Bill you mentioned Hughes getting man handled....I thought the same for gusev. They had two small finesse players that are adjusting for the first time. Gusev seemed to be looking over his shoulder more for hits than Hughes, imo. Commentators spoke about how the devils were pushed around in game one. Minus their 4th line and one or two defenders they did not seem to take the body well.

Wayne Simmonds looked decent last night. Was in on the forecheck, skated, well, better that he did last year. Looked engaged as well. But man, he's just far removed from the 15/16 version of himself, even with the improvement. But it's definitely a step in the right direction.

but he took two dumb penalties!
- Ftown19125

Reading those comments post game on here I had to log off, that was insane.

but he took two dumb penalties!
- Ftown19125

That better be the last time he takes such a blatant faceoff penalty. The refs will call that every single time.

Bill you mentioned Hughes getting man handled....I thought the same for gusev. They had two small finesse players that are adjusting for the first time. Gusev seemed to be looking over his shoulder more for hits than Hughes, imo. Commentators spoke about how the devils were pushed around in game one. Minus their 4th line and one or two defenders they did not seem to take the body well.
- Peter Richards

They must be regretting letting Gabriel go.

Game two for carsen. He set up jvr and had a descent scoring chance as well getting the puck to the net. Wonder what he and 15 were talking about.

With how he has played i agree, bunnaman will be the first to go down. If Twar keeps it up he will look good on the 4th line.

Get your head right patty

That better be the last time he takes such a blatant faceoff penalty. The refs will call that every single time.
- Feanor

I agree, that was terrible. But to act like he didn't have a good game other than that is ridiculous. It also helps a bit they didn't score on the 5 on 3 that resulted.

That better be the last time he takes such a blatant faceoff penalty. The refs will call that every single time.
- Feanor

the refs are still coming out of preseason. Dumb penalty by hayes yes. I thought they missed one or two tripping penalties. Ghost slash was week. No call on player whipping out konency when coots toe dragged. But it all worked out.

Reading those comments post game on here I had to log off, that was insane.
- ClaudeFather

Yeah I get amazed sometimes that there's always something to complain about.

Hayes looked good, really strong on the puck. He seemed to always be involved. Dare I say great signing?

Braun even seemed to be a nice steady vet presence. Good to see the team get a win and start the season off on the right foot.

What more can be said about Hart, awesome to see him get his first shut out in the home opener. Couldn't have written it better!
- bmoreflyer

Agreed on all points. He seems slower and deliberate when he's got the puck but man can he protect it well using that big frame.

Braun is a good physical presence, and we need that aspect.

the refs are still coming out of preseason. Dumb penalty by hayes yes. I thought they missed one or two tripping penalties. Ghost slash was week. No call on player whipping out konency when coots toe dragged. But it all worked out.
- Peter Richards

I actually liked the Ghost slashed. I would have been pissed if they scored on the PP and cost Hart the shutout, but Wood give him a little extra and I'm glad Ghost gave him a shot back.

And yeah, it was an idiotic penalty by Hayes, but he had a great game overall.

I agree, that was terrible. But to act like he didn't have a good game other than that is ridiculous. It also helps a bit they didn't score on the 5 on 3 that resulted.
- Ftown19125

He did have a good game overall, it was just kind of comical how obvious the penalty was. His hand was the only thing anywhere near the puck.

I actually liked the Ghost slashed. I would have been pissed if they scored on the PP and cost Hart the shutout, but Wood give him a little extra and I'm glad Ghost gave him a shot back.

And yeah, it was an idiotic penalty by Hayes, but he had a great game overall.
- jmatchett383

I only wish Ghost put a bit more force in it. Wood is a punk.

Agreed on all points. He seems slower and deliberate when he's got the puck but man can he protect it well using that big frame.

Braun is a good physical presence, and we need that aspect.
- Hextall271

I will admit at first i wasn't thrilled about Braun, but watching him now after a couple of games I do like what he brings. He seems very steady, descent skates and great stick.

Hagg took the body well last night as well.

Game two for carsen. He set up jvr and had a descent scoring chance as well getting the puck to the net. Wonder what he and 15 were talking about.

With how he has played i agree, bunnaman will be the first to go down. If Twar keeps it up he will look good on the 4th line.

Get your head right patty
- Peter Richards

They are playing well too so far. No need for changes or to rush No Pa.

I agree, that was terrible. But to act like he didn't have a good game other than that is ridiculous. It also helps a bit they didn't score on the 5 on 3 that resulted.
- Ftown19125

subconsciously, he knows Hayes does more to help a team win than Schenn does. It has him a umbotzed and he's acting out. It's a phase, part of the grieving process towards acceptance.....he'll be fine

I actually liked the Ghost slashed. I would have been pissed if they scored on the PP and cost Hart the shutout, but Wood give him a little extra and I'm glad Ghost gave him a shot back.

And yeah, it was an idiotic penalty by Hayes, but he had a great game overall.
- jmatchett383

It wasn't penalty worthy. he just tapped the guy

I actually liked the Ghost slashed. I would have been pissed if they scored on the PP and cost Hart the shutout, but Wood give him a little extra and I'm glad Ghost gave him a shot back.

And yeah, it was an idiotic penalty by Hayes, but he had a great game overall.
- jmatchett383

didn't say he had a bad game, was replying to someone else's post about the penalties

I actually liked the Ghost slashed. I would have been pissed if they scored on the PP and cost Hart the shutout, but Wood give him a little extra and I'm glad Ghost gave him a shot back.

And yeah, it was an idiotic penalty by Hayes, but he had a great game overall.
- jmatchett383

didn't say he had a bad game, was replying to someone else's post about the penalties

didn't say he had a bad game, was replying to someone else's post about the penalties
- Peter Richards

I know. Was just agreeing.

It wasn't penalty worthy. he just tapped the guy
- Peter Richards

In 4-0 game with 4 minutes left the refs won't let a stick swing go, even if it's not that hard.

In 4-0 game with 4 minutes left the refs won't let a stick swing go, even if it's not that hard.
- Feanor

"If we still had Wayne Simmonds on our team, he could have punched him in the face a few times instead of making Ghost retaliate."

Sorry, just way too positive and optimistic for the day after a Flyers' game.

I know. Was just agreeing.
- jmatchett383

right on...did not realize

"If we still had Wayne Simmonds on our team, he could have punched him in the face a few times instead of making Ghost retaliate."

Sorry, just way too positive and optimistic for the day after a Flyers' game.
- jmatchett383

haha...was actually surprised no one did anything when hughes got flipped. I don't think raf meant to trip him, just seems par for the course.

and was hoping twar and was it hayden (15) where going to go when they were yapping. G was giving it to him the too. Hagg was challenged and even told the kid he wouldn;t drop em

Hughes is getting manhandled so far, which does not reflect whatsoever on what he'll eventually become (he's going to be a superstar). Right now, at 170 pounds and lacking experience against NHL caliber structure and checking plus routinely giving away muscle, he's struggling. He'll figure it out. However, it's a good example of why it is smart to pump the brakes on expecting too much right off the bat from teenage players. Even the best ones usually need a bit of time to figure out what will and won't work for them in the NHL. The exceptions like Lindros, Crosby and McDavid come around very rarely. And, again, Hughes is going to be an excellent player. It will just take some time.

Are you saying they may have rushed him... Not that he has anything to gain in the minors, but just on a physical level of bulking up? I believe that he clearly has the talent, but I he looked small out there. He got slammed into the boards (by defenseman - Hagg?) and I wasn't sure if his was getting up.