According to some site I read, the Bruins, Aves, Flyers and Caps are the odds on favorite to win the Cup. 99% or better.

According to some site I read, the Bruins, Aves, Flyers and Caps are the odds on favorite to win the Cup. 99% or better.
- SuperSchennBros

MoneyPuck has us winning the Cup

http://moneypuck.com/predictions.htm

MoneyPuck has us winning the Cup

http://moneypuck.com/predictions.htm
- arichardson22

I forgot the blues

Wait, who doesn't take the B's seriously?
- jmatchett383

A one line team with the top dman being 643 years old isn't sustainable to winning in the playoffs imo.

A one line team with the top dman being 643 years old isn't sustainable to winning in the playoffs imo.
- PLindbergh31

It was basically the same team that went to Game 7 of the SCF last year, with guys like DeBrusk and Carlo getting into their primes. I don't want any piece of them in the playoffs.

Edit: McAvoy, by ATOI, is their top defenseman.

It was basically the same team that went to Game 7 of the SCF last year, with guys like DeBrusk and Carlo getting into their primes. I don't want any piece of them in the playoffs.

Edit: McAvoy, by ATOI, is their top defenseman.
- jmatchett383

Not to mention a goalie capable of some Smythe poop

Can't yo-yo the kid. He's either in the lineup every day or with the Phantoms.
- MJL

don't support yoyo him but I don't think it will hurt if he plays most games and sit now and again. Or even better, he plays so well he just plays them all. I prefer Nate sits but I know the Flyers will give him time after trading for him. They should, if the Flyers make the playoffs injuries will happen, they will most likely need everyone at some point.

I'm judging him over his last 3 games. I know he's a veteran, big body, etc. but I don't see much that he brings to the lineup that we couldn't have bu putting Grant at 4C and putting Farabee back in the bottom-6.

Just my limited sample-based observations and opinion.
- jmatchett383

Two things come to mind. I think Grant is better suited for playoff hockey for the 3rd line than Farabee will be. I think they need to focus on what is best for Farabee here and that's letting him play in the AHL and get his offensive mojo back. So if they do need him for the playoffs, he'll be in a better spot. I personally think that criticism of Thompson is being overblown with the exception of taking penalties. He has to clean that up. He certainly hasn't been great but he hasn't been awful. Let's give it some more time.

Two things come to mind. I think Grant is better suited for playoff hockey for the 3rd line than Farabee will be. I think they need to focus on what is best for Farabee here and that's letting him play in the AHL and get his offensive mojo back. So if they do need him for the playoffs, he'll be in a better spot. I personally think that criticism of Thompson is being overblown with the exception of taking penalties. He has to clean that up. He certainly hasn't been great but he hasn't been awful. Let's give it some more time.
- MJL

🎯

I can see Grant being a fan favorite come May....

Team was also rolling with Farabee and Bunnaman before the TDL.
- jmatchett383

Exactly. Hasn’t hurt them. If Nate was more of a detriment than yes. Put Joel right back in. Also Joel doesn’t play center. It’s where the depth was needed more.

Exactly. Hasn’t hurt them. If Nate was more of a detriment than yes. Put Joel right back in. Also Joel doesn’t play center. It’s where the depth was needed more.
- Peter Richards

I'd argue that he has hurt them with his penalties, but he hasn't cost them a game yet. But that's why I said they could move Grant to 4C, as Farabee is not in competition with Thompson.

If they want to get Farabee back up to speed in the AHL and want to get the "grizzled vet" Thompson in some games, fine. I just don't think Thompson should be immune from being scratched simply because the team has been winning if his play merits it.

I'd argue that he has hurt them with his penalties, but he hasn't cost them a game yet. But that's why I said they could move Grant to 4C, as Farabee is not in competition with Thompson.

If they want to get Farabee back up to speed in the AHL and want to get the "grizzled vet" Thompson in some games, fine. I just don't think Thompson should be immune from being scratched simply because the team has been winning if his play merits it.
- jmatchett383

My only question is: when we swap Farabee in for Thompson, does he slot with TK and Hayes? Or do we put him on the 3rd line? I'm assuming Laughton gets the 3C and Grant gets the 4C, but that 2nd line of Laughts-Hayes-TK has been great. We have some good problems.

The last 2 seasons, Washington has won the Metro with 105 and 104 points. This year, Washington is on pace for 108. To beat that (109), the Flyers would need 26 points out of a possible 34, for a points percentage of 77%.

They should be able to beat Buffalo (2x), Detroit, NJ, and Minnesota. If they can win them (10 points), they would need 16 points against:

@ Washington
Carolina
Boston
Tampa Bay
Edmonton
St. Louis
@ Dallas
@ Nashville
NYI
Pittsburgh
Nashville

Assuming 109 is the key number, how optimistic are you?

My only question is: when we swap Farabee in for Thompson, does he slot with TK and Hayes? Or do we put him on the 3rd line? I'm assuming Laughton gets the 3C and Grant gets the 4C, but that 2nd line of Laughts-Hayes-TK has been great. We have some good problems.
- arichardson22

Nice change isn't it??

My only question is: when we swap Farabee in for Thompson, does he slot with TK and Hayes? Or do we put him on the 3rd line? I'm assuming Laughton gets the 3C and Grant gets the 4C, but that 2nd line of Laughts-Hayes-TK has been great. We have some good problems.
- arichardson22

Well that 3C/4C spot is the question. You'd have to move Laughton back to 3C, though I personally feel he's better on the wing. Who was the 3C yesterday?

According to some site I read, the Bruins, Aves, Flyers and Caps are the odds on favorite to win the Cup. 99% or better.
- SuperSchennBros

Im not sure how given their current record and recent play that they couldn't be looked at as a team in that group.

Of course lose 3-4 games in a row and that all changes.

Im not sure how given their current record and recent play that they couldn't be looked at as a team in that group.

Of course lose 3-4 games in a row and that all changes.
- opeth_pa

It's crazy that 3-4 wins in a row likely puts them at the top of the division while 3-4 losses in a row could knock them out of a playoff spot.

Well that 3C/4C spot is the question. You'd have to move Laughton back to 3C, though I personally feel he's better on the wing. Who was the 3C yesterday?
- jmatchett383

I like him on the wing too, he wasn't horrible as the 3C though. I believe Grant was the 3C.

It's crazy that 3-4 wins in a row likely puts them at the top of the division while 3-4 losses in a row could knock them out of a playoff spot.
- jmatchett383

It really is crazy..

I think outside of Boston, St. Louis and Tampa all the other teams are like that.

Either way, I never thought we would be having a discussion near the end of this season about the Flyers battling for first in the division.

Well that 3C/4C spot is the question. You'd have to move Laughton back to 3C, though I personally feel he's better on the wing. Who was the 3C yesterday?
- jmatchett383

Seems like more moving parts and changing of line mates when chemistry is going well. You ask how many games. I say 10 and one should be functioning on all cylinders. Yes. Nate has taken some penalties. Pretty sure Joel has this year as well. I asked about pitlick earlier this year when he was with the team for a month. Bill cautioned then saying he’s on a new team working with a new system. Since dec he has been great. No Nate is not a better player than Joel. But 4 th line center vs a 3 rd line wing.

Three games here and he has two penalties.

Jake's comments about the powerplay setup were gold.

Seems like more moving parts and changing of line mates when chemistry is going well. You ask how many games. I say 10 and one should be functioning on all cylinders. Yes. Nate has taken some penalties. Pretty sure Joel has this year as well. I asked about pitlick earlier this year when he was with the team for a month. Bill cautioned then saying he’s on a new team working with a new system. Since dec he has been great. No Nate is not a better player than Joel. But 4 th line center vs a 3 rd line wing.

Three games here and he has two penalties.
- Peter Richards

You mean like switching out 2 players from the lineup for 2 newly-acquired players in the middle of a 3-game winning streak?

I'm not arguing the moves (much), I'm just saying the logic should go both ways.

Jake's comments about the powerplay setup were gold.
- Feanor

Mid game AV said it was just execution lol

You mean like switching out 2 players from the lineup for 2 newly-acquired players in the middle of a 3-game winning streak?

I'm not arguing the moves (much), I'm just saying the logic should go both ways.
- jmatchett383

When do the newly acquired players get acclimated then. Understand the argument but we traded for more veteran players that can be plugged in while still developing your youth.

Grant took Joel’s position. Nate bunny. While bunny hasn’t been bad I think they view it as Nate is better on face offs and pk ability.

My take on successes is that the Flyers have elevated stick precision and speed.
They tend to win the battles and then they are off to the races. A bit better on the finishes and they just don't lose.

Milbury's disintegration was sweet. Jonesy informing him he knew NOTHING, twice, was mortifying and complete. Thank you, Keith.
His knowledge of the team should have caused Milbutt to pause. Instead he charged ahead with his hubris and charmless expostions. How does he keep his contract?

I've also noticed that Vorachek is not killing plays (as often) with optimistic passes. While he may be an assist dynamo, when I watch him carefully it seems that he needs good fortune too often. A little delay and resighting the players available and the defense alignments would be beneficial. Otherwise retain the puck. He is a maven when it comes to holding onto the rubber.

Last, I do love me some Coots.
He keeps the game honest and parlays that into being a consistent stopper and scorer. Throw in his efficacy on FOs, and how much more can you ask? He both carries a big stick and stirs the pot with it.