This is true, but also the teams that have played less games will now have to deal with the extremely compressed sched the Flyers did early on. I suspect some of the teams the Flyers are chasing will throw away points here and there like the Flyers did in the 3 games in 4 nights or 7 games in 10 nights in 7 dif cities.
- Hextall271

I sure as heck hope so. I think we'll soon see other coaches on the hot seat trying to get their tired troops to respond to the fatigue the Flyers saw the first month of the season.

I see that, but conditioning is only part of it. It's going to be hard to stay mentally engaged. Although I think some teams will be fine, some of them will fall back/injuries will happen etc.. Flyers keep playing like they have recently and get some guys back, I have full confidence that they can finish in the 6-8 spots.
- Hextall271

The only guys who are injured now are Read and Meszaros. Meszy will probably be ready to play in a week or so, Read nowhere on the horizon.

The Read injury really blows, just knew someone would go down with a severe injury before Hartnell got back.

nice write up. hope for a good game from both teams with a W for the Leafs never had anything but respect for the Flyers.

Yes, will be a good game for sure. Having a little confidence after that win in the peg, Flyers should be primed for this home game. The leafs won`t be an easy match though, especially after losing to what was basically the Binghampton Senators! And can not count on the power play success they had against the Jets.
- cdjaakkola

The Flyers need to put together some games where they show some sort of consistency. The emergence of Voracek and BSchenn has been very pleasant to watch.

Also: Zac Rinaldo. Shutdown forward. Let that roll around for a bit.

The next 3 home game vs. Toronto, Washington, and a banged up Ottawa team, it is imperative that the Flyers get at minimum 4 points, preferably 5.

After the Ottawa game on March 2, five of the next six games are against NYR, PIT, BOS, and NJD. A brutal schedule.
- PLindbergh31

that could be the season right their if they dont do well...

that could be the season right their if they dont do well...
- Philly1980

yep. Come March 15 it will be a good indicator where this team stands.

I sure as heck hope so. I think we'll soon see other coaches on the hot seat trying to get their tired troops to respond to the fatigue the Flyers saw the first month of the season.
- Flyskippy

Regardless, the Flyers have to take care of winning their games. If they do, it's going to even out and we'll be in the dance.

yep. Come March 15 it will be a good indicator where this team stands.
- PLindbergh31

It boggles m mind that Philly has been playing like this I had them pegged for the top of the east.

I see that, but conditioning is only part of it. It's going to be hard to stay mentally engaged. Although I think some teams will be fine, some of them will fall back/injuries will happen etc.. Flyers keep playing like they have recently and get some guys back, I have full confidence that they can finish in the 6-8 spots.
- Hextall271

Totally agree. They need to get out of this home stand at 500. If they do I think they are in. And who the hell cares what seed. I like when their a low seed anyway

The only guys who are injured now are Read and Meszaros. Meszy will probably be ready to play in a week or so, Read nowhere on the horizon.

The Read injury really blows, just knew someone would go down with a severe injury before Hartnell got back.
- PLindbergh31

Well a healthy Mesz is who I am mostly referring to.. That will help the back end a lot. I hate losing Read too.. he's been fantastic, but what can you do?

It boggles m mind that Philly has been playing like this I had them pegged for the top of the east.
- Yeti1181

Most Flyers fans saw the team as a 5th/6th seed type. Early season injuries hurt. I didn't see any prognostications that had them at the top of the Conference.

Hartnell and Phaneuf will drop the gloves
- SuperSchennBros

Not without good reason, best not to play into that hand against Toronto tonight and stay focused on the 2 points.

It boggles m mind that Philly has been playing like this I had them pegged for the top of the east.
- Yeti1181

You can't lose Pronger and Carle and replace them with Foster and Gervais and expect no drop off.

Well a healthy Mesz is who I am mostly referring to.. That will help the back end a lot. I hate losing Read too.. he's been fantastic, but what can you do?
- Hextall271

Can't do anything but shake your head. Mezsaros will help, but he's going to have to shake off some rust, he's played very few games in the last calendar year.

It boggles m mind that Philly has been playing like this I had them pegged for the top of the east.
- Yeti1181

Most peopl in here had the flyers pegged as a 5, 6, maybe 7 seed. The start has sucked but there are signs it's turning around

It boggles m mind that Philly has been playing like this I had them pegged for the top of the east.
- Yeti1181

Even going back to last year, they've had a hard time dealing with teams that play a real disciplined defensive style (read: NJD, Tampa). Also, they had some young players in pretty key spots who were playing like young players in the month of January.

Can't do anything but shake your head. Mezsaros will help, but he's going to have to shake off some rust, he's played very few games in the last calendar year.
- PLindbergh31

Yep. We need mesz though as we can begin to slot the lesser defenseman correclty and limit their ice time. If we're in a plyoff spot, I can see Homermaking some minor moves at the deadline.

You can't lose Pronger and Carle and replace them with Foster and Gervais and expect no drop off.
- Hextall271

I figured they would have made a trade for someone they seem to be able to get good quality guys when the need it. Yeah losing pronger sucks big time no matter how much you hate a guy you can't deny wha that man does for a team.

Regardless, the Flyers have to take care of winning their games. If they do, it's going to even out and we'll be in the dance.
- Hextall271

Oh yeah, the onus is on the Flyers to garner wins. They can't expect help from the other Eastern teams since they're all in the same infra-conference boat this shortened season.

Even going back to last year, they've had a hard time dealing with teams that play a real disciplined defensive style (read: NJD, Tampa). Also, they had some young players in pretty key spots who were playing like young players in the month of January.
- johndewar

Fair enough injuries are never going to help you.

Yep. We need mesz though as we can begin to slot the lesser defenseman correclty and limit their ice time. If we're in a plyoff spot, I can see Homermaking some minor moves at the deadline.
- Hextall271

He will do something I'm sure. He's a proactive GM. I'm glad he hasn't rushed out and made a trade and overpaid for a rental player trying to replace the injured guys who went down early. I'm surprised he wasn't in on guys like Ellerby and Lokitinov. Those guys were given away.

You can't lose Pronger and Carle and replace them with Foster and Gervais and expect no drop off.
- Hextall271

No doubt.

On the flip side, I like when Gustafsson has done for them so far. When Mez comes back, they should completely rid themselves of Foster if they can.

He will do something I'm sure. He's a proactive GM. I'm glad he hasn't rushed out and made a trade and overpaid for a rental player trying to replace the injured guys who went down early. I'm surprised he wasn't in on guys like Ellerby and Lokitinov. Those guys were given away.
- PLindbergh31

Because we're near 50 contracts and it's better to get a dollar later than a dime now.

No doubt.

On the flip side, I like when Gustafsson has done for them so far. When Mez comes back, they should completely rid themselves of Foster if they can.
- johndewar

I don't understand the Foster hate. He hasn't been great, but he's provided a little offense from the third pairing when he's played. He's got a big shot. Everything else he does is average to below average, but it's not like he's anywhere near as terrible as that bum Lilja.

I was talking about this on Twitter on Saturday night: what do you think about trading a AHLer/late round pick for Simon Gagne? He was a healthy scratch on Saturday.