Mad Dog

And that's exactly the mindset that makes me sick to my stomach.

Jagr has been terrible. So was Hartnell. I suspected something was up with Giroux. But now that I read in Meltzer's column that he has a groin pull, I guess it starts explaining him just not looking like himself. But in the playoffs, these are the common problems. You just have to find a way to play through it. There are not so many players healthy this time of a year.

Thanks. I guess it explains his play.

Honestly, this seems to be the Flyers' "out" just about every year they lose in the playoffs: we had a good season and we have plenty of encouraging news to look forward to... Yet, the ridiculous, almost beyond-belief futility in winning Stanley Cup continues. I realize we can't blame it on the current roster. The truth is, Schenn, Couturier, Giroux, JVR, Read, and even Coburn were like 14 years old when the Flyers continuously choked and dissapointed year after year. But that doesn't make a sting of yet another exit feel any softer. If we won at least one Cup over the last.......... oh........ 10 years (and I am really being placid here with my expectations), sure, I would be more than happy to chalk this up to the circumstances of this season and hope for the better fate next year. But every year it's the same outcome: no Cup. I don't know about everybody else, but I am running out of patience. At this point one has to seriously wonder: will the Flyers ever win the Cup...... I mean AT ALL?

Still would be nice for you to attach a link. I haven't seen anything suggetsing anybody but Couturier and Meszaros are injured.

Where do you guys get all this?? Giroux has a concussion? Hartnell has a foot injury? Do you have a link to any of these? I went through the local writers' reports and tweets and there is not a single line suggesting there are injuries, other than to Couturier, which is known.... well and Meszaros, which is also known. But the rest in your list......... are these just speculations?

I watched a replay and you are right. There was a moment in the game where I though Volchenkov clipped him, but yes, he got tangled up with Clarkson and got a skate cut.

Too bad Couturier is out. Huge loss... Stinking Volchenkov really knew what he was doing. Lilja has to sit. The guy is absolutely awful. He's been awful since he came to the NHL. That was one deal where I thought Homer was winging it.

And that possibility has some rob too, actually. Can you imagine Mike Smith winning the Cup and Bryzgalov losing to the Devils? That would be sort of difficult to stomach too.

The series is far from over. But there are some observations that don't instill much hope in me: 1. The Devils are playing a very disciplined hockey, which is nothing new with this franchise. There were several occasions during Game 2 and Game 3 when the Flyers tried to engage them in stuff, get them off their game, and they just looked away. Like I saud earlier, this team isn't going to self-distruct like the Pens did. Laviolette has to find some new tricks in his bag. 2. Giroux is trying to do too much. I guess when your coach calls you the best player in the world, you get that idea that you have to carry the world on your shoulders. He needs to simplify his game. Make a quick pass or shoot on net instead of tyrying to dance with a puck and then get stripped. 3. The most frustrating and mind-blowing thing - which we are all noting - is the Flyers are playing like they don't want it. This is astounding and I just have no explanation for it. There is a night-and-day difference between their approach to the game to the Pens series and to this series. They seem to be content with cruising for good spurs of each game and then hoping they can score as many gaols as they want and get a win. Clearly, this won't work with this Devils team. The Flyers better have learned that this approach has only one consequence - an exit. They really need to get that drive, determination and healthy anger back.... what made them successful against Pittsburgh. 4. They are making it way to easy on the Devils' top scorers. And that actually leads to the Devils' gaining a blue line way too easily. Do you guys see our players molesting the Devils? Because I don't. They need to start pounding their players. And I am not just talking about taking body - that goes without saying. We need to harass the puck carriers to the point that they cannot complete the pass and are forced to just get rid of the puck. We have to get the team toughness and attitude back. We need Hartnell, Max, Schenn, Simmonds and Grossmann to start administering some serious beating. I also have to wonder how much of an emotion of the win in the first series has to do with what's going on so far. Is it possible that the Flyers have invested so much emotion in the first round win that they burned out emotionally after that astounding, impressive victory? I said in chat during Game 3 that this series very much reminds of 1996 series against the Panthers, when Lindros and Company entered the series as a heavy favorite. The Panthers took them off their game and Beezer stoned them. The difference is, that Florida team had no big names. The Flyers got beat by the likes of Dave Lowry, Garpenlov, Stu Barnes, Rob Neidermeyer, and Mike Hough... and they *still* lost the series. In contrast, this Devils team have some very skilled scorers. You give Elias, Parise, Kovy, Zajac, and Sykora time and they will score every time. I still think the Flyers can take this series. Two days off actually works in their favor. But they really have to put together 60 minutes of effort and come out with relentless forechecking and physicality. They can no longer take shifts and periods off. If they do it, they will win in 7.

He had a noticeabl limp sometime in the second period. He just does not look himself.

@trevluk I hear what you're saying, however, I fully expected them to beat the Devils. And they should'be, after I saw what they can do in the Pitts series.

The downtown of Newark is ok, but one can say it just about every large city. But north Jersey in general is just awful. Elizabeth and Jersey City can probably compete with Newark for the honorable title of a "dump" though.

I wouldn't bench anybody. That was a no-show game by everyone, beginning with the team's best player. They collectively just need to start taking the Devs seriously and everything will be fine.

I can't think of any other explanation for the way they performed so far in this series other than they are not taking the Devils seriously. After all, the Devils were pretty much irrelevant since the lock out ended. I am still confident the Flyers handle this team rather easily, but they better stop ******** around. The Devs still have players who can burn you. But as soon as the Flyers start playing the way they are capable of, they will have no problem.

Well, here are the goalies who are still playing: Bryzgalov Holtby Lundqvist Brodeur Rinne Quick Smith Ellis When taking Ellis out of this bunch, because is basically subbing for Halak, who *is* worse? Maybe Bryz holds a tie with Brodeur, but Brodeur is a 40-year old who *did* win 3 cups... Know what I mean?

Ok, so what was the presser about? P

Honestly, he looked average at best. And on Sykora's goal, he looked clueless. It is hard to know what to expect out of him every game. It almost feels like the team keeps winning in spite of him. But for how much longer can they d o it?

Not only the Senators have *taken* them to 7 games, but through the majority of the series, the Rangers looked quite hapless. My cousin lives in Bronx and has season tickets to the Rangers, and he is saying that team looks tired - mainly because Tort's system is relentless and is bound to take a toll on players sooner or later. He is telling me by the 3rd period, Ottawa looked like they play in the first period, while the Rangers look like a team who can't wait for the game to be over. And let's remember that Ottawa is clearly the weakest team in these playoffs with no real goalie, no defense, and no names upfront except Jason Spezza and a 70-year old Alfie. But let's take care of NJ first, which I really expect not to be a problem at all.

Let's hope it doesn't even come to that.

It's possible, of course, but I am sure Laviolette will do his best to get his team ready. The first period may be a lull, but by the time the second period starts, the Flyers will realize the second round has already started. I have no worries; this is an easy opponent for the Flyers and they will be in the finals of the ECF.

Rangers vs Capitals: This is going to be a fun series. Dale Hunter has instilled discipline and the players, for the most part, have bought into that. It's interesting to see Ovechkin having a new role, where his ice time is not even close to what it was for the past years. The Caps will check hard and will make the Rangers fight for every inch of ice if they want to advance. Lundqvist will show why he is the best goalie in the NHL this year and he will win some games. But, having seen how much of a hard time the Rangers had against a much weaker Ottawa, I can see this being an upset. The Caps have players who can shut down the Ranger's first line, and after that, the Rangers don't have much. Ottawa showed the Rangers are not invincible. Washington in 7. Flyers vs Devils: It's hard not to like the matchup. The Devils don't have an advantage in any area. Their defense is hinged on Zidlicky and Bryce Salvador, and Volchenkov, who will be asked to carry the load and will log some major minutes. Surprisingly - at least to me - the Devils were one of the better defensive teams during the regular season. But because they are fairly thin offensively, their defense will have to be basically perfect. They were able to pull that off against Florida, but I wonder how much they have left in the tank. The Flyers are deeper and fresher, and I just can't see the Devils' defense not crumple under a sustained pressure and forechecking. Brodeur looks average and will no longer bail them out game after game. Even without Grossmann (which should be ready), the Flyers should have no difficulty at all grabbing a firm control of this series and keeping it. Bryzgalov needs to be good (no softies please), but he doesn't have to be inflappable. I am not sure why I am giving the Devils 2 games. Flyers in 6. Blues vs Kings: This is a battle of two excellent coaches, x's and o's coaches, who will come up with an intricate blueprint for the series in general and each game.... Looking at the Blues roster, with David Beckes and Andy McDonald being their best players, I marvel at how Hitch is doing it. Yet, they have been the best team in the league since he took over. The Kings will try to be more agressive. Each game will be a close game with not so many goals scored. I can see multiple OT games. But I think this is going to be the series in which Jonathan Quick makes a name for himself and utterly outplays Ellis/Halak. Kings in 6. Predators vs Coyotes: An interesting series. I always admired Dave Tippett's style in which it looks almost like the entire team collapses in front of the net to protect the goalie, and then organizes a quick counterrush. And with the likes of Whitney, Vrbata, Yandle, Doan, and Ekmann-Larsson, they can certainly do it againts the Predators. The Coyotes will play a tighly checked game and harass the Nashville's forwards in a neutral zone. Rinne is good...... actually VERY good, but it won't matter. Coyotes in 7.

I don't know if this series will be as easy as many feel. Yes, the Devils are not a great team. They no longer have Stevens and Niedermeyer, but they have still some players who can hurt. They are pretty strong down the middle. They are also a good defensive team......... still. And I doubt they will self-desruct like the Pens did, especially if we give them a 3 goals lead. And though Brodeur is not like he was 10 years ago, he can steel a game. But one thing I know is that there is just no way the Flyers lose this series. What it comes down to is that the Flyers have more depth. And I can't see Pete De Boer oucoaching Laviolette. Flyers in 6.

It starts looking more and more like wre are playing the damned Rangers. Both the Bruins and Rangers are returning home for game 7 and both are in good shape to win. Damn! The only hope is that the Devils will come back and beat the Panthers and we'll play the Bruins. Still better than NY, I think...

I read Simmonds is not healthy. That explains why in the last game he logged only 8 minutes and change. Not sure wherr he got injured, but i noticed he just didn't look healthy in several shifts he took on Sunday.