and the Flyers will do well. Hart is the sauce that has been missing for so long.

Once that first line wakes up, look out. Philly looked like the better team in both round robins. I liked Nate in Tampa. Solid guy. Doesn't bring a lot of offense, but one of those well-rounded grinders that seems to fit well with Philly's system.
- GalacticStone

They were definitely the better team. Boston however looks like they are sleepwalking through games. That first line is MIA.

How is the TB offense without Stamkos? How about the pp?

They need some adversity in this game. Playoffs are long, adversity will come. Win or lose I just want a tight game where they have to work and skate. Not sure why but didn’t feel that way with Boston and caps.

No matter what they do they need to screen Tampas goalie, The kid is Elite and tracks the pucks as good as anyone in the game. Going to take some good old fashioned dirt goals, Thompson, AK, JVR, Hayes......Pronger.....Whoever will go to the net will be golden in my book We ain't getting those top shelf no screen goals like we did against Boston.

Gostisbehere at his best is a better player than Haag. Problem is we haven't seen Gostisbehere at his best is quite some time. JVR is 6'3".
- MJL

MJL, 100% agree that Ghost at his” consistent” best is waaaay better than Haag offensively not defensively...not even close. I’m not trying to make an argument over who is better! Just want to win The Cup and to do that AV need not get into the mindset of messing with guys heads here. These guys are Pros, stay in tip-too shape and should be ready when counted on. Also, so I was a tiny bit off on JVR’s height... I think my point is week taken. Let’s Go Flyers!

MJL, 100% agree that Ghost at his” consistent” best is waaaay better than Haag offensively not defensively...not even close. I’m not trying to make an argument over who is better! Just want to win The Cup and to do that AV need not get into the mindset of messing with guys heads here. These guys are Pros, stay in tip-too shape and should be ready when counted on. Also, so I was a tiny bit off on JVR’s height... I think my point is week taken. Let’s Go Flyers!
- HockeyLifer

At his best he drives the PP, I just don't see that happening in the playoffs. If Ghost plays well today, I think he will get in games. All things considered, depending on opponent I could see AV playing Hagg for his toughness and Ghost against more skilled teams

JVR has been a thorn in the Lightning's side for a long time.

I've watched both of Philly's round robin games and my impression is that the Flyers are prepared, sharp, and haven't missed a beat since the stoppage. Hart looks legit and if he goes on a roll, then anything is possible.

This Tampa fan is not underestimating the Flyers in these playoffs.
- GalacticStone

JVR has more career points against Tampa than any other team except Ottawa.

Tampa didnt exactly blow the doors off of Washington or Boston, so I hope I'm not being an overly optimistic orange-and-black koolaid drinking fool when I say that I think the Flyers should be competitive and have a fair shot to win tonight's game.
- Doc_Sarcasm

Flyers have earned that confidence from the fans. They are looking pretty sharp with some depth. Not that they can’t have a bad day or be out played but when they are rolling they will be at least competitive. I think they are proving to the league right now that they are a team to worry about.