i'm glad they won this game

they usually lose games that should be an automatic win
- 2Real

wait for the devils game

Moose only saw 16 shots tonight, but he made some nice saves. Heavy hit by Hagg made it possible for Raffl to set up Laughton for the 1st goal of the game. I thought this might be a trap game and that Detroit's speed might give the Flyers problems, but that wasn't the case. Flyers have to make hay against the poorer teams in the league. Now they have to beat NJ at home, because it's a rough schedule after that against better teams. Hart has been traveling with the team, so he should be ready soon.

Ghost is supposed to be ready for Thursday's game against NJ. Another site has Hagg sitting out so Ghost can play, but suggests that AV will rotate D-men according to the opponent each night. That means Hagg might play against the bigger/stronger teams and Ghost will play against the smaller/quicker teams. Having 7 healthy D-men is not a bad problem to have.

Tell me again how Kevin Hayes has not been a difference maker this season?


- MarcD

The Flyers are still a playoff bubble team. Same as previous recent seasons.

BeCaUsE hE hAs A bAd CoNtRaCt
- 2Real

Looking at the importance HaZe has on the kill and his defensive abilities, and his production. He is a steal right now. JVR is the big elephant in the room.🐘

The Flyers are still a playoff bubble team. Same as previous recent seasons.
- MJL

They are still a bubble team but if Hayes was not signed and Patrick out, this team would most likely be lower in the standings

The Flyers are still a playoff bubble team. Same as previous recent seasons.
- MJL

Their point production is better than most previous years at this stage of the season. They are a secure PO team in all divisions, just not the hardest the Metro.

They are still a bubble team but if Hayes was not signed and Patrick out, this team would most likely be lower in the standings
- 3flyerkids

Agreed. I guess it depends on what one's definition of a difference maker is. There is no doubt that Hayes has helped improve the team. In my view there are very few players who can actually be difference makers. A difference maker is a player who elevates your team to a top level in the league. The Flyers are in a pack of good teams and in my view are not a legitimate Cup contender at this stage.

Example of a difference maker would be Chris Pronger.

Good lord the wings are a mess. I’ve never seen the flyers get so many wide open looks from the slot, and never seen so many misses. Their parts can’t be that bad what is Blashill still doing there?

Just sucks that Lindblom and Patrick are sitting this season out. They could really use them and Patrick in particular needed this year under this new staff

Did the Flyers play great? No, but against the Wings you don't have to. They got 2 regulation points, what else can you ask for? Elliott recorded a shutout. They did what they were supposed to do.

On to the Devils.

Just sucks that Lindblom and Patrick are sitting this season out. They could really use them and Patrick in particular needed this year under this new staff
- Just5

It sucks. If these guys were healthy and contributing they would be a handful for everyone. Fletcher has to take the approach that neither player is going to play again.

Looking at the importance HaZe has on the kill and his defensive abilities, and his production. He is a steal right now. JVR is the big elephant in the room.🐘
- Landsbergfan

In more ways than one.

Good lord the wings are a mess. I’ve never seen the flyers get so many wide open looks from the slot, and never seen so many misses. Their parts can’t be that bad what is Blashill still doing there?
- Just5

No, their parts are that bad. Their defense is atrocious.

Tell me again how Kevin Hayes has not been a difference maker this season?
- Marc D

Hayes had a bad start, but he's been great from about late November on, and not just on the score sheet. On pace for 25+ goals and 45+ points while being huge on the PK (not just with his scoring)...yeah, he's overpaid but the Flyers would be nowhere without him this year.

Did the Flyers play great? No, but against the Wings you don't have to. They got 2 regulation points, what else can you ask for? Elliott recorded a shutout. They did what they were supposed to do.

On to the Devils.
- PLindbergh31

They won in regulation, no one got hurt. I can't really complain about much about the game.

The Flyers are still a playoff bubble team. Same as previous recent seasons.
- MJL

I would say Panarin is a difference maker and the rangers are outside the race

Draisaitl and McDavid are difference makers and they've only made the playoffs once

I would say Panarin is a difference maker and the rangers are outside the race

Draisaitl and McDavid are difference makers and they've only made the playoffs once
- bulet13

One player (or even two) can only elevate a team so much. McJesus and Draisaitl have made the Oilers go from atrocious cellar dwellar to respectable. Panarin has done similarly for the Rags, he just plays for a team in a much tougher division.

The Flyers have won some
games as a direct result of big plays or a goal scored by Kevin Hayes. When one player gets you a W more then a few times, he is a difference maker for that team. That’s my definition.

He is not an elite talent like McDavid, Crosby, McKinnon, etc. He has won games for them with key plays or a key goal.

I would say Panarin is a difference maker and the rangers are outside the race

Draisaitl and McDavid are difference makers and they've only made the playoffs once
- bulet13

I would hesitate to call Panarin a difference maker. You stated the evidence. It's exactly why I didn't want the Flyers to pursue Panarin in free agency. If you put Wayne Gretzky in his prime on the current Detroit Red Wings team, how much does he elevate the team? Does that team become a playoff team? You still need the pieces around the player to form the base of a good team.

You put Drasaitl or McDavid on the Flyers, they become a contender.

The Flyers have won some
games as a direct result of big plays or a goal scored by Kevin Hayes. When one player gets you a W more then a few times, he is a difference maker for that team. That’s my definition.

He is not an elite talent like McDavid, Crosby, McKinnon, etc. He has won games for them with key plays or a key goal.
- Marc D

He is a fit for the team. He has helped improve the PK and has been good at 5v5. That's what I expected out of him.

I am just enjoying this team right now. They are definitely more mentally and physically tough than recent teams. They have gotten depth scoring and good goaltending. They are a top 10 team in the league right now in terms of points. Let's just enjoy it as a group.

He is a fit for the team. He has helped improve the PK and has been good at 5v5. That's what I expected out of him.
- mickel25

His goal results at 5on5 haven't been good, but hopefully that is an anomaly that will straighten out in a bigger sample size.

So, here's a thought I had while watching the Colorado game.

Sam Morin has been a disappointment, largely through no fault of his own. The guy obviously wants to play, his body just won't let him. He's only played a handful of NHL games and has seriously fallen down he depth chart (although most of the top-end young D have already made the step). He's tried to do everything asked of him, he just can't stay healthy.

Then there's Valeri Nuchushsshchechckin or however you spell his crazy Russian name (fight me). He had a very nice rookie season, dealt with an injury, and bolted to the KHL. He returned went a whole season, 57 games, without a goal. That's really hard to do. Like, REALLY hard. This year, he's been very so-so on a good Colorado team. He's got all of the physical tools to be a star, but his head doesn't seem to be in the right place.

So, the question I ask is: Despite the success of lack thereof, which player would you take right now? The Crazy Russian obviously is healthier and has had more output, but right now, I'd rather have the wild card in Morin despite his health issues.

No contest, I'd take the currently healthy guy over the one who tore the same ACL twice.

His goal results at 5on5 haven't been good, but hopefully that is an anomaly that will straighten out in a bigger sample size.
- Feanor

This isn't directed at you in particular.

I'm tired of all these fake goals that don't count that Hayes has been scoring on the PK and PP. Can't he score some goals that actually count?

No contest, I'd take the currently healthy guy over the one who tore the same ACL twice.
- Feanor

Oh, I know it's crazy blind faith and homerism. The head knows that, but the heart says to stay with the guy who didn't bolt on his former team for 2 years and go a whole season without a goal.