ECQF Game 4: Fewer penalties, more winning

by Travis Hughes on Apr 20, 2010 4:43 PM EDT in 2010 Playoffs

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, Game 4
#2 New Jersey Devils at #7 Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers lead series, 2-1
Wachovia Center - 7:30 PM ET - Philadelphia, PA
TV: CSN Philly HD, MSG Plus, TSN 2, RIS -- no national TV in USA
Radio: 610 WIP (internet stream here), XM 207, SIRIUS 218
Get the New Jersey perspective at In Lou We Trust

The last time the Flyers had a 2-1 series lead and lost the series was in 2000, when they had a 3-1 series lead over the Devils and wound up losing in seven games. We all remember it -- much too well, of course. Following Game 4 that year, the Devils and their fans were saying their prayers. Unfortunately for us, they came true that time, but in this case, history repeating itself is just not likely.

With a win tonight, the Flyers can put a complete stranglehold on New Jersey, and make us all a lot more comfortable in the process. After the way the Flyers dominated Game 3, though, why shouldn't we be confident? It's become evident that the worst fears of Devils fans have come true in this series -- it's a good matchup for the Flyers.

But it's more than that, as well. Philadelphia has completely outworked the Devils on every side of the puck. Be it on the penalty kill, on offense, on defense, and even in goal, the Flyers have been the better team in this series. So, why the hell should we be worried?

The Flyers have proven that they can eliminate Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk from the equation. They've proven that they can beat the Devils to loose pucks and generally out work the opposition, and even if the Devils turn their game up, the Flyers should be able to hold them off by doing the same things. The orange and black have also been able to successfully beat Martin Brodeur, despite the magnificent third period from the future Hall of Famer on Sunday.

It's a huge game tonight, and you know the Devils are going to come out strong. If the Flyers can keep playing the way they have all series, and if they can -- for the love of God -- take less penalties, I believe they'll frustrate the Devils even further and head back to Newark with a chance to close out the series.

Puck drop at 7:30 tonight. The game thread will go live at 6:30.

Tweet Comment 52 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

So, why the hell should we be worried?

Many, many reasons, the first of which is that we’re Philly fans.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.

by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 20, 2010 4:59 PM EDT reply actions

Yes, that is all you need to say. I don’t think I stopped worrying about the Phillies in 2008 until Carlos Ruiz had confirmed with the home plate ump that he caught strike 3 and was running at Brad Lidge….

Support Coyotes Hockey - Five For Howling
(Oh, and go Philly teams as well!)

by Jordan Ellel on Apr 20, 2010 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I am opposed to the title of this post, because it clearly didn’t work in game 2.

Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com

by HockeyOutsiders on Apr 20, 2010 5:04 PM EDT reply actions

Great, great point.

TRAVIS!

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.

by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 20, 2010 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions

er 2nd times the charm?

i hope

by edbro on Apr 20, 2010 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Bat call? What?

Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. Got goaltending? Searching since 1987.

by Travis Hughes on Apr 20, 2010 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions

You are correct, and thus… it is changed.

Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. Got goaltending? Searching since 1987.

by Travis Hughes on Apr 20, 2010 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions

No. It never happened.

by Snevik on Apr 20, 2010 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions

que?

Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. Got goaltending? Searching since 1987.

by Travis Hughes on Apr 20, 2010 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Not to be an ass, Travis, but it’s “fewer” penalties. /your former grammar teacher

"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko

by doubleh on Apr 20, 2010 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Way ahead of you.

The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.

by Ben Rothenberg on Apr 20, 2010 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Do’h, I’ve been making little mistakes like that all day today. Thanks

Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. Got goaltending? Searching since 1987.

by Travis Hughes on Apr 20, 2010 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions

GO FLYERS!

New Zealand's 4th best Philadelphia Flyers fan

by ToddtheFox on Apr 20, 2010 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions

WOOOOOOOOOOO

Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. Got goaltending? Searching since 1987.

by Travis Hughes on Apr 20, 2010 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions

BOOOOOSH

by phish'n on Apr 20, 2010 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly. What never happened.

by Snevik on Apr 20, 2010 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I like it. Time for some nails in the coffin.

Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com

by HockeyOutsiders on Apr 20, 2010 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions

2000

…still haven’t forgiven lindros for inserting himself back into the lineup. and i’m sure he loses sleep over it.

Eat what the monkey eats, then eat the monkey. -U.S. Navy survival guidance

by psudrozz on Apr 20, 2010 5:15 PM EDT reply actions

Regardless of context, I fear hubris.

by Snevik on Apr 20, 2010 5:15 PM EDT reply actions

I fear hummus

by Vansteel on Apr 20, 2010 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Go to Isreal! The Hummus is GLORIOUS! haha

@Mitchman88 on Twitter

by Mitchell Green on Apr 20, 2010 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions

*Israel

@Mitchman88 on Twitter

by Mitchell Green on Apr 20, 2010 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions

BEAT NJ!!!!!

"Sugah n' rainbows"

"We will steal the show, jolly Rogers go, we are wolves of the sea."

by JpH89 on Apr 20, 2010 5:32 PM EDT reply actions

Hey can we come to a consensus about something? Is it Boosh? Bouch? Booch? How are we spelling it? My vote is Booosh (dont’ care how many O’s) it’s just more intuitive pronunciation wise.

Mancrushin' on Geoff since April 20
"Good night. Good hockey."

by KreiderDesigns on Apr 20, 2010 6:01 PM EDT reply actions

agreed

by ryanitus on Apr 20, 2010 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions

BOOOOOOOOOOSH

"Sugah n' rainbows"

"We will steal the show, jolly Rogers go, we are wolves of the sea."

by JpH89 on Apr 20, 2010 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, definitely BOOOSH.

I’m guessing you saw the kids on DNL with B-O-U-C-H on their shirts?

Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. Got goaltending? Searching since 1987.

by Travis Hughes on Apr 20, 2010 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes I did, and yes it cheesed me off.

Mancrushin' on Geoff since April 20
"Good night. Good hockey."

by KreiderDesigns on Apr 20, 2010 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Grilled?

Doesn’t matter how you spell it, it puts the cheddar in my whiskers.

by Snevik on Apr 20, 2010 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions

My friend just posted the carcillo t-shirt artwork on facebook with a link to our store to her friends…the first response " hands down, my favorite flyers website. i’m glad you read it too." You’re famous, bitches!

Mancrushin' on Geoff since April 20
"Good night. Good hockey."

by KreiderDesigns on Apr 20, 2010 6:17 PM EDT reply actions

Sigh, we know… ;)

The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.

by Ben Rothenberg on Apr 20, 2010 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I want to see some devils get mashed tonight

by edbro on Apr 20, 2010 6:20 PM EDT reply actions

For the record, as bandwagon as the Caps fans may be...

They had 2642 comments during their 3 period threads last night.

Can we beat that here at BSH?

by EREX21 on Apr 20, 2010 6:20 PM EDT reply actions

that’s almost too much

Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. Got goaltending? Searching since 1987.

by Travis Hughes on Apr 20, 2010 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Unlikely.

The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.

by Ben Rothenberg on Apr 20, 2010 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions

we should just put one word comments in out thread

"Sugah n' rainbows"

"We will steal the show, jolly Rogers go, we are wolves of the sea."

by JpH89 on Apr 20, 2010 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Probably could beat it but I’m sure having a star like Ovechkin makes people all over the world comment on theirs.

by ryanitus on Apr 20, 2010 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Bartulis>Ovi

"Sugah n' rainbows"

"We will steal the show, jolly Rogers go, we are wolves of the sea."

by JpH89 on Apr 20, 2010 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions

He has a much better theme song.

The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.

by Ben Rothenberg on Apr 20, 2010 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions

thats for sure

"Sugah n' rainbows"

"We will steal the show, jolly Rogers go, we are wolves of the sea."

by JpH89 on Apr 20, 2010 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions

no way jose

by edbro on Apr 20, 2010 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t want to beat it and I don’t want millions of people on the site (that sounds bad). I just like being able to actually keep track of the conversation.

@Mitchman88 on Twitter

by Mitchell Green on Apr 20, 2010 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions