If the flyers don't come out flying banging bodies and playing an u tempo game I'll flip. No excuses they have all played and would ready. If our forwards are a physica presence the I think the flyers will have a good season

And that's why old Bruno is now #9 on the depth chart and has been passed by Lauridsen and Alt.
- BiggE

ftfy

Fair point, but I've never really been a fan of using a forward line as a shutdown line. I have no problem using an individual forward to match up on someone such as using Couturier against Malkin, but I would much rather match my top defensive pairs against the other teams top lines as much as possible and go strength against strength with the forwards as many teams top lines are often not very good defensively.
- BiggE

One thing I'd like to see tonight is Coburn-Timonen out there every time Bozak-Kessel are out there -- those guys are crafty. You've got to out-think them and not lose Kessel in coverage and definitely not turn the puck over.

I think (hope) that Grossmann-Meszaros could be effective against Nazem Kadri's line -- but Meszaros would really need to move his feet, because Kadri never stops moving.

I like the pairing of Streit-Schenn, as I've said. But this isn't the pairing I'd like to see against either of the Leafs' top two lines -- there will be games when that pairing is fine. But this is one of those games where the Leafs wingers like JVR and Kessel and Lupul can really turn you around, and that's not a good matchup for them tonight.

Schenn has played the majority of his career at Center, and only a little bit on the Wing. It's only natural that he seems more comfortable there.
- MJL

But he has played quite a bit of wing over the last year and he doesn't seem any more comfortable than he did before.

If the flyers don't come out flying banging bodies and playing an u tempo game I'll flip. No excuses they have all played and would ready. If our forwards are a physica presence the I think the flyers will have a good season
- steveromanowski

After a terrible season last year, and a lackluster pre-season to put it kindly, they have a lot to prove. A lethargic performance tonight would be a very bad sign.

One thing I'd like to see tonight is Coburn-Timonen out there every time Bozak-Kessel are out there -- those guys are crafty. You've got to out-think them and not lose Kessel in coverage and definitely not turn the puck over.

I think (hope) that Grossmann-Meszaros could be effective against Nazem Kadri's line -- but Meszaros would really need to move his feet, because Kadri never stops moving.

I like the pairing of Streit-Schenn, as I've said. But this isn't the pairing I'd like to see against either of the Leafs' top two lines -- there will be games when that pairing is fine. But this is one of those games where the Leafs wingers like JVR and Kessel and Lupul can really turn you around, and that's not a good matchup for them tonight.
- AllInForFlyers

If Streit-Schenn get caught out there against Kessel, it's going to be u.g.l.y.

The other thing besides the team defense issue. The one on one wall battles. This team loses wall battles like no other Flyer team I've seen before. For all the supposed grit on the two top lines, they are poor at battling

Fair point, but I've never really been a fan of using a forward line as a shutdown line. I have no problem using an individual forward to match up on someone such as using Couturier against Malkin, but I would much rather match my top defensive pairs against the other teams top lines as much as possible and go strength against strength with the forwards as many teams top lines are often not very good defensively.
- BiggE

I prefer my team to have lines with specific purposes, and each player on that line should excel in that purpose. For example, if you want a defensive 3rd line to play shutdown hockey, then I want all 3 players to be defensive. Not 2 defensive guys and a scorer. And if you want your 3rd line to outscore the other team's 3rd line then I dont want to see any checkers on this line...aaron asham... To me it about deciding what you want to do and do it.

For this team, the top 2 lines arent very good defensively. So I want my 3rd line to be a shutdown line that can match other teams top lines when Lavi gets his matchups. Now back in 2010 our top 2 lines were very good defensively with Richards, Gagne and Carter so I prefered an offensive 3rd line with Giroux and JVR.... Would have prefered an offensive guy with them instead of Asham though.

In a mild surprise, Steve Mason will get the opening-night start in goal for the Flyers.
- Bill Meltzer

ftfy
- jmatchett383

lets hope Mason doesn't lay a brick tonight
- vejim

It would be nice if he could play like he did against Ottawa in the last game.

I prefer my team to have lines with specific purposes, and each player on that line should excel in that purpose. For example, if you want a defensive 3rd line to play shutdown hockey, then I want all 3 players to be defensive. Not 2 defensive guys and a scorer. And if you want your 3rd line to outscore the other team's 3rd line then I dont want to see any checkers on this line...aaron asham... To me it about deciding what you want to do and do it.

For this team, the top 2 lines arent very good defensively. So I want my 3rd line to be a shutdown line that can match other teams top lines when Lavi gets his matchups. Now back in 2010 our top 2 lines were very good defensively with Richards, Gagne and Carter so I prefered an offensive 3rd line with Giroux and JVR.... Would have prefered an offensive guy with them instead of Asham though.
- youarewrong

Well, when the options are Lappy, Powe, Betts, and Nodl (somtimes), there wasn't a clear-cut decision.

The other thing besides the team defense issue. The one on one wall battles. This team loses wall battles like no other Flyer team I've seen before. For all the supposed grit on the two top lines, they are poor at battling
- Just5

Not all board battles are just grit. I feel like winning board battles is like winning face-offs, It takes time for players to learn the aspect of the game.

The other thing besides the team defense issue. The one on one wall battles. This team loses wall battles like no other Flyer team I've seen before. For all the supposed grit on the two top lines, they are poor at battling
- Just5

To be honest they are lacking those smart veteran forwards that made their money sacrificing their body a la LeClair, Knuble, etc. Hartnell does it, but he also has some gaffas at times. Would have liked to see a Shane Doan type of guy come in.

One thing I'd like to see tonight is Coburn-Timonen out there every time Bozak-Kessel are out there -- those guys are crafty. You've got to out-think them and not lose Kessel in coverage and definitely not turn the puck over.

I think (hope) that Grossmann-Meszaros could be effective against Nazem Kadri's line -- but Meszaros would really need to move his feet, because Kadri never stops moving.

I like the pairing of Streit-Schenn, as I've said. But this isn't the pairing I'd like to see against either of the Leafs' top two lines -- there will be games when that pairing is fine. But this is one of those games where the Leafs wingers like JVR and Kessel and Lupul can really turn you around, and that's not a good matchup for them tonight.
- AllInForFlyers

Good points
I do think that if the Flyers have a lead in the 3rd you will mostly see:
Timonen-Schenn
Grossmann-Coburn
and Mez and Streit will be spotted here and there.

Well, when the options are Lappy, Powe, Betts, and Nodl (somtimes), there wasn't a clear-cut decision.
- jmatchett383

Personally i would have prefered Lappy, but it was what it was...

Frank Seravalli ‏@DNFlyers 2m
Looks like Scott Laughton will be scratched tonight in favor of Jay Rosehill. Skating with extras Gill and Gustafsson.

uhhhhhhh
k.

Lavy already making bad decisions. Fire his ass.

Interested in seeing how Laughton does tonight.

Not all board battles are just grit. I feel like winning board battles is like winning face-offs, It takes time for players to learn the aspect of the game.
- PhillySportsGuy

It helps to have numbers, too.

I couldn't recall a single instance in those two games vs NJ where there were more Flyers around the puck than Devils, anywhere on the ice, but especially in board battles. Always 1-on-2 or 2-on-3 with the other guys hanging back.

If your bread and butter is aggressiveness, guys need to jump in there and at least even the odds or you might as well send all five guys back and just concede possession.

Good points
I do think that if the Flyers have a lead in the 3rd you will mostly see:
Timonen-Schenn
Grossmann-Coburn
and Mez and Streit will be spotted here and there.
- BiggE

And I would be totally fine with that. I'm not afraid to expose Schenn to tough matchups, with the right partner.

Interested in seeing how Laughton does tonight.
- PLindbergh31

sorry just the timing of this...

One thing I'd like to see tonight is Coburn-Timonen out there every time Bozak-Kessel are out there -- those guys are crafty. You've got to out-think them and not lose Kessel in coverage and definitely not turn the puck over.

I think (hope) that Grossmann-Meszaros could be effective against Nazem Kadri's line -- but Meszaros would really need to move his feet, because Kadri never stops moving.

I like the pairing of Streit-Schenn, as I've said. But this isn't the pairing I'd like to see against either of the Leafs' top two lines -- there will be games when that pairing is fine. But this is one of those games where the Leafs wingers like JVR and Kessel and Lupul can really turn you around, and that's not a good matchup for them tonight.
- AllInForFlyers

If anyone knows how to play against the Leafs wingers it would be Schenn, no?

Frank Seravalli ‏@DNFlyers 2m
Looks like Scott Laughton will be scratched tonight in favor of Jay Rosehill. Skating with extras Gill and Gustafsson.

uhhhhhhh
k.

Lavy already making bad decisions. Fire his ass.
- FLYERSROCK!

That's...interesting.

That's...interesting.
- jmatchett383

Leafs gooned it up last night so i guess Lavy's gotta goon back
still (frank)ing ridiculous

sorry just the timing of this...
- FLYERSROCK!

He's a fountain of mis-information Rock. I wouldn't put any stock in that.