Id like a switch myself, feel free to agree or disagree, but it seems Jake and G don't nearly have as much chemistry this season compared to last year. Idk if it's with Hak's new style, but they just don't seem to click like they did so well last year. Thoughts? - arichardson22
Could be a style fit with Jake but not sure. He hasn't seemed right all year
I think they are going to need to find a way to get Laughton back into the lineup. With the upcoming schedule being so condensed, they are going to need some young legs.
Agree. His offensive zone penalty in the first period is him trying to win a puck battle between two avalanche players. Its a penalty you can live with because you know he is just competing at a really high level.
I kind of like G with Schenn right now. Schenn is probably the closest thing the Flyers have to a sniper on the wing right now. Simmonds digs pucks out of the corner, which allows G to be the set-up man.
On the second line, Raffl does the job of Simmonds. Voracek allows the line to get controlled offensive zone entries. Coots makes sounds decisions when to support along the wall or stay third man high to negate potential counter attacks.
Basically, the team's 5 on 5 play is so vastly different then previous years. It is an incredible turnaround and Hakstol deserves a ton of credit. - ravishingone
Yeah, in fact they've been living and dying at 5v5. When the (frank) has that ever happened.
I just like the idea of a switch because I still think Schenn and Coots bring out the best in each other, for whatever reason. I'm not gonna female dog about a Schenn/Coots/Raffl line
Maybe Jake gets going back on line one with G and Simmer. It's important to get him rolling if they want to a) get into the playoffs and b) make any sort of noise
Boston matters to us Only if Detroit overtakes Boston - FlyersFirst
Exactly what I posted last night and guys still not getting it, the way the playoffs are organized you could be ahead of both of those teams and only get the 7th seed!
Exactly what I posted last night and guys still not getting it - Daceroni
I think the point would be that if the Flyers overtake Boston it doesn't matter if the Flyers finish ahead of the Wings. For this reason, it is actually a big deal.
Boston matters to us Only if Detroit overtakes Boston - FlyersFirst
My point was the Flyers don't necessarily have to beat out the Red Wings to make the playoffs. Boston has lost 5 in a row, and the Flyers have 2 games in hand.
My point was the Flyers don't necessarily have to beat out the Red Wings to make the playoffs. Boston has lost 5 in a row, and the Flyers have 2 games in hand. - PLindbergh31
To me the biggest reason for the Flyers recent run of success points back to 1 thing:
the Flyers have stopped takingPENALTIES!
for the majority of the season I called the Flyers addicts.
They were addicted to taking penalties. It was mind numbing the amount of penalties they would take per game.
All of a sudden their penalty count is down and their win percentage is up...
- ggunky
I've noticed that have been very disciplined of late to the extent that they have not retaliated at times when maybe they should which I love. The win is the most important. No selfish penalties because you are frustrated or being goaded in. That's how you play disciplined and get into the dance.
Isles could slip out of the top 8 as well... - wolfhounds
Yep, Pigeons only 3 points ahead as well. They have games against Wings, and Rags this weekend. A couple of losses and catching them wouldn't be impossible. Esp with 2 head to head games.
In the beginning of the season Hak had them doing a hilarious amount of dump ins. The team isn't a dump and chase team. They're hard working, but it takes a certain quickness and toughness in a player and a team as a whole to work the dump and grind game (hello Bruins of a couple years ago).
Jake is at his best with the puck on his stick, driving possession. He's at his best gaining the zone and setting something up, or carrying the puck with lots of speed around the net and sticking his ass out. He's so hard to knock off the puck and we know this. Gaining the blue line and chipping the puck off his stick is NOT what best suits a player of his style.
That gameplan ain't worth a poop. And Hakstol realized that and CHANGED!! YAYYYYYY!!!
So fast forward a while and now we're starting to see more controlled entries, presumably under at least some direction from the coach. Jake woke up a little bit...coincidence?
Then he gets hurt. For what it's worth, I'm not convinced he was 100% at any point this season, and I'm sure he's not 100% now, since coming back from his most recent injury.
Jake's going to be fine in the long run, but I don't think we're going to see even an 85% effective Jake unless he's on that top line with Simmer and G. - Giroux_Is_God
Thanks for actually putting in good thought. And I agree about him not looking right this season in terms of health and at this point of the season, not sure who can honestly say they are 100%. Def have noticed the more controlled entries with him, but I wasn't sure if that was the game plan for his role with his line since he is the most skilled player amongst Cousins and Read by far. Hopefully his efforts will turn in some more goals/assists.
Yep, Pigeons only 3 points ahead as well. They have games against Wings, and Rags this weekend. A couple of losses and catching them wouldn't be impossible. Esp with 2 head to head games. - PLindbergh31
That is what I would like to see for sure. Those 2 games are going to be huge, and what about that make up game with the Isles as well, that could determine everything
That is what I would like to see for sure. Those 2 games are going to be huge, and what about that make up game with the Isles as well, that could determine everything - Daceroni
I just want them to make the playoffs. Doesn't matter to me who they beat out. The good news is with this great run they have been on there are a few teams they can beat out. It's tough when you only have one team in play, because if they team gets hot could be tough to catch them. With the Bruins, Wings, Isles, Pens all in the mix, there is a chance one of them could go in the tank.
I just want them to make the playoffs. Doesn't matter to me who they beat out. The good news is with this great run they have been on there are a few teams they can beat out. It's tough when you only have one team in play, because if they team gets hot could be tough to catch them. With the Bruins, Wings, Isles, Pens all in the mix, there is a chance one of them could go in the tank. - PLindbergh31
Yes for sure, that is why I said those three games are huge for them, they could win all 3 for sure but with the battle for playoffs they could lose all three as well. I see them getting in actually with the way they are playing right now.
I just want them to make the playoffs. Doesn't matter to me who they beat out. The good news is with this great run they have been on there are a few teams they can beat out. It's tough when you only have one team in play, because if they team gets hot could be tough to catch them. With the Bruins, Wings, Isles, Pens all in the mix, there is a chance one of them could go in the tank. - PLindbergh31
Isles losing Halak is a big blow. The good thing about the Flyers schedule is they get to play all of these teams again outside of the Bruins. My biggest concern is the back to back games.
They need to keep up the good team discipline. Staying 5 on 5 allows them to roll 4 lines and keep guys somewhat fresh during this brutal stretch of games.
Yeah, in fact they've been living and dying at 5v5. When the (frank) has that ever happened.
I just like the idea of a switch because I still think Schenn and Coots bring out the best in each other, for whatever reason. I'm not gonna female dog about a Schenn/Coots/Raffl line
Maybe Jake gets going back on line one with G and Simmer. It's important to get him rolling if they want to a) get into the playoffs and b) make any sort of noise - Giroux_Is_God
I would like to see the following lines, I'm not a fan of Gagner, I'd sit him and get laughton back in the lineup. As I posted earlier, I think they are going to need all the young legs they can get with the condensed scheduled that is coming up.
Exactly what I posted last night and guys still not getting it, the way the playoffs are organized you could be ahead of both of those teams and only get the 7th seed! - Daceroni
No doubt, the 7th seed is the best they can likely hope for. I don't see them catching Pitts or NYR.
I would like to see the following lines, I'm not a fan of Gagner, I'd sit him and get laughton back in the lineup. As I posted earlier, I think they are going to need all the young legs they can get with the condensed scheduled that is coming up.
Im not a fan of gagner either, however, hes probably playing better then most of the players on this team except the first line. hes back checking, setting up chances, and scoring. Sorry he stays . Laughton really has been uninspiring of late except for a good game here or there.
I would like to see the following lines, I'm not a fan of Gagner, I'd sit him and get laughton back in the lineup. As I posted earlier, I think they are going to need all the young legs they can get with the condensed scheduled that is coming up.
He's played well but if he is in a bottom 6 role I would rather Laughton in there. Aso gives you another PK person and Laughton was playing well with Cousins and Read.
Also I need to see Read step up a little. Not that he is playing terrible, just need to see more.
