Michael Raffl was jovial, giddy, and fun yesterday at the podium as he answered question after question from the media following yesterday’s huge 2-0 Flyers victory, “They let me know this morning that I’m going with Cootsy and Jake,” Raffl said about playing on the top line yesterday, “I’ve done that for some parts throughout the season throughout my career. I’m capable of doing that, so I was confident. Obviously it’s huge. These are all tight games and to get the lead, it boosts everyone’s confidence. Then we were just committed to finishing it off for another great win tonight.”
The NHL is littered with role-players, and role-players could be on the third line or fourth-line. For instance, both of these lines provide energy, where fourth-line players usually provide more physicality, who can chip in a goal or two at times. Raffl fits the bill very well as a bottom six player, who is excellent on the Penalty Kill. He he can also play anywhere within the lineup and do it well. Raffl knows where to be on the ice and when, and that is exactly how he potted his second playoff goal this season. Simply put, he is a good two-way hockey player, that can play in the top six of times if need be. He’s also versatile, as Raffl can play both Center and Wing, “What a shot by Raff there,” Carter Hart said directly following the game on NBC, “If you can, maybe break up the play before that,” Raffl said laying out in front of a Shea Weber bomb, “I can’t say it’s a lot of joy or fun jumping in front of that bomb. Got to be smarter a little bit before if you can. If not, you have to eat it.”
Raffl earned this promotion to the top line. He has been flying, and his energy really seems to ignite whatever line Head Coach Alain Vigneault puts him on. He is so trusting, as he blocks shots (Late in the third period yesterday he blocked a rocket), and really sacrifices any part of his body to protect Carter Hart. Moreover, Raffl battled well along the boards yesterday, and was really good with the forechecking aspect of the game, and it caught they eyes of Vigneault, “Raffy and Tyler were good forecheckers,” Vigneault said following the game, ” I just thought that first faceoff of the game, let’s just try to get in deep and get our forechecking game going. We made a few little subtle changes to our lines. At the end of the day, the game is still about hard work and executing. Both teams right now are battling extremely hard. I thought that obviously getting that first goal and getting some big defensive plays like blocked shots and good second efforts on our part enabled us to stop Montreal who’s a highly speed and skill team.”
The versatile Forward in Raffl has potted two goals and one assist in three games played in the playoffs. He has played well on the fourth line and top line for that matter in these playoffs. Raffl doesn’t complain, he just goes about his business, kills penalties and produces making his $1.6 million cap hit seem like chump change.
Let’s hope the Flyers and Raffl can close out the series tonight against the Montreal Canadiens. Raffl should play on the top line once again with Sean Couturier and Jakub Voracek. They just have to be ready from the drop of the puck, “We have to be ready right from the start, go from there and take it shift for shift,” Raffl ends this speaking like a Veteran that he is.
