The Flyers and Bruins meet for the second time in two years facing off in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They aren't the same team as last year however. Tim Thomas has taken over as number 1 and has forced Tuunka Rask to the pine, the offense was revamped up this offseason adding Nathan Horton and Gregory Campbell from the Florida Panthers, the defense stayed the same only losing Dennis Wideman.
This team is still deadly, now equipped with a healthy Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. However Marc Savard is still out after suffering a concussion over a year ago. This team has scorers down their line up including Wheeler, Ryder, and ageless Mark Recchi.
Their stalwart defense is what the Bruins hang their hat on. Anchored by Zdeno Chara, the Boston defense is a wrecking crew. They all work hard and hit hard to protect Timmy Thomas.
The biggest flaw to this team is their consistency. They lack a true top forward and fail to find a group that can get it done when called upon.
Headlines
Brian Boucher will get the start in game one after posting a record of 4-1 in the first round. Bobrovsky will back him up.
Jody Shelley could be back in the line up after suffering from a broken orbital bone in practice two months ago. It will either be Shelley or Rinaldo skating with the 4th line today. But keep in mind the Flyers may dress Syvret and play 7 defensemen.
It now looks like Rinaldo will play 4th line over Shelley. 6 dmen dressed.
Carter and Nodl are still out. Carter's return looks far from near, Nodl's injury seems more severe with every game he misses.
Flyers Lines
Hartnell Briere Leino / Carcillo Richards Versteeg /Jvr Giroux Zherdev / Rinaldo Betts Powe
Timonen Coburn / Carle Meszaros / Pronger O'Donnell
Boucher / Bobrovsky
Game 1 is on NBC at 300 pm.
Thursday
Ryan Miller admits to having a Concussion
Reports broke a few hours ago that Buffalo Sabres goalie had been suffering from a concussion through out the Eastern Conference Quarter Finals. Though the injury Miller managed two shutouts and to carry his team to game seven against one of the best offenses in the NHL.
Could this just be an excuse by Miller who virtually called out half of the Flyers team? I wouldn't go that far, Miller played excellent and led a team that otherwise wouldn't have made the playoffs. Remember that Miller did miss a few games down the stretch with what many believed was a collar bone injury. That injury was most likely a concussion.
I took a look back on some key plays to see if there were any concussion like symptoms displayed by Miller. Gotta feeling some of these photos may have been doctored, or else the Flyers really did get away with "Mass Murder".
I took a look back on some key plays to see if there were any concussion like symptoms displayed by Miller. Gotta feeling some of these photos may have been doctored, or else the Flyers really did get away with "Mass Murder".
Worried About the Bruins?
I've been talking to some Flyers fans that seem worried about playing the Bruins. I could see why, they have a Vezina candidate, a division title, and solid defensive depth to compliment their well rounded offense. So how can the Flyers beat them?
The Flyers can beat the Bruins by finding a flaw in their best player, Tim Thomas. Thomas is an all world goalie who seems to get better with age. But the goalie's biggest flaw is his intensity. He can get so into a game that giving up even one goal can throw him off. The Flyers high flying offense should be able to ruffle his feathers.
The black and gold's offense, while extremely deep, lack top stars. Their top point getter in the first round was Patrice Bergeron who has great talent, but isn't a game changer. The top goal scorers were Nathan Horton and Chris Kelly, neither one of them has proved to be consistent. That's the Bruins offense's biggest problem their consistency, and a spot that the Flyers tough defense should be able to bring out the worst in.
The biggest battle will be on special teams. The Flyers powerplay has been rejuvenated with the return of Chris Pronger, the Bruins PK will have to be better than they were against Montreal. On the other hand the Flyers penalty kill will get a break as they face a weak Bruins powerplay, but they may not be worse than Buffalo's.
Begin the hate Boston, see you on Saturday.
The Flyers can beat the Bruins by finding a flaw in their best player, Tim Thomas. Thomas is an all world goalie who seems to get better with age. But the goalie's biggest flaw is his intensity. He can get so into a game that giving up even one goal can throw him off. The Flyers high flying offense should be able to ruffle his feathers.
The black and gold's offense, while extremely deep, lack top stars. Their top point getter in the first round was Patrice Bergeron who has great talent, but isn't a game changer. The top goal scorers were Nathan Horton and Chris Kelly, neither one of them has proved to be consistent. That's the Bruins offense's biggest problem their consistency, and a spot that the Flyers tough defense should be able to bring out the worst in.
The biggest battle will be on special teams. The Flyers powerplay has been rejuvenated with the return of Chris Pronger, the Bruins PK will have to be better than they were against Montreal. On the other hand the Flyers penalty kill will get a break as they face a weak Bruins powerplay, but they may not be worse than Buffalo's.
Begin the hate Boston, see you on Saturday.
Tuesday
Bring on the Penguins! or the Lightning! or the Bruins!
With a 5-2 victory the Flyers have come back and will advance to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals for the second consecutive year. What a ride it was! The Flyers started 3 different goalies and got shutout twice. But in the end, they won.
Now they await their opponent. They will play either Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, or Boston. If Boston wins, the Flyers will play Boston. If Boston loses, the Flyers will play the winner of the Pens Lightning series. Both game sevens are tomorrow.
Here is how the Flyers have stacked up against their potential opponents this season:
vs PIT 4-1-1
vs BOS 1-3-0
vs TBL 1-3-0
Now they await their opponent. They will play either Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, or Boston. If Boston wins, the Flyers will play Boston. If Boston loses, the Flyers will play the winner of the Pens Lightning series. Both game sevens are tomorrow.
Here is how the Flyers have stacked up against their potential opponents this season:
vs PIT 4-1-1
vs BOS 1-3-0
vs TBL 1-3-0
ECQF Game 7 Notes (Updating until Puck Drop)
Here is the thread leading into the Flyers Sabres meeting in the Well. This one decides it all. Here are the headlines.
11:10 am
Injuries
via @HockeyWitch17: "Hecht, Lalime--out long term. Connolly & Pominville expected to be out tonight. Kaleta, Morrisson & Grier doubtful for game 7 tonight."
Neither, Carter nor Nodl are expected to be in the lineup tonight. Pronger will play. Boynton. Bartulis, Walker, and Shelley have also been ruled out.
Line Ups
The Sabres will fit Roy into their lineup after being without since December. It is odd, however, that Mike Grier and Patrick Kaleta could be out game 7 after missing practice yesterday. They are the Sabres leading hitters this series.
The question for the Flyers is Chris Pronger. If he can play more than 10 minutes expect Danny Syvret to be out of the lineup. The Flyers dressed 7 defenseman last game forcing the Flyers' Dan Carcillo to double shift.
Mike Richards has not and will not receive any league discipline after a questionable hit on Tim Connolly.
Goaltending
Nothing new for the Sabs, Ryan Miller will get the start. He gave up 5 goals on 49 during Sunday's loss. Miller also has 2 shutouts this series.
The Flyers will dress Sergei Bobrovsky who will backup Brian Boucher. The Flyers emergency goalie will be Johan Backlund. Mike Leighton has managed to work his way back to the press box after allowing 3 goals in the first period of game 6.
4:50 pm
Sabres Injury Update
Nothing more announced yet on either sides. However, Patrick Kaleta is unofficially ruled out for tonight's game. The Toronto Sun wrote this:
5:45 pm
New Stripes
The refs for tonight's game will be Dan O'Rourke, Stephen Walkom, Brad Lazarowich, and Brian Murphy per @davegisaac. These are not the same refs from games 1-6. A very smart move by the NHL, putting its' best where it counts most.
Sabres Injuries Confirmation
via @BillHoppeSabres: Ruff offered almost nothing w/injuries-lineup. Kaleta + Grier are out. Leopold will be game-time decision. Didn't skate.
730 pm
Roy and Hecht are in the line up for the Sabres. Only new players for Buffalo meaning Sekera is out.
Flyers Lines
Hartnell Briere Leino / JVR Giroux Zherdev / Carcillo Richards Versteeg / Powe Betts.
Carle Meszaros / Timonen Coburn / O'Donnell Syvret / Pronger.
Boucher / Bobrovsky.
Flyers will dress 7 defensemen and likely roll Danny Carcillo on that 4th line as well.
Game is on CSN Philly, TSN, MSG-B, and VS.. NOW!
11:10 am
Injuries
via @HockeyWitch17: "Hecht, Lalime--out long term. Connolly & Pominville expected to be out tonight. Kaleta, Morrisson & Grier doubtful for game 7 tonight."
Neither, Carter nor Nodl are expected to be in the lineup tonight. Pronger will play. Boynton. Bartulis, Walker, and Shelley have also been ruled out.
Line Ups
The Sabres will fit Roy into their lineup after being without since December. It is odd, however, that Mike Grier and Patrick Kaleta could be out game 7 after missing practice yesterday. They are the Sabres leading hitters this series.
The question for the Flyers is Chris Pronger. If he can play more than 10 minutes expect Danny Syvret to be out of the lineup. The Flyers dressed 7 defenseman last game forcing the Flyers' Dan Carcillo to double shift.
Mike Richards has not and will not receive any league discipline after a questionable hit on Tim Connolly.
Goaltending
Nothing new for the Sabs, Ryan Miller will get the start. He gave up 5 goals on 49 during Sunday's loss. Miller also has 2 shutouts this series.
The Flyers will dress Sergei Bobrovsky who will backup Brian Boucher. The Flyers emergency goalie will be Johan Backlund. Mike Leighton has managed to work his way back to the press box after allowing 3 goals in the first period of game 6.
4:50 pm
Sabres Injury Update
Nothing more announced yet on either sides. However, Patrick Kaleta is unofficially ruled out for tonight's game. The Toronto Sun wrote this:
In preparation for Game 7 of this riveting first-round Eastern Conference showdown between the Sabres and the Philadelphia Flyers, both Roy and Jochen Hecht, who has missed the entire playoffs to date with an upper-body injury, were out on the ice for the morning skate.Full article can here read HERE.
On the other hand, Kaleta and fellow forward Mike Grier, who entered the postseason with a knee ailment, did not skate. Sources say Kaleta did not even make the trip to Philadelphia.
There is a suspicion that Kaleta suffered a broken hand, although the Sabres would not confirm the injury.
5:45 pm
New Stripes
The refs for tonight's game will be Dan O'Rourke, Stephen Walkom, Brad Lazarowich, and Brian Murphy per @davegisaac. These are not the same refs from games 1-6. A very smart move by the NHL, putting its' best where it counts most.
Sabres Injuries Confirmation
via @BillHoppeSabres: Ruff offered almost nothing w/injuries-lineup. Kaleta + Grier are out. Leopold will be game-time decision. Didn't skate.
730 pm
Roy and Hecht are in the line up for the Sabres. Only new players for Buffalo meaning Sekera is out.
Flyers Lines
Hartnell Briere Leino / JVR Giroux Zherdev / Carcillo Richards Versteeg / Powe Betts.
Carle Meszaros / Timonen Coburn / O'Donnell Syvret / Pronger.
Boucher / Bobrovsky.
Flyers will dress 7 defensemen and likely roll Danny Carcillo on that 4th line as well.
Game is on CSN Philly, TSN, MSG-B, and VS.. NOW!
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