Not the most sound defensive line... I think the 47-24-17 line might be option 2 checking line to match up against the Crosby line... 27-14-36 to play against Malkin. You know Staal will be matched to Giroux line... and that leaves 10-48-93 against their 4th line... or alternate with 47-24-17 with the Crosby line...

I actually don't mind how our team matches up line by line. Sure they have Malkin, Crosby, Staal, and Neal to worry about, but I think match-up wise, our lines are more balanced.... As long as we can keep those 4 to 1 goal a game, then we win this series in 5. But I'm going to say win in 7.
- RooNosHockey

The Flyers aren't going to consistently get the matchups they want in Pittsburgh.

In previous games, Lava has really tried to put Talbot-Coots-Rinaldo(Voracek) with Grossmann/Coburn against Malkin and the defense pairing of Kimmo/Carle against Crosby. Playing in Pittsburgh, he didn't mind having the G line stay against Staal.
- ravishingone

I just dont want to focus all our best defenders against the Malkin line. That is exaclty what BILEsma wants. I would rather have the Coots line focus on Malkin and put Carle-Kimo with them.. then have Grossmann and Coburn focus on keeping Crosby quite, then the rest of his line will go quiet as well, and you can rotate any forward lines.

I like Bourdon over Lilja. He brings more IMO. His shot is really starting to look good.

Carle-Kubina
Timonen-Bourdon.... I just like Timonen better on the left...
Grossmann-Coburn
- RooNosHockey

I'd personally rather have the experienced veteran in Lilja in the lineup instead of Bourdon. And no way would I play Bourdon with Timonen. That would be a huge mistake in my opinion.

The Flyers aren't going to consistently get the matchups they want in Pittsburgh.
- MJL

Your right, so why even try... What's the point of this?

I don't know why so many people are taking the Sharks over the Blues. Niemi is a sieve.
- canadianpenfan

True, but I think the Sharks will like being the underdogs this post season. I think they will play a bit looser (in a good way). Of course Halak or Elliott could stand on their heads too.

If the NHL ever institutes SO's to settle playoff games, I'm done with the sport.

Jonesy & Morganti can go pound sand.
- Flyskippy

I don't mind the shootout in the regular season, but never ever in the playoffs.

There has been talk of changing the playoff OT for a few years now, mostly because the media doesn't like having to work late when the marathon games occur.

I'd personally rather have the experienced veteran in Lilja in the lineup instead of Bourdon. And no way would I play Bourdon with Timonen. That would be a huge mistake in my opinion.
- MJL

+1

MAB is a good kid, but during this time of year, he plays 9 minutes at most.

You missed one.

On purpose?
- canadianpenfan

yup, that was intentional.

I just dont want to focus all our best defenders against the Malkin line. That is exaclty what BILEsma wants. I would rather have the Coots line focus on Malkin and put Carle-Kimo with them.. then have Grossmann and Coburn focus on keeping Crosby quite, then the rest of his line will go quiet as well, and you can rotate any forward lines.
- RooNosHockey

I understand what you are saying, I just believe he likes the size of Coburn-Grossmann paired against Malkin.

True, but I think the Sharks will like being the underdogs this post season. I think they will play a bit looser (in a good way). Of course Halak or Elliott could stand on their heads too.
- rockychocbill

You may be right. I just feel like the Blues are solid all the way through. They are my pick to go to the finals, but I won't be surprised if they hit a bump in the road (Canucks ) because of their youth.

I'd personally rather have the experienced veteran in Lilja in the lineup instead of Bourdon. And no way would I play Bourdon with Timonen. That would be a huge mistake in my opinion.
- MJL

MAB will be a decent player but now is not the time to play him if Lilja is fine. He should be in the lineup if an injury were to happen.

The Coots line against the Malkin line is the only match up i've noticed the Flyers try and get regularly and I would say it has worked very well to this point.
- canadianpenfan

This was probably answered when Talbot was signed, but why didn't the Pens make more of a push to resign him? The contract length is a little questionable, but I don't believe the cap hit is too bad. Did they think he was physically done? He certainly has been everything the Flyers could have hoped for on the ice.

I don't mind the shootout in the regular season, but never ever in the playoffs.

There has been talk of changing the playoff OT for a few years now, mostly because the media doesn't like having to work late when the marathon games occur.
- Ben37

Maybe the print and iNet media don't but the TV execs love it because they get to run more ads. I can foresee a time when they decide to go with two full 20 min. OT sessions and then a SO though.

gotta' say something seems fishy with the lindros WC avatar dated to october. unless your current avatar shows up in archived blogs. hmmmm....
- hammarby31

The current active avatar is the one that appears everywhere.

Maybe the print and iNet media don't but the TV execs love it because they get to run more ads. I can foresee a time when they decide to go with two full 20 min. OT sessions and then a SO though.
- rockychocbill

This would be awful. I would rather they do 20 5-on-5, 20 minute 4-on-4, then 3-on-3 until someone scores... If they change it at all... I rather it stays the same...

This was probably answered when Talbot was signed, but why didn't the Pens make more of a push to resign him? The contract length is a little questionable, but I don't believe the cap hit is too bad. Did they think he was physically done? He certainly has been everything the Flyers could have hoped for on the ice.
- ravishingone

Because nobody thought he could be a 20 goal scorer and the price was a little high for what they thought they would get.

In retrospect I would think if Shero knew he would have paid him. Always liked Talbot.

I'd personally rather have the experienced veteran in Lilja in the lineup instead of Bourdon. And no way would I play Bourdon with Timonen. That would be a huge mistake in my opinion.
- MJL

Lilja has been great over the past while here. I made some statements earlier in the year, but I have been eating some crow for a while now.

I don't mind the shootout in the regular season, but never ever in the playoffs.

There has been talk of changing the playoff OT for a few years now, mostly because the media doesn't like having to work late when the marathon games occur.
- Ben37

Interferes with the drinking.

This would be awful. ...
- RooNosHockey

This would be awful. I would rather they do 20 5-on-5, 20 minute 4-on-4, then 3-on-3 until someone scores... If they change it at all... I rather it stays the same...
- RooNosHockey

I'd rather it stay the same too. Just saying...........

Interferes with the drinking.
- bodiva88

This Wednesday at 7pm I have my first of 3 (maybe 4) "pre-cana" meetings. All are on Wednesdays.

Maybe the print and iNet media don't but the TV execs love it because they get to run more ads. I can foresee a time when they decide to go with two full 20 min. OT sessions and then a SO though.
- rockychocbill

Actually, TV ad time isn't sold for the OTs. So there is less advertising revenue than there would be for something else NBC would have in that time slot.

The idea of them ending in SOs makes me nauseated.

Lilja has been great over the past while here. I made some statements earlier in the year, but I have been eating some crow for a while now.
- jak521

Does it taste like chicken?

Because nobody thought he could be a 20 goal scorer and the price was a little high for what they thought they would get.

In retrospect I would think if Shero knew he would have paid him. Always liked Talbot.
- canadianpenfan

Certainly he has exceeded expectations offensively this year, but he sure defines the "glue guy" type player. I'm sure he was as good a locker room guy for the Pens as he has been for the Flyers.

This would be awful. I would rather they do 20 5-on-5, 20 minute 4-on-4, then 3-on-3 until someone scores... If they change it at all... I rather it stays the same...
- RooNosHockey

Real hockey lovers would rather keep it the way it is. It's people who love new gimmicks that want to change it. Which they complain about when their team loses in the format they requested.