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The NHL is a game of give and take. When you take more the gods are certain to even it up eventually. And when I say “gods” I mean the players that dress for the game. Long has it become practice for a team that loses the first two games of a series on the road to come back and put on a strong performance at home. While their efforts symbolize that they will not go quietly into the night, more often than not such performances are not enough to help the team come back and win the series.
Up in the series 2-0 and playing in Philadelphia for the 1st time in this series, the Penguins found themselves tied at two with the Flyers in the second period. They had fended off Philadelphia’s strong physical play by doing it themselves, and while there were a few lost battles it turned out very well. Goals by Malkin and Scuderi had the game tied early in the second and the Penguins were just itching to score the go ahead goal. Fleury lets in couple bad goals and the Penguins were not able to come back to haunt the Flyers.
The difference in this game is that the Flyers played well and they won. In game two the Flyers played well and they lost. Sometimes that happens. Today it didn’t. It was a strong game for the Flyers and they deserved the win. The Penguins were able to seize momentum after coming back from a two goal deficit, but the Flyers quickly took that momentum back. A shorthanded goal by Simon Gagne sealed the deal for Philadelphia.
The Penguins spent much of the game chasing the Flyers around and they were easily goaded into scraps and chippy play which benefitted a Flyers team that left the second period up by two goals. It’s playoff hockey so the rough stuff shouldn’t be shocking. With their first round match up against the Flyers everyone knew exactly what the play would be like.
What followed was frustration as the Pens spent a lot of their time trying to show they were tough, instead of trying to score goals. When they held the lead the Flyers smartly played mostly defensive hockey which frustrated the Penguins further.
Something is wrong with Petr Sykora’s game. He is either injured or not thinking straight as he has missed many golden opportunities lately. It may be time for him to sit for a game or two in favour of Miroslav Satan.
Sidney Crosby seemed to be trying to do too much himself today. Marc-Andre Fleury was not at the top of his game. These two may have had off games, but they are talented enough to return to form quickly and they likely will. It is this talent that will decide the next games. Talent will decide the outcome of a playoff series. And, most importantly, talent will decide who holds up the Stanley Cup when all is said and done.
Despite the loss, the Penguins still lead the series. When the playoffs began no one predicted a Penguins sweep. Everyone thought it would a hard, tough series that would likely go six or seven games. And that is exactly what it has become. If the Penguins are able to win on Tuesday night they will come back home with a 3-1 series lead.
As you can see I’m optimistic, but who wouldn’t be when their team has a chance to finish off their biggest rival at home?
Inspired by Chris Shafer’s “Flyers Robbed By Fleury, Staal, And A Little Help”
Rick Moldovanyi is a freelance journalist from Toronto. He covers the Pittsburgh Penguins at Penguins Experience and has written for several publications in the Toronto area.
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The Tale of Fleury and the Crossbar
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