Apparently at some point Thursday night the Penguins decided they were only going to play one period. "Hell" said Crosby, "let's make it a real challenge." [not an official statement, strictly a work of fiction]
That would almost seem like the Penguins' game plan for Game 4, a disappointing performance at best. The Penguins and Flyers each mustered up 21 minutes of penalty time, but the advantage was by far in Philly's favor. Pittsburgh's inability to stay clear of the box early in the game resulted in 10 minutes of penalties in the first and three Philadelphia goals; two of which came on the man advantage.
Fleury maintained a healthy presence in net from the second period on, but it was his offense's inability to muster up an attack and Marty Biron's goaltending that kept the game close but too far from Pitt's reach.
In typical 'sleeper mode', the only attack from Pittsburgh's end came from the stick of Jordan Staal. In the wake of his grandfather's passing, Staal tallied both goals four and five of the postseason and played with unbridled tenacity for goal number three. But it was Philly's Joffrey Lupul who got the final say with the empty net notch for his second of the game and the final goal of the 4-2 finale.
Overall - horrible game. Philadelphia came out of the gate needing a win and they played like it was their last game of the season. Despite efforts of coming back later in the game, Pitt should have never found themselves in that position to begin with. A terrible first period resulted in desperation attempts for the remainder of the game. Wild passing, off target shots and poor center ice puck handling caused a break in momentum and a boost to the Philly squad.
To say Pitt dropped this game in favor of winning the series at home would be a lie. They're not about ready to play a selective game at this point. Each and every guy out there on the ice is anxious to finish this series and move on to the next round. But if Philly has their way this won't be ending anytime soon.
Game 4
In Philly at 7:30 p.m.
Penguins lead series 3-0
Watch on Versus, Yahoo! or listen live on WXDX.com.
NOTES
Could this be it? Are the Penguins on course to sweep their cross-state rivals, single-handedly wiping the 5-3 regular season smirks from the face of each and every Philly player and fan? It's of course a possibility, but Coach Stevens of Philly is doing everything in his power to fight to see another day.
Expect Downie OUT tonight. Sure, he's healthy and yes, the Flyers have some injuries, but if you think Stevens is going to take another risk with him on the ice than either you're crazy or it's more than obvious he's conceded defeat.
Greg from PuckDaddy spread the news that Pittsburgh now has conference championship hats for sale. While I've always been one to wait for the championship hats, I think I'm going to go crazy this year and buy one of each. And yes, that was optimism speaking.
Snoop "Dawg" Jodie from The Sidney Crosby Show e-mailed me this sweet video early this morning. This was apparently taken after the Penguins won and headed back to the dressing room. Jodie is convinced Malkin screams, "How's it goin baby?" as he heads off the ice. After a quick listen, I'd have to agree.
I love how Georges taunts them - and then Ruutu with that blood sucking smirk as he crashes into the boards. Pretty hilarious.
Finally, Braydon Coburn is out for Game 4 as he still is having some issues with that eye/50 stitches/puck to the head and now can't see thing.
Antoine Volchenkov after a run-in with a Malkin slapshot
Whether you've been a lifelong hockey fan throughout the years or a more recent fan in the post-lockout league, you've no doubt heard eternal references to players taking on the position of "warriors" on the ice. Guys like Gary Roberts refused a stretcher when he suffered a broken leg back in December, opting to hobble off with the help of teammates rather than that of the medical staff.
Antoine Volchenkov opted for a cage after taking a Malkin slapshot to the face in Round One. Braydon Coburn took a solid shot from Hal Gill to the face and received 50 stitches over the eye for his efforts. And while I don't really like to give a guy like Sean Avery credit, the guy did play through an entire game with a bruised spleen (which is both brave and stupid at the same time).
So when I saw this making headlines today I couldn't help but laugh. Yes, I understand it's a broken nail on his throwing hand, and yes - I understand that makes control an issue; but for the headline to read "15 Day DL for Broken Nail", you really get a better definition of what a warrior is and, well, what a baseball player isn't.
It's almost as good as when Kerry Wood was a starter for the Chicago Cubs and missed a spot in the rotation because he cut his index finger on a can of soda. That was easily 8-10 years ago if my memory serves me correctly, but just another way of separating hockey players from any other athletes out there.
In series news, the majority has spoken: it was a goal. Not that it really matters all that much, but it's nice to see I'm not the only one who feels the Pens were shorted one on Sunday.
4-2, 4-2, 4-1...it would almost seem the offense over the past three games has been one-sided. Philly can blame it on Coburn/Timmonen, but frankly the scores don't represent the closeness of play throughout these games. With the exception of Game 1, all have been relatively close at some point, often coming down to a third period Penguins notch to really set them apart from the Flyers.
First things first, let's talk about Steve Downie. This guy, as evidenced over the course of this season, isn't exactly a favorite amongst fans and players outside of Philadelphia. For most of the Flyers' playoff run, Downie has been a healthy scratch. However as the injuries have mounted up in the Philly camp, Downie has seen some ice-time during the last two games against Pitt.
No one could be more thankful than the Penguins.
In Game 2, Downie's inability to clear the zone resulted in a go-ahead goal from Max Talbot in the third. In Game 3, Downie made a wrong decision in the Philly zone that was awkwardly reminiscent of Sunday night, resulting in a Ryan Malone insurance marker. Tag on the late, cheap hit on Petr Sykora courtesy of Steve Downie, and you have a guy worthy of a Game 4 scratch. Worthy based on principle, unlikely based on Philly's desperation for healthy players.
Speaking of - has anyone else noticed that blocking a Pittsburgh slapshot has yet to work out to anyone's advantage? Rewind to the first round and we have Antoine Volchenkov taking one off the dome from a rising Malkin slapper. Series two against the Rangers didn't have much to that degree, although Drury sure got bloodied up pretty good on an uncalled high-stick. And now, in the third and final round before the Cup, poor Braydon Coburn was in the wrong place at the wrong time. 50 stitches later (yes, 50) Versus cameras caught him sporting the look of a recent war veteran. And yet you couldn't help but catch the desperation in his eyes to get out there and play. Coach Steven of the Flyers mentioned that once Coburn's eye opens, he'll most likely opt for a cage and may make an appearance just in time for Game 4.
You know, Game 4 - the end of Philly's misery.
I'm sorry for getting ahead of myself there, but things aren't looking good for the Flyers. They genuinely just can't keep up with the fast-paced Pittsburgh offense. This game was the third example of such. While Pitt's first goal of the game (Whitney) was easily a lucky bounce, Hossa's second tally was merely a result of using the screen to his advantage. In all honesty, Malone's third period goal was the only 'real' hockey goal of the game. Every other one (including the empty netter) were just typical examples of Philly not getting the good bounces.
Marc-Andre was once again incredible in net, though hardly challenged. Pitt out-shot Philly 24-18, which is still surprisingly close considering the Flyers' 3-shot second period. The Pens' power play went a successful 1-2, while their PK was once again the pride and joy of keeping Philly scoreless on three attempts with the extra man.
Game 4 remains in the City of Brotherly Love, but you have to wonder if the Flyers are ready to raise the white flag. One glance at the current cup run from both the East and the West, it would almost seem the teams are choreographed to finish with a Pittsburgh vs Detroit Cup contest.
Has Pittsburgh been challenged at all this postseason, or are they really just that good? Sadly, Detroit may be the only team to challenge that consideration. If all goes well for the Penguins Thursday night, that may be sooner than later.
Game 3
In Philly at 7:30 p.m.
Penguins lead series 2-0
Watch on Versus, Yahoo! or listen live on WXDX.com.
NOTES
It's unfortunate that I have to start this one off with some upsetting news surrounding the team. The Staal Brothers' grandfather passed away this week, and each one of them is accomodating the situation differently. Eric has left the Canadian team in the IIHF tourney, Marc is heading back to Thunder Bay and Jordan has every intention to pay his respects Wednesday morning.
In the typical competitor-way familiar with hockey players, Jordan will still be active on the roster for Tuesday's game in Philly.
What a guy.
The Flyers, however, will see Braydon Coburn join Kimmo Timmonen on the list of roster scratches. As much as Coburn would love to play, the 50 stitches above his eye say otherwise. Coburn will be replaced by Ryan Parent, after the defenseman took a puck to the face from a Hal Gill slapshot Sunday night. Parent has only played in one game this postseason; Game One against the Capitals. He finished with no points and a +1 rating.
It's also been said that the Penguins may be without Gary Roberts, whose play in Game 2 was no doubt a crucial part to Pittsburgh's victory. With a 2-2 in the third, Roberts' no-look centering pass to Max Talbot's goal sparked the lead for the Penguins and was later sealed by an insurance marker from Jordan Staal. The question at hand right now is why Roberts will sit, as the team doctors have labeled it an 'undisclosed illness.'
In Philly tonight, the Penguins once again find themselves in a situation where the other team will exhibit a must-win philosophy. While simple math in a best of seven series would say Philly doesn't necessarily need to win Game 3, morale and the law of averages would say otherwise. Game 3 is as crucial to Philly as heading into Game 4 down 3-0.
In the Rangers series the Penguins witnessed a different style of play. New York is best on the dump and chase play; the slow and steady set-up to the open guy. Pitt, as mentioned and exhibited, is all about the run-and-gun style of offense that leads to quick breaks, fast passing and accurate shots. In this match-up against Philly, the Penguins take on a team that portrays a similar sense of play. In the previous two games the Penguins have outplayed the Flyers in every aspect of run-and-gun, from the power play, to the penalty kill and even with solid even-strength play. If Philly hopes to pull this one off, they're going to find a way to limit their penalties, control the puck in Pittsburgh's zone and maintain a hearty and healthy penalty kill if and when the Pens get the man advantage. In essence, this would seem to be their only course of survival.
I don't know how long is long enough to start talking about the West, but I'm going to do it anyway. Detroit is just downright scary. Most Pens fans, if not all, should be rooting for Dallas to somehow majestically and magically pull off a four-game comeback over the Wings. Realists, theorists and even dreamers know this is far from possible. While it would seem apparent the Stanley Cup Finals will have Pitt going up against Detroit, we'll have to remain patient and not allow our hopes to get the best of rational thought. Up 2-0 is healthy, but it's still anyone's series. This game will decide the alteration of that statement.
[EDIT: 3:25] I almost forgot (actually I did and now I just remembered) - Pensburgh will have an all new look and feel to it as of early morning May 20. You get to keep your usernames of course, but it will all be taken to another level of blogging that does what I've always wanted on this site; involve the readers more. If you want an idea as to what you can expect, visit SBNation's Pittsburgh Pirates blog Buc's Dugout. [/EDIT]
We can all agree that arguing this call is a moot point, but when you see it from this angle you have to wonder how the War Room didn't rule it a goal. Again, I'm not complaining or whining a la the Rangers/Flyers when it comes to calls, but this is about as clear a shot as you'll get for one of the more questionable calls of the game. If this picture were available today, that means someone up in the video review area had a chance to see the same thing yesterday.
In any case, the Penguins still won and I'm not going to whine and dine on the coulda-woulda-shoulda game. But even if this were the call in favor of the Flyers, I'd still be saying how the refs loused it up.
I'll toss some updated stats up later tonight/early tomorrow.
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Talbot's third period goal insured a Pittsburgh victory
A few goals, a fight, a video review gone wrong and in the end a victory - just another playoff game in the end right?
Wrong.
The Penguins extended their postseason home record to a flattering 7-0, breaking a franchise record set by the '91 cup-winning squad, with a 4-2 victory over the Flyers Sunday night at Mellon Arena.
Unlike the first period in Game 1 on Friday, the scoring was minimal to begin with. Kennedy and Upshall didn't waste any time throwing down mitts in the first, sending both off to the box for fighting. Residential Pensburgh fight expert Dunman takes a closer look here. Roughly seven minutes later on the second power play of the night, Sidney Crosby capitalized with the man advantage just seconds after a 5-on-3 turned into a 5-on-4 for Pitt. That would be it for red lights in the first.
Heading into the second up 1-0, the Pens were hoping to widen the gap with another notch. Unfortunately for Pitt, the Flyers responded quickly with a goal of their own from the blade of Jeff Carter.
Tied at one, Sidney Crosby tried to jam one in past Biron in what appeared to be a goal. Crosby raised his hands in celebration, but halfway through doing so immediately argued to the ref that the puck was in when the light failed to go on. Review went to the War Room in Toronto for further review. Fans got a solid look at the (potential) goal from different angles, one of which seemed very evident that the puck did in fact cross the crease. Biased Penguins eyes would say it was a goal, Flyers eyes would say it was not and strict hockey fans without allegiance to either team would say it was too close to call. In efforts to avoid a controversial game-changing call, the refs officially called it a no-goal and play resumed.
Moments later, on the power play, Marian Hossa grabs the puck on a rebound in front of Biron to put the Pens ahead 2-1. That wouldn't last long.
With less than 30 seconds remaining in the second, Pittsburgh entered Philly's zone with the man advantage to try and put the game out of reach heading into the third. Malkin tried to dish a pass back to the point for Gonchar, where it was scooped up by Philly's Mike Richards for a breakaway run. Shorthanded on the drive with Fleury twitching uncomfortably in net, Richards released a fast wrister that blew by Fleury glove-side to tie the game at two moving into the third.
But the Penguins would not give up. In his first game back since suffering a broken foot in the New York series, Max Talbot changed the course of the game for good. Following Steve Downie's flub along the boards in attempts to clear the zone, Gary Roberts kept the puck in and followed it to the back of the net. In a no-look centering pass, Talbot threaded the puck into the back of the net, moving the Penguins up to a 3-2 lead.
That would wind up being all the flightless birds would need in this match, further insured by the empty net marker from Jordan Staal to close out the game and send the series back to Philly.
Two consecutive 4-2 victories would say the Penguins have taken a commanding series lead. What it won't say is that these wins were hard-fought and well-earned by the time the final horn sounded the end. Considering the regular season series between these two cross-state rivals, home-ice advantage was expected to play a huge factor over the course of the post-season. As the Battle of Keystone heads back to Philly, the Penguins will look to complete a sweep, while Philly plans to even up the series and send it back to Pitt. As many fans from both sides have expressed, this series is far from over.
Game 2
In Pitt at 7:30 p.m.
Penguins lead series 1-0
Watch on Versus, Yahoo! or listen live on WXDX.com.
NOTES
We'll start it off with some good news: Talbot is healthy again. According to the Trib Review he will be in the lineup tonight. Even prior to the announcement of his play, Talbot expressed he wouldn't mind being scratched if it meant the team could keep the same chemistry as last game and keep winning. Max Talbot - what a guy.
The media is speculating that Steve Downie may make an appearance for the Flyers tonight. Downie, who has only played in four games this postseason, may add some much-needed muscle to the Flyers' forecheck and a surprising boost to their offense. Not that I'm hinting the hits were weak last game, but I'm sure Philly fans and the Flyers alike would agree that the physical game needs a boost to keep Pitt under control, especially when they have the puck in the Pittsburgh end.
No need to delete that - seconds after viewing the Flyers' page, it is now apparent Downie WILL play for the Flyers tonight:
"Steve Downie will play tonight, and Patrick Thoresen will come out," said Stevens. "Our fourth line has been big contributors in the playoffs here. I think all those guys, including Patrick, have done a great job. We just think Downie gives us another right hand shot in the lineup. [He’s a] competitive guy, and he can create a little bit offensively."
The tempers will be up another notch with this one, and I wouldn't be far-fetched to think someone is dropping the mitts tonight. Hatcher will be under a watchful eye, as will Downie, Laraque, Ruutu and Orpik. Orpik may very well find himself in a scuffle whether he likes it or not, strictly as a result of his stellar physical play.
Why not? We see enough player pics over the course of a season...
I don't remember Philly taking to the ice after the first period. I can't prove it, but I think it's a formidable assumption.
The Penguins were the first ones to say the 3-5 regular season series record against the Flyers is absolutely meaningless, notching their first win of the series Friday night in a 4-2 victory before the whiteout seats at Mellon Arena.
This game started off on the path to what looked like a possible 15-14 final score. Goals were tallying up on both ends of the ice, in what looked like a solid 2-2 tie heading into only the second period. Yet with less than 10 seconds remaining, Malkin played the 'never give up' game and blew one past Biron to put the game in the hands of Pitt. From there the Penguins maintained a steady hold onto the game right up until Malkin added what would ultimately be the insurance marker five minutes into the first.
Looking back on the game, it's hard to believe all of the scoring took place within exactly the first 25 minutes of regulation. I say this only because it's hard to forget some of the hits and close-calls that occurred on what seemed to be a regular basis.
Versus put a lot of emphasis on Philly's R.J. Umberger tonight. The Plumborough native has somewhat of a homecoming in this Game 1 performance, but also did somewhat of a lackluster effort on behalf of the Flyers. In either case, the network still did a lovely and heart-warming feature on R.J. that should hopefully silence the constant chimes from the Philthadelphia crowds about the NHL loving Crosby. In Pittsburgh's defense, or maybe in just a rational and analytical thought - at least when any network backs Crosby he comes through with at least a point. Of course, the NHL makes sure he gets a point as part of the widespread conspiracy that is surely taking over the league.
Penalties were few and far between tonight - that is, until the third period when tempers really started to flair. Philly played a very disciplined game, staying penalty-free in the first and only taking a single call in the second. They'd later accumulate 16 minutes (10-minute misconduct included) within the last two minutes of the game.
Pittsburgh, on a similar note, kept a majority of their guys out of the box as well. Unfortunately this did not apply to Ryan Whitney, who may not have received the "stay out of the box tonight because they have a solid power play unit" memo from Coach Therrien. Regardless, the Penguins' penalty-kill unit kept the Flyers scoreless on three attempts with the man advantage.
Malkin may very well be in even better contention for the Conn Smythe more than ever with his 2 goal, three point performance in the first game of this series. For the 2008 playoffs, Malkin has posted 8 goals and 9 assists for a 17 point display over the span of 10 games. By the numbers, it would appear only Detroit's Johan Franzen is in strict contention for the same award. Franzen has posted an unprecedented 27 goals in the last 27 games, 12 of which have come in the playoffs for a postseason total of 15 points.
The Penguins remain unbeaten on home-ice this postseason and will look to continue that streak with Game 2 on Sunday commencing at 7:30 p.m.
Philly fans claimed Pitt was afraid to play them? Looks like they were wrong again.
Warning: Should Pitt win on Sunday, expect to hear "Flyers came back in a series against the Pens once" sort of talk start as soon as Monday.
Game 1
In Pitt at 7:30 p.m.
Watch on Versus, Yahoo! or listen live on WXDX.com.
NOTES
I know I've been AWOL for the last few open threads - I'll be here for this one. If you haven't already made a username feel free to do so here. It takes two seconds to do and may put you in the running for some 2008 playoff posters and other goodies. The offer is open to Flyers fans too - although all I ask is that you keep it clean in the comment section. Other than that, feel free to dish it out.
Here we are, Game 1. How long has it been since the last game? I have to say, it's been pretty nice seeing the Pens still playing while other teams send players off to the IIHF competition. Perhaps it's for the better in more ways than one. After all, the Lightning's center Jeff Halpern has a rough summer ahead of him after tearing his ACL. Makes you grateful to have your team still together in the NHL huh? I know I'd be beyond words if we dropped a guy during offseason play.
Still keeping an eye open for scratches, but with a 7:30 start I presume we won't be seeing them till around 7 or so. In either case, Timmonen is out this series for the Flyers, perhaps even up to three months now. Eklund at hockeybuzz claims he could be back for the end of the series, but this is speculation coming from a guy who predicted the Penguins were not in the running for Hossa. Oh, and he's a Flyers fan (employee) too.
Shrink this down, print it out and staple it to your forehead - here is your playoff TV schedule on Versus.
With that said - well, there's nothing else to say till the puck drops.
Flyers All-Star defenseman Kimmo Timonen will likely miss the Eastern Conference finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins because of a blood clot in his left ankle.
Philadelphia general manager Paul Holmgren said Timonen was hit by a shot by Montreal's Andrei Markov late in Game 4 of Philadelphia's second-round victory over the Canadiens. Timonen had an MRI taken Wednesday that didn't show a clot, but a vascular surgeon found a small one Thursday.
This is huge news for Pitt. Timmonen not only shutdown Ovechkin in the Washington series, but he did a similar job against Montreal (till taking the puck off the foot). This may lead to lesser-quality coverage on guys like Sid, Malkin and Hossa. But perhaps this will also mean scratches can not be suspected for Downie/Cote. Fistacuffs my friends, fistacuffs.
Taking a look around at some different sites and found some good reading material on Pitt.
Whitney talking about the series. The defenseman claims Pitt may be, "just young enough to win it all." Bold statement from a...well, we won't go there right now. Let's just say Whitney has to live up to it.
The 30-year-old Biron had never started an NHL playoff game before taking to the ice with the Philadelphia Flyers in early April. The 23-year-old Fleury had played all of five for the Pittsburgh Penguins last spring against Ottawa and they weren't anything to write home about.
Does this mean Fleury may be, dare I say, more experienced than a 30-year-old former career backup in his first run for the cup?
I'd say so.
Please welcome new Pensburgh user wavegold. He's already contributed an interesting piece in reference to the Pens' whiteout attempts. Should it be Pittsburgh gold instead of cliched white? Does white signify a surrender? Read on here.
Seriously, when is it going to stop? Or maybe a better question would be, when are staff writers at papers/networks going to come up with a more original thought?
Stop making excuses for yourselves and go with some level of originality. So far the entire playoff run has been the same rehashed storyline from series to series. Even Don Brennan from the Ottawa Sun at least had a semi-original thought when he said Ottawa should headhunt for Crosby. While I would never condone the action on any player, at least it wasn't Senators vs the refs jargon.
Sounds like Philly is already looking for an excuse to use.
When will people; excuse me, semi-sane minded hockey fans, understand that the NHL would not rig a playoff run for any team? Seriously, what is wrong with people? Frankly, that would be the last thing on my mind if I saw another team making a hearty run (with or without a guy like Sid). But then I remember, some of these columnist guys can't attract flies without feces. Might as well rip off some other writer or develop a ridiculous conspiracy while you're at it.
In relation to the previous post, the media would have you believe that Pittsburgh is playing with five lines. After all, the Penguins certainly had their share of bench calls this season for too many men on the ice. Perhaps the penalties came from referees exiting the Penguins' bench to get on the ice...
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