Red Wings at Rangers

[chuckd3534]

I hoped for the CLEARLY easier road. We are where we are now. So be it. Hopefully we'll be ready and beat the Pens. Looking forward to Wednesday night. This is when the real season starts.

 

[Stepupstepan]

All season long, chuck kept telling us how it is all about the playoffs. Just get in and take it from there. Now he is trying to cut the corners every possible way in the playoffs...funny stuff.

 

[Stepupstepan]

Easier road, chuck? LOL...it is the stanley cup playoffs. Nothing ever easy in the playoffs. Just go out there and get the job done. Who cares who they play.

 

[chuckd3534]

1000000000000% it is all about the playoffs, the regular season didn't mean sh*t for us...just get in.

But AGAIN that doesn't mean I am not smart enough to see the Panthers/Lightning is a MUCH better road than the Pens/Caps. I mean come on now. Unless someone is clueless it is clear which path is easier.

And last I checked why wouldn't you want the easier road. That is not ground breaking thinking...LOL.

Neither is easy...but it is pretty obvious which is the easier (and smarter) road.

 

[chuckd3534]

We did get a little help with Philly beating Pitt, so that means the Isles game tomorrow night means nothing for either team. So if the Isles can find a way to get a point tonight we still have a shot to play the Panthers.

I think the chances are real slim, I actually think the Sabres beat them tonight, but at least if they do find a way tonight they will have a shot to get points tomorrow night in a meaningless game.

 

[Ranger71]

No! Root for the Sabres and (gasp)Flyers witb all your might!

 

[chuckd3534]

I am over it now. The emotion of the moment is gone. It is what it is.

Looking forward to the only season that matters to us starting Wednesday night in Pittsburgh.

I liked how Skjei played as we'll need him for McD the first couple of games at least. Happy that Staal and G will be ready. Happy that Hank gets almost a week off.

Now go play and we'll hope for the best.

 

[chuckd3534]

And for the record...I will be rooting for the Flyers over the Caps...although I think the Caps win that series in 5 or 6 as well.

 

[chuckd3534]

Elliotte Friedman writes that the news he is hearing about E. Staal is "positive" and that he should be good for the playoffs.

 

[Stepupstepan]

The Flyers will give some fits to the Caps. I was kinda hoping they would finish 8th. Thats not an easy series for the Caps.

 

[Stepupstepan]

McI should be in and not Skjei. I think he did not play that great to win a spot over McI. Skjei kinda reminds me of MDZ in his sohomore season.

 

[chuckd3534]

I think it will be Skjei so we stay R L on all pairs.

Skjei/Yandle/Staal on LD. G/Boyle/Klein on RD.

We'll see what AV does, but that's my guess.

And I agree...I wanted the Flyers to finish 8th. I doubt they beat the Caps, but I know they will make it a MUCH tougher series than the Bruins or Wings would have. Those two teams would have gotten rolled easily IMO.

 

[Stepupstepan]

chuck, you may get your wish playing in the atlantic bracket if the fish sticks get two points tomorrow.

 

[chuckd3534]

We'll see. Isles lost but got a point. Very simple now. Isles win in any fashion we play the Panthers. Isles lose in any fashion we play the Pens.

Interesting game tomorrow night. Neither team has a darn thing to play for. I am sure Neuvirth will play goalie for the Flyers. We'll see who plays goalie for the Isles. I am sure a few important Flyers won't even make the trip. I bet the Isles rest Tavares and maybe Okposo.

Flip a coin in that one. Neither team will be anywhere near full strength. With the Flyers just clinching today AND traveling to Brooklyn I would say slight edge Isles, but who knows really. The Isles might not show at all after playing into OT tonight.

There are no easy series or runs in the NHL playoffs...period. But I really do think getting into the Atlantic bracket is the best chance for us to make a long run again. Having to go through the Pens AND Caps just to get back to the ECF would be difficult for any team.

 

[Ranger71]

The fact they will probably be playing with a backup instead of Fleury makes it even more toward Pitt, though the Rangers tend to make those types of people look like Ken Dryden.

 

[chuckd3534]

1. MAF will most likely be ready. If he was a possibility to play today I would bet he's ready for Wednesday.
2. Without knowing for sure he will be out I am not sure how you would prefer Pens/Caps to Panthers/Lightning, but more power to you.


Pens coach Mike Sullivan said that while it's still a possibility Fleury plays against Philadelphia, it's not a probability. "We know Marc's making progress and that's encouraging," Sullivan noted. "We know he's going to be a big part of it (the playoffs)." The Pens coach refused to comment on whether his No. 1 goalie would be ready for the first game of the playoffs, saying Fleury is simply day-to-day.

 

[BigDaddyAl1973]

We tried the long hard road, wanting an easier road is a no brainer..id take the less playoff experienced opponent and a weaker tampa vs grizzy vet pens and a pretty dominate caps bracket any day

 

[chuckd3534]

It is just common sense...I agree Al.

Tonight's game will be the battle of backups all over the ice. Star players will sit (I cannot see Tavares or Giroux playing). Backup goalies with play. I think being at home gives the Isles a little edge because I am sure they will want to give the fans something to watch. The Flyers will leave a couple of players in Philly. Plus they just clinched yesterday, which means today is the first day they can really breath and they might be totally flat.

Flip side the Isles best players didn't sniff the ice in OT, so they might totally go into shutdown mode.

Should be a heck of a game...LOL. I'll be watching rooting for the Isles big time.


Mason carried the Flyers to their playoff berth, starting 17 of the last 18 games, including the last 12.

He figures to finally get a rest Sunday, when the Flyers play the Islanders in Brooklyn. Michal Neuvirth is expected to get the call, and the Flyers will likely use players who have been healthy scratches lately, such as Jordan Weal, R.J. Umberger, Scott Laughton, and Evgeny Medvedev.

 

[BigDaddyAl1973]

Fuck you Buffalo

 

[chuckd3534]

Not sure why it is F you Buffalo...but yeah F you Buffalo...LOL.

Tonight it is F you Philly...and go Isles...for tonight only. Next week I say go Philly against the Caps.

 

[Disturbed]

Let's Go Islanders!!!!

 

[kreidertime]

Philly is locked in vs the Craps which will be a brutal, physical series. I would not play any starters other than 3rd-4th line, 5th-6th defenseman if I was Philly.

 

[BigDaddyAl1973]

Not sure why it is F you Buffalo...but yeah F you Buffalo...LOL.

Tonight it is F you Philly...and go Isles...for tonight only. Next week I say go Philly against the Caps.

Felt like it...but yeah they beat the icelanders when i want them punks to actually finish 3rd and bow out in the furst round like they normally do

 

[chuckd3534]

Agreed, but at least the Isles got a point which makes tonight's game mean something still. Odds of the Isles going to OT and losing again are small. Odds are they will either get 2 or 0. Let's hope it is 2....

 

[Stepupstepan]

Don't you think the Isles always want to stick it to the Rangers and finish ahead of them any time they get a chance?

 

[chuckd3534]

A LOT of scratches by the Isles. Most of their top players. At least Greiss will play for some of the game.

Coach Jack Capuano is sitting John Tavares, Frans Nielsen, Kyle Okposo, Johnny Boychuk and Casey Cizikas.

Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck will play.

Thomas Greiss will start in goal and Christopher Gibson will finish.

 

[chuckd3534]

I think scoring first will be big in this game. I figure with both teams resting their best players, I am assuming Giroux and Simmonds won't play, getting a lead is big.

 

[chuckd3534]

GO ISLES GO!!!

Up 2-0 early. If they score the next goal it may be game over.

 

[Disturbed]

Ugh. 2-2

 

[chuckd3534]

Mother f'ing Isles. I think it is the exact opposite Step. They would love to stick it to the Rangers by losing tonight. They know what we all know...the Atlantic is the place to be.

If you watched that first period the Flyers were the better team. Neither team cares but the Isles care way less. I won't even watch anymore, not worth it. I think it is a done deal.