pilldoc Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 (edited) The Maple Leafs play their second game in as many nights as they continue their road trip in Philadelphia to take on the Flyers.If the Maple Leafs wanted to forget how last season ended than what better way to kick off 2013-14 than with back to back contests against two of the league’s premiere franchises as they left Montreal on Tuesday night and will be in Philadelphia on Wednesday. Toronto has big expectations this season as last year’s playoff berth was a tease for a fan base hungry for a Stanley Cup title and many people think this is the season that Toronto will have their best chance since the early part of the millennium. Toronto is balanced all over the ice and we should see the first action from Jonathan Bernier in this contest as he attemptes to win the starter’s job from James Reimer. The Leafs will be playing their second game in as many nights and coming off a hard fought effort against the Montreal Canadiens would normally set up a tough end to a back to back but I think Toronto will come out firing here against a Flyers team playing in their season opener. Philadelphia is coming into this season having missed the playoffs last year and were riddled with disappointment but things appear to be back on track for the Flyers who play their home and season opener here against Toronto. The ongoing goaltending saga in Philadelphia finally came to another tumultuous end as the team has parted with Ilya Bryzgalov and will look to former Blue Jackets netminder Steve Mason to handle the goaltending duties along with free agent acquisition Ray Emery. The Flyers did see Danny Briere walk to Montreal but they do have a great nucleus of talent that if they can come together should be back in the postseason in a tough Eastern Conference this year. Claude Giroux is one of the bright, young stars in the game and the likes of Jakub Voracek, Brayden Schenn, and Wayne Simmonds should provide some secondary scoring help. However, the bugs will be buzzing for the Flyers in their season opener while the Leafs have already played a game and while things could change based on the result of the Canadiens-Leafs game on Tuesday I think Toronto will show up and for a team who I think is the better of the two getting odds that is where I’d play this one.Read more at http://sportschatplace.com/nhl-picks/2013/10/02/toronto-maple-leafs-at-philadelphia-flyers#5JLpkSRGIqumbvOw.99====================================================================================================== Ok boys...this is what we have all been waiting for. Hope to see everyone in game chat tonight. Leafs are playing back to back after beating the Habs 4-3. So who starts in goal tonight? Mason or Emery. Who do you want to start? Expectations for tonight? I say start Emery...IMO it appeared he had the stronger preseason, then again Mason was playing with a less then stellar blue-line in front of him. I just want to see consistency and get off to a good start with a solid 1st period. Edited October 2, 2013 by pilldoc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brelic Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 I think Emery will get the nod. Flyers, 5-4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fan4ever Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 @brelic Bold prediction. Don't mind Emery starting at all but hope he doesn't let in 4 goals 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertmega Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Mason should start. 4-2 Flyers Giroux, Siimonds, VL, Read will score Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pilldoc Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 (edited) Emery to start3-2 Flyers OTJVR/Kessel for LaffsRoo / Vinny (PP) / Jake (OT) EDIT: 1st fight = Rinaldo around the 13:00 min mark 1st Penalty for Flyers = Hartnell for Interference Edited October 2, 2013 by pilldoc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doom88 Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Let Mason start, and show him the fans have his back (for now). Rinaldo with the first phantom call against Philly of the season on a clean hit in the corners. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Clueless Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 If the Leafs play "defense" like they did in the 1st period against Montreal against a potent Flyers' forward group, I will feel bad for Bernier. Being tired won't help any. Should be a good game. For some reason I'm feeling OT tonight....it's been one game already so it's way passed time for the Leafs to start embarassing themselves in the shootout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TedZep Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Emery was gawdawful last pre-season game vs. the Capitals. I don't think he earned the start. But combined the Flyers goalies let in the most goals in the pre-season. On the other hand, they team has scored the thrid fewest goals, so they have that going for them. My optimism has a hole in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackStraw Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Mason is a "go"... http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/flyers/Mason-gets-nod.html I'm fine with either one. I'm sure we'll see plenty of both of them this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreakinFlyersFan Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Ouch! Mason had a really bad game against the Leafs in preseason, let's hope Mason learned from that game and rebounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howie58 Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 I hope we are not back to our limited five on five offense. The team started out well. Now they are on their heels. Mason looks fine. But our offense needs to wake up. Howie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.