Jackets are starting McElhinney tonight.
- PLindbergh31

See, that makes sense for them, too, just like it did for us last night -- at some point, you gotta acknowledge that making the playoffs was important, but once you did, you need to give at least a game of rest to someone as important as Bob is to them

If McElhinney wins tonight, God bless him

There's several cheaper options that will be as good as Emery.

I like Ray. He's turned his career around after two major roadblocks, one self inflicted the other injury, and done a very good job for the Flyers this season. Guys like Curtis McIlhenney, Chad Johnson, Thomas Greiss or Jonas Gustavsson are all UFA.

Might not have Emery's track record as a starter, but all are capable back ups
- Jsaquella

Yep. All credible guys able to provide a solid 20-25 starts. Another concern with having Emery as the backup, if Mason were to go down with an injury, not sure Ray would hold up if he had to carry the mail.

Yep. All credible guys able to provide a solid 20-25 starts. Another concern with having Emery as the backup, if Mason were to go down with an injury, not sure Ray would hold up if he had to carry the mail.
- PLindbergh31

That's the other issue with Emery. Even as well as he's played, with that hip, you never know.

Yep. All credible guys able to provide a solid 20-25 starts. Another concern with having Emery as the backup, if Mason were to go down with an injury, not sure Ray would hold up if he had to carry the mail.
- PLindbergh31

That is a concern, for sure -- I think Emery even knows he can't do 40-50 starts anymore

I get the logic behind it. Emery had good numbers vs Tampa in his career and they probably wanted to make sure Mason was rested and ready to go in the playoffs. Emery was a factor last night, but not primary reason they lost.
- Jsaquella

Playing Emery wasn't a mistake because of his play or his numbers. It was a mistake, because, if you need points, he is in the situation he is in right now.

You don't rest your goalie in a key game when your playoff positioning is at risk. Unless he chalked TB up as a loss before the night even started...

Imagine if he had a defense like Boston..... Hmmmmm
- GOA88

Outside of Chara, I don't think there are any defense monsters on the B's blueline. I think they have a nice mix on the backend. Their forward group is very responsible on the defensive side of the puck, I think that's a big reason why they are so good defensively. And that Rask guy ain't bad.

Playing Emery wasn't a mistake because of his play or his numbers. It was a mistake, because, if you need points, he is in the situation he is in right now.

You don't rest your goalie in a key game when your playoff positioning is at risk. Unless he chalked TB up to a loss before the night even started...
- FlyersSteve118

I think Berube knows that home ice was a long shot and he was doing what he felt best for the playoffs, not necessarily seeding. He knew Mason struggled last time vs Tampa and figured that Emery coming off a strong couple games would be OK

I don't necessarily agree with the decision, just understand where it came from

That's the other issue with Emery. Even as well as he's played, with that hip, you never know.
- Jsaquella

Exactly. Do you think Heeter is an option they might be considering?

Playing Emery wasn't a mistake because of his play or his numbers. It was a mistake, because, if you need points, he is in the situation he is in right now.

You don't rest your goalie in a key game when your playoff positioning is at risk. Unless he chalked TB up to a loss before the night even started...
- FlyersSteve118

I don't think it was a mistake to play Emery last night, and I don't think they chalked it up to a loss. Tampa's given them fits, no matter who's in the net...they just lost last night.

I honestly think there was/is value in Mason getting some rest, dedicated practice time, prior to the playoffs. I think that really was important.

That's why I'd rather he only get one game this weekend. Practice time at this point of the year...it's hard to get. I'd rather Mason have good practices heading into next week than playing both games this weekend, but that's just me.

Exactly. Do you think Heeter is an option they might be considering?
- PLindbergh31

I would rather them sign a younger guy that never really got a shot, like Johnson.

Exactly. Do you think Heeter is an option they might be considering?
- PLindbergh31

Possibly. Played solidly in the AHL, but they may want a more experienced guy as a possible fall back or in case of injury

That is a concern, for sure -- I think Emery even knows he can't do 40-50 starts anymore
- AllInForFlyers

Probably true. I like Emery. I think for him to fight back from the type of injury he had really shows a lot of character. I also like goalies that play with a little bit of an edge.

Loved Hextall for his fiery competitiveness. The only thing about Hextall I didn't like was he was prone to the soft goal. And sometimes at the most inopportune of times.

Possibly. Played solidly in the AHL, but they may want a more experienced guy as a possible fall back or in case of injury
- Jsaquella

That's what I think too. I guess when Emery was down, the fact they didn't give Heeter one start might be the writing on the wall there.

Probably true. I like Emery. I think for him to fight back from the type of injury he had really shows a lot of character. I also like goalies that play with a little bit of an edge.

Loved Hextall for his fiery competitiveness. The only thing about Hextall I didn't like was he was prone to the soft goal. And sometimes at the most inopportune of times.
- PLindbergh31

I'll never forget the John LeClair quote about the '95 conference final against the Devils, when he was asked what he remembered most about it:

"Claude Lemieux from the blue line."

That's what I think too. I guess when Emery was down, the fact they didn't give Heeter one start might be the writing on the wall there.
- PLindbergh31

I think they give him another year in the AHL, to maybe mentor Stolarz, and then give him a real shot to back up in the NHL

I don't think it was a mistake to play Emery last night, and I don't think they chalked it up to a loss. Tampa's given them fits, no matter who's in the net...they just lost last night.

I honestly think there was/is value in Mason getting some rest, dedicated practice time, prior to the playoffs. I think that really was important.

That's why I'd rather he only get one game this weekend. Practice time at this point of the year...it's hard to get. I'd rather Mason have good practices heading into next week than playing both games this weekend, but that's just me.
- AllInForFlyers

Its just annoying that this team is playing such bad hockey right now. It feels like they are going back into their early season struggles.

I'll never forget the John LeClair quote about the '95 conference final against the Devils, when he was asked what he remembered most about it:

"Claude Lemieux from the blue line."
- AllInForFlyers

I hated that.

Hextall would routinely stand on his head for 58 minutes making one ten bell save after another, then the most harmless of shots would get passed him. It was frustrating. Still really liked Hextall though. He gave you everything he had every time he stepped on the ice.

I think they give him another year in the AHL, to maybe mentor Stolarz, and then give him a real shot to back up in the NHL
- Jsaquella

I'd be totally fine with that, and hopefully Heeter would understand, too, because the thing about it is that Heeter has to grasp that he won't have the luxury of not winning games in the limited action he receives if/when he makes it

He needs to be more than ready if he's going to stick

"Claude Lemieux from the blue line."
- AllInForFlyers

Ugh.

/cries
//drinks
///gets angry
////punches wall

Per Panaccio, Berube says if the Flyers face a must win for 3rd place, he will start Mason in both remaining games, rather than rotate
- Jsaquella

3rd place? More like the second wild card spot. I see both Detroit and Columbus winning their final two games.

They should have gone with their #1 guy last night against Tampa Bay unless Mason was hurt.

I think they give him another year in the AHL, to maybe mentor Stolarz, and then give him a real shot to back up in the NHL
- Jsaquella

I'm intrigued by Stolarz. Big, raw kid with alot of tools. It's probably too early to tell if he will be an NHL goaltender, but he's certainly trending in the right direction.

3rd place? More like the second wild card spot. I see both Detroit and Columbus winning their final two games.

They should have gone with their #1 guy last night against Tampa Bay unless Mason was hurt.
- Feanor

Detroit can't catch the Flyers for 3rd, and the Flyers hold tie breaker on Columbus

I'd be totally fine with that, and hopefully Heeter would understand, too, because the thing about it is that Heeter has to grasp that he won't have the luxury of not winning games in the limited action he receives if/when he makes it

He needs to be more than ready if he's going to stick
- AllInForFlyers

Agreed. They can get a solid vet back-up for one year and then hand reigns over to Heeter

I hated that.

Hextall would routinely stand on his head for 58 minutes making one ten bell save after another, then the most harmless of shots would get passed him. It was frustrating. Still really liked Hextall though. He gave you everything he had every time he stepped on the ice.
- PLindbergh31

Yeah...just...yeah.

We've had some bad luck with that, from goalies. From John VanBriesbrouck's inexplicable short-side goal against Toronto in '99, to obtaining Sean Burke maybe two years too late before that, to not scoring any goals for Roman Cechmanek...it just seems that we just never get the breaks that some other teams do. Just never get those breakds

Then, when we finally ride the hot goalie in Michael Leighton, he doesn't finish off the storybook ending AND gives up the bizarre goal AND somehow injures himself so he's never the same goalie who can even play at the NHL level again

It's enough to drive you crazy sometimes

Ugh.

/cries
//drinks
///gets angry
////punches wall
- johndewar

Yeah.

There are goals that I can see from Flyers history that I remember just like it was yesterday -- that one really, really hurt

A lot