ECQF Game 2: No more excuses

by Travis Hughes on Apr 17, 2009 8:00 AM EDT in 2009 NHL Playoffs

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, Game 2
#5 Philadelphia Flyers at #4 Pittsburgh Penguins
Flyers trail best-of-seven series, 1-0
Mellon Arena - 7:00 PM EDT - Pittsburgh, PA
TV: CSN HD, Versus HD, CBC, RDS, FSN Pittsburgh
Radio: 610 WIP, XM 206
Behind Enemy Lines: Pensburgh

For the last 36 hours or so, we've talked nonstop about the Flyers failure to show up in Game 1. We know that they played like utter crap and we know that if they play like that again, we might not even get a Game 5 in this series. They seem to know that they sucked too, unlike down the stretch of the season where they thought they were playing well enough to win.

Well, at least they're talking like it. If they put show up to Mellon Arena tonight and put their money where their mouths are -- if they come out with intensity, if they cut back on the penalties, if they play Flyer hockey -- this is a series again. In fact, if they win tonight they eliminate the home ice edge the Pens currently hold and the face of this series is completely changed as we head home to Philadelphia on Sunday.

Those are a lot of ifs, though.

There is a lot of work to be done. They cannot flip a switch and take over the series. Pittsburgh still has the momentum that they have rightfully earned, and the Flyers need to earn the right to take control of it themselves. There won't be any favors, starting with the roster, which could be a bit short.

Kimmo Timonen will play. At least he better, it's the damn playoffs. He suffered in Game 1 from a charley horse he received in the games' first minutes and a rest day yesterday should help him, but he might not be at 100 percent. Also, tough guy Daniel Carcillo won't be in the lineup after the NHL suspended him for his actions in the final minute of Game 1. That doesn't really matter though, considering Carcillo in a Flyer uniform makes Ronald McDonald look like an offensive threat.

In fact, Carcillo's absence could bring a boost to the Flyers. Luca Sbisa will take his spot on the roster in Game 2, and given that Sbisa can play (well) both up front and, obviously, his natural position on the blueline, he could be a valuable tool in John Stevens' arsenal.

I'm going to repost a paragraph from the preview of Game 1 because it's still completely, 100 percent relevant.

If the Flyers want to win this game, and consequently the series, they cannot allow themselves to fall behind the eight ball right off the bat as they have done so many times this season.

That means attacking the Penguins for every puck. That means physically abusing every single player in black and gold. That means playing smart. That means playing relentless Flyer hockey wire-to-wire.

Do it, Flyers. It's time to execute. This is a must win game, no exceptions.

We're collaborating on the game thread again tonight with the folks over at Pensburgh. If you missed out on Wednesday night, just come by here at game time and we'll point you in the right direction.

Tweet Comment 21 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

here's hoping

they come out playing like they did in the first period against toronto.

World F#$king Champions

by psudrozz on Apr 17, 2009 9:39 AM EDT reply actions

Turnaround time!

If we play like we did the other night, we deserve to lose the series. I hope they realize this is the playoffs and actually attempt to play a game tonight.

by Jborg10 on Apr 17, 2009 10:30 AM EDT reply actions

Pittsburgh Fans At Their Finest

by KatManDuww on Apr 17, 2009 10:44 AM EDT reply actions

this would actually be incredibly funny

if they didn’t mess up the “you’re” vs. “your”.

instead, it will be deemd as “awesome”

World F#$king Champions

by psudrozz on Apr 17, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions

In fact, if they win tonight they eliminate the home ice edge the Pens currently hold and the face of this series is completely changed as we head home to Philadelphia on Sunday.

I think this is a very important thing to realize. If the Flyers win tonight they did exactly what they needed to do. The goal is to take one of the games on the road. No matter how terrible they played Wednesday IF they win tonight not only do they nullify the Penguins home ice advantage but they come back to Philly with all the momentum.

Honestly, I do not share the negative sentiments that so many people have about this series. Everyone acts like the Penguins dominated the Flyers. What? They got an illegal goal from Crosby and Malkin scores a fluke trash goal. At best, the Penguins only deserved two of their goals. And its not like the Penguins had the Flyers pinned in their defensive zone the whole game. It was a pretty boring game, back and forth with neither team getting much going. The Penguins defense does deserved credit for clogging the middle but I think more can be attributed to the lack of flow between the Flyers forwards and that the Flyers being on the penalty kill. I just don’t understand how people think the Flyers got dominated. They hurt themselves more then any damage the Penguins inflicted.
Flat out, the Flyers didn’t deserve to win but I hardly think that the Penguins looked particularly special. If one of those post shots had gone it we would be looking at a very different series. But who cares about what could have happened, now is the time.

Unlike all the announcers, commentators and reports who are on the Penguins dick and think the Penguins are this formidable foe, I strongly disagree. They are a mediocre core with two stars, one of which is protected by the NHL administration. The Flyers ARE the better team, I just question whether or not they are going to show up and prove it. Lets hope. Real reppin hard for the Flyers.

Lets go Flyguys, give the rest of the league and hockey world the middle finger tonight by slaughtering the NHL’s protected players and team.

by Mitchell Green on Apr 17, 2009 11:16 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Agree Completely...

I think you made a lot of great points. No matter how poorly the Flyers played Wednesday night, they killed off 8 of 9 Penguins power plays, which is a great sign, I think. Between that, the Crosby and Malkin goals you mentioned, and that awful 3-on-1 goal, it wasn’t as bad as it looked. Not to mention all the iron we hit…

The Flyers are the more talented team, by far. Most all the breaks went the Pens way the other night, and if we can stay disciplined tonight (Hartnell, I’m looking at you), and pay attention to their third line as well as their first two, I think we’ll see some good Flyers hockey.

Speaking of Scotty, as schizophrenic as the Flyers are, Hartnell has got to be the most schizophrenic Flyer out there. The other night, we saw “Let’s Throw My Glove” Hartnell. Tonight, I want to see “Down 5-1 to Carolina” Hartnell. GO FLYERS.

by CTFlyer on Apr 17, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Who is going to light the fire? ...

Is it time to have Paul Holmgren have a little chat again? I think so. The players have to realize that their jobs are on the line, not Gagne and Richards but Asham and Lupul. Where is the life or death attitude they exhibited in the Toronto game a few weeks ago? They better bring it or make a tee time!

by Fortune favors the brave(s) on Apr 17, 2009 11:39 AM EDT reply actions

they need to bring it tonight, set a tone by just trashing them on every check and sending giroux with briere crashing the net all day everyday, and if that happens the pitt defense will start to stay at home where gags, richie, and carter can just send some bombs on net, this isnt purely optimistic,this is typical flyers when they show up. ah man comeon 7PM

by kolparty on Apr 17, 2009 11:51 AM EDT reply actions

If Sbisa has a good game tonight do you guys think he will play the rest of the series and Stevens will sit Carcillo?

by The Legend on Apr 17, 2009 11:53 AM EDT reply actions

Definite possibility. If he helps them win and provides defensive depth why not right? You know Carcillo won’t be doing that . . .

by Mitchell Green on Apr 17, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope, with Timonen already limping and Jones being Jones WITH a groin injury…

by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 17, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

i feel like stevens is the type of guy to play carcillo in game 3 and then learn sbisa is young, probably hungry to play [hes 19, in the nhl playoffs is the equivalent for red bull and adderall for a college kid] i mean, i really like the idea of sbisa getting time, but i feel stevens is committed to his gameplan and it would take another loss for him to understand the severity of carcillo not working at all with briere and giroux. yeah you can say their productive but theres no defense for carcillo helping hes just crossing the blue line while danny and claude and skating backwards because no one was there to grab the puck.

by kolparty on Apr 17, 2009 11:56 AM EDT reply actions

First off, Carcillo hasn’t skated with Briere and Giroux in weeks. And I think putting Sbisa with them wouldn’t be too helpful. They are the three smallest guys we have on the team, and while Sbisa throws his weight around, he showed throughout the year that he needs to build muscle. I like Asham on that line, and I hope next year Briere and Giroux are split up, unless one of them decides they want to be Jeff Carter and let the other set him up.

by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 17, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed. Throw Sbisa on the 4th line and let them get some good forechecks in to cause some energy. He is just getting back into NHL hockey let alone Playoff hockey. I dont think he will do Briere and Giroux much good yet. Plus he is still young. You dont want to overwhelm the kid. Let him ease it . . .

by Mitchell Green on Apr 17, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions