They do need to play better. Pretty much everyone needs to step it up a bit.

The problem with Vinny is that he's needed to step it up for months, not just a week or two.
- Jsaquella

I wonder if he questions his decision to come to Philadelphia now...? Does anyone suspect that maybe his 4th line demotion and constant shuffling in the lineup has maybe soured him on playing here longterm? Honestly, I can't see this being a reality because Vinny seems like a pro, and has said all the right things so far, but one has to wonder if him not getting top time consistently and not playing center has affected his mojo?

Game 2 - Vinny was on the ice with Rinaldo, Hall, Coburn and amac for the Rangers first goal by the Rangers top line.

Then on the ice for 2 of our goals.

Game 1 he wasn't on the ice for any goals either way.

Game 3- On the ice for goal #3 with Schenn and Akeson. (Richards, Carcillo, Hagelin)
-On the ice for goal #4 with Schenn and Akeson. (4th line of the Rangers I think)

He wasn't good the first 2 games. But he played well in game 3.

I wonder if he questions his decision to come to Philadelphia now...? Does anyone suspect that maybe his 4th line demotion and constant shuffling in the lineup has maybe soured him on playing here longterm? Honestly, I can't see this being a reality because Vinny seems like a pro, and has said all the right things so far, but one has to wonder if him not getting top time consistently and not playing center has affected his mojo?
- Flyers_V88

Who knows? Even a professional can have regrets.

Flyers announce Steve Mason will start game 4
- Jsaquella

Mason has set back in T-minus 6 hours

Flyers announce Steve Mason will start game 4
- Jsaquella

Thank goodness, glad his first start is at home too. Will be interesting to see how his puck handling skills help the team. Go Flyers!

Hartnell and Raffl have been just fine.
- jmatchett383

Read's been OK too, even though he hasn't scored yet.

Schenn/Simmonds... there are signs of life there at least.

I wonder if he questions his decision to come to Philadelphia now...? Does anyone suspect that maybe his 4th line demotion and constant shuffling in the lineup has maybe soured him on playing here longterm? Honestly, I can't see this being a reality because Vinny seems like a pro, and has said all the right things so far, but one has to wonder if him not getting top time consistently and not playing center has affected his mojo?
- Flyers_V88

We'll find out one way or the other. Before the Injuries this year, he was our leading scorer after 22 games. He'll be better next year if he can get his back fixed up.

Mason has set back in T-minus 6 hours
- Flyersgod

Shut up, you.

Read's been OK too, even though he hasn't scored yet.

Schenn/Simmonds... there are signs of life there at least.
- Tomahawk

Sings of life? We must watch the game through different lenses.

Shut up, you.
- hammarby31

Flyers announce Steve Mason will start game 4
- Jsaquella

We got this now!... if the team in front of him plays better than they did Tuesday.

Who knows? Even a professional can have regrets.
- Jsaquella

His last few years in Tampa weren't exactly rosy either... they tried to trade him a couple of times, knocked him off the top PP, shuffled his linemates around, traded away close buddies, the whole joke that was OK Hockey LLC.... he didn't ask out of that.

We need more than just Vinny to get better. What about B. Schenn? Read? Raffl? Hartnell? Simmonds?

They escape any of this non-sense for a reason that escapes me.
- Flyersgod

until ive been banned or whatever it is, any time i see female doging about read, i will promptly demand his trade of services to the pens. hell, actually just release the guy. i wouldnt want to subject him to the embarrassment.

THIS!! Exactly THIS. That's the key in today's game. Sure, speed and foot-work is clutch, but knowing how to protect the puck, where to work it, where to skate it, and having the ability to read the play out there is massive.
- Flyers_V88

The thing about this stuff is when we go to the extremes.

Do all 29-year-olds show regression? Of course not. But enough do where you can say that is when regression starts.

Along that same track, do all players have to be speed merchants? Of course not. A guy like Jaromir Jagr can, and is, effective.

But there's only one Jaromir Jagr. There might only be one in the history of the sport, who plays the game the way he does with the physical gifts he has.

So when I say, "it's a speed game," I could add, "except for guys like Jaromir Jagr," but that would be pointless, because what makes a guy like Jagr special is that there isn't anyone else like him.

Jagr is often cited as an example that speed isn't absolutely required, but I think we sometimes forget that he is a living NHL legend who, if not for his KHL stint, would probably have finished 2nd all time in NHL points. His "knowing how to protect the puck", "where to work it", "reading the play" are otherworldly and obviously compensates for lack of speed these days.

Normal humans who lack foot speed don't have otherworldly skills to fall back on
- eayost

Damn it! I could've saved myself some time and just quoted this!!!

So when I say, "it's a speed game," I could add, "except for guys like Jaromir Jagr," but that would be pointless, because what makes a guy like Jagr special is that there isn't anyone else like him.
- AllInForFlyers

Think you need at least 2 out of 3 to survive today: skate fast, move the puck fast, think fast.

Being sober helps too.

We'll find out one way or the other. Before the Injuries this year, he was our leading scorer after 22 games. He'll be better next year if he can get his back fixed up.
- Flyersgod

Really? Because if you look at the possession stats for his last season in Tampa Bay, they were trending the same way...Vinny's looking like a mistake.

Not just because of his stats, but he's really not a great fit for the other pieces on the roster. He's had struggles no matter what line mates he's had. He's limited to being a set piece shooter and doesn't feel comfortable playing on the wing. He's had issues keeping up to the speed of play.

It's a shame. I was all for Vinny and loved the signing initially. But he's been a major disappointment to me.

Regress? At 29?
- Flyersgod

Please read

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...t_id=59519&blogger_id=179

His last few years in Tampa weren't exactly rosy either... they tried to trade him a couple of times, knocked him off the top PP, shuffled his linemates around, traded away close buddies, the whole joke that was OK Hockey LLC.... he didn't ask out of that.
- Tomahawk

He was probably content making a poopload of cash and living in a place he and his family felt comfortable.

But reading an individual for preferences is hard. Some guys get demoted and they use it to motivate them. Others kind of sulk. outwardly, he's been a total pro.

Think you need at least 2 out of 3 to survive today: skate fast, move the puck fast, think fast.

Being sober helps too.
- Tomahawk

Ha! Yeah -- but man, if you can't skate fast, you'd better be otherworldly with the other stuff, against certain teams.

Montreal/Tampa was one of the fastest series I've seen in a long time, too -- Thomas Vanek could barely keep up.

why do people think Laughton will play?

Please read

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...t_id=59519&blogger_id=179
- KINGKENZO

Yeah...it's tough, man. The Sharks are just a bad matchup for the Kings in general, but yeah. I don't know what you do with Richards against a team like that...but from how it went down, nothing they were going to try was going to work, regardless.

He was probably content making a poopload of cash and living in a place he and his family felt comfortable.

But reading an individual for preferences is hard. Some guys get demoted and they use it to motivate them. Others kind of sulk. outwardly, he's been a total pro.
- Jsaquella

Yeah, he just seems like a guy who will take it on the chin and still come to work and be a calm, positive influence.

I don't see him ever pulling a MSL, or even quietly asking out.

Ha! Yeah -- but man, if you can't skate fast, you'd better be otherworldly with the other stuff, against certain teams.

Montreal/Tampa was one of the fastest series I've seen in a long time, too -- Thomas Vanek could barely keep up.
- AllInForFlyers

Going back to Richie... he's been to the top of mountain, he's achieved his professional goals, he's got a retirement contract in hand... must be hard to stay motivated, no matter how competitive and in love with the game you are. Being on a team with your best friend and being in a city full of diversions and beautiful people that don't really care about hockey probably doesn't help, either.