Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Winning Process, Sunday Quick Hits

Great game yesterday. Mason is playing well. Ilike our chances of getting in regardless of schedule. The only team I would fear in first round is the Bruins.

Great game yesterday. Mason is playing well. Ilike our chances of getting in regardless of schedule. The only team I would fear in first round is the Bruins.
- Daceroni

They have little to no chance of playing Boston in the 1st round. Most likely it will either be the Rangers, CBJ or the Caps

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Winning Process, Sunday Quick Hits
- bmeltzer

Mason's ability to play the puck was huge yesterday. Adding that "3rd defenseman" against a strong forechecking team is huge.

Bill, if Downie is out long-term, who do you think they call up? It would be tough to move up Raffl because the 4th line is so lost without him. I was thinking They could call up McGinn to play with Couts and Read. Then, in close games down the stretch, they can roll 3 lines more often with Raffl being the LW on the 3rd line.

Mason's ability to play the puck was huge yesterday. Adding that "3rd defenseman" against a strong forechecking team is huge.

Bill, if Downie is out long-term, who do you think they call up? It would be tough to move up Raffl because the 4th line is so lost without him. I was thinking They could call up McGinn to play with Couts and Read. Then, in close games down the stretch, they can roll 3 lines more often with Raffl being the LW on the 3rd line.
- PhillySportsGuy

I would be surprised if they bring up McGinn to play on the third line. He is a -20 in 54 games with the Phantoms. I think they want more of a defensive presence to replace Downie on that line. Raffl of course makes the most sense. I believe they would look to VandeVelde on the 4th line because he is more defensively responsible then letting Rosehill play every night.

Mason's ability to play the puck was huge yesterday. Adding that "3rd defenseman" against a strong forechecking team is huge.

Bill, if Downie is out long-term, who do you think they call up? It would be tough to move up Raffl because the 4th line is so lost without him. I was thinking They could call up McGinn to play with Couts and Read. Then, in close games down the stretch, they can roll 3 lines more often with Raffl being the LW on the 3rd line.
- PhillySportsGuy

Thats probably the best option. They could use Laughton after his season ends, but if they play him for more than 9 total games (reg season & Playoff) they burn off a year of his ELC and I really would hate to do that.

I really can't think of any better options that don't leave the 4th line badly weakened. I would not want to go into a key game or a playoff game with VDV, Rosehill or Newbury skating on the 4th line. The only other option would be to dress 7 D and use Gus some with Grossmann and spot Streit on the 4th line, but I really don't like that much either.

Hell of a game...quite the impressive run the Flyers are on. They are showing, when they are confident, when they keep working and working, they can hang with any team in the league. It's a pleasure to watch, and things are clicking at exactly the right time.

A few less penalties would be nice...

I posted this yesterday during the game, but it might have gotten lost in the mix for most...

Raffl is going to be at Carls' Cards in Havertown next Saturday, the 29th...

http://www.carlscards.com/events-and-signings.php

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Winning Process, Sunday Quick Hits
- bmeltzer

The one call on Giroux that I really did not like was the hooking call made at the expiration of the second period. This was just normal jostling on a faceoff. There was no scoring chance involved, and time was about to expire on the clock -- the arm went up with less than a second remaining in the period. That's a call that just should not be made; and I'd say the same if it were called on an opposing team.

that one was awful

it also seemed like coburn got the gate later simply because he complained to the ref about that weak call on giroux



on another note i assume the haters are thrilled, looks like downie is done like dinner

It's been fun the last bunch of games. Flyers playing up to their potential.

Thats probably the best option. They could use Laughton after his season ends, but if they play him for more than 9 total games (reg season & Playoff) they burn off a year of his ELC and I really would hate to do that.

I really can't think of any better options that don't leave the 4th line badly weakened. I would not want to go into a key game or a playoff game with VDV, Rosehill or Newbury skating on the 4th line. The only other option would be to dress 7 D and use Gus some with Grossmann and spot Streit on the 4th line, but I really don't like that much either.
- BiggE

Laughton won't be finishing his season for a while. Oshawa is good and the playoffs just started. I just wish they had better options for the 4th line. If they take Raffl off of it, it's a bad line again.

I posted this yesterday during the game, but it might have gotten lost in the mix for most...

Raffl is going to be at Carls' Cards in Havertown next Saturday, the 29th...

http://www.carlscards.com/events-and-signings.php
- wolfhounds

part of his new contract?

Thats probably the best option. They could use Laughton after his season ends, but if they play him for more than 9 total games (reg season & Playoff) they burn off a year of his ELC and I really would hate to do that.

I really can't think of any better options that don't leave the 4th line badly weakened. I would not want to go into a key game or a playoff game with VDV, Rosehill or Newbury skating on the 4th line. The only other option would be to dress 7 D and use Gus some with Grossmann and spot Streit on the 4th line, but I really don't like that much either.
- BiggE

streit might like it, that guy was sure interested in jumping up on the play yesterday

Laughton won't be finishing his season for a while. Oshawa is good and the playoffs just started. I just wish they had better options for the 4th line. If they take Raffl off of it, it's a bad line again.
- PhillySportsGuy

i wish wellwood hadn't passed away

i wish wellwood hadn't passed away
- -davies-

Did gagne kill him in a bizarre murder suicide?

Laughton won't be finishing his season for a while. Oshawa is good and the playoffs just started. I just wish they had better options for the 4th line. If they take Raffl off of it, it's a bad line again.
- PhillySportsGuy

Game 2 is tonight.

Did gagne kill him in a bizarre murder suicide?
- twotoekenn

If season ended today...

Boston vs Det
Pitts vs Tor

TB vs Mon
Phi vs NYR

I hate the idea of playing the rangers but whatever.

On the Voracek goal, it looked like Hartnell was trying to pass directly to Jake, but it was tipped over to Giroux. Not sure how that play would have ended up if Miller had the time to position himself for Jake's shot if the pass came directly from Hartnell.

It certainly was a good showing by the Flyers. I'm really liking most everything about their game right now.

part of his new contract?
- -davies-

Nope, unrelated.

that one was awful

it also seemed like coburn got the gate later simply because he complained to the ref about that weak call on giroux



on another note i assume the haters are thrilled, looks like downie is done like dinner
- -davies-

Good example of an "over-officiated" game yesterday.

I really like this winning thing.

Nope, unrelated.
- wolfhounds

i was joking

i was joking
- -davies-

Too dry. For these parts, at least.