He's had trouble fitting in the lineup. He didn't have trouble fitting in the orange and black (with a touch of red) last night, though.
- BulliesPhan87

And too bad he got tossed. Because he looked strong last night in the short amount of time he was out there.

I love having Giroux tied up for the next 8 years or whatever. He's a stud. He kicked Washington's ass in back to back games.
- MJL

He really did. His last 4 periods of play have been outstanding.

100!

I agree completely. Not only were they passive in the 3rd but also took stupid penalties to make it worse. I think Downie should be scratched for a game or at least reamed out.
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

That elbow call was kinda "meh".

The problem is, it was likely a reputation call.

If I'm not mistaken, the elbow call was because Downie had his elbow up as Wilson was trying to put him into the 4th row.

I wonder if that elbowing minor gets called on anyone else on the team other than someone like Rinaldo.

And too bad he got tossed. Because he looked strong last night in the short amount of time he was out there.
- MJL

I agree, I thought he was poised for a big game.

He had a couple of breaks into the offensive zone with guys draped all over him....at least one of which should have been a penalty against the Caps.

I agree completely. I don't know what they're doing with him. They say he has offensive ability, but he's really just a goon with decent hands rather than a PF with toughness.

Any hope of him becoming Hartnell or Simmonds is slowly dissipating.

I didn't mind them being down a man after the fights. I thought it was warranted. I had no problem with Simmonds jumping in on Erskine. I don't want Vinny fighting him and I'm sure Simmonds has been a willing combatant, but Erskine has turned him down on numerous occasions.

Caps are such a bunch of pussies. The Flyers will do some physical things, but they will always fight and go man to man. Caps have been called for three 5 minute majors and 2 suspensions in the last two years. Flyers haven't had any suspensions or any majors outside of fights.
- PhillySportsGuy

Exactly. I think Wilson could use sometime in the AHL or a coach/management that doesnt support his undisciplined play. Do you remember that after the Wilson charging on B.Schenn GMGM came out and said that was a clean hit? Firstly everyone knows thats not a clean hit and secondly by saying it is a clean hit you are saying to Wilson that he should go out and play that way. franking despicable.

I really dislike the Caps. In some ways they seem to play like how the Pens did in the 2012 series. Just a complete lack of discipline.

That elbow call was kinda "meh".

The problem is, it was likely a reputation call.

If I'm not mistaken, the elbow call was because Downie had his elbow up as Wilson was trying to put him into the 4th row.

I wonder if that elbowing minor gets called on anyone else on the team other than someone like Rinaldo.
- johndewar

I know. It just seems like Downie ends up in the box quite a bit at unfortunate moments in the game.

Rinaldo getting a penalty in the 3rd was terrible as well. Even though he took Chimera with him, you never want to go to 4v4 when you're ahead. He, also, put himself in a position where the ref could have just taken him and give the Caps a PP.

This team needs more self control. Especially, in the third period.

100!
- PhillySportsGuy

Well done everybody

It's frustrating. The first two periods, the first one especally, they were up on their skates, supporting the puck. Winning battles and races for the puck, and playing as a team all over the ice. It was beautiful to watch. Then they get the big lead and play passively. Along with taking penalties that are bad penalties. The Luke Schenn penalty is okay, because it was an attempt to get the puck, and it took awa a prime scoring chance. But the Downie elbow was inexcusable. It was a physical game, with the Flyers laying out a lot of the punishment. In that kind of game, you're going to get hit back, have to take it as part of the game. And a lazy hook on the backcheck by Streit. Shouldn't happen. Now you're exposed to Backstrom's wizardy and OV one timer on a dangerous PP. Let's them back in the game. Where if they had not taken penalalties and continued to be aggressive, they could havce kept on demoralizing the Caps.
- MJL

Selfish play. The elbow by Downie was extremely selfish. Take a (frank)ing hit, keep trucking. He has now taken 3 or 4 reallly bad penalties in the past few games. Dont know why he keeps getting a break.

Streits was also selfish.. he was lazy and instead of busting his ass he gave a little hook that you know they will call. Dont.

All it took was a little bit of luck (a couple of their goals were wildly lucky) and a few penalties and the momentum completely swung in the Caps favor.

I was at the game last night and paid special attention to MacDaddy... Kid makes the subtle plays that most dont notice, but really help out. Seems like he is a pretty smart player with the puck. His speed is also noticeable.

Great freakin game by Luke Schenn. Whatta monster.

That elbow call was kinda "meh".

The problem is, it was likely a reputation call.

If I'm not mistaken, the elbow call was because Downie had his elbow up as Wilson was trying to put him into the 4th row.

I wonder if that elbowing minor gets called on anyone else on the team other than someone like Rinaldo.
- johndewar

Ill have to take a look at it again. God knows the NBC announcers will never show you a decent replay.

Exactly. I think Wilson could use sometime in the AHL or a coach/management that doesnt support his undisciplined play. Do you remember that after the Wilson charging on B.Schenn GMGM came out and said that was a clean hit? Firstly everyone knows thats not a clean hit and secondly by saying it is a clean hit you are saying to Wilson that he should go out and play that way. franking despicable.

I really dislike the Caps. In some ways they seem to play like how the Pens did in the 2012 series. Just a complete lack of discipline.
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

I know. Flyers do a great job of getting under people's skin, but they aren't outright dirty. I don't recall many suspensions over the last couple years. I think the last one was on B. Schenn for launching himself into Volchenkov.

That elbow call was kinda "meh".

The problem is, it was likely a reputation call.

If I'm not mistaken, the elbow call was because Downie had his elbow up as Wilson was trying to put him into the 4th row.

I wonder if that elbowing minor gets called on anyone else on the team other than someone like Rinaldo.
- johndewar

i dont think it was meh at all..

He was going to get hit and jumps a bit to brace for the hit and pops the guy right in the head with his elbow. Text book. It was stupid. It coulda been Giroux doing that and it would have been called.

Selfish play. The elbow by Downie was extremely selfish. Take a (frank)ing hit, keep trucking. He has now taken 3 or 4 reallly bad penalties in the past few games. Dont know why he keeps getting a break.

Streits was also selfish.. he was lazy and instead of busting his ass he gave a little hook that you know they will call. Dont.

All it took was a little bit of luck (a couple of their goals were wildly lucky) and a few penalties and the momentum completely swung in the Caps favor.

I was at the game last night and paid special attention to MacDaddy... Kid makes the subtle plays that most dont notice, but really help out. Seems like he is a pretty smart player with the puck. His speed is also noticeable.

Great freakin game by Luke Schenn. Whatta monster.
- jak521

Interesting that his game got better when paired with a decent partner

Ill have to take a look at it again. God knows the NBC announcers will never show you a decent replay.
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

And I don't want to excuse Downie or even Rinaldo. They both do bad things at the wrong time.

But I thought that was a reputation call that gets let go 8 times out of 10 if it's a player without Downie (or Rinaldo's rep). It's why you can't have too many guys with bad reps around the league.

i dont think it was meh at all..

He was going to get hit and jumps a bit to brace for the hit and pops the guy right in the head with his elbow. Text book. It was stupid. It coulda been Giroux doing that and it would have been called.
- jak521

I disagree.

i dont think it was meh at all..

He was going to get hit and jumps a bit to brace for the hit and pops the guy right in the head with his elbow. Text book. It was stupid. It coulda been Giroux doing that and it would have been called.
- jak521

How about Raffl taking that big hit from Ovechkin then getting up and jumping right back in the play like its nothing.

I (frank)ing LOVE Raffl!

And too bad he got tossed. Because he looked strong last night in the short amount of time he was out there.
- MJL

He did. He had a game winning goal before that, no? I like to think he's coming around.

I know. It just seems like Downie ends up in the box quite a bit at unfortunate moments in the game.

Rinaldo getting a penalty in the 3rd was terrible as well. Even though he took Chimera with him, you never want to go to 4v4 when you're ahead. He, also, put himself in a position where the ref could have just taken him and give the Caps a PP.

This team needs more self control. Especially, in the third period.
- PhillySportsGuy

Honestly that was Chimera.. He went at Rinaldo there and Rinaldo stood his ground. Chimera was a wiener all night, but will never man up. He got a couple of shots in on Rinaldo before he ended up returning the favor.

Selfish play. The elbow by Downie was extremely selfish. Take a (frank)ing hit, keep trucking. He has now taken 3 or 4 reallly bad penalties in the past few games. Dont know why he keeps getting a break.

Streits was also selfish.. he was lazy and instead of busting his ass he gave a little hook that you know they will call. Dont.

All it took was a little bit of luck (a couple of their goals were wildly lucky) and a few penalties and the momentum completely swung in the Caps favor.

I was at the game last night and paid special attention to MacDaddy... Kid makes the subtle plays that most dont notice, but really help out. Seems like he is a pretty smart player with the puck. His speed is also noticeable.

Great freakin game by Luke Schenn. Whatta monster.
- jak521

It's only one game, but I loved what I saw from MacDonald. Good with the puck and good mobility. Looks like a clear upgrade. Nice to see that game from Schenn. But only one game, needs to do that consistently.

I disagree.
- johndewar

Thats fine, but in real time, and on the jumbotron it looked clear as day. Anytime a guy makes contact to an opponents head with an elbow it going to be called. He could have just taken the hit..

And I don't want to excuse Downie or even Rinaldo. They both do bad things at the wrong time.

But I thought that was a reputation call that gets let go 8 times out of 10 if it's a player without Downie (or Rinaldo's rep). It's why you can't have too many guys with bad reps around the league.
- johndewar

I agree. I hate reputation calls. Its something I want to get out of the game. I would love to have Paul Stewart blog about it. Would be interesting from his perspective.

How about Raffl taking that big hit from Ovechkin then getting up and jumping right back in the play like its nothing.

I (frank)ing LOVE Raffl!
- PhillySportsGuy

God I love Raffl. He can fit onto any line and is willing to work his ass off defensively.

I know. Flyers do a great job of getting under people's skin, but they aren't outright dirty. I don't recall many suspensions over the last couple years. I think the last one was on B. Schenn for launching himself into Volchenkov.
- PhillySportsGuy

The Flyers being dirty is really overplayed by the media. I instantly relate us back to Bullies era. When we are on our game we can get under the oppositions skin. Its wonderful to watch.

How about Raffl taking that big hit from Ovechkin then getting up and jumping right back in the play like its nothing.

I (frank)ing LOVE Raffl!
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't think you're the only one.

Berube really seems to use him as a poor man's Matt Read.

I don't think you're the only one.

Berube really seems to use him as a poor man's Matt Read.
- johndewar

Read and Raffl are real feathers in Homer's cap