Habs still need home ice. MSL-Girardi-and McDonagh all scratched, but they are healthy. Rangers have a tough time in Montreal, beat them shorthanded and start the offs feeling tough.. LGR
Bobby Clarke slashed their super star with the intention of breaking his leg - which he did. Now, everyone hated the Russians at the time and cheered - but the fact is that what he did wasn't reserved for the Russians. That was Flyers hockey and still is. They will try to re-injure McDonagh. No doubt in my mind.
in a good way. This game has value to the Habs. They can get home ice if the Bolts lose tomorrow. It really is odd that MSL is watching tonight. He must have a slight little injury and they don't want to risk it. Before the game started they stated all 3 healthy.
I'm not talking just playing physical ... they are going to do Â
that ... no doubt about it ... but from what I read in today's papers, McDonagh can't yet even take a slap shot because of ongoing pain in the shoulder ... but he's going to play ...
and my prediction is they will specifically game plan around re-injuring his shoulder ... you'll know if you see them constantly dump the puck and make him chase it whenever he's on the ice (which is my prediction) ... they are the most classless organization in all of sports and they will specifically game plan to re-injure his shoulder
Why do you say "And that russian did not hve a previous leg broken.."? Nobody said he did. Bobby Clarke (and Esposito and all the Canadians) talk about the fact they decided to break his leg - in advance - and then Clarke went out there and did the deed.
There's a wonderful documentary on the series that they broadcast every few years or so
It was obvious they were going after him, and they are a Western Conference team, he will be a target and the Rangers have nobody on the team that can keep the other team honest. Rangers will have a hard time to get past the first round.
Burrows would have taken that cheap shot regardless of who was there at the time, every team will try to hammer Mac D and all Ranger defensemen in the playoffs.
Please explain this "targeting" thing..
they're all targets.
Yes, I wish the Rangers had guys that dished it out as well, but even if they did, their top guys would/will still get pounded..
Unless the game has changed in the last 10 minutes. If they had guys who could kick some ass, they are a deterrent, but it still does not stop legal or illegal hitting. The Rangers size and lack of grit does not bode well for playoff hockey. They have been pretty good against the Flyers of late, especially at home, we will see how this goes now.
I think the fact that this year's team has third and fourth lines that can contribute bodes well compared to previous years. If the top lines can get going this team could be difficult to handle.
I think the lack of physicality is somewhat of an issue but is overblown.
I think its over blown as far as the "deterrent" conversation goes, but I do think its an issue as far as which team is taking more of a pounding and its effect later in the series goes..
Not that they can't overcome it, just saying that's where the effect comes into play if it does at all..
Not sure they win a round without him. Biron predicted a Rangers-Habs ECF, which is extremely unlikely but stranger things have happened. Pittsburgh isn't playing that well right now and the Bruins have a difficult road for a Presidents Trophy winner (Detroit in Round 1 is no cakewalk followed by possibly the Habs)
I think the problem is more likely to manifest against a team like Boston that will outgrind you for puck possession for 60 minutes. We'll see--my guess is this version of the Rangers will either win or lose its early round series in fewer games than previous versions.
I think the problem is more likely to manifest against a team like Boston that will outgrind you for puck possession for 60 minutes. We'll see--my guess is this version of the Rangers will either win or lose its early round series in fewer games than previous versions.
I don't know, I think this Rangers-Flyers series is surely going 6 or 7 unless Mason (Flyers goalie) can't play after getting hit in the head against Pittsburgh...then with Emery in goal it could be a short series in our favor
Not sure they win a round without him. Biron predicted a Rangers-Habs ECF, which is extremely unlikely but stranger things have happened. Pittsburgh isn't playing that well right now and the Bruins have a difficult road for a Presidents Trophy winner (Detroit in Round 1 is no cakewalk followed by possibly the Habs)
Today's Daily News says Kreider won't be able to play at all in the first round - unknown beyond that.
Targeting a shoulder is relatively easy. Already told you how they are likely to do it. Whenever McDonagh is on the ice, the Flyers will dump the puck on their offensive rushes instead of carrying it across the blue line - forcing McDonagh to chase it back to the rear boards ... at that point it becomes a matter of pounding the shoulder - the outer shoulder takes the body hit - the inner shoulder hits the boards ...
McDonagh wasn't able to take any slap shots during today's practice because of the shoulder ... therefore there's likely to be soreness as of Thu - and the Flyers are the type of team that will game plan (as I've outlined above) to specifcally target his shoulder. Not a difficult thing to do at all. Quite easy in point of fact.
Today's Daily News says Kreider won't be able to play at all in the first round - unknown beyond that.
No it didn't. It simply said it's unknown how long he's out, and he could be out for the entire first round. (I'm not saying he will be back against the Flyers, I suspect he won't be, but the News hasn't said that).
If that's the case, then he can't play and we have to move on with other guys as much as it pains me to say that.
And I can't blame the flyers or any other team for testing someone less than 100%. It's the playoffs - and these teams aren't friends. But yeah, they should patty-cake McD all series because It's humane.....
Cmon. This isn't golf nor badminton. You sweep the leg.
If that's the case, then he can't play and we have to move on with other guys as much as it pains me to say that.
And I can't blame the flyers or any other team for testing someone less than 100%. It's the playoffs - and these teams aren't friends. But yeah, they should patty-cake McD all series because It's humane.....
Cmon. This isn't golf nor badminton. You sweep the leg.
Here's what the Daily News said about today's practice:
Quote:
However, anyone at Saturday’s morning skate in Montreal could have seen that when all of the defensemen lined up for slap shots from the blue line, McDonagh did not wind up and instead elected to flick soft wrist shots towards the net. Here’s why:
McDonagh said as of Saturday morning, he physically has the range of motion back to take a slap shot, which he didn’t have in the immediate aftermath of the injury. That’s great news. He admitted there may be some pain when he does so; it’s just that the pain wouldn’t stop him from doing it in a game if he played.
And I didn't say I blamed them ... I simply said they were going to target his shoulder. I don't like it ... and I think some teams are dirtier than others ... some teams will play hard but not necessarily TRY to injure a player ... the Flyers are NOT one of those teams ... the Flyers WILL game plan on re-injuring the shoulder if they can. Maybe I'm naive and every team would game plan to intentionally injure another player. But the Flyers top the list.
No it didn't. It simply said it's unknown how long he's out, and he could be out for the entire first round. (I'm not saying he will be back against the Flyers, I suspect he won't be, but the News hasn't said that).
You're right. Went back and checked and I thought the article said he was out, but it didn't.
Quote:
They have not revealed – or do not know – how long they will be without injured left wing Chris Kreider (left hand surgery, March 28), who could miss the entire series and even more.
I was hoping philly would play Bruins in first round, but it didn't happen. Oh well, it should be tough, but I think with your good defense, you could do it.
Not true Baadbill. The Flyers in 1967/68, were still an expansion team and hadn't set their "style" yet.
After losing badly to the Blues in a series in 1971 ( they were man-handled by the Plager brothers and Noel Picard), Flyers owner Ed Snider publicly said that his team will never be physically beaten that way again. That's when his GM Keith Allen began assembling players on the "physical" side. Bob Kelly, Bob Clarke, Andre DuPont, Don Selesky,Dave Schultz, soon became the Broad Street Bullies, thus beginning the legacy that the Flyers have been known for since.
Targeting a shoulder is relatively easy. Already told you how they are likely to do it. Whenever McDonagh is on the ice, the Flyers will dump the puck on their offensive rushes instead of carrying it across the blue line - forcing McDonagh to chase it back to the rear boards ... at that point it becomes a matter of pounding the shoulder - the outer shoulder takes the body hit - the inner shoulder hits the boards ...
McDonagh wasn't able to take any slap shots during today's practice because of the shoulder ... therefore there's likely to be soreness as of Thu - and the Flyers are the type of team that will game plan (as I've outlined above) to specifcally target his shoulder. Not a difficult thing to do at all. Quite easy in point of fact.
The Flyers are going to play dump and chase and try to punish of the forecheck?
Crazy..
I do like how they will zero in on the shoulder when hitting. Usually shoulders never take a beating.
Look, I get that you're worried about McDonagh holding up in a physical series, I share the same concern. But you lose me when describing some kind of special beacon the flyers have that can target a shoulder only.
All you're really describing is what every other team will want to do to the oppositions top pair, pound them at every opportunity..
If McDonagh's shoulder can't hold up, it won't be from special targeting, it will be from playoff hockey.
his shoulder won't be a factor anyhow. He has his full range of motion back and it's just a little sore. I will say that Raffi Diaz shot that rang off both posts was a laser beam. The kid has a screamer when he lays into it. They need to take advantage of it a little more.
Not true Baadbill. The Flyers in 1967/68, were still an expansion team and hadn't set their "style" yet.
After losing badly to the Blues in a series in 1971 ( they were man-handled by the Plager brothers and Noel Picard), Flyers owner Ed Snider publicly said that his team will never be physically beaten that way again. That's when his GM Keith Allen began assembling players on the "physical" side. Bob Kelly, Bob Clarke, Andre DuPont, Don Selesky,Dave Schultz, soon became the Broad Street Bullies, thus beginning the legacy that the Flyers have been known for since.
Jim, you're undoubtedly right. My conscious memory of the Flyers really starts with the Broad Street Bullies - and I extrapolated that they were the same way from the beginning (and 1968 wasn't all that earlier) - but you obviously know more about their actual history - I never heard that quote from Snider before but, knowing why they turned into a dirty organization doesn't change my opinion of what they are.
Playoffs start Wednesday night but the awesome Knicks are home against Toronto that night so this series will either start Thursday or Friday. I'd say Thursday but I think they'll want game 2 Sunday at 1pm on NBC right?
There are 3 marquee first round games that NBC will get on tv - us, Detroit-Boston and Chicago-st louis. No other series has national interest... As much fun as I'm looking forward to mtl-tb and la-sj personally
that sucks.. my brother in law, huge Rangers fan, is flying down here (to Florida) that night and I need to pick him up at the airport around 10pm... we may have to get that flight changed.
and my prediction is they will specifically game plan around re-injuring his shoulder ... you'll know if you see them constantly dump the puck and make him chase it whenever he's on the ice (which is my prediction) ... they are the most classless organization in all of sports and they will specifically game plan to re-injure his shoulder
There's a wonderful documentary on the series that they broadcast every few years or so
Oops... sorry ... didn't notice game was back on
This worry about "targeting" the shoulder is besides many points..
Please explain this "targeting" thing..
they're all targets.
Yes, I wish the Rangers had guys that dished it out as well, but even if they did, their top guys would/will still get pounded..
That's very different than "pounding" every defenseman.
Yup. They will. But that's totally missing the point. In addition they will TARGET his shoulder because it is not fully healed.
that's actually different from any other hockey hit.
Also, please let me know how you know how well he is or isn't healed.
Thanks..
I think the lack of physicality is somewhat of an issue but is overblown.
Not that they can't overcome it, just saying that's where the effect comes into play if it does at all..
I don't know, I think this Rangers-Flyers series is surely going 6 or 7 unless Mason (Flyers goalie) can't play after getting hit in the head against Pittsburgh...then with Emery in goal it could be a short series in our favor
Today's Daily News says Kreider won't be able to play at all in the first round - unknown beyond that.
McDonagh wasn't able to take any slap shots during today's practice because of the shoulder ... therefore there's likely to be soreness as of Thu - and the Flyers are the type of team that will game plan (as I've outlined above) to specifcally target his shoulder. Not a difficult thing to do at all. Quite easy in point of fact.
No it didn't. It simply said it's unknown how long he's out, and he could be out for the entire first round. (I'm not saying he will be back against the Flyers, I suspect he won't be, but the News hasn't said that).
If that's the case, then he can't play and we have to move on with other guys as much as it pains me to say that.
And I can't blame the flyers or any other team for testing someone less than 100%. It's the playoffs - and these teams aren't friends. But yeah, they should patty-cake McD all series because It's humane.....
Cmon. This isn't golf nor badminton. You sweep the leg.
If that's the case, then he can't play and we have to move on with other guys as much as it pains me to say that.
And I can't blame the flyers or any other team for testing someone less than 100%. It's the playoffs - and these teams aren't friends. But yeah, they should patty-cake McD all series because It's humane.....
Cmon. This isn't golf nor badminton. You sweep the leg.
Here's what the Daily News said about today's practice:
McDonagh said as of Saturday morning, he physically has the range of motion back to take a slap shot, which he didn’t have in the immediate aftermath of the injury. That’s great news. He admitted there may be some pain when he does so; it’s just that the pain wouldn’t stop him from doing it in a game if he played.
And I didn't say I blamed them ... I simply said they were going to target his shoulder. I don't like it ... and I think some teams are dirtier than others ... some teams will play hard but not necessarily TRY to injure a player ... the Flyers are NOT one of those teams ... the Flyers WILL game plan on re-injuring the shoulder if they can. Maybe I'm naive and every team would game plan to intentionally injure another player. But the Flyers top the list.
You're right. Went back and checked and I thought the article said he was out, but it didn't.
Not true Baadbill. The Flyers in 1967/68, were still an expansion team and hadn't set their "style" yet.
After losing badly to the Blues in a series in 1971 ( they were man-handled by the Plager brothers and Noel Picard), Flyers owner Ed Snider publicly said that his team will never be physically beaten that way again. That's when his GM Keith Allen began assembling players on the "physical" side. Bob Kelly, Bob Clarke, Andre DuPont, Don Selesky,Dave Schultz, soon became the Broad Street Bullies, thus beginning the legacy that the Flyers have been known for since.
McDonagh wasn't able to take any slap shots during today's practice because of the shoulder ... therefore there's likely to be soreness as of Thu - and the Flyers are the type of team that will game plan (as I've outlined above) to specifcally target his shoulder. Not a difficult thing to do at all. Quite easy in point of fact.
The Flyers are going to play dump and chase and try to punish of the forecheck?
Crazy..
I do like how they will zero in on the shoulder when hitting. Usually shoulders never take a beating.
Look, I get that you're worried about McDonagh holding up in a physical series, I share the same concern. But you lose me when describing some kind of special beacon the flyers have that can target a shoulder only.
All you're really describing is what every other team will want to do to the oppositions top pair, pound them at every opportunity..
If McDonagh's shoulder can't hold up, it won't be from special targeting, it will be from playoff hockey.
Not true Baadbill. The Flyers in 1967/68, were still an expansion team and hadn't set their "style" yet.
After losing badly to the Blues in a series in 1971 ( they were man-handled by the Plager brothers and Noel Picard), Flyers owner Ed Snider publicly said that his team will never be physically beaten that way again. That's when his GM Keith Allen began assembling players on the "physical" side. Bob Kelly, Bob Clarke, Andre DuPont, Don Selesky,Dave Schultz, soon became the Broad Street Bullies, thus beginning the legacy that the Flyers have been known for since.
Jim, you're undoubtedly right. My conscious memory of the Flyers really starts with the Broad Street Bullies - and I extrapolated that they were the same way from the beginning (and 1968 wasn't all that earlier) - but you obviously know more about their actual history - I never heard that quote from Snider before but, knowing why they turned into a dirty organization doesn't change my opinion of what they are.
Don't you have to change your handle? ;)
There are 3 marquee first round games that NBC will get on tv - us, Detroit-Boston and Chicago-st louis. No other series has national interest... As much fun as I'm looking forward to mtl-tb and la-sj personally