I like Mason a lot, but there are so many other goalies you can say the same thing about in the East. Rask, Lundqvist, Bishop, Price, Bernier, Bobrovsky, Fleury have all shown an ability to get hot and play very well.

It's great that we finally have a goalie who can steal a game and help the team, but he's not going to outplay those other guys on a nightly basis. The team will need to outplay the other team.
- PhillySportsGuy

Good points. But I still think that the only way the Flyers can go deep into the playoffs is with a tremendous goaltending performance.

Good points. But I still think that the only way the Flyers can go deep into the playoffs is with a tremendous goaltending performance.
- MJL

I agree. I just don't like it when people think the Flyers can just ride Mason to a cup. They will need to have strong two-way play.

Quick was fantastic, but the Kings overall defense was unbelievable that year.

Good points. But I still think that the only way the Flyers can go deep into the playoffs is with a tremendous goaltending performance.
- MJL

If mason is hot at the right time and the team plays like they did out west, then it will
be a fun ride. Gotta get in first, though!

So who wants to stay up and watch Czech Republic Vs Sweden at 3am tonight?

I agree. And it would give valuable playoff experience to some of the younger players.
- MJL

Agreed.

I'd love to see them make a run (because nothing in sports is better than the SC playoffs, IMO), but my expectations are low.
- johndewar

I agree with both of your agreeances.

So who wants to stay up and watch Czech Republic Vs Sweden at 3am tonight?
- PhillySportsGuy

Tempting. I'll tell sleep it's a communist and a Putin cronie is it says anything.

So who wants to stay up and watch Czech Republic Vs Sweden at 3am tonight?
- PhillySportsGuy

Just one more reason why the NHL was so lukewarm on sending players to this Olympics.

I agree. I just don't like it when people think the Flyers can just ride Mason to a cup. They will need to have strong two-way play.

Quick was fantastic, but the Kings overall defense was unbelievable that year.
- PhillySportsGuy

Oh absolutely! Which is really another point I wanted to make. As good as the Kings played defensively, they still needed Quick to come up big. The Flyers can't match that team game. And you also need players to step up. Giroux can't do it himself. And I don't think Couturier and B Schenn are ready.

So who wants to stay up and watch Czech Republic Vs Sweden at 3am tonight?
- PhillySportsGuy

NO, I HAVEN'T BEEN WATCHING CURLING AT 3 AM EVERY NIGHT SHUT UP

NO, I HAVEN'T BEEN WATCHING CURLING AT 3 AM EVERY NIGHT SHUT UP
- Giroux_Is_God

I kinda like curling

I kinda like curling
- PhillySportsGuy

I love curling. I wasn't kidding not even a little bit

Oh absolutely! Which is really another point I wanted to make. As good as the Kings played defensively, they still needed Quick to come up big. The Flyers can't match that team game. And you also need players to step up. Giroux can't do it himself. And I don't think Couturier and B Schenn are ready.
- MJL

I just don't want people to think this team (which is a fringe playoff team to begin with) should be making noise in the playoffs this year. Anyone can make a run, but it's unlikely the Flyers will win a series, let alone multiple series.

I love curling. I wasn't kidding not even a little bit
- Giroux_Is_God

I want their shoes.

I just don't want people to think this team (which is a fringe playoff team to begin with) should be making noise in the playoffs this year. Anyone can make a run, but it's unlikely the Flyers will win a series, let alone multiple series.
- PhillySportsGuy

Like I said, they're good ENOUGH to win a series if they get a few breaks and a few standouts (unless they play Boston, who will tear them apart). But at some point, their weaknesses will be exploited, and, short of Mason playing 16 games like a better version of Patrick Roy, they'll eventually be beaten.

That said, I don't think this team should be sellers or buyers at the TDL. They can't afford to give up picks/prospects, but they really shouldn't be dealing vets (unless it's a crazy overpayment, like a 1st+++ for Timonen). Hockey trades are one thing (Downie for NHL-ready D), but they should steer clear of the rental show.

Like I said, they're good ENOUGH to win a series if they get a few breaks and a few standouts (unless they play Boston, who will tear them apart). But at some point, their weaknesses will be exploited, and, short of Mason playing 16 games like a better version of Patrick Roy, they'll eventually be beaten.

That said, I don't think this team should be sellers or buyers at the TDL. They can't afford to give up picks/prospects, but they really shouldn't be dealing vets (unless it's a crazy overpayment, like a 1st+++ for Timonen). Hockey trades are one thing (Downie for NHL-ready D), but they should steer clear of the rental show.
- jmatchett383

I agree. Make trades with the viewpoint of making the team better in the long term. And as far as trading a player like Timonen. I'd speculate that if the Flyers are in a fight for the playoffs, he isn't going to want to go anywhere. And I don't think the Flyers would force the issue.

Like I said, they're good ENOUGH to win a series if they get a few breaks and a few standouts (unless they play Boston, who will tear them apart). But at some point, their weaknesses will be exploited, and, short of Mason playing 16 games like a better version of Patrick Roy, they'll eventually be beaten.

That said, I don't think this team should be sellers or buyers at the TDL. They can't afford to give up picks/prospects, but they really shouldn't be dealing vets (unless it's a crazy overpayment, like a 1st+++ for Timonen). Hockey trades are one thing (Downie for NHL-ready D), but they should steer clear of the rental show.
- jmatchett383

I agree on everything. Right now, the Flyers would play the Rangers in the first round. I don't like their chances in that matchup.

I just feel there are too many people who think they will play like they did on the west coast all season long. Just like there are people who think they will play like the way they did in January.

This team has shown no consistency. They win 5 in a row against good teams then lose 5 in a row to mediocre teams. It's difficult to win multiple series with that kind of inconsistency .

I want their shoes.
- PhillySportsGuy

Or Norway's pants....

I agree on everything. Right now, the Flyers would play the Rangers in the first round. I don't like their chances in that matchup.

I just feel there are too many people who think they will play like they did on the west coast all season long. Just like there are people who think they will play like the way they did in January.

This team has shown no consistency. They win 5 in a row against good teams then lose 5 in a row to mediocre teams. It's difficult to win multiple series with that kind of inconsistency .
- PhillySportsGuy

If Mason plays well, I like the Flyers chances against the Rangers. Lunqvist is certainly a challenge. But I don't think that the Ranger are better then the Flyers by much, if any.

I wish.
- PhillySportsGuy

Not sure it would have made that big of a difference in the end... that 'Hawks team was something special.

I agree on everything. Right now, the Flyers would play the Rangers in the first round. I don't like their chances in that matchup.

I just feel there are too many people who think they will play like they did on the west coast all season long. Just like there are people who think they will play like the way they did in January.

This team has shown no consistency. They win 5 in a row against good teams then lose 5 in a row to mediocre teams. It's difficult to win multiple series with that kind of inconsistency .
- PhillySportsGuy

Let's not kid ourselves... just making the PO's would be a feat for this squad.

Team Canada Lines and Pairings

@Real_ESPNLeBrun: Kunitz-Crosby-Carter; Sharp-Toews-Nash; Marleau-Getzlaf-Perry; Benn-Tavares-Bergeron; St. Louis-Duchene"/MSL, MD extras.

"@Real_ESPNLeBrun: D-pairs also same: Keith-Weber; Bouwmeester-Pietrangelo; Vlasic-Dougthy; Hamhuis-Subban"/Hamhuis and Subban extras on D.

Not sure it would have made that big of a difference in the end... that 'Hawks team was something special.
- Tomahawk

They were beatable. They were still very young and freewheeling. Niemi also wasn't a top goaltender at that point.

Had they been able to keep that team together and moved Byfuglien to defense. Wow

Let's not kid ourselves... just making the PO's would be a feat for this squad.
- Tomahawk

I agree

Team USA Lines and Pairings


"@cmasisak22: US lines: JVR-Pavelski-Kessel, Parise-Backes-Callahan, Pacioretty-Kesler-Kane, Brown-Stastny-Oshie. Wheeler/Stepan."/New look.

@cmasisak22: US D - Suter-Shattenkirk, McDonagh-Carlson, Orpik-Martin, Fowler-Faulk."

Sweden D Pairings

"@drosennhl: Sweden's D pairs as expected: Karlsson-OEL, Ericsson-Kronwall, Oduya-Hjalmarsson, Edler-Tallinder."/Impressive group.

Thats some skill right there.