I must admit, I did not see this happening. When I saw the Pens dominate every aspect of the first period. This just reinforced my feeling that the series would be over in a couple of hours. All of a sudden, the TV feed went black. The next thing I knew, the game’s tide had turned and now the Pens must try to win the series on Philadelphia ice.
Martin Biron did to the Pens in the first period, what Fluery did to the Flyers in game 
4. He stopped everything that the Pens through at him. He was definitely the difference in this game. The Pens, unfortunately, did not keep the same pace that they had set in the first period. They seemed to get a bit demoralized by the outcome of the first period. One has to give credit to the Flyers again. They withstood the early onslaught. They kept at it and persevered on their way to victory.
Notes:
- I said it after the last game, I don’t like messing with the lines. Put the lines back together and let the players do their thing. These lines were working great, let them play through it.
- The Pens took it to the Flyers physically again, but just could not get the puck past Biron.
The Pens did, mostly, play well. Let’s hope they can build off of that and put it to the Flyers Sunday in Philly.
With all this said, the Pens can win this one today and close out the series. I believe we haven`t seen our best game yet and today is the day we will. Look for a total significant upgrade in scoring while going to the net and finishing every check. The North – South game should be played with a lot of tenacity and the one line after another will be flying. It`s time!
I think we have a Bruin’s fan here “hoping” for a choke. All of a sudden in looks like the WASH DC Craps are going to walk over the RAGS and that sets up a BRUIN/PENS 2nd round game. The Bruins would like to play 8-games against the hopeless HABS and pretty near the same with the RAGS.
It takes a Bruin fan to know what a choke is! LOL. The Penguins have seen it twice being up 3 – 0 so we know a choke also. The noose, however, is around the Flyers neck. That could change but that’s also hockey. The Bruins have a good team and the luck of the draw may have them advancing to the East Finals playing a beat-up Montreal team and the New York Rangers. Boston will be well rested when they meet either the Pens, Flyers, Canes, or Devils.
As to Fleury being the key to the wins….. so? Didn’t Boston have a goalie when they won their last Stanley Cup. Seriously, I don’t go back that far. I think that’s when black and white TV’s outnumbered colored ones.
Beware the Penguins…….. and God Bless America.
Cup Seeker: All of our Stanley Cups went through Boston, like knives through warm butter. You’ll get your chance to lose to us again. Shouldn’t you be kicking some Habs while their down?
I would be very surprised if we don’t see Sykora back in the next game. The coach made his point, and you don’t sit a guy like that for more than one game. If Satan put the biscuit in the basket and the Penguins wern’t shut out, it would be a whole nother story. The Flyers were able to concentrate more on Malkin yesterday because he didn’t have any scoring threat linemates. The one thing that Sykora brings is the fact that he is a sniper and teams watch him which opens the ice up for Malkin.
The noose is getting tight and the PENS have opened the door for the CHOKE…..FLYS have been the better team overall and if not for FLUERY this series is over and the PENS are looking at draft day….Still think the Pens squeeze it out but its obvious this ain’t HOSSA’S team of a year ago……They are dead next round anyway even if they win here….
Good points Reggie. Lets hope you are right and they are stepping down. Would love to see the Pens kick Cryers butt in Game 6. (I did call the Pens in 6, however, was hoping for 4.)
GOD BLESS AMERICA! GO PENS!
When Dupuis plays on a first or second line – this is not a good sign. No offense intended to Dupuis but he’s not 1st or 2nd line material. Sykora gets surprised he was benched says a lot about his perception. And while Boucher surprised me by throwing some big checks his decisions when passing the puck were questionable. I don’t know what we could expect from Satan maybe burying one but no matter – looking at those lineup changes unless Sykora and Letang were hurt – why make the moves? If they aren’t hurt I see both of them back in the line-up come Saturday’s matinee. Maybe, Godard gets his first look in FUGLY FLYtown too in place of Adams.
Go Pens and God Bless America.
As far as stepping it up. The Pens actually had to do that to get into the playoffs. I don’t know that there is another gear for them. What they did in the last couple dozen games was step it up. I actually think they have down shifted at this point.
This may be just my opinion, but have the Pens truly upped their game from the regular season? I feel there play is just a continuation from the regular season. Yes, it got us into the play-offs, but typically, in post season there is tighter defense and all around better play. Can’t say I have seen a whole lot of stronger play. Not taking anything away from Beeron and the players who have stepped up for the Pens.
GO PENS! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Does anyone recall the BLACKOUT inside the Civic Arena during the playoffs against the Flyers? After what seemed to be a 2-hour delay we went back in and the result was about the same as last night… except we get to play another day. Stuff happens.
When it comes to the FLYS it’s better to beat them on their home ice… God Bless America!