The Flyers conference is essentially the same as their old division, except the Caps and Canes are added to the mix. It doesn't seem like much change, but there are two key changes in this format.
One, for regular season play, you have a home and home with every out-of-conference team. That means every team in league will visit Philadelphia, which is fun for the fans to see every team. The flip side of that is that the Flyers will only play teams which they have out of division testy relationships, like the Sabres or Leafs. twice a year; the same amount they will see a team like the Calgary Flames
The second key point is that the first two rounds of playoffs will be within conference, seeded 1-4. The Flyers will see a team like Pens in the playoffs A LOT. After the first two rounds, the teams are re-seeded based on points for the last two rounds.
It will be interesting to see how the balance plays out, as it seems some conferences should be perennially stronger than others. Based on last year's standings, this is how the playoffs would've looked and may have gone:
Round 1: Caps v. Rangers, Philly v. Pittsburgh, Boston v. Buffalo, TB v. Montreal, Vancouver v. Phoenix, SJ v. Anaheim, Detroit v. Dallas, Nashville v. Chicago
Round 2: Philly v. Rangers, Boston v. TB, Vancouver v. SJ, Detroit v. Chicago
Round 3: Vancouver v. Boston, Philly v. Detroit
Round 4: Boston v. Detroit
Not shockingly different, for this season anyway. 15 out of the 16 teams would've maintained their playoff position, with LA losing out to Dallas as a result of the realignment.
This system is what it is, some positives some negatives. My biggest concern is the strong possibility of seeing the same playoff matchups over and over and over. Detroit and Chicago is all well and good, but what if they play each other 5 or 6 years in a row?
Back to the Flyers
Sometimes a team needs a few breaks to get them going, after which time they will make their own breaks. The game against the Ducks is such an example. The Flyers were simply playing poorly. Maybe it was the layoff between games, but the Flyers looked slow and out of sorts. Fortunately the Ducks just kept getting penalties and eventually the Flyers broke through. Timonen made a few great plays, the Flyers scored on a long 5-on-3, and got the game-winner on a 4 minute OT 4-on-3 PP. Once the good vibes started, the Flyers carried it over and whipped the Coyotes the next night. The absence of Pronger will hurt (especially on the PP, despite the last two games), but it's time the Flyers start evening out their play this season.
Schenn also looks to me to be playing with more confidence. He's clearly a smooth puck handler, and will excel with the puck on his stick. For that reason, the Flyers may to do well to put him at center. His stat line currently stands at 6 game played, 0 points, -6. He was killing it in the AHL so there's no reason to send him back, and the points will come, but I'd put him in the center with a skill winger. JVR maybe.
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