Couple more thoughts from me…

Giroux’s move to win it was just dirty. He had a very solid all around game.

Pyorala played most of the third period on the top line. Not sure why Stevens messed around with Asham in that regard… he looked great with Richards and Gagne.

Carle has looked great. Not sure if it’s a cause of playing with Pronger and having more confidence, but whatever it is, it’s working. I didn’t think he was necessarily bad last year, but he looks fantastic so far this year, and it’s not just because he’s putting points on the board.

Encouraged by OKT and Syvret tonight.

On the Carcillo play, I’m not sure how long they kept the camera on it, but he was jawing for quite some time. The only reason it didn’t get out of hand was because neither Boston player wanted to drop the gloves. Nevertheless, it definitely gave the team and the crowd some jump, so I guess it was worth it.

Place was lifeless tonight. Lots of empty seats. Not sure if that was just people in line for hot dogs or what. 100 or so shy of a sellout, though.

I’m guessing a lot of Flyers fans are devoting all their energy toward the Phils right now. Tough to blame em.

They may have forgotten we have a team, considering they haven’t played in what feels like 2 weeks or so.

The game was tough to watch last night. Stevens was just throwing lines together and our top forwards had rough night. Our role player really stepped when it counted. I really hope Lappy plays like that every night, he hit everything that moved. Ugly game, but it was nice to come out on top, especially because we actually won a shootout.

It’s kinda funny because I was watching the game with my dad, and before the shootout started, we were saying that if Gagne made another appearance we would throw something at the tv, but more importantly that if we failed again that Stevens would really need to send a message to his players; eg next time there’s a shootout send out Giroux, Asham and Carle. I mean how much worse could it be? And then, like clockwork, Briere comes out and misses the net, Richards makes a weak move, and I’m expecting Gagne to come up and shoot it into Rask’s chest, and imagine my shock to see Giroux come up. And surprise surprise- the best puckhandler on the team can occasionally break out a sick move.

Another point for JVR that is 5 points in 5 games (all assists mind you) as the third line looked really solid again with yet another winger thrown into the mix, that puts him on pace for 82 points and a Calder Trophy. Lots of chances Emery was strong making some big timely saves something he failed to do against Florida, however his rebound control has been bit of a problem, a friend of mine from Buffalo saw lots of Emery though rebounds were his biggest issue and so far I can’t argue with him. I wasn’t crazy about all the line juggling out there looked like Stevens was angry with Hartnell for some reason and moved him down to shake things up and from there the lines went crazy. Maybe the Briere – Carter pairing should come to an end still early to tell as Carter as 8 points in 7 games hard to fault him for anything. The game winning breakaway was a nice move met be an even nicer save, Carter even got the puck up on the backhand, Raask was solid tonight facing lots of rubber. Despite another -1 game Coburn looked much better being moved to his natural side of the ice he seem to have more confidence and played a much more physical game. OKT and Syvert played good games and look a lot better with the extra minutes. Hard to come away with many negatives from this game except Emery’s rebound control I will leave that up to MarioD I am sure he found something wrong in there that we can discuss until next game.

I don’t want to start harping on the refs but is there a more inconsistently officiated league than the NHL. Games against Washington 15 minors 7 in 2nd period along, against Pittsburg another 15 minors called (not counting all the end of the game stuff) and yet in the last two games a total of 7 calls were made. Boston was knocking people all over the place in front and behind the net and that was all looked at, hard to get rebounds and crash the net when they let that stuff go. I am not saying we didn’t get away with some stuff either but after all they let go they call that weak hooking call on Gagne at such a crucial moment in the game, under 2 minutes left in the 3rd, the time when non scoring chance denying penalties should be let go. Bergeron didn’t even lose stride and the stick applied for a second at most. If they would have scored on that PP I am sure we would all be in an uproar but all is well that ends well. I would like to see the refs “let them play” in a game against the Pens but those games are usually reduced to alternating special teams play.