Except when they think Voracek should be on the 4th line.
- FlyerFan16

I just want to pretend that never happened.

I love the system Hakstol has implemented, but his lineup decisions have been pretty strange.

Mononoke your whipping boy Manning quietly put up 19:00 mins tonight in one of the Flyers better games of the year , still think he's a good 6/7 fill in regardless of you making him your scapegoat all year, other than a couple of miscues by McDonald thought all the D were solid and then there's Ghost!!!
- Croatian[/img]

First off, dawg, I think you're confusing me with Feanor. I rip Manning no more than anyone else. Endless Manning bashing is Feanor's shtick. I don't dislike him in vacuum for the tweener he is, but I'd rather have Medvedev than Manning every day of the week and twice on Thursday. He is what he is: an AHL tweener. And he had a good game, which certainly negates his season's work. And I've been on record saying I'd rather have Manning than AMac.

Oh and scapegoat? Do you even read my posts? When I'm being serious, I write pretty length nuanced poop, if I say so myself. I don't scapegoat anyone. Try again, buster.

I like what I've seen from Cousins at center. I would rather roll with him at 3C from here on out. Laughton has also looked a lot better since moving to wing. I don't want to see Gagner or Laughton at Center again this season unless it's absolutely necessary.

The 4th line guys have been getting crushed at even strength all year. They aren't even good on the PK. I just don't understand why VDV or White can't sit. They offer the team next to nothing. Sitting Gagner or Cousins instead of White and VDV just makes the team worse.
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't disagree, I just don't think Hak is going to do it. I sit VDV, no doubt.

I just want to pretend that never happened.

I love the system Hakstol has implemented, but his lineup decisions have been pretty strange.
- PhillySportsGuy

If Gagner or Cousins is taken out, I'm going to give Hak some side eye. Because surely this postseason surge isn't due to Gagner with his 5 goals in 8 games. Or Cousins invigorating the third line with smart 2 way play.


It's because of Chris VandeVelde and Ryan White.

I hate to say it, but I agree. Hopefully Cousins can make the decision difficult.
- Lexington Flyer

Yup, keep being gritty, or Jonesy if you like, and chip in a few goals/assists before Jake is ready to rejoin the team. Make the coach really think about who he wants for this playoff push.

I just want to pretend that never happened.

I love the system Hakstol has implemented, but his lineup decisions have been pretty strange.
- PhillySportsGuy

That's how redshirt freshmen learn their place on the team, dontchaknow.

Oh and all this Jake on the right wall versus Ghost. Easy solution. Keep same formation as usual. Just work in more movement with Jake and Ghost so they switch from time to time. That was easy.

I don't disagree, I just don't think Hak is going to do it. I sit VDV, no doubt.
- wolfhounds

I think he might sit a 4th liner. Those guys have been losing minutes and the top 9 has been so good lately. I think White is the odd man out

If Gagner or Cousins is taken out, I'm going to give Hak some side eye. Because surely this postseason surge isn't due to Gagner with his 5 goals in 8 games. Or Cousins invigorating the third line with smart 2 way play.


It's because of Chris VandeVelde and Ryan White.
- Mononoke

I think it'll be White

I think it'll be White
- PhillySportsGuy

So do I. Because he trusts PEB/VDV on the PK's top unit. (And VDV is his booooy)

I thought our 1st period absolute garbage. I don't care about the shots. I don't care about the PP's. I didn't think passes/plays were very sharp. I don't care what Bill Clement says!!

Outstanding second period but I thought our response after Ghost's goal was awful.

I hate that Vandevelde is on my team. He probably could have backhanded the puck into an open net at the end of the second but instead skated his whole body around it and tried to go forehand. I don't get why he's here. I don't think Umberger would have missed that.

All of that aside, that was easily the most hard working 3rd period I've seen all season. That was a thing of beauty.

The road to 30 goals for Simmonds and Schenn contunies. The road to a Calder Trophy continues for Gostisbehere.

Oh and all this Jake on the right wall versus Ghost. Easy solution. Keep same formation as usual. Just work in more movement with Jake and Ghost so they switch from time to time. That was easy.
- Mononoke

You can get away with moving Ghost to Voracek's spot because Streit is a defenseman with a strong point shot in his own right. If something went wrong and Tampa's forwards on the PK tried to force a shorthanded chance, you still have Streit at the top of the umbrella to take care of things defensively and allow Streit to do what comes natural to him. This why it wasn't abad idea to move Ghost on the right side of the PP tonight.

The best example I'll give is Ghost's first OT goal on the PP against Carolina. It was a 4 on 3. More open space. Ghost and Voracek switched sides to open up Ghost's one timer. There is only one forward for the Canes in that situation, so no fear of a possible two on one against us.

Asking Voracek to visually play defense by playing Ghost's natural spot is a waste of Voracek's ability. It also puts us at a disadvantage defensively. Jake along the half wall is very Forsberg like. You need Jake there.

You can get away with moving Ghost to Voracek's spot because Streit is a defenseman with a strong point shot in his own right. If something went wrong and Tampa's forwards on the PK tried to force a shorthanded chance, you still have Streit at the top of the umbrella to take care of things defensively and allow Streit to do what comes natural to him.

The best example I'll give is Ghost's first OT goal on the PP against Carolina. It was a 4 on 3. More open space. Ghost and Voracek switched side to open up Ghost's one timer. There is only one forward for the Canes in that situation, so no fear of a possible two on one against us.

Asking Voracek to visually play defense by playing Ghost's natural spot is a waste of Voracek's ability. It also puts us at a disadvantage defensively. Jake along the half wall is very Forsberg like. You need Jake there.
- SuperSchennBros

I agree with you! My comment was that Ghost and Jake could switch on the fly occasionally to give a different look and set Ghost up for the 1T. Jake would be on the half wall most of the time. It's just to force defenses to adapt and give them a different look. Movement on the PP is crucial, and Ghost would be on the point 90% of the time.

Wayne Simmonds needs 6 goals in 17 games for 30 goals on the season.

Brayden Schenn needs 8 goals in 17 games for 30 goals on the season.

Can this get done?

Hate to make this all about me again, but it's pretty clear that my presence there Saturday lingered within the confines of the arena and had a significant effect on tonight's outcome

I'm so sorry BiggE:

http://money.cnn.com/2016...atured_pool&iid=obnetwork
- funmaster18

No

Dear God, no

Dare I say it. They got a two game win streak with me in the building.

It's Ghost's world and we are all just visitors.

How do you (frank) up a 2 on 0?????? That poop was awful!

Wayne Simmonds needs 6 goals in 17 games for 30 goals on the season.

Brayden Schenn needs 8 goals in 17 games for 30 goals on the season.
- SuperSchennBros

Umberger needs another tony Luke's cheesesteak

Hate to make this all about me again, but it's pretty clear that my presence there Saturday lingered within the confines of the arena and had a significant effect on tonight's outcome
- Crimsoninja

I agree!

Schenn was tremendous tonight, a great two-way game. Gudas has really elevated his game the last two weeks. I respect the Bolts, but outside of Hedman-Stralman they are very vulnerable on the forecheck.
- ravishingone

He certainly has worked himself out of whatever slump he was in

Even though we played great last night, I can't wait for Jake to be back.

He certainly has worked himself out of whatever slump he was in
- YuenglingJagr

That goal saving backcheck is a testament to how far he's come as a player

That goal saving backcheck is a testament to how far he's come as a player
- Just5

When you said that it reminded me of Schenn's backcheck...I almost made a mess when that happened

When you said that it reminded me of Schenn's backcheck...I almost made a mess when that happened
- YuenglingJagr

I'm proud of this group. More consistent efforts with them than I can remember. Maybe since the mid 90's? I'd love to see them get into the playoffs. It'll put our prospects on notice that they are going to have to really earn their way onto a playoff team

Hate to make this all about me again, but it's pretty clear that my presence there Saturday lingered within the confines of the arena and had a significant effect on tonight's outcome
- Crimsoninja

Hey, I was there on Saturday also. I've been to just two games this season. Both times they scored 6 goals.