After Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, many said it was the worst game the Flyers played so far in the playoffs. Many of the players agreed with that assessment. For the Flyers to take game 2 they could not get caught standing still and letting the likes of Evgeni Malkin, Marian Hossa, and Sidney Crosby skate freely in the their end of the ice. They had to stay out of the penalty box and play a consistent game.
The game did not start well for the Flyers. Philadelphia was already without the services of their best defenseman Kimmo Timonen, when Braydon Coburn took a puck to the face and left the game. Coburn did not return but is a possibility for game 3.
“My left eye is swollen shut right now,” he said. “I will keep the ice on it and get the swelling down and see what happens [Monday].”
The Flyers continued where they left off in game one with lackluster play in the first period. Often times the Penguins were able to skate without being stopped. An Achilles’ Heal of the Flyers this year has been undisciplined penalties. Many have started the conspiracy theories that the league and referees are out to get the Flyers by calling unwarranted penalties. Whether that may be true or not, if the players realize the officials are calling the Flyers tighter than other teams, you would think they would make it a point to play disciplined. About midway through the 1st period the Flyers’ entire second line was in the penalty box. Scottie Upshall was serving his 5 minutes for fighting Tyler Kennedy, Jeff Carter was called for tripping, and before Carter’s penalty could expire Mike Knuble was called for cross checking. The brief two man advantage allowed the Penguins to get their power play set up, but before Carter could rejoin the play, Sidney Crosby scored to put the Penguins up by one.
Later in the first Crosby thought he got his second of the night, but the referee behind the net was quick to waive it off, saying Martin Biron prevented it from crossing the goal line. Upon further review of the play, it was inconclusive if the puck fully crossed the goal line, therefore the original call stood. It was a situation where no matter what the referee called, it could not be overturned. The Flyers got the benefit of the call. They ended the first period only down by one goal.
In the second period, the Flyers began to play like the team that was seen in the first two rounds. They controlled the pace of play better and their power play was productive again. Jeff Carter scored early into the second period while the Flyers had the man advantage.
Later in period, Derian Hatcher was called for a questionable hooking penalty as Malkin was able to draw it by turning and making it look like Hatcher was hooking him. Marian Hossa scored to put Pittsburgh up 2-1. Whether it was a penalty or not, the Flyers penalty kill has be inept at stopping the Penguins power play.
On another Penguins power play late in the period, Mike Richards was able to intercept a pass and skate in all alone on Pittsburgh netminder Marc-Andre Fleury and score to tie the game back up. Richards has proved all season that he is a threat even when shorthanded.
Prior to the start of the game, John Stevens decided to dress Steve Downie. Downie is a bit of a loose cannon and can let his emotions get the best of him. This game, he played disciplined when he was on the ice and didn’t take any stupid penalties. But in the third, a weak clearing attempt by Downie enabled the Penguins to keep the puck in the zone. Max Talbot was able to take a Gary Roberts centering pass and put it behind Biron. Talbot was back in the Penguins lineup after missing 3 games with a broken foot. Jordan Staal added an empty net goal to ice the win for the Penguins.
The series now comes to Philadelphia for games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Thursday. For the Flyers to have any chance to take this series from the Penguins, they will need to play more consistently, stop taking undisciplined penalties, and stop running around in their own zone. At times tonight, the Flyers looked like a team that could beat Pittsburgh, but instead inconsistency and sloppy play was their downfall.
Highlights
Tags: Carter · Crosby · Downie · Hossa · Penguins · Richards · TalbotNo Comments
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