I think the Flyers matchup well against the Pens as well.

#1 Flyers aren't afraid or intimidated by the Pens. They seem to relish the opportunity to play them.

#2 Flyers create a strong forecheck and can make it a board game.

#3 Flyers drive the Pens nuts for some reason.

If the Pens are willing to work hard and ignore the extra stuff, they should be able to beat the Flyers.
- PhillySportsGuy

exactly. the flyers do matchup well, but talent wise, the pens have the edge. but like i said, it isnt so great that they can Richard around and do whatever and still walk away with it. that last qualifying if speaks volumes.

should the pens be able to make it to the finals, i honestly think they will show quite well against a western team, solely because i think they will be so mentally into it. whether you can slay a chicago behemoth is another thing, but i do think tthey will be damn competitive and have a good shot

None taken. I think it is a flip of the coin who wins the series. I would rather play you guys then almost anyone else in the division with a shot at the playoffs.
That includes Columbus.
- Deasr1

I wouldn't go that far. I would go

Rangers
Pens
Devils
CBJ
Car
Wsh
NYI

I think its less about experience and more about overall defensive talent.
- PhillySportsGuy

This team has shown that they can play great defense. All teams have lapses in games. But very good goalies make up for that. Which we do have. Is he Elite? Too early to tell. Elite goalies can take a team all the way by themselves. Can he possibly do it.....I honestly think he has it in him. Will he...that is the question.

exactly. the flyers do matchup well, but talent wise, the pens have the edge. but like i said, it isnt so great that they can Richard around and do whatever and still walk away with it. that last qualifying if speaks volumes.

should the pens be able to make it to the finals, i honestly think they will show quite well against a western team, solely because i think they will be so mentally into it. whether you can slay a chicago behemoth is another thing, but i do think tthey will be damn competitive and have a good shot
- stayinthefnnet

I agree. I like the Pens chances a lot if they make the finals. They matchup well with west teams. Navigating Boston will be the true challenge.

I wouldn't go that far. I would go

Rangers
Pens
Devils
CBJ
Car
Wsh
NYI
- PhillySportsGuy

the devils always foul the pens up somehow too, but over a 7 game series i think the pens would be able to right the ship against them. but just looking at that list, its nothing insurmountable. the isles are tricky as hell though

exactly. the flyers do matchup well, but talent wise, the pens have the edge. but like i said, it isnt so great that they can Richard around and do whatever and still walk away with it. that last qualifying if speaks volumes.

should the pens be able to make it to the finals, i honestly think they will show quite well against a western team, solely because i think they will be so mentally into it. whether you can slay a chicago behemoth is another thing, but i do think tthey will be damn competitive and have a good shot
- stayinthefnnet

The trick is to get out of the East. I think the East is tougher as far as overall a surplus of really good teams that can go on a tear and take it. The West, you have a better idea who will take that conference.

I agree. I like the Pens chances a lot if they make the finals. They matchup well with west teams. Navigating Boston will be the true challenge.
- PhillySportsGuy

100 percent. given the extremely laughable lack of forward depth. i dont like their chances.

This team has shown that they can play great defense. All teams have lapses in games. But very good goalies make up for that. Which we do have. Is he Elite? Too early to tell. Elite goalies can take a team all the way by themselves. Can he possibly do it.....I honestly think he has it in him. Will he...that is the question.
- Deasr1

I like Mason a lot. I think he is a Stanley Cup caliber goaltender. Lets not forget the team went through a stretch of 10 games where they allowed over 3 goals in every game.

They aren't that bad, but it was a significant portion of the season. One quick stretch like that and the team is out.

I wouldn't go that far. I would go

Rangers
Pens
Devils
CBJ
Car
Wsh
NYI
- PhillySportsGuy

NJ doesn't scare me really. Neither does NYI. Rangers, yeah. Car, nope. CBJ and Wash, I feel very confident. Pitt......................................

the devils always foul the pens up somehow too, but over a 7 game series i think the pens would be able to right the ship against them. but just looking at that list, its nothing insurmountable. the isles are tricky as hell though
- stayinthefnnet

Isles won't make the playoffs.

Devils are frustrating, but like you said, the talent will eventually show in that series. They really have trouble scoring goals.

NJ doesn't scare me really. Neither does NYI. Rangers, yeah. Car, nope. CBJ and Wash, I feel very confident. Pitt......................................
- Deasr1

That was the order from worst matchup to best. IMO of course.

I like Mason a lot. I think he is a Stanley Cup caliber goaltender. Lets not forget the team went through a stretch of 10 games where they allowed over 3 goals in every game.

They aren't that bad, but it was a significant portion of the season. One quick stretch like that and the team is out.
- PhillySportsGuy

i still think there isnt a way around it. the flyers need at least that final piece in the back 6. however it is to be acquired. it will be vital.

I like Mason a lot. I think he is a Stanley Cup caliber goaltender. Lets not forget the team went through a stretch of 10 games where they allowed over 3 goals in every game.

They aren't that bad, but it was a significant portion of the season. One quick stretch like that and the team is out.
- PhillySportsGuy

I agree 100%. But the team has always been hot and cold till about end of February. March and April they always pick it up. If Homer is smart...IF....he will add someone that helps for the future and let this team grow. There is no reason they can't win next year with a strong, smart FA and draft. Absolutely no reason.

100 percent. given the extremely laughable lack of forward depth. i dont like their chances.
- stayinthefnnet

I don't like their chances against Boston either. It has more to do with their loose play. They trade chances with too many teams. Thats why games against the Flyers will end up being a toss up. If Fleury ends up collapsing again, I feel confident Mason will hold his own.

Isles won't make the playoffs.

Devils are frustrating, but like you said, the talent will eventually show in that series. They really have trouble scoring goals.
- PhillySportsGuy

i know, at its comforting. the pens dont match up with them well.

man it would be sweet to have someone knock boston out in the first round.

i still think there isnt a way around it. the flyers need at least that final piece in the back 6. however it is to be acquired. it will be vital.
- stayinthefnnet

But they are the Flyers, then can find a way. I see this year being a very good learning experience. Next year I think is the year. I believe they can this year with smart two-way play. I know they can next year with the right FA and draft.

i still think there isnt a way around it. the flyers need at least that final piece in the back 6. however it is to be acquired. it will be vital.
- stayinthefnnet

We all know they do. There is a tug of war in the fan base about how to address it. If they want to trade, they will need to overpay. Some believe its worth it just to do it. Others feel we need to build through the draft and if it takes time, it takes time.

I don't like their chances against Boston either. It has more to do with their loose play. They trade chances with too many teams. Thats why games against the Flyers will end up being a toss up. If Fleury ends up collapsing again, I feel confident Mason will hold his own.
- PhillySportsGuy

boston is just too skillful while still being extremely physical. they can score with any line.

the pens need a full lineup, and then play their game, not bostons. if they could play their game with discipline, i believe they could do it. however, its just damn near impossible to execute against boston. they suffocate you, you get frustrated, they score. youre down, so you press, only leading to more mistakes. imagine the devils being able to hit and score

i know, at its comforting. the pens dont match up with them well.

man it would be sweet to have someone knock boston out in the first round.
- stayinthefnnet

Boston has come close to losing to the Leafs and Habs recently in the playoffs. I could see Tampa giving them trouble to. Its definitely not a given that Boston gets to the eastern conference finals.

If they played in the Metro, I would like their chances better.

I agree 100%. But the team has always been hot and cold till about end of February. March and April they always pick it up. If Homer is smart...IF....he will add someone that helps for the future and let this team grow. There is no reason they can't win next year with a strong, smart FA and draft. Absolutely no reason.
- Deasr1

I would like to see them add Girardi. I like him a lot.

We all know they do. There is a tug of war in the fan base about how to address it. If they want to trade, they will need to overpay. Some believe its worth it just to do it. Others feel we need to build through the draft and if it takes time, it takes time.
- PhillySportsGuy

definitely. i just think 3 or 4 years is a long window to wait. i know he hasnt been doing it quite as long, but giroux is crosby's age. i wouldnt want to sacrifice that many years in his prime window, when i realistically dont think the team is that far off as a whole

Boston has come close to losing to the Leafs and Habs recently in the playoffs. I could see Tampa giving them trouble to. Its definitely not a given that Boston gets to the eastern conference finals.

If they played in the Metro, I would like their chances better.
- PhillySportsGuy

if only toronto finished the damn job last year. things could have been way different. oh well. the could have game is a pointless one to play in life, let alone hockey

We all know they do. There is a tug of war in the fan base about how to address it. If they want to trade, they will need to overpay. Some believe its worth it just to do it. Others feel we need to build through the draft and if it takes time, it takes time.
- PhillySportsGuy

We aren't going to get that ONE guy who makes us the favorite. We just need the right guy to bring order to that choas defense and our forwards to play the right way. We need Giroux to not stop skating and take a wussy slash at a player on an odd man rush. We need Downie to play within his limits and not think he is Giroux. He the defense to KEEP IT SIMPLE. We need Mason to play very well. We need Hartnell to fall more. Then we have a winning team.

definitely. i just think 3 or 4 years is a long window to wait. i know he hasnt been doing it quite as long, but giroux is crosby's age. i wouldnt want to sacrifice that many years in his prime window, when i realistically dont think the team is that far off as a whole
- stayinthefnnet

The problem is the Flyers don't have much depth in the system. Any trade for a top defenseman will need to include Couts++. No one can do what Couturier does. I think they hope Laughton can develop, but he's not ready for that yet.

They can't add without subtracting from another significant part of the roster.

I would like to see them add Girardi. I like him a lot.
- PhillySportsGuy

He would be a good addition. 2 solid FA moves and we are a contender. Honestly, we really are that close.