Mez with a goal and the fist pump
- Marc D

And a -3....

I do think Downie has a shot to distinguish himself in the playoffs, given his game.

I wouldn't write him off just yet.
- johndewar

I agree, why not?

Our crying starts tommorow
- Just5

Ha! I hope not -- but they definitely need to be better than they were last night, that's for certain

I agree, why not?
- MJL

As long as he is healthy and can stay disciplined.

Our crying starts tommorow
- Just5

Boston on a back to back after clinching. They are ripe for the picking. Flyers win.

I agree, why not?
- MJL

If he stays out of the box, he's got the right mix of skills to succeed in a playoff environment.

He's had kind of a weird, lost year. He can salvage it a bit with a good playoff showing.

R.J. Umberger scratched today, after getting back into the lineup after his initial scratches -- appears Todd Richards just doesn't believe he can help the Blue Jackets anymore

I think that's okay too. And I'm glad the move was made for one reason. So he can show that he belongs at Center.
- MJL

I think Berube did what he had to do. A lot of this season has been spent trying to find a fit for Vinny, and it hasn't been easy, for both him and the team. He isn't the first top six type player who's been bumped down and had to earn his way back up.

I think Bill put it best:
Bill Meltzer ‏@billmeltzer Mar 28
Something else to keep in mind. Lecavalier still remains capable of going on a little offensive run in playoffs. The hands are still there.

In short, I guess we'll see. I think Berube did the right thing given the circumstances, the ball is in Bunny's court.

If he stays out of the box, he's got the right mix of skills to succeed in a playoff environment.

He's had kind of a weird, lost year. He can salvage it a bit with a good playoff showing.
- johndewar

I don't think there is any doubt that the Flyers are a better team if he is healthy and playing well. I just think that he has been really banged up. And that may affect him for the rest of the Season.

I think Berube did what he had to do. A lot of this season has been spent trying to find a fit for Vinny, and it hasn't been easy, for both him and the team. He isn't the first top six type player who's been bumped down and had to earn his way back up.

I think Bill put it best:
Bill Meltzer ‏@billmeltzer Mar 28
Something else to keep in mind. Lecavalier still remains capable of going on a little offensive run in playoffs. The hands are still there.

In short, I guess we'll see. I think Berube did the right thing given the circumstances, the ball is in Bunny's court.
- BulliesPhan87

I give full props to Berube for the job he has done with this team. He has tried to get them to play the right way. But I know I don't have to say this, but I don't agree with the decision to play Schenn at Center, and move Lecavalier out. I think Berube had a part in creating that circumstance. And I wonder if it wasn't for the injury, would it have happened. I can speculate that it wouldn't have. But that's how a season goes sometimes.

Mez with a goal and the fist pump
- Marc D

I don't think there is any doubt that the Flyers are a better team if he is healthy and playing well. I just think that he has been really banged up. And that may affect him for the rest of the Season.
- MJL

Unfortunately, that could well be the case.

I don't think there is any doubt that the Flyers are a better team if he is healthy and playing well. I just think that he has been really banged up. And that may affect him for the rest of the Season.
- MJL

Yeah -- I like the guy. I think Steve Downie plays a hard, hard game.

But three head shots like he's taken this season...it's hard for me to see how he's going to get himself in a position where he is just in synch, mentally.

It's too bad -- he really has taken some hard shots this season, and I do think they've affected his hands and awareness on the ice

Que?

Did he sign an ELC?
- johndewar

Noooooo Frozen Four

did you watch the game? just got home and turned on the tv to see the final and them interview ghost and saying how well he played. how'd he look?
- dillpx183

He looked good. One sequence he basically played goalie and had like 4 saves. He's very steady on the back end for Union. Union has a terrific defense. They are very committed to two way play as a team. Should be interesting if they play Gaudreau and BC. Classic offense for defense matchup.

Yeah -- I like the guy. I think Steve Downie plays a hard, hard game.

But three head shots like he's taken this season...it's hard for me to see how he's going to get himself in a position where he is just in synch, mentally.

It's too bad -- he really has taken some hard shots this season, and I do think they've affected his hands and awareness on the ice
- AllInForFlyers

I don't know what the exact circumstances have been with Downie. But you ever have a period where you're just not feeling well, but are still trying to function in a daily routine or job? It's not easy. Imagine trying to play Hockey. You can see it with Downie that he hasn't been right, not just in his play, but how he carries himself and his mannerism on the ice. He just hasn't seemed right since he got knocked out in that fight.

I give full props to Berube for the job he has done with this team. He has tried to get them to play the right way. But I know I don't have to say this, but I don't agree with the decision to play Schenn at Center, and move Lecavalier out. I think Berube had a part in creating that circumstance. And I wonder if it wasn't for the injury, would it have happened. I can speculate that it wouldn't have. But that's how a season goes sometimes.
- MJL

I agree injuries are a significant part of it, but I don't agree this is of Berbue's making. Vinny simply hasn't gelled anywhere in the lineup, at five different positions throughout the year. Maybe now he finds his fire, works through his injury, and proves he belongs at that 2C position. Maybe not.

I think, given a summer to heal and rest, Vinny can have a better season next year. Maybe not a 33 goal year, but that's setting the bar a bit high.

I agree injuries are a significant part of it, but I don't agree this is of Berbue's making. Vinny simply hasn't gelled anywhere in the lineup, at five different positions throughout the year. Maybe now he finds his fire, works through his injury, and proves he belongs at that 2C position. Maybe not.

I think, given a summer to heal and rest, Vinny can have a better season next year. Maybe not a 33 goal year, but that's setting the bar a bit high.
- BulliesPhan87

That's where I disagree. For the first 25 games or so he played very well at Center and was one of the team's better players. So I don't know how he simply hasn't gelled anywhere in the lineup. From my perspective that is not true.
In my opinion the biggest reason why he has struggled has been a serious injury, and forced to play a position that he has never played before, and doesn't seem comfortable at. Even if he wasn't injured, moving to LW would've been tough for him. Now add a serious back injury to the mix, not so surprising what happened. Hard enough to recover from that injury, without adding the position switch to the mix.

I don't know what the exact circumstances have been with Downie. But you ever have a period where you're just not feeling well, but are still trying to function in a daily routine or job? It's not easy. Imagine trying to play Hockey. You can see it with Downie that he hasn't been right, not just in his play, but how he carries himself and his mannerism on the ice. He just hasn't seemed right since he got knocked out in that fight.
- MJL

I can't imagine it, actually -- I think it's really difficult.

I know he hasn't been right, since the second one that Emelin gave him against Montreal.

He hasn't been CLOSE to how he was playing -- hell, he was having a good game THAT NIGHT against Montreal.

It really is too bad.

He looked good. One sequence he basically played goalie and had like 4 saves. He's very steady on the back end for Union. Union has a terrific defense. They are very committed to two way play as a team. Should be interesting if they play Gaudreau and BC. Classic offense for defense matchup.
- PhillySportsGuy

nice, thanks for the breakdown

hey, since the bruins played today and the flyers were off we should be rested and have more energy, right? right? that is bound to work out in our favor at some point

That's where I disagree. For the first 25 games or so he played very well at Center and was one of the team's better players. So I don't know how he simply hasn't gelled anywhere in the lineup. From my perspective that is not true.
- MJL

The issue with that (imo) is we can't get healthy Vinny back right now. I'm not sure there's an ideal scenario for the second scoring line at the moment. Berube has to give his other players the chance to succeed too. The way things are now, he has an opportunity to prove me (and I guess Berube, as if he's important ) wrong. There's a motivation factor at play (not that I think Vinny is a particularly uninspired player).

hey, since the bruins played today and the flyers were off we should be rested and have more energy, right? right? that is bound to work out in our favor at some point
- hogweed

Bruins also clinched today...I am hoping for a B's letdown combined with a Flyers effort of the sort we see against the Pens.

The issue with that (imo) is we can't get healthy Vinny back right now. I'm not sure there's an ideal scenario for the second scoring line at the moment. Berube has to give his other players the chance to succeed too. The way things are now, he has an opportunity to prove me (and I guess Berube, as if he's important ) wrong. There's a motivation factor at play (not that I think Vinny is a particularly uninspired player).
- BulliesPhan87

I think Lecavalier has looked noticeably stronger in the last week or so. And he looks like he's getting close to where he needs to be, if not already there. So I think he's ready and able to handle centering the second line.
But like you said, Lecavalier can take it on himself with his play, and force the Coach to do something. And I for one hope that he does. Because there is no doubt in my mind that this team is better with a productive Lecavalier on a scoring line.

I think Lecavalier has looked noticeably stronger in the last week or so. And he looks like he's getting close to where he needs to be, if not already there. So I think he's ready and able to handle centering the second line.
But like you said, Lecavalier can take it on himself with his play, and force the Coach to do something. And I for one hope that he does. Because there is no doubt in my mind that this team is better with a productive Lecavalier on a scoring line.
- MJL

Especially if he's a man on a mission. Maybe it's optimistic of me to say, but if the second line goes from a mess to red hot (please oh please), this team looks pretty scary.