Connaughton was the key. Glad CF figured that out. Nice win. Hatkinson.
-Mickel25

You can tell Connaughton has experience playing with Yandle, during the 2nd period you can see him anticipating Yandle turning the puck over and already getting back into position to cover for it.

Connauton is growing on me. Nothing against Seeler but that pairing didn’t work. Lots of good takeaways from that game. To be fair, it was a big win you would expect against a struggling team, but Flyers delivered.

Sorry to see Frost exit, but I did really like the Lindblom-G-Atkinson combo. Yeo putting G and Brown at center has been very effective.

Can’t afford to get excited. Need more wins. On to Montreal.
- NC Flyers Fan

I like Connauton too, another waiver pickup that seems to be better than some regulars on the team!

Just to give a dose of reality, even if the Flyers win against Montreal and Ottawa which they should and push this winning streak to 5 games, they still will not catch Columbus, even if Columbus looses all their games this week. And Columbus is in 5th place, outside of the playoffs. That is how deep the Flyers dug themselves in. The good news is if, and that is a big IF, Ellis, Bee and Allison join the lineup soon, say January the Flyers should be a better team that has adjusted to the new coach, and maybe they play better and fight with Pittsburgh for the 4th spot in the division and that final wildcard. But is this what we really want? Do we want these Flyers to show just enough continuity and fight to convince management that all this team needs is more tweaks? I am still rooting for this team to fail badly this year so a more significant reset is done. I still feel right now its time to rebuild!

Quite remarkable the drop off the habs are having after just being in the cup final. I’d imagine they’re going to set some type of record for the discrepancy. They’re on track for 41 pts!
- Just5

Jeff Gorton is a very smart exec, there is no place to go but up in Montreal so its a great situation for him.

3 of the next 4 and we can get a little excited but not now, 2 teams they should beat and 1 Hart beat

Yandle is still soft as melted butter but playing a little better

Risto, love him or not, he brings it every shift
- wcorvette

Whether people like it or not, Risto is the best defenseman on this team right now.

was weird for frost, but glad hes not injured again i guess.

Can't wait to read all the cam and risto hate today.

who was saying cam wasn't quick?
- Peter Richards

We’d be so much better off with Jake and ghost haha. Does that work?

Jake doesn’t do pk and all said I really like cams overall game. Risto had a solid game imo overall and I agree with Bill that overall he’s been fine. When the d is properly slotted if Ellis ever gets back then he’ll probably play even better. Look for the full outbreak in the team after this one. Soon the phantoms will be up and games cancelled. Hope frosty makes it through ok.

was weird for frost, but glad hes not injured again i guess.

Can't wait to read all the cam and risto hate today.

who was saying cam wasn't quick?
- Peter Richards

We’d be so much better off with Jake and ghost haha. Does that work?

Jake doesn’t do pk and all said I really like cams overall game. Risto had a solid game imo overall and I agree with Bill that overall he’s been fine. When the d is properly slotted if Ellis ever gets back then he’ll probably play even better. Look for the full outbreak in the team after this one. Soon the phantoms will be up and games cancelled. Hope frosty makes it through ok.

Jeff Gorton is a very smart exec, there is no place to go but up in Montreal so its a great situation for him.
- jd250

.. but he doesn’t speak any French. That’s not good in Montreal.

Last years run to the final was smoke and Mirrors . That division was pathetic and the leafs had an epic choke to allow the habs to get through. I made a bet with some habs fans I know that they wouldn’t make the playoffs at all this year back to the old alignment. They laughed.

I thought you get the test results in 30 minutes. Shouldnt he known before the game starts?

If they keep this up I might be able to convince myself to watch a game again.

If we just had a top pair guy to play with Provy the top 4 D would be pretty darn good

I like Connauton too, another waiver pickup that seems to be better than some regulars on the team!

Just to give a dose of reality, even if the Flyers win against Montreal and Ottawa which they should and push this winning streak to 5 games, they still will not catch Columbus, even if Columbus looses all their games this week. And Columbus is in 5th place, outside of the playoffs. That is how deep the Flyers dug themselves in. The good news is if, and that is a big IF, Ellis, Bee and Allison join the lineup soon, say January the Flyers should be a better team that has adjusted to the new coach, and maybe they play better and fight with Pittsburgh for the 4th spot in the division and that final wildcard. But is this what we really want? Do we want these Flyers to show just enough continuity and fight to convince management that all this team needs is more tweaks? I am still rooting for this team to fail badly this year so a more significant reset is done. I still feel right now its time to rebuild!
- jd250

It would be a retool at most. I would much rather win and retool than lose and retool. If, and it is an if, they can make a playoff run that’s what I would choose. Need them to get hot but they have a lot going for them if they get guys healthy.

.. but he doesn’t speak any French. That’s not good in Montreal.

Last years run to the final was smoke and Mirrors . That division was pathetic and the leafs had an epic choke to allow the habs to get through. I made a bet with some habs fans I know that they wouldn’t make the playoffs at all this year back to the old alignment. They laughed.
- Hextall271

They lost Price, Weber, Danault, and Kotkiniemi.... 4 HUGE pieces to that team. Any team that loses 4 major pieces will tank.

They lost Price, Weber, Danault, and Kotkiniemi.... 4 HUGE pieces to that team. Any team that loses 4 major pieces will tank.
- Letterkenney

Add in a guy like Suzuki underwhelming and you have got trouble

They lost Price, Weber, Danault, and Kotkiniemi.... 4 HUGE pieces to that team. Any team that loses 4 major pieces will tank.
- Letterkenney

Losing Weber is huge. Flyers still have not replaced Pronger. That void in the lineup and is almost impossible to fill.

Ruh roh........is the bloom coming off the Voracek rose in Columbus? They coughed up a 3 goal lead last night in Vancouver and I noticed that Jakey had only 13 minutes of ice time(their top forwards had 19 minutes of ice time). He had no hits of course and was a -1 while he was on the ice, but we can't live without him according to some on here.

Losing Weber is huge. Flyers still have not replaced Pronger. That void in the lineup is almost impossible to fill.
- Joe Nardone

They lost Price, Weber, Danault, and Kotkiniemi.... 4 HUGE pieces to that team. Any team that loses 4 major pieces will tank.
- Letterkenney

I personally felt that before losing Price and KK that they wouldn't make it. Danault was very underrated IMO, and also, they didn't exactly light up their sad div last year and only started to perform come playoffs. Not many teams go to the final and fire their GM early the next year.

We’d be so much better off with Jake and ghost haha. Does that work?

Jake doesn’t do pk and all said I really like cams overall game. Risto had a solid game imo overall and I agree with Bill that overall he’s been fine. When the d is properly slotted if Ellis ever gets back then he’ll probably play even better. Look for the full outbreak in the team after this one. Soon the phantoms will be up and games cancelled. Hope frosty makes it through ok.
- Hextall271

Frost will be fine I'm sure, unfortunately it looks like a lot of teams are going through Covid right now, tis the season after all. I agree with Bmelzter also, once Ellis comes back and IF he can stay in the lineup, everyone else gets slotted in the right spot, and Risto as your 2nd pairing RHS D is perfect. Its when Risto is playing a top pairing role he gets into trouble because as he states it, he can sometimes get too excited out there.

Ruh roh........is the bloom coming off the Voracek rose in Columbus? They coughed up a 3 goal lead last night in Vancouver and I noticed that Jakey had only 13 minutes of ice time. He had no hits of course and was a -1 while he was on the ice, but we can't live without him according to some on here.
- Phillywhiteout

Although we haven't been great this year, I still have zero issue with the Jake for Cam trade and I like Jake. It was time for him to move on.

Ruh roh........is the bloom coming off the Voracek rose in Columbus? They coughed up a 3 goal lead last night in Vancouver and I noticed that Jakey had only 13 minutes of ice time(their top forwards had 19 minutes of ice time). He had no hits of course and was a -1 while he was on the ice, but we can't live without him according to some on here.
- Phillywhiteout

His transition game is impeccable! Can’t stand all the ghost and Jake nonsense. As much as we do miss a guy that can carry the puck up the ice, especially when we had some injuries, we have been waiting how long for a shoot first player?

Frost will be fine I'm sure, unfortunately it looks like a lot of teams are going through Covid right now, tis the season after all. I agree with Bmelzter also, once Ellis comes back and IF he can stay in the lineup, everyone else gets slotted in the right spot, and Risto as your 2nd pairing RHS D is perfect. Its when Risto is playing a top pairing role he gets into trouble because as he states it, he can sometimes get too excited out there.
- jd250

Yes, I have no problem with him, but his reputation is that he gets out of position sometimes while trying for the big hit. It happened last night on a particular play where he laid a guy out pretty good in the neutral zone, but then was totally our of position. Luckily Couts was there to back him up although Couts ended up taking a tripping penalty on the play.

I personally felt that before losing Price and KK that they wouldn't make it. Danault was very underrated IMO, and also, they didn't exactly light up their sad div last year and only started to perform come playoffs. Not many teams go to the final and fire their GM early the next year.
- Hextall271

Everyone in hockey had them labeled as a one hit wonder, there struggles should come as a surprise to no one.

Frost will be fine I'm sure, unfortunately it looks like a lot of teams are going through Covid right now, tis the season after all. I agree with Bmelzter also, once Ellis comes back and IF he can stay in the lineup, everyone else gets slotted in the right spot, and Risto as your 2nd pairing RHS D is perfect. Its when Risto is playing a top pairing role he gets into trouble because as he states it, he can sometimes get too excited out there.
- jd250

It's asking a lot, but I'd really like to see us healthy for maybe 20 games to allow a proper evaluation. Changes need to be made still, but maybe not a ship everyone out the door 5 year rebuild. I'm glad they've won a few in a row as I am just not the type to hope they lose.

Further, want to see how a tank for high picks might end up working? Oilers have 2 generational talents. Haven't been able to do jack since 06 and just lost sixth in a row.

Yes, I have no problem with him, but his reputation is that he gets out of position sometimes while trying for the big hit. It happened last night on a particular play where he laid a guy out pretty good in the neutral zone, but then was totally our of position. Luckily Couts was there to back him up although Couts ended up taking a tripping penalty on the play.
- Phillywhiteout

Yes, that is a good example. I guess if your line mates know you are going to make those types of plays and can compensate it can work, similar to what I said with Connaughton planning to cover for Yandle's frequent turnovers.

It's asking a lot, but I'd really like to see us healthy for maybe 20 games to allow a proper evaluation. Changes need to be made still, but maybe not a ship everyone out the door 5 year rebuild. I'm glad they've won a few in a row as I am just not the type to hope they lose.

Further, want to see how a tank for high picks might end up working? Oilers have 2 generational talents. Just lost sixth in a row.
- Hextall271

The issue is there is no one to replace Giroux. I just don’t see what they have currently as working in a long term success. He was a beast last night. Even with his strong play this year they are once again at best a bubble team.

It's asking a lot, but I'd really like to see us healthy for maybe 20 games to allow a proper evaluation. Changes need to be made still, but maybe not a ship everyone out the door 5 year rebuild. I'm glad they've won a few in a row as I am just not the type to hope they lose.

Further, want to see how a tank for high picks might end up working? Oilers have 2 generational talents. Haven't been able to do jack since 06 and just lost sixth in a row.
- Hextall271

Yes I understand that the Oilers have two great players but don't win, but is that because of the two generational players or an incompetent ownership and management? You are trying to tell me someone competent couldn't come in there and build a team around McDavid and Draisaitl just like in Tampa they built a team around Hedman and Stamkos? Na, I think the Oiler's situation is more about management than the two stars.