Gameday Poop: Pens vs Flyers – Game 4 – Dictating the Play

Last game the Penguins got away from dictating the play, their hits were down, their blocked shots were down and they looked to be in a bit of disarray.  Dan Bylsma has had a talk with the players about getting involved in the scrums after plays. The big question is, will Bylsma make any lineup changes?  Will we see Eric Godard, Philippe Boucher or  Miroslav Satan, or is Bylsma not shaken by one loss?

What makes for the best TV? Apparently an interstate rivalry NHL game of Knock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Hockey. The NBC Pittsburgh – Philadelphia game had an overnight 1.7 rating, the highest rated game since the “Winter Classic”

Alexander Ovechkin sat on the visiting bench at Madison Square Garden watching the Rangers practice yesterday morning until he was politely asked to leave. Ovechkin said: “I just (wanted) Tortorella pissed off, and he was”. Barry Melrose just came off saying on ESPN that Ovechkin should win the MVP because he’s the face of the NHL. Not only does that make a 10 year old the face of the NHL, but if that’s true then why did the NBC Washington – New York game on Saturday only get a 1.0 rating when they had the countries biggest TV market New York City viewing?

The NHL reviewed Chris Kunitz’s huge hit on Kimmo Timonen and deemed it clean. “If he is going into the game trying to hurt me, that’s fine,” Timonen said. Scotty Hartnell who fought with Kunitz less than a minute after said: “I couldn’t believe it was actually possible he got up and finished the game”

The Penguins have beaten the Flyers 6 out of 6 night games this year, all three losses to the Flyers came during afternoon games.

Hit Somebody! The Penguins who were averaging 40 hits at home the first two games only had 18 in Philadelphia. The Flyers had 29. The Penguins still lead the series in hits registered 98-95. Hopefully the Penguins biggest hitter, Brooks Orpik’s nose heals from Briers high stick in time to “Hit Somebody” Philadelphia also blocked more shots, 19-16.

Everyone knows that the Pittsburgh’s fan favorite Steeler quarterback is always the backup quarterback. It is amazing to me that right now everyone wants to put Miroslav Satan in the lineup for Petr Sykora, these are the exact same people who wanted Satan banished from the team. For what it’s worth, I thought Satan played good the last few games under Bylsma. The Penguins don’t need to take Sykora out of the lineup to put Satan in. There is a perfectly good waiver pickup Craig Adams that could be replaced.

Sunday the Penguins scored with 12 seconds left in the second period and 13 seconds into the third period – 25 seconds apart. This could possibly be the longest time ever in the playoffs between 2 goals scored only 25 seconds apart.

The Flyers have only come back twice in 13 tries when being down 2-0 in a playoff series, but one of those times was against the Penguins in 2000.

Can’t wait to hear Steigerwald & Errey. Yea, I just said that, I need to hear a home “homey” announcer when watching playoff games. The NBC crew is horrible.

Gametime is 7pm and can be seen in high definition at the Wachovia Center or at home on FSN.