Neal hasn't scored, but he's been punishing guys on the forecheck. People aren't mentioning it b/c that line hasn't created a whole lot of pressure with the matchup Laviolette has on them.
I'll say this. Our vet role players have to outplay Philly's rookies in our end. Commitment to team D in our end.
This team has to accept we can't outscore them in a run and gun game. Sooner they accept that, the better.
im usually not the one to be sooooooo optimistic but i truly believe we can win both games in philly to tie it up. it wont be easy but i think we have a good chance at it.
paul martin on the other hand, i dont think he has a chance of making the mens C league at my local rink.
im usually not the one to be sooooooo optimistic but i truly believe we can win both games in philly to tie it up. it wont be easy but i think we have a good chance at it.
paul martin on the other hand, i dont think he has a chance of making the mens C league at my local rink.
I'm dumbfounded by Martin. I thought he and Michalek last year were stellar. We played awesome defense the entire year, just had no scoring.
This team is blowing the prime years of their stars. It's time to bring up Dupres, let him get some prime time playoff experience.
We've got realistically about a 20% chance of winning the series. At least get him some experience on the big stage.
Looks like Nisky practiced today. Hopefully he can go tomorrow. If he's fully healthy, put him with Engo or Orpik as your 2nd line. If he's not 100%, put him on the bottom pairing with Martin and play them 5 minutes.
Someone tell me what that "Breaking News" thread said. I'm guessing it was a troll thread, but still.
Some idiot posted something about the Pens plane landed, someone sneezed, Letang through his head back, etc. Typical Flyer loser. Oh well, I'd probably be the same way if my team hasn't won a championship since Gerald Ford was in office.
As far as I'm concerned, that makes him a +1 on Orpik. Flame away . . .
I agree with KIRK. Orpik has been nearly as bad as Lovejoy, and I didn't know that was possible. He was running around everywhere but to his coverage last night. It was crazy.
As far as I'm concerned you go with Strait instead of Lovejoy and either Niskanen or Despres instead of Orpik.
Tangradi instead of Adams is cool, too, I guess. Doesn't really matter what we do on the offensive side. If we don't bench Martin or Orpik, the defense is going to keep floundering. Enough is enough.
I avoided this thread because I knew it would be just one big Tangradi circle jerk. And, as usual, I was correct. I get a lot of people here are madly in love with the guy, but guess what, he's had as many goals this year as Steve Macintyre, and 1 less than Carl ****ing Sneep. Jeffrey hasn't even seen the ice in 2 months. You could make a case for Park over Adams or Asham, but that's it. With 8 goals in 2 games, offense isn't a problem anyway.
Personally I think they should call up Despres and dress 7 D. They all suck, but at least that'll limit ice time for clowns like Martin and Lovejoy. Double shift Sid and Geno on the 4th all game: Vitale-Sid/Geno-Asham/Park.
Cutout Orpik would probably stay in position more often than real Orpik. Real Orpik seems to want to throw hits out in the neutral zone, even when the play is already inside our own zone.
If Nisky dresses, then I'd go with seven defensemen just in case. As I noted in another thread, it has the added benefit of making it harder for Philly to match. Also, with eleven forwards, it's harder to predict/match there too.
If Nisky dresses, then I'd go with seven defensemen just in case. As I noted in another thread, it has the added benefit of making it harder for Philly to match. Also, with eleven forwards, it's harder to predict/match there too.
Ya, maybe we score two more goals and lose 8-7 instead of 8-5.
The last thing we need is another high risk D-man in the line up. Despres is to high risk at this point.
Despres can be high risk, but at least he brings some reward along with that risk. He's our 2nd best "offensive" defenseman with Niskanen out, and we have to STOP using 4 forwards out there on every power play; especially on the 2nd unit.
I also think his size, physical game, and youthful enthusiasm could come in handy; and I'm also a big believer that if we want guys like Despres, Tangradi & Jeffrey to be big parts of our team next year, giving them some experience in the playoffs would be helpful.
Despres can be high risk, but at least he brings some reward along with that risk. He's our 2nd best "offensive" defenseman with Niskanen out, and we have to STOP using 4 forwards out there on every power play; especially on the 2nd unit.
I also think his size, physical game, and youthful enthusiasm could come in handy; and I'm also a big believer that if we want guys like Despres, Tangradi & Jeffrey to be big parts of our team next year, giving them some experience in the playoffs would be helpful.
This is why I brought up the 7 D-man in the first place. There's no need to tax the 6 regulars and helps keep them fresh. Rolling one of the 4 players I mentioned will definitely throw Peter off on whatever matchups he trys to instill. Double shifting them on the fourth line is gonna tax their lines.
