He took a faceoff against Talbot and kind of came down with his stick, and Talbot said it hit him. It looked like there was minimal contact if any, but Talbot played it up a bit. This was after the NHL announced it would not tolerate "message sending" in the playoffs...which, of course, meant that the mandatory 1-game suspension given to Malkin for instigating a fight in the SCF would be arbitrarily removed.

As for Bradley, I'll say this: both of his gloves were off when Carcillo landed the punch.
- jmatchett383

I just don't understand how that warranted one game and Neal didn't get more than he got. He, deliberately, took head shots on our two best forwards in that series.

I wish the NHL would stop suspending guys for a few games at a time. If someone delivers a headshot with intent to injure, they should get 10 games.

I think if Bradley didn't go down so badly, it wouldn't have been that big of a deal. If he took the punch then started to throw with Carcillo, it would have been 5 for fighting and maybe 2 for instigating.

I don't fear the Pens, at all -- they're the same team they've been every season since Bill Guerin couldn't play anymore.

I'm totally serious. Can the Pens beat you in the playoffs? Sure. Tremendous talent, when healthy.

But again: Think about it.

Montreal. Tampa Bay. Philadelphia. Boston.

The Pens have been favored, in various degrees, in every one of those playoff series.

2009 is starting to be a long time ago. Bill Guerin and Sergei Gonchar and Maxime Talbot are long gone from that franchise.

Look at Marc-Andre Fleury now. Just look at him.

Fragile. Because his coach and captain, their best players, don't bear down in the biggest games, the biggest series. They lose their composure and their focus, and let the guy get strafed.

This weekend was exactly like it was in 2011. Nothing, and I mean nothing, looked different on the ice. If James Neal and Chris Kunitz had been out there, they'd have been running around like idiots, too.
- AllInForFlyers

I hear what you are saying. You fear their talent.... They lack in the intangibles dept. I still respect them though. When they are on their game they can light up anyone. I would probably rather face the Pens than the Rags as well. Flyers can't win at MSG. Place has turned into a house of horrors.

I just don't understand how that warranted one game and Neal didn't get more than he got. He, deliberately, took head shots on our two best forwards in that series.

I wish the NHL would stop suspending guys for a few games at a time. If someone delivers a headshot with intent to injure, they should get 10 games.

I think if Bradley didn't go down so badly, it wouldn't have been that big of a deal. If he took the punch then started to throw with Carcillo, it would have been 5 for fighting and maybe 2 for instigating.
- PhillySportsGuy

I was just amazed that Neal said he was trying to avoid contact. When I played, I didn't usually "avoid contact" by lowering my shoulder and leaping at a player's head; I did it by, you know, avoiding contact.

Except for the idiots like Boulerice, Downie, etc, I really can't remember any Flyer throwing a vicious hit.

I think baby Schenn got like 1 or 2 games last year didn't he? Other than that...
- Giroux_Is_God

I remember him getting Volchenkov. I didn't think the hit was that egregious. I've seen a lot worse without suspensions. It seemed a bit unfair to a guy who had never been suspended to give him 2 games.

He took a faceoff against Talbot and kind of came down with his stick, and Talbot said it hit him. It looked like there was minimal contact if any, but Talbot played it up a bit. This was after the NHL announced it would not tolerate "message sending" in the playoffs...which, of course, meant that the mandatory 1-game suspension given to Malkin for instigating a fight in the SCF would be arbitrarily removed.

As for Bradley, I'll say this: both of his gloves were off when Carcillo landed the punch.
- jmatchett383

Better believe it. He even made an attempt to swing a right at Carcillo.

He forgot that Danny had a free hand though, is problem #1.

Speaking of violence, I'm donning Flyers orange today. If some college kid comes up and pinches me for not wearing green, I'll pinch them back.

In the face.

With my fist.

Better believe it. He even made an attempt to swing a right at Carcillo.

He forgot that Danny had a free hand though, is problem #1.

Speaking of violence, I'm donning Flyers orange today. If some college kid comes up and pinches me for not wearing green, I'll pinch them back.

In the face.

With my fist.
- Giroux_Is_God

Have to get yourself a st pattys day jersey.

Better believe it. He even made an attempt to swing a right at Carcillo.

He forgot that Danny had a free hand though, is problem #1.

Speaking of violence, I'm donning Flyers orange today. If some college kid comes up and pinches me for not wearing green, I'll pinch them back.

In the face.

With my fist.
- Giroux_Is_God

Ah, the ole' fist pinch to the face. Slightly less effective than the fist pinch to the groin.

I was just amazed that Neal said he was trying to avoid contact. When I played, I didn't usually "avoid contact" by lowering my shoulder and leaping at a player's head; I did it by, you know, avoiding contact.
- jmatchett383

He's such a Richard. I can't believe he wasn't even thrown out of the game. If Couturier or Giroux had been seriously injured, I would have let Rinaldo take a run at Crosby or Malkin. I would have been so mad. I know its not right, but thats how angry I was.

Probably. The Bruins don't seem to have many weaknesses. A team in the East would have to play a hell of a series to knock them off.
- PLindbergh31

I love the way the Flyers are playing this month, and I am happy with how the d pairings have worked out, but I can't see them handling the Bruins if it comes to pass. Rask would have to channel his inner Fleury for us to win.

Flyers have 1 less regulation win than Chicago


Just an FYI
- Just5

whoa let's get that number tied up

I don't fear the Pens, at all -- they're the same team they've been every season since Bill Guerin couldn't play anymore.

I'm totally serious. Can the Pens beat you in the playoffs? Sure. Tremendous talent, when healthy.

But again: Think about it.

Montreal. Tampa Bay. Philadelphia. Boston.

The Pens have been favored, in various degrees, in every one of those playoff series.

2009 is starting to be a long time ago. Bill Guerin and Sergei Gonchar and Maxime Talbot are long gone from that franchise.

Look at Marc-Andre Fleury now. Just look at him.

Fragile. Because his coach and captain, their best players, don't bear down in the biggest games, the biggest series. They lose their composure and their focus, and let the guy get strafed.

This weekend was exactly like it was in 2011. Nothing, and I mean nothing, looked different on the ice. If James Neal and Chris Kunitz had been out there, they'd have been running around like idiots, too.
- AllInForFlyers

They were missing a lot of skill on the blue line too.
With Martin and Letang those 2 shorties Read scored might not happen and the Pens likely get a PP goal.

The way they started the game yesterday was criminally stupid.
But if healthy they are still formidable.

I agree about the point on their leadership.

Have to get yourself a st pattys day jersey.
- twotoekenn

No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no NO!

whoa let's get that number tied up
- -davies-

Chicago has lost 14 OT/SO games. Its amazing when you consider all the natural skill they have. You'd think they'd thrive in the 4on4 and SO.

Have to get yourself a st pattys day jersey.
- twotoekenn

ugh, might as well wear one of those pink "lady jerseys" (the ones that aren't for breast cancer awareness research)

He's such a Richard. I can't believe he wasn't even thrown out of the game. If Couturier or Giroux had been seriously injured, I would have let Rinaldo take a run at Crosby or Malkin. I would have been so mad. I know its not right, but thats how angry I was.
- PhillySportsGuy

I would have done it anyway. At some point, you can't keep turning the other cheek.

No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no NO!
- jmatchett383

I wore mine to the sixers game Saturday night.

Have to get yourself a st pattys day jersey.
- twotoekenn

Yeah.

Right after the purchasing of one of those "Fly" lacrosse pinnies.

I would have done it anyway. At some point, you can't keep turning the other cheek.
- jmatchett383

I feel the same way. It reaches a point where you need to make them understand there will be repercussions other than a 1 game suspension and modest fine.

Yeah.

Right after the purchasing of one of those "Fly" lacrosse pinnies.
- Giroux_Is_God

Those lax players are nuts, thats a brutal game.

New blob

New blob
- PhillySportsGuy

but i like this one.