So close!

Would anybody shed a tear if Matt Cooke's career ended with him being carried off the ice on a stretcher?

Anthony Mantha scores with 52 seconds left in regulation to send Val-d'Or to the Memorial Cup.

He finishes the QMJHL playoffs with 24 goals in 24 games after scoring 57 goals in 57 games during the regular season.

Berube tried Lecavalier on every line, at center and on the wing. Where else was he supposed to try him? Should he have moved Giroux to wing? Put Vinny on defense? Berube juggled lines throughout the playoffs to try and spark the team.

Also, it wasn't just the playoffs, Lecavalier struggled for most of the season. The level of play for his teammates, in terms of possession, were far worse when playing with Lecavalier than without him. It's almost universal.

Toss in that Lecavalier was shielded more than just about anyone in the top 9 forwards, and it's a very troublesome set of data.

If you don't like the fancy stats, Lecavalier looked slow and out of place to the eye. He couldn't keep up to the pace in transition and was really only effective when used as a shooter when the team was cycling in the zone.

Saying he's a Flyer and that you're a Flyers fan is great. But I'm a fan that wants to see the team win, not defend poor play because the guy wears a Flyers jersey. I was very happy when Lecavalier signed here. But it was a really bad fit, and I just don't see it getting better with time.
- Jsaquella

No, Lecavalier might have been tried on every line but he wasn't tried on every line at center. The bottom line is Lecavalier shouldn't have been taken off center at all. Danny Briere played wing at the start of the 2010 playoffs but became a force playing center with the proper line mates. Don't fix what isn't broken.

As far as I'm concerned, we don't even make the playoffs without Vincent Lecavalier a stepping it up.

not just that. the puck support their d get from the forwards is never ending. there's always a second or third player there to fight for pucks in board battles or when they're loose. one little disruption anywhere and the rangers get it back.
- hammarby31

Everybody skates and plays responsible hockey. The puck support is dynamite

Bryz is tap dancing on Sharps skull
- KINGKENZO

Anthony Mantha scores with 52 seconds left in regulation to send Val-d'Or to the Memorial Cup.

He finishes the QMJHL playoffs with 24 goals in 24 games after scoring 57 goals in 57 games during the regular season.
- PhillySportsGuy

Wow, weren't they up 3-0 in that game? Quite the comeback by Baie-Comeau.

The Portland - Edmonton series was pretty epic too. Should be a dandy Mem Cup.

No, Lecavalier might have been tried on every line but he wasn't tried on every line at center. The bottom line is Lecavalier shouldn't have been taken off center at all. Danny Briere played wing at the start of the 2010 playoffs but became a force playing center with the proper line mates. Don't fix what isn't broken.

as far as I'm concerned, we don't even make the playoffs without Vincent Lecavalier a stepping it up.
- SuperSchennBros

So, they should move the MVP candidate, who finished third in the NHL in scoring to the wing to try Vinny there? they should move the 21 year old shut down center to wing and weaken the defensive line to try and get Vinny going?

Sorry, that's not logical. You don't move guys who are going good to try and jump start a guy who was dragging down his line mates, no matter who they were. It wasn't a matter of fixing what isn't broken-Lecavalier, after the first 8-10 games of the season, wasn't getting it done...no matter if he was playing center or not.

Anthony Mantha scores with 52 seconds left in regulation to send Val-d'Or to the Memorial Cup.

He finishes the QMJHL playoffs with 24 goals in 24 games after scoring 57 goals in 57 games during the regular season.
- PhillySportsGuy

meh.

Bryz is tap dancing on Sharps skull
- KINGKENZO

Crawford doing some tapping of his own.

So, they should move the MVP candidate, who finished third in the NHL in scoring to the wing to try Vinny there? they should move the 21 year old shut down center to wing and weaken the defensive line to try and get Vinny going?

Sorry, that's not logical. You don't move guys who are going good to try and jump start a guy who was dragging down his line mates, no matter who they were. It wasn't a matter of fixing what isn't broken-Lecavalier, after the first 8-10 games of the season, wasn't getting it done...no matter if he was playing center or not.
- Jsaquella

I didn't say any of this at all but feel free to allow your mind wonder.

No, Lecavalier might have been tried on every line but he wasn't tried on every line at center. The bottom line is Lecavalier shouldn't have been taken off center at all. Danny Briere played wing at the start of the 2010 playoffs but became a force playing center with the proper line mates. Don't fix what isn't broken.

As far as I'm concerned, we don't even make the playoffs without Vincent Lecavalier a stepping it up.
- SuperSchennBros

G and Couts weren't going to be moved out of Center.

So, they should move the MVP candidate, who finished third in the NHL in scoring to the wing to try Vinny there? they should move the 21 year old shut down center to wing and weaken the defensive line to try and get Vinny going?

Sorry, that's not logical. You don't move guys who are going good to try and jump start a guy who was dragging down his line mates, no matter who they were. It wasn't a matter of fixing what isn't broken-Lecavalier, after the first 8-10 games of the season, wasn't getting it done...no matter if he was playing center or not.
- Jsaquella

Flyers need to part ways with Vinny and Clownie this off season.

Wow, weren't they up 3-0 in that game? Quite the comeback by Baie-Comeau.

The Portland - Edmonton series was pretty epic too. Should be a dandy Mem Cup.
- rockychocbill

Except Portland fell apart in the second period last night

meh.
- hammarby31

Red Wings got a good one. If Datsyuk can hang around for a little while longer, he should have dynamite goal scorer

No, Lecavalier might have been tried on every line but he wasn't tried on every line at center. The bottom line is Lecavalier shouldn't have been taken off center at all. Danny Briere played wing at the start of the 2010 playoffs but became a force playing center with the proper line mates. Don't fix what isn't broken.

As far as I'm concerned, we don't even make the playoffs without Vincent Lecavalier a stepping it up.
- SuperSchennBros

I guess we watched different games

I didn't say any of this at all but feel free to allow your mind wonder.
- SuperSchennBros

So what are you saying? Lecavalier wasn't playing well. the coach tried to move him around the line up to get him going. It didn't work. He played center between Simmonds and Schenn, He played wing with them, He played wing with Giroux, he played wing with Couturier. he played center on the 4th line.

Where else did you want Berube to try him? I have issues with Berube, but he tried like Hell to get Lecavalier going, and it usually failed.

G and Couts weren't going to be moved out of Center.
- wolfhounds

I suppose it sucks hockey only played with two lines.

Crawford doing some tapping of his own.
- rockychocbill

Nah, hes making sure the Wild have egg on their collective face

I suppose it sucks hockey only played with two lines.
- SuperSchennBros

Per your point, those were the two lines Vinny didn't center.

Except Portland fell apart in the second period last night
- PhillySportsGuy

The momentum swings in that series were wild. I saw both teams in Vancouver this season. I thought Portland would take that series. They have like 6 NHL'ers on that team.

Flyers need to part ways with Vinny and Clownie this off season.
- rockychocbill

Agreed. I'd like to see more than just them head out. I'd like to see an emphasis placed on skating and smarts, but I also want to avoid one dimensional guys.

Well, if the Rangers' clutching and grabbing lead to penalties, they likely don't make it through the Flyers. And the Pens are still packing up their lockers, maybe a game or 2 earlier.
- wolfhounds

you never know. i honestly dont think either fan base can accurately predict a series between those two teams.

but even so, as annoying as as it would have been to go down to you guys and endure the bleating of the inbred masses, just from a hockey standpoint it would have been more palatable.

i doubt the flyers wouldve humped and played keepaway for seven games.

I suppose it sucks hockey only played with two lines.
- SuperSchennBros

He played center on the other two lines. He centered Schenn & Simmonds and the 4th line. Both of those lines performed better when he was not on them.

you never know. i honestly dont think either fan base can accurately predict a series between those two teams.

but even so, as annoying as as it would have been to go down to you guys and endure the bleating of the inbred masses, just from a hockey standpoint it would have been more palatable.

i doubt the flyers wouldve humped and played keepaway for seven games.
- stayinthefnnet

Have you ever been to Pittsburgh?