How many of these remaining March games do you expect the team to win? My guess is three.

Pit twice
Chi
Dal
StL
LA
NYR
Tor
Bos
- Feanor

So than just get off these boards and go watch another team since you pretty much ruled them out of this already.

How many of these remaining March games do you expect the team to win? My guess is three.

Pit twice
Chi
Dal
StL
LA
NYR
Tor
Bos
- Feanor

Mason needs a bit of rest. One thing that would really help them get through this gauntlet if he goes on another hot streak, like the start of the year.

More than average, would really help them right now as a team, and to hide the flaws.

Honestly, if it were up to me, I wouldn't even have VL in the lineup at all. Even trying to hide him on the 4th-line negates that line's ability to function as an limited energy unit... and as you said, trying to move Hall (or Rinaldo) up the lineup is problematic.
- Tomahawk

I think that playing against other fourth line and back at his natural center position he could do a decent amount of damage and at the least provide some energy.

they certainly are. and losing 3 of the last 4 points while playing well for the majority of both of those games is bad, bad news.
- hammarby31

Yep. They have been winning games, but none of these wins have included a full 60 minute effort. Against the upcoming schedule, 40 minutes isn't going to suffice.

Agreed
and nice Cream reference as well!
- BiggE

So than just get off these boards and go watch another team since you pretty much ruled them out of this already.
- FlyersSteve118

I think you're the one who needs a break if you can't handle someone looking at the schedule for March and making a realistic prediction based on the fact every team but the Rangers has a better Points Percentage than the Flyers.

So than just get off these boards and go watch another team since you pretty much ruled them out of this already.
- FlyersSteve118

The Flyers will win all 9 games in fashion. Emerging from the gauntlet, lead by future conn smythe winner Vincent LeCavalier, the team goes on to make history. Winning the Stanley cup without a single loss, and Berube punching out Hitchcock in the cup final.

Just gotta hope they rise to the challenge. It's not impossible against Pittsburgh, at least. They usually play down to us.
- BulliesPhan87

I'm thinking/hoping they will split this weekend. 3 points would be awesome.

I agree. I'd put him back to center right away and move BSchenn back to wing. This current 2nd line combination is bad enough to cost the Flyers a playoff spot.

If Vinny is still awful back at his natural position, he will have to go down to the 4th line. Tomahawk's lineup would give us 4 lines that can score. If Vinny's upset about ice time he can request a trade back to Tampa this offseason.

Akeson/McGinn Giroux Voracek
Hartnell Schenn Simmonds
Read Couturier Hall
Raffl Vinny Downie
- Feanor

How is this line any better then with Vinny on the LW. If anything its worse and you also end up messing with the 1st line. Either keep it the way it is, and coach around thier deficiencies...(offensive draws and line match-ups) or try this:

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Read-Schenn-Simmonds
Hall-Couturier-Rinaldo
Downie-Lecavalier-Raffl

What pop you take off Couturier's line is added by the "4th" line with favorable match-ups. The 3rd line is a strong defensive line and can be used as a checking line. You could even add Holmstrom or another defensive forward from the phantoms. And to sedate Vinny, you could even call his line the 3rd line... Really with that line-up I can see lines 2-4 getting even ice-time.

How many of these remaining March games do you expect the team to win? My guess is three.

Pit twice
Chi
Dal
StL
LA
NYR
Tor
Bos
- Feanor

3 or 4 probably sounds about right. Say they win 3, they are going to have ground to make up, and will almost certainly be out of a playoff spot as April begins.

How is this line any better then with Vinny on the LW. If anything its worse and you also end up messing with the 1st line. Either keep it the way it is, and coach around thier deficiencies...(offensive draws and line match-ups) or try this:

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Read-Schenn-Simmonds
Hall-Couturier-Rinaldo
Downie-Lecavalier-Raffl

What pop you take off Couturier's line is added by the "4th" line with favorable match-ups. The 3rd line is a strong defensive line and can be used as a checking line. You could even add Holmstrom or another defensive forward from the phantoms. And to sedate Vinny, you could even call his line the 3rd line... Really with that line-up I can see lines 2-4 getting even ice-time.
- SchennBros

Why would you put Couturier on the fourth line?

The Flyers will win all 9 games in fashion. Emerging from the gauntlet, lead by future conn smythe winner Vincent LeCavalier, the team goes on to make history. Winning the Stanley cup without a single loss, and Berube punching out Hitchcock in the cup final.
- flyer_nutter

I think that playing against other fourth line and back at his natural center position he could do a decent amount of damage and at the least provide some energy.
- FlyersSteve118

It depends on who his line mates are... he desperately needs somebody to hang on to the puck, draw the defense, and feed him his bread and butter right-side one-timer. We know defenses can basically ignore Hall and Rinaldo.

I may be crazy, but I doubt the Flyers will play LeCavalier in a 4th line role.
4.5 million/season + no movement clause I believe. For 5 years, and the golden boy signing.

Might be where he deserves to play based on his contribution to them winning games, but I more or less hope he picks up his game. He will play, and will play significant minutes.

How many of these remaining March games do you expect the team to win? My guess is three.

Pit twice
Chi
Dal
StL
LA
NYR
Tor
Bos
- Feanor

I think the flyers take both of Pit, Dal, LA, NYR, TOR. 6 of 9

How is this line any better then with Vinny on the LW. If anything its worse and you also end up messing with the 1st line.
- SchennBros

That line was great when it was together... keep it simple, crash the net, play the body.

I'm thinking/hoping they will split this weekend. 3 points would be awesome.
- PLindbergh31

A split would be alright. I'd prefer a sweep though, and I think they can do it.

It depends on who his line mates are... he desperately needs somebody to hang on to the puck, draw the defense, and feed him his bread and butter right-side one-timer. We know defenses can basically ignore Hall and Rinaldo.
- Tomahawk

Yeah thats why you can only play one of them a night. Having Raffl and Rinaldo as his linemates wouldn't be too terrible for a fourth line. Although it would be a tad bit expensive.

That line was great when it was together... keep it simple, crash the net, play the body.
- Tomahawk

I thought they would be trash actually. They were put together when Hartnell was in a pretty heavy slump no?

He seemed to re-discoverhis game a bit after that. They were damn fun to watch.

The Flyers will win all 9 games in fashion. Emerging from the gauntlet, lead by future conn smythe winner Vincent LeCavalier, the team goes on to make history. Winning the Stanley cup without a single loss, and Berube punching out Hitchcock in the cup final.
- flyer_nutter

If Berube is gonna punch Hitchcock, you know John Tortorella will play that on a loop on YouTube.

/remember 2004
//http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjkVga8OS2c

That line was great when it was together... keep it simple, crash the net, play the body.
- Tomahawk

I saw it called the Legion of Dumb. But it worked.

Vinny as Couturier's right wing not so much.

Priority should be winning games.

In his current state, Vinny isn't a top-9 player. Maybe his back/game improves and he gets back to that point, but right now, he's only hanging on to a top-9 spot due to past reputation and internal politics.
- Tomahawk

Lecavalier didn't suddenly become a 4th line player. The only thing keeping him from being a top 9 player is injuries, and playing out of position.

That's funny... Clement said he saw Coots on a deserted island talking to a volleyball.
- Tomahawk

That was comedy gold.

3 or 4 probably sounds about right. Say they win 3, they are going to have ground to make up, and will almost certainly be out of a playoff spot as April begins.
- PLindbergh31

How about this. Win 3. OTL 2. Is that sucessful?

A split would be alright. I'd prefer a sweep though, and I think they can do it.
- BulliesPhan87

If they sweep this weekend, it gives them some wiggle room with the remainder of the March schedule.