I have given Martin a lot of rope the last two years, I think he is starting to hang himself with it.
- Gunner Staal

Shero has "endorse one time buy out clause" at the top of his "Items for the Next CBA" list.

I don't think they would do that. How do you politely tell a teammate he sucks?
- dbell646

It's really the job of the coach to sit down and review the tape with the player. "Players" coaches are great until they need to lay down the law. Like I said before, I wish Therrien was coaching this series. I love Bylsma, but I also think there's a place for demanding discipline.

Still, I've been a part of many teams and players that want to win never keep their opinions to themselves.....don't have to be mean about it. Certainly not going to hear it in the media, but somebody in that organization needs to have a discussion. Z too for that matter.....

It's really the job of the coach to sit down and review the tape with the player. "Players" coaches are great until they need to lay down the law. Like I said before, I wish Therrien was coaching this series. I love Bylsma, but I also think there's a place for demanding discipline.

Still, I've been a part of many teams and players that want to win never keep their opinions to themselves.....don't have to be mean about it. Certainly not going to hear it in the media, but somebody in that organization needs to have a discussion. Z too for that matter.....
- madmike71

Maybe Bylsma can get the team fired up for the 1st period and once we get a lead Therrien comes down from the rafters and coaches the next 2 periods. We would be unstoppable.

Shero has "endorse one time buy out clause" at the top of his "Items for the Next CBA" list.
- akane13

Doubt it. It would help other teams more than us IMO. If they were deadest on trading Martin they could find someone like Edmonton to take him on.

lots of goals tonight ... this will be a crazy game.

Pens 7
Flyers 5

I want to see a godamn Geno dance tonight!

lots of goals tonight ... this will be a crazy game.

Pens 7
Flyers 5
- FlyerGuy

I don't know, flyers may win but I don't think they will get to 5.

I don't know, flyers may win but I don't think they will get to 5.
- Gunner Staal

But you have no problem with his prediction of 7 for us?

I don't know, flyers may win but I don't think they will get to 5.
- Gunner Staal

not that hard to believe ... Flyers were 3rd in league in scoring, behind the Pens and B's.

But you have no problem with his prediction of 7 for us?
- canadianpenfan

yeah, 7 is a bit of a reach ... but I was trying to be respectful as a guest.

Doubt it. It would help other teams more than us IMO. If they were deadest on trading Martin they could find someone like Edmonton to take him on.
- Gunner Staal

I was being flippant and agree. Martin was good last year in large part because they had to focus on D-First. That was a style he was accustomed too. Imagine if they played with the same kind of commitment to team D this year as they did last season when everyone was on IR.

They may not admit it, but they were all more cautious last year with everyone out of the line up. They didn't/couldn't play this high tempo style. This team could be deadly if they dialed that back a bit committed to forcing the other team to make mistakes instead of making their own repeatedly.

lots of goals tonight ... this will be a crazy game.

Pens 7
Flyers 5
- FlyerGuy

That's a win. Let's do it. And the shots can be 65-58. 21 fights, but nobody gets hurt. 100 hits each team and 35 goal posts.

not that hard to believe ... Flyers were 3rd in league in scoring, behind the Pens and B's.
- FlyerGuy

I just don't think it will be that kind of game tonight. It will be more like a chess match.

I was being flippant and agree. Martin was good last year in large part because they had to focus on D-First. That was a style he was accustomed too. Imagine if they played with the same kind of commitment to team D this year as they did last season when everyone was on IR.

They may not admit it, but they were all more cautious last year with everyone out of the line up. They didn't/couldn't play this high tempo style. This team could be deadly if they dialed that back a bit committed to forcing the other team to make mistakes instead of making their own repeatedly.
- akane13

Absolute correct. Martin was pretty good last year. Nobody was clamoring for trades. Plus, they relied on forwards that were naturally more focused on team D.

Martin was no where near the defensive disaster with the Devils either. Sadly I think Bylsma gives him the go-ahead to join the play and he's just not capable. Both the risk and rewards are well documented and he needs to focus on making safe, smart decisions.

Rick Tocchet seems to think along the same lines as I do, Sid should be down low on the PP.

I would be happy only being down 1-0 after the 1st period this game

The Flyers have never lost a series in there history when being up 2-0.

Rick Tocchet seems to think along the same lines as I do, Sid should be down low on the PP.
- Gunner Staal

Yeah, I heard that. My only reason I don't want him there is high traffic. He'll certainly take some abuse......like he did scoring the 1st goal in the last game. I'd still rather see him avoiding as much contact as possible. If he's not as effective...so be it.

Lgp Lgp Lgp Lgp Lgp Lgp! 3-1 pens Sid Cooke duper

Yeah, I heard that. My only reason I don't want him there is high traffic. He'll certainly take some abuse......like he did scoring the 1st goal in the last game. I'd still rather see him avoiding as much contact as possible. If he's not as effective...so be it.
- madmike71

But he's been so good at knowing when to dart to the net. It's not like he stands there and gets pounded the whole time.

Rick Tocchet seems to think along the same lines as I do, Sid should be down low on the PP.
- Gunner Staal

Problem I have with Sid down low is it eliminates 1 of 2 things: A) Neal as the trigger B) Kunitz taking a beating in front/screening and having goals disallowed.
Speaking of Tocchet, the Pens could use him on the PP. Guy was a playoff warrior of the highest magnitude. Still love the watching the Stanley Cup tapes of him having his jaw broken and coming back in the game to score a goal. If he was still playing, there would be 2 things Bryz is afraid of.

Problem I have with Sid down low is it eliminates 1 of 2 things: A) Neal as the trigger B) Kunitz taking a beating in front/screening and having goals disallowed.
Speaking of Tocchet, the Pens could use him on the PP. Guy was a playoff warrior of the highest magnitude. Still love the watching the Stanley Cup tapes of him having his jaw broken and coming back in the game to score a goal. If he was still playing, there would be 2 things Bryz is afraid of.
- Rawdog9755

I guess I say oh well to Kunitz. Crosby is the best in the game, put him down low and utilize his multitude of assets that he has to offer while keeping Geno in a dangerous spot on the half wall. I feel very strongly about Sid playing down low by the goal line. To borrow something I heard from Madden today (yeah yeah I know), you have to make it work with 87 and 71 on the same PP. The unit that starts the PP is never going to get off in time to let the second unit get ample time, it just doesn't happen often at any level unless you get a whistle. After a while either 87 or 71 is going to get frustrated by not being out there, and rightly so.

The way to make it work is have 87 down low, its the only place where him and Geno won't be running into eachother all the time.

Absolute correct. Martin was pretty good last year. Nobody was clamoring for trades. Plus, they relied on forwards that were naturally more focused on team D.

Martin was no where near the defensive disaster with the Devils either. Sadly I think Bylsma gives him the go-ahead to join the play and he's just not capable. Both the risk and rewards are well documented and he needs to focus on making safe, smart decisions.
- madmike71

Absolutely agree. When he and Z were tethered to the blue line last year, they were better. They are both stay at home guys. If they get to the tops of the circle they have gone too far.

hell of a long day. hopefully the boys help turn it around. play with some discipline guys

I guess I say oh well to Kunitz. Crosby is the best in the game, put him down low and utilize his multitude of assets that he has to offer while keeping Geno in a dangerous spot on the half wall. I feel very strongly about Sid playing down low by the goal line. To borrow something I heard from Madden today (yeah yeah I know), you have to make it work with 87 and 71 on the same PP. The unit that starts the PP is never going to get off in time to let the second unit get ample time, it just doesn't happen often at any level unless you get a whistle. After a while either 87 or 71 is going to get frustrated by not being out there, and rightly so.

The way to make it work is have 87 down low, its the only place where him and Geno won't be running into eachother all the time.
- Gunner Staal

I like Madden and agree with him on the 2nd PP getting no time, but that still doesnt mean Id put Sid on the #1 unit. Kunitz was in front of the net for a lot of Neal's league leading PP goals, and potted a few himself.
I guess it comes down to what will put the puck in the net now? Personally Id have more confidence in going with what we know works and that is Sullivan, Letang, Malkin ,Neal, Kunitz. Its as close to a sure bet as we have, and then throw Sid out as the first line after the PP. Make it work with Sid next year.

I just don't think it will be that kind of game tonight. It will be more like a chess match.
- Gunner Staal

you may be right ... I just get the feeling that one of the games in this series will be a high scoring, penalty filled affair ... and tonight could be it.

if not tonight then definitely game 3 in Philly.