Yes people, the Pens would have lost this game badly had it not been for a spectacular game by Marc-Andre Fleury. Fleury made 45 saves on 46 shots. Some of those saves were of a spectacular nature. This is perhaps the third game in a row the Penguins were outplayed. Fortunately, they have won two of those three. That could be a good sign for things to come. If they get their game together, it should be an easy win. I would, however prefer to see them win because they played a better game. You have to give Philly credit again, they came out strong.
I have brought this up before, but two things that still drive me crazy about the Penguins game. 1. They seem to have a very difficult time clearing pucks when they are on the P.K. I saw it multiple times tonight. It was particularly evident at the end when they were protecting the lead. 2. Why do the defensemen back up so far when guys are driving in on them. I understand they don’t want to take a risk, but if you back all the way up to your own goal line, the other guys are going to get a shot.
I would love to see the Pens get back to hitting the Flyers more often. They were outhit again. The Flyers had 24 hits to the Pens 12 hits. Brooks Orpik had 14 hits by himself in game 2. The Flyers had 46 shots on goal to the Pens 26. That is very lopsided. Add to that, the Penguins also had 20 blocked shots, and that equals a lot of rubber flying in our zone.
On the positive side, the Pens are coming home Thursday with an opportunity to end the series.
Notes:
- The powerplay continues to struggle. Today they went 0-5 with very little in the way of good chances. They need to make Philly pay for their penalties.
- Petr Sykora continues to struggle. He missed a golden opportunity to end his drought on a loose puck in the goal mouth. I hope Petr can come home and lossen his grip on the stick.
- Tyler Kennedy was awesome tonight. The third line has been consistently the best line. These guys are working hard, scoring and drawing penalties.
- I think Ruslan Fedotenko is on the verge of making some things happen. I thought he was flying tonight. He created some good scoring chances. Let’s hope he starts to contribute.
- I am not sure why Dan Bylsma has been juggling the lines so much. I hate to complain about anything he does, but the lines were clicking leading into the playoffs. I would not let a few bad shifts change the lines.
- On the bad side, the Pens took a lot of penalties. (Some of them were a product of bad officiating) On the good side, a great job of killing penalties. Fleury was awsome!
Ok boys, lets close the deal on Thursday.
First off, The only place the Flyers own the play is during one of their power plays and for maybe one shift after…..The Penguins own the 5 on 5 play…..
About the Hits….In case everyone doesnot know, Hits are not an officialy designited NHL statistic….Hits are keep much the way shot on goal used to be kept (meaning the home team has a deignated person (usually a member of the local press) talley up the hits….Not only are the hits calcilated by a baised party, ther is no “definition in the NHL rule book that designates a hit…..
Bottom line is that the Flyers have always been know as the rough and Physical teams….. and at the very least the Penguins are matching them..
Singing would’nt be too bad either!
To hear John Stevens post game quote of, “We didn’t put the puck in our feet and throw ourselves into the net— which is apparently allowed now.” only demonstrates that this guy is a total bag of wind. His Flyers have been crashing Fleury even during the regular season play and the call on the ice in questioned (which we all questioned until we saw it a few times) stood up to a review. So, I guess he is claiming those in the Toronto war-room are on the take and/or blind. The real facts point to John Stevens as a whining coach who can’t figure how to get production from his star players… Carter and Richards. Sounds like he’s being out coached to me. Out coached by an interim coach? Maybe someone should send him an e-mail (after the series) that he plays him like he’s Brian Rolston. I going with Foreczech’s suggestion of signing of God Bless America with about 5 minutes to go… even if your at home or in a bar. (pass it on)
Penguin871 & MS FORECZECH:
Both of you with great, great ideas. I’m sure “Go home Flyers” will work its way in there as well. Maybe we can throw a rhyme in after that one, like “World’s biggest criers” and play Smokey Robinson’s Tears of a Clown.
I’m all for the sellout crowd signing God Bless America with about 5 minutes to go!
Stevens is such an idiot, thats all his players do is take runs at our goaltender, right before they scored their first goal they must of done it 5 times.
GM: Why not have Bylsma deck Stevens on the way out before game 5, it would get the fans going sorta like the classless jumbo tron crap they show before the Flyer games.
“He knocks Marty into the net, that was my concern,” Stevens said. “The goalie has to be allowed to make a save.”
Yep, you gotta love Stevens. I think Cooke should take a run at him in Game 5.
Flyer fans like to be considered the most intimidating fans in hockey and that seems to be more important than anything else. More important than winning. Yet, when Elvis left the building – nary a peep was heard. And for fans who bitch, whine and moan about Crosby their coach is the real whiner. Stevens is the biggest whiney coach in hockey right now. This guy has a bushel-basket full of excuses after every loss.
Fedotenko was the best player on the Malkin-Sykora line last night. Malkin ZERO SOG! What’s with that. Malkin and Sykora both a MINUS 1. Sykora needs to be sat for a game you just can’t let a second line player go that long without contributing much. This has been months now. I think Boucher will replace an injured Letang for Game 5 and might even give the PP a shot in the arm. No MAF and this series is 2-2 not 3-1.
We definately have to change or fix some things if we want to go the long haul in the play-offs. ON A BRIGHT NOTE: CAN WE SAY HOCKEY GAWD!
GO PENS!
Eaton and Scuderi have as many goals as Richards and Carter combined. YIKES.
Is the Venus FLYS Trap a ‘flower’??? WOOHOO. They don’t come easy and as for the refs . . . I don’t think this crew moves on to the next round. The Pope’s sticks must not have arrived in time for Sykora. YIKES.
I don’t know if it was the game plan, but it would seem that the Pens lulled the Flyer fans to sleep. They didn’t make many checks and didn’t get involved in after play activities. Personally I thought the refs called a horrible game, but I’ll take the result any day. Fluery cleary won that game himself as good goaltenders do. Unlike the tantrum that Brodeur threw tonight! FLOWER POWER!