ECSF Game 5: Flyers Win Big, Get Series Back To Philly; Also Lose Big As Boucher Injures Knees
by Ben Rothenberg on May 10, 2010 11:07 PM EDT
in 2010 Playoffs
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PrintIf the Flyers lost this game, their season was over.
But they won tonight, and won big. The Flyers thoroughly dominated the Bruins for a 4-0 win, forcing a Game 6 back on Broad Street.
But as huge as this win was, the carnage along the way was just as massive.
Brian Boucher was knocked out early in the second period with what is being reported now as MCL sprains in both knees, pending MRIs. He is almost certainly done for the season, making this the seventh or so time this series in which the Flyers have lost their starting goaltender to injury.
But the Bruins responded to this possible window of opportunity by finally living up to their offense's lack of hype, getting shut out for the first time since April 1st.
Some scattered thoughts on what was a seriously scattered game:
- Under some ridiculously tough circumstances, Michael Leighton came up absolutely huge in this game to keep the Flyers' season alive. Lost in the commotion over Boucher's exit was the fact that tonight Michael Leighton saw the first NHL playoff action of his entire life. Which means his career playoff GAA is now 0.00, and his career playoff save percentage is 100.0% None too shabby. In the process, Leighton also became part of the first shared shutout in the playoffs in 55 years.
- While Boucher's status for the remainder of this series is sadly obvious, questions remain about Claude Giroux's condition for the near future. He was on the wrong end of a very nasty boarding by Steve Begin, who delivered a textbook dirty hit from behind to Giroux late in the second. Suspendable? Absolutely. Reports of Giroux's presence in the third are conflicting, so I suppose we'll just have to wait and see what tomorrow's reporting brings.
- Not a bad time for Scott Hartnell to play his best hockey of the year, eh? Hartnell scored the Flyers second goal, and looked to have scored the first as well despite it being credited to Ville Leino. Having Hartnell play up to his potential in this series could very well be the difference between winning and losing.
- This Ville Leino character is pretty awesome.
- No Flyer has more goals than Simon Gagne in this series. Chew on that one for a while.
- Remember how Marc Savard was the feel-good story of these playoffs after returning from a dirty Matt Cooke hit? Well, any good will he still has from that comeback story should be completely gone after his ridiculous ganging up with Milan Lucic to rough up Mike Richards once the game was out of reach. An absolutely pathetic move.
- If Miro Satan had been able to bury that bounce he got onto his tape late in the first, this is a whole different ballgame.
- A team has had a 3-0 lead in a best-of-seven series 162 times in NHL history, but the Flyers are only the fourteenth team to force as much as a Game 6.
- Not that this matters at all, especially this time of year, but how often does a team get a shutout in the playoffs and a goalie is not given one of the three stars?
- The parallels between this game and Game 5 of the Flyers-Penguins ECQF from last year are pretty clear. In both cases, the Flyers went into Game 5 down 3-1, having lost the previous two away games in the series, one of them in OT. Then they stun their black-and-gold wearing opponent with a shutout road win in Game 5, handing the opponent its first loss at home of the playoffs on the back of goals from some pretty unlikely sources. Let's just hope the comparisons don't continue into Game 6...
- With this win, the Flyers are now guaranteed not to have a losing record in the post-season.
After the jump, questions answered, a comment of the night, and your celebration and/or consternation.
Questions Answered:
- Can the Flyers continue to pepper Tuukka Rask with pucks and pressure? Yes. Rask was not stellar in this game at all, but it was mostly his defensemen letting him down.
- Will the Flyers score on the power play tonight? Once, on eight attempts. There was a double minor that saw nary a shot, so it's safe to say that the powerplay wasn't very good this evening.
- Mark Recchi scores a lot. Can the Flyers stop him tonight? Flyers stopped everybody.
- Will the Flyers get some favorable bounces tonight? Um, no. The Boucher injury was horrible luck, as was the bounce off the glass that put the puck right on Satan's blade for a 1-on-0 late in the first.
- This is the third elimination game the Flyers have been in this season. Two wins so far. Do they stay undefeated with their backs against the wall tonight? Yessir. And they didn't even need a shootout.
Comment of the Night:
Ok, either Hartnell just scored or God divided by zero… --Boog609
Go Flyers.
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But the Bruins responded to this possible window of opportunity by finally living up to their offense’s lack of hype, getting shut out for the first time since April 1st.
Haha. Love it. Nicely done, Ben. I very much approve of that picture! When did that happen? I don’t even remember it.
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"Good night. Good hockey."
by KreiderDesigns on May 10, 2010 11:11 PM EDT reply actions
Begin, Savard, and Lucic could all be rightfully suspended for their respective actions this game.
Of course, this is the playoffs. The truth is though none of them will be suspended.
Proudly supporting a Flyers team with "no honor."
Of course, this is the playoffs it was agains the Flyers. The truth is though none of them will be suspended.
Fixed.
I agree with you, they should at least be looked at b/c you know if it was Carbomb they would be looking at it right now.
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"Good night. Good hockey."
by KreiderDesigns on May 10, 2010 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Not relevant at all, but I just saw a commercial on NHLN for the Caps DVD set.
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by Ben Rothenberg on May 10, 2010 11:17 PM EDT reply actions
Dear Lord baby Jesus, lyin’ there in your ghost manger, just lookin’ at your Baby Einstein developmental videos, learnin’ ’bout shapes and colors please let Giroux be alright and no more injuries.
welll
“Will the Flyers get some favorable bounces tonight? Um, no”
i’d say there were 2 lucky bounces. one off the post mentioned by miro satan and then the bruins stick breaking for gagne to skate past him. he barely touched the puck and that stick broke.
all in all awesome game, bummer for boosh he’s been a good story but heres to leights takin the reigns, been the story of our entire season so at least our guys are used to stepping in for injured goalies.
True, but the Satan play all came from an unbelievably unlucky bounce. Maybe another bounce killed the chance, but it all started from a hugely anti-Flyers carom.
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by Ben Rothenberg on May 10, 2010 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions
not to disagree ben, but this was the first game in this series that I’ve watched that the Bruins didn’t get all the lucky bounces. Yes, the puck bounced right out to Satan, but in games 1-4, that puck ends up in the net.
1. fluttering shot from the point that bounced around, hit the post, hit boucher’s glove and stayed out. that’s a goal in the first 4 games.
2. I think it was a different Satan moment, when he burst in, deked boucher out, but was too far back to slam the puck home. Another moment that would have been a goal earlier this series.
3. As noted above, the Bruins d-man stick breaking.
Say what you will, but the Flyers finally got some good bounces last night.
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by HockeyOutsiders on May 11, 2010 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions
He is almost certainly done for the season, making this the seventh or so time this series in which the Flyers have lost their starting goaltender to injury.
Has it been seven?
-Emery
-Boucher
-Leighton
-Backlund
-Dushcene
-Boucher
-Leighton
Is that the right order?
Flyers, the only Philly team that matters
I count:
Emery
Boucher
Emery
Leighton
Backlund
Boucher
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by Ben Rothenberg on May 10, 2010 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Backlund played two periods in Pittsburgh before getting injured. Duchesne (fortunately) solely played the role of door opener/seat warmer.
by Ben Feldman on May 10, 2010 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions
My bad. Duchesne came in for Boucher a game after he gave up 5 goals to the Islanders April 1st.
So:
Emery
Boucher
Emery
Leighton
Backlund
Boucher
Leighton
Flyers, the only Philly team that matters
Ooooh. I didn’t know that about Duchesne. I was in Toronto that week/weekend, and I saw some mid-game highlights in a restaurant during an intermission of a game on TSN or CBC. Didn’t want to have to read anything about that streak being snapped or whatever so I didn’t go out of my way to find a boxscore or anything the next day.
by Ben Feldman on May 11, 2010 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Will they be in the market to acquire Carey Price from Montreal when the playoffs are over?
Rocking the Red since 1975
God I hope not.
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by Ben Rothenberg on May 11, 2010 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions
I’d rather keep hartnell than acquire price.
by ryanitus on May 11, 2010 12:54 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Not sure why everyone is so down on Price, he is young, big, and has the skill set to continue to develop and succeed at this level. It’s not like he plays in an easy market, I feel like people are down on him too early. Are there things that worry me about Price, sure, but would he be the best goalie on our roster if we picked him up, I think so. I’d rather Bernier, but I think that’s a pipe dream. Price is young, talented, relatively cheap, has some work ethic issues, and has had some ups and downs in a very young career at a very young age. I think there are still plenty of positives with Price.
I tend to agree with this
There are definitely red flags, but he certainly has talent, is still young and will come cheap. I’d take a flier.
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by Chris Haines on May 11, 2010 8:46 AM EDT up reply actions
My biggest reason for being down on him…his coaches and team mates, on multiple occasions have called him out for his lack of effort.
I don’t want anyone on my team that is not giving 100% all the time. And clearly enough people seem to think he does not.
This team has too much talent to take a flyer(no pun intended) on a goalie who has work ethic and effort issues. They need a stud and they need one now.
Can't think of something catchy to say here...I suck.
I think that issue has been mostly resolved, and that was the one thing I worry about. I think he reacted the wrong way to the situation in Montreal with the fans getting on him and the press/media etc. Look he’ll be 23 in August, it’s not like he is 29 with these problems; I understand why you wouldn’t want to touch a guy like that, but for the right price (no pun intended) I don’t know how you say no to a reasonable trade for him. And with the team he’d have in front of him here, he’d have a lot less pressure to be spectacular on a daily basis.
I absolutely agree he would have less pressure on him, not that Philly would be a cake walk, but it certainly is not Montreal. And yes, he would have a better defense in front of him, and he is still young. But the effort stuff just bothers me. If we could get him for a Hartnell and a Coburn I might consider it but I would not want to give up a Simon Gagne or even Briere(whom I despise) for Price.
Can't think of something catchy to say here...I suck.
If Ville Leino keeps on playing good do you guys think that makes Asham a goner? Since Asham isn’t under contract next year, I don’t know if Leino is or not.
We can have both, yes? Powe is the one who I think may be done.
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by Ben Rothenberg on May 10, 2010 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Powe is a great energy guy and he’s a pk guy he’s got more value than asham and ashams contract is up. Powe isn’t a scorer like Asham has been at times but powe is a guy who could have a career like lappy has had.
by ryanitus on May 11, 2010 12:56 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Nodl is making a case for sticking around, too.
I dub him The Viennese Hustler.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
didn’t he try to lay a monster hit on Char? I had to laugh at that one.
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by HockeyOutsiders on May 11, 2010 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions
He did seem to just knock down a lot of shots.
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"Good night. Good hockey."
by KreiderDesigns on May 10, 2010 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, it’s time for rebounds-a-plenty.
Considering he’s been out for so long, he did a nice job. The Flyers defense needs to continue to limit chances and clear rebounds, much like they did in January and February.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
yup, they absolutely have to play the same way they did in the 2nd/3rd and hope the Bruins give them the opportunity to bury a few, so they don’t have to open things up.
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by HockeyOutsiders on May 11, 2010 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Regarding the last bullet, couldn’t the Flyers finish with a .500 record?
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by Travis Hughes on May 10, 2010 11:40 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
We’re 6-4 right now, right? Which means we could finish 6-5 (not bloody likely), 7-5 (again), 8-4 after this series. So yeah if we get swept in the ECF, we would finish at 8-8. Travis gets the no-prize!
What we can’t do is finish with a losing record.
Mancrushin' on Geoff since April 20
"Good night. Good hockey."
by KreiderDesigns on May 10, 2010 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Man, these Flyers are really putting up a fight. What’s the overall consensus on Michael Leighton potentially starting the remainder of the playoffs? Love it? Hate it?
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Fine with it, I guess. Leighton was perfectly okay during the regular season.
But we’re not really in a position to have an opinion at this point, you know? Just gotta move past it and hope he gives the team a chance to win on Wednesday.
by Ben Feldman on May 10, 2010 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions
True, I guess it is kind of one of those deal with what you got and hope for the best sort of situations.
That injury to Boucher looked horrible. I mean, you could say the same about Laperriere taking a puck off the face, but I think the injuries you don’t see entirely – like this one – are just more painful to watch. I winced when I saw him go down like that. Rough.
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I’m not thrilled about it. Leighton has a huge problem with giving up rebounds and even though it seems like he constantly gets lucky with them, I fear the day when his luck runs out and the Bruins start burying pucks. That being said, he is usually decent at squaring to the shooter and after not playing for 7 weeks, he looked fairly solid tonight, though there was not a whole lot of pressure on him.
Boosh was solid during his time in net. If Leighton can replicate that feat, I think the Flyers will be fine. He is not spectacular and does not need to be for the Flyers to win, but if he gives up bad and soft goals, the Flyers will have no chance.
Proudly supporting a Flyers team with "no honor."
I’d argue that Boucher has probably given up more soft goals than Leighton has this season. I think both goalies have played just fine for the Flyers (as have all the goalies for the Flyers this season), but if I had to pick one who gives up more weak goals, it’d be Boosh.
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by Travis Hughes on May 11, 2010 12:05 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I may be nit-picking and seeing what I am looking for (and what I fear), but I saw a lack of rebound control from Leighton tonight. Granted it was his first action in 7 weeks and came in without notice, but despite some nice saves, I worry about his rebound control.
Proudly supporting a Flyers team with "no honor."
Leighton and Boosh give up different kinds of bad goals. Leighton’s bad goals are like that one where he let in that Zajac shot five-hole from, what, 30-40 feet out a minute into that game they played in the blizzard. Boosh’s are like the one in game four where he sorta kinda had control of the puck along his pads and then, boom, it’s in the net. Leighton’s tend to look a lot worse, though.
by Ben Feldman on May 11, 2010 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ve always felt more confident when Leighton was in net than Boucher.
Flyers, the only Philly team that matters
Boucher is more athletic and you wouldn’t see leighton make a save like Boucher made in ot of game 1 or against the rangers in the last game with that dive. Leighton uses positioncto dominate but Boucher is more athletic and quicker but he does give up softer goals than leighton. I have enough confidence in Boucher, leighton and backlund as our goalies next season and let emery go.
by ryanitus on May 11, 2010 1:01 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think going back to home ice can factor into that as well. I mean, it’s not the be-all end-all by any means, but it sure as hell gives the Flyers a bigger boost than if they played another night at TD Bank. And, to be honest, I think if the Flyers can push it to 7 then the series is theirs.
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Savard gives his take of his explosion on Richards.
"I just got fired up. I got one the other night in Philly from behind [which was called boarding against Darroll Powe], and then I was facing the glass again in the same situation and then I look back at [David] Booth, [David] Krejci, those guys … I mean, enough’s enough. I mean, I don’t know. That’s all," said Savard after the loss, which sends the series back to Philly for Game 6 Wednesday night.
Savard was then asked if he was accusing Richards of trying to injure players by referring back to the concussion-causing hit on Booth earlier this season and the hit that broke Krejci’s wrist in Game 3 of this series. Of course, Savard had a similar beef with Matt Cooke of Pittsburgh for a hit that caused a concussion March 7.
"I mean, I don’t know. That’s the way he plays. It’s part of his demeanor. He’ll never change. So I don’t know," said Savard.Link
I understand the guy wants to protect himself as he is coming back from his nasty concussion, but cross checking someone on the face and ganging up on Mike Richards is not going to accomplish anything. The only message it sends is that you are scum and are willing to stoop to dirty levels, thus, inviting the Flyers to do the same. Was Richards hit on Savard questionable? Absolutely. Should his 2-minute minor have been for that and not a phantom roughing penalty from that scrum? Yes. Is it classy to retaliate a minor penalty questionable hit with suspension worthy actions? Hell no.
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by Justin F. on May 11, 2010 12:15 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Oy. I agree with you — look, I can understand why he’s unhappy that Richards got him like he did, given his recent concussion, but you have no right to complain like this when you and a teammate immediately proceed to two-on-one the guy along the boards, away from the play and literally bludgeon him.
by Ben Feldman on May 11, 2010 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions
I did not want to pile on Savard too much as I did not need to to make the point I wanted to make, but you are right, those comments are extremely hypocritical of Savard.
I can’t wait for someone to put this “fight” on YouTube.
Proudly supporting a Flyers team with "no honor."
That was total prison yard tatics. I mean Richie could rip Savard a new asshole and Savard knew it. The fight might have gone down fast but in the in the instance before the cross check in the face, Lucic and Savard were on the same page. Hockey players are constantly making split decisions amongst each other, it’s called the fastest game on earth for a reason. As such I see what Lucic and Savard as pre-meditated eventhough it looks like it was a spur of the moment indiscretion.
And if you want to protect yourself from concussions why would you be turning toward the boards at the last minute when you know you are going to get hit. Stand up to the hit. That is how you don’t get hurt.
Just Call Me "M"!
Dirtiest Play of the Postseason
When I saw Savard and Lucic double teaming Richards, I about threw my remote through the window of my living room. What kind of gutless….
Look, I have always liked Savard, and think that he’s normally a standup guy and an all around great player. Lucic, not so much, as he plays more of the enforcer role. I know Richie wouldn’t back down from either of those guys 1-on-1 if he had to do it, but come on now, really? Are these guys playing midget hockey and just learning the rules/respect of the game, or are they at the highest level of the game in the world?
Its plays like this that make me sick. And you hit it right on the damn head, if it was Carcillo, or any other Flyer, Campbell would have laid down a suspension already. Thats just ludicrous. If anyone hears anything about potential disciplinary action, which should be leveed, please post it here.
Agreed and not to mention no extra penalty time to Savard for drawing blood with a stick infraction. And if Richards is getting a roughing with Savard for the scrum how is it that Lucic gets a roughing as well. Isn’t that third man in? That is a game misconduct in some instances and factor in the Carcillo rule of a misconduct at the end of game is an instant suspension in the playoffs, correct? I don’t get mad about this crap anymore, I expect the stupidity.
Just Call Me "M"!
I think if they classified it as a fight he may have gotten third man in. However this was just “roughing” so no call like that.
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jack was bitchin’ about richie holding a bruins stick as well… i got a kick outta that
by fitzy first on May 11, 2010 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions
I didn’t have too big of a problem with what Lucic did, I think that was more of a, “hmm Richards may kill Savard if I don’t jump on here” kind of thing.
Savard though, I always thought he was a little dirty, kind of like Briere is a little dirty. You know, he’ll pick his spots, take a cheap shot when he can, when he won’t have to be held responsible. I don’t have a huge problem with those plays really anymore anyway. With the instigator rule, it’s tougher to protect skilled players, especially smaller ones, so sometime they have to be a little dirty to protect themselves. HOWEVER, the cross check to Richards face was completely ridiculous, and was possibly worthy of a match penalty.
The replay clearly showed a couple of sticks to Richards’ face. I understand that the refs can’t see all of that stuff in real time, but I mean, let’s be honest here. The third man in should get a penalty, and in reality, the Flyers should have had a 5-on-3 for 2 full minutes after this play. I know that emotions are running high right now, and this actually may work to our advantage. If we can get under the Bruins skin and get them off their game, which we seemed to do pretty well last night, I can see that being a major factor. They gave 8 PPs last night, which is going to get you burned (even if we only get 1/8 PPGs, good for 12.5%).
The Bruins were taking runs at our guys last night, and you wouldn’t expect that from a team that is on the brink of advancing, but moreso from the team that is on the brink of elimination. Lets just hope the Bruins keep taking penalties and the Flyers can capitalize more often then they have been.
a i agree-lucic was making sure savard didn’t get into anything.
i like lucic-reminds me of a handzus/leclair hybrid. so strong around the crease, and absolutely terrifying on the wraparound.
Eat what the monkey eats, then eat the monkey. -U.S. Navy survival guidance
He has a long way to go before he becomes as dominant in the crease as LeClair, and I’m not saying that just because LeClair is my 2nd cousin, Lucic still has a lot to learn about dominating the area around the net.
i agree-maybe i pushed to hard with the comparisson.
still, the talent is there.
Eat what the monkey eats, then eat the monkey. -U.S. Navy survival guidance
I Wanna Be Johan Backlund
The guy must have some sick luck or something. He’s had the best seat in the house all playoffs, Leighton returns meaning he was probably going to be scratched. Now he’s back in the best seat in the house.
The Islanders went from Marty McInnis and a 2nd Overall pick to Jesse Joensuu.
Both.
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by Ben Rothenberg on May 11, 2010 1:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Only Boucher got it.
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by Geoff Detweiler on May 11, 2010 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions
I would have thought neither did – usually you have to play the full 60 to get an official shutout.
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on May 11, 2010 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh yeah, neither got it. I forgot Boucher got a shutout in Game 5 against NJ, so he has one on the post-season.
Nobody got a shutout last night.
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by Geoff Detweiler on May 11, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Acccording to espn
The Boston Bruins are unveiling a statue of Bobby Orr in his defining moment.
The bronze sculpture depicts the most beloved player in team history flying through the air with his arms outstretched after scoring the goal that clinched the 1970 Stanley Cup championship against the St. Louis Blues. It’s scheduled to be unveiled Monday outside the TD Garden.
The ceremony comes on the 40th anniversary of the goal.
What a way for the Bruins to cap off this special day honoring their team’s history and one of the greatest d-men in hockey with some of the ghetto bullshit they pulled tonight. I guess, when the bounces didn’t favor them and their inability to take advantage of a replacement goalie who, after a 2 month injury absence, comes into his first post season game ever, [an elimination game no less], during the 2nd period, their frustration trumped the restraint typical of their usual discliplined game.
Nice win! Hopefully Boucher isn’t out for too long… do we know the cause of the injury or was it just a freak accident?
I also like the picture with this article!
Poor Boosh
Probably the worst aspect of this is that Boosh had seemed to regain the same sharpness he showed in the last half of the NJ series, and elevated his game just when the Flyers needed it most. When I saw him throw his waffle, I knew it was bad.
As for Leighton — what can you do? I remain terrified, but I thought the guy played great for the Flyers, and when he was on his game, would present an even bigger challenge to the Bruins, who get a lot of their goals via chip-ins, which is where Leighton’s big body really helps out.
I’m really worried about Giroux, who was absolutely crushed head first into the Dasher. As far as I’m concerned, that was a text book example of the type of hit from behind that the league is supposed to be handing out suspensions on. With that said, Giroux has shown himself to be pretty resilient, and I’m hoping that the reason we didn’t see him in the 3rd was just due to them being extra careful with him, and not really needing to have him out there, with the game under control.
I’m not sure how hurt Carcillo is, but he was out late in the game pestering the Bruins, so hopefully that indicates he’s not too banged up.
I had a feeling Hartnell was due, and given his recent play, may have turned the corner at the time we needed him most. It looked to me like he scored 2 goals tonight, although I’m happy for Leino.
Gagne - I don’t even know what to say, as he seems to have single-handedly turned the series around and was absolutely clutch tonight.
What shocked me was the even handed treatment the Flyers got from the NESN crew, who universally agreed that the Flyers outworked and outplayed the Bruins, and deserved to win the game. I think there was more than a little consternation and concern that the Bruins weren’t able to muster a better effort given the extra rest day, and home ice advantage. It’s like they woke up after losing game 4 and said “wait a second… we just lost 2 of our best forwards, Mark Rechi scored 2 goals including one with 34 seconds left, and we still couldn’t close these guys out. Who are we kidding?”
Leighton
Michael Leighton absolutely has the best looking pads in the entire NHL. If you disagree, you are wrong.
If only he would use them properly
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They’re so nice and shiny and clean and…unused…oh dear…
[/tongue-in-cheek]
Honor is no substitute for victory.
They’d be better if he reversed the white and the orange and did the ole’ Patrick Roy-make-the-five-hole-look-bigger-than-it-really-is trick.
Is getting pads like that still legal?
as long as they don’t have a net pattern to them
Eat what the monkey eats, then eat the monkey. -U.S. Navy survival guidance
I believe that’s only considered illegal under Rule 12.4 (Illegal Equipment – Fair Play). It’s not actually in any part of Rule 11 (Goalkeeper’s Equipment). If a new administration took over, they could theoretically decide that the pattern’s not unfair, and make it legal. It’s only implicitly against the rules, not explicitly.
Honor is no substitute for victory.
Flyers Chances
So look guys… this team was picked by few (or many?) to win [or at least compete for] the Cup this year. After a year of underachieving, limping into the playoffs, facing by far the most adversity I’ve seen on a team in my memory….
Now it comes down to this. We were behind 3-0 in this series. We have cut it to 3-2, and are facing game 6 on home ice at the Wach, where, even the Boston announcers last night said the fans would live up to their billing and why the Wach is the 4th toughest building to play in in the NHL. The Flyers win game 6, and it opens doors for going back to the ECF.
What do you guys think? Can/will the Flyers win this series? Do they have a shot against the Pens or the Halaks? How about the winner of the West?
This Flyers team is actually starting to show that it can play well, and that it’s understanding Laviolette’s system. They are flying around the ice, and just look fresher throughout the whole game than the Bruins do. The defensemen are pinching when expected, and the forwards are dropping back to cover the blue lines. Role players are starting to contribute (see Asham, Hartnell..). Ville Leino is a man possessed. This is all without mentioning the grit and determination guys like Richards and Pronger have been displaying since the postseason started. How about Gagne?! These Flyers DO have what it takes. I say, if we win Game 6, we’ll win this series. Then… I’d love to have another crack at the Pens.
Can? Yes.
Will? Way too soon to say.
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by Ben Rothenberg on May 11, 2010 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Giroux Hit
Does anyone have a clip of the Giroux hit? I didn’t see it. And in a 4-0 beating why isn’t Begin sipping ice chips through a straw this morning?
Just Call Me "M"!
I can’t believe we got Leino for a bag of pucks.
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by HockeyOutsiders on May 11, 2010 9:25 AM EDT reply actions
I tend to agree. This guy’s got an amazing set of hands, and a nose for the net. I fear that the Flyers will end up moving him though, since we have a ton of skill on the team already. How many scorers and playmakers ccan you have without some grit around the team? This is the playoffs, so everyone is playing with grit, but there’s got to be a reason why Leino didn’t play for the Wings, and subsequently didn’t play for the Flyers during the regular season with any normalcy. I have liked the guy since we traded for him, and I hope the Flyers can work him in to the third line with JVR Giroux Leino being an every day third line.
Gagne-Richards-Carcillo
Hartnell-Carter-Briere
JVR-Giroux-Leino
Lappy-Betts-Asham/Powe
Those would be pretty nice lines to roll out next year…
asham is gone… he’s old and his role is redundant.
by edesjardins37 on May 11, 2010 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions
leino needs to put on weight. while he can be nasty if given sapce, he runs into trouble when someone takes the body on him.
the trouble is getting the body on him. last night’s “the shift 2.0” proved that.
Eat what the monkey eats, then eat the monkey. -U.S. Navy survival guidance
maybe not as clean as “the shift” but certainly worthy of some sort of reference.
by edesjardins37 on May 11, 2010 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions
leino was doing figure 8’s in their zone. that’s all i have to add.
another cool part was how the flyers rotated on that shift. before the goal, hartnell rotated to the right point, unleashed a slapper, saw his relief, and headed for the net, or “finishing the drill”.
Eat what the monkey eats, then eat the monkey. -U.S. Navy survival guidance
a bag of pucks, and thank god, they were kind enough to take OKT off our hands too…
on a serious note, Leino’s scouting report has always said he’s too easy to knock off the puck… (which i think is true along the boards)… but in open ice, he seems practically untouchable.
by edesjardins37 on May 11, 2010 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions
hey, i’m not complaining.
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by HockeyOutsiders on May 11, 2010 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, for them it was actually more of a Franzen for Leino swap, so I’m sure they don’t mind (although Wings fans I’ve talked to do seem a little irked).
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by Travis Hughes on May 11, 2010 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
also, nobody has mentioned about the bruins fans leaving and booing their team in the last 5 minutes. That seemed to be a big issue in game 3, but nobody is saying anything about their fans doing it.
They are booing a team that is litterally 1 win away from the ECF. I think that’s pretty sad.
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by HockeyOutsiders on May 11, 2010 9:40 AM EDT reply actions
You’re telling me
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on May 11, 2010 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions
That made me sneer last night. And they say Flyers fan are classless.
I love the Lightning AND the Flyers... go ahead, preach me!
because you are
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on May 11, 2010 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Nice way to stay classy yourself there…
"In fact, it is probably safe to say, the statement "I am a hockey fan" is the same as "I hate gary bettman."- bfrank27
by Mike B on D on May 11, 2010 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
anytime
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on May 11, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh no, the “I know you are, but what am I?” argument!!!!!!
Kudos for digging deep into your grade school level maturity for that one.
So what you’re saying is there can be only one classless group of sports fans in the world?
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on May 11, 2010 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Every team has some amount of classless fans. Every.
I love the Lightning AND the Flyers... go ahead, preach me!
Luckily they were in attendance last night!
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on May 11, 2010 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
i was watching the NESN broadcast, and they highlighted the embarrassing behavior of boston fans… notably throwing crap onto the ice at players during a post-whistle scrum in the 3rd.
by edesjardins37 on May 11, 2010 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah it was a shitty crowd
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on May 11, 2010 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Geoff won't like this
From the Boston Globe’s live game updates last night… “Boucher looked seriously hurt and was helped off the ice slowly by the Flyers’ trainer and Pronger. If he comes back, we’ll call him a bigger drama hog than LeBron James.”
"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko
WHOA “drama hog”? That seems like an unnecessary dig at a guy who probably just tore his knee.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
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by Geoff Detweiler on May 11, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
hey man, manny was just being manny
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on May 11, 2010 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Wideman
The Gagne goal was a thing of beauty, nice move around Wideman. But it sure seems like Wideman could have done much much more.. I wonder why he didn’t turn around and put his gloves in Gagne’s face or something. Bad luck breaking the stick but looks like he gave up on the play.
he would have gotten called the minute he put his hands on Gagne. He was trying to run enough interference so that his d-partner could get back. What his d-partner was doing, I can only guess…
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by HockeyOutsiders on May 11, 2010 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions
the way i saw it, wideman could have done more and not been penalized. he seemed to pull up and stop skating.
i realize he didn’t have a stick, but he could have made it a footrace to the puck-if he won, he could have froze the puck against the boards until support arrived.
if he lost the race, his d partner needs to get over there and force gagne toward the corner, while wideman uses his body to stop any crossing attempts.
but you are right-his d partner was clueless.
Eat what the monkey eats, then eat the monkey. -U.S. Navy survival guidance
he was trying to avoid an interference call… of course he never thought to skate towards the puck and try and play it with his skate or dive and swat at it… it wasn’t beyond his reach… but he is a defensive handicap for the bruins and only gets ice time for his shot from the point (think a more pathetic and unskilled mike green).
by edesjardins37 on May 11, 2010 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Is there any real clear video replays of the first goal? I swear Hartnell scored it.
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by HockeyOutsiders on May 11, 2010 9:52 AM EDT reply actions
Haven’t seen anything. I actually think Hartnell stick came in contact with Leino’s, while Leino got his backhand on the puck a split second before Hartnell.
You’re exactly correct. I watched it a few times because I wanted to know if it was Hartnell, but it was more like Leino just put his stick in front of the puck and Hartnell pushed Leino’s stick for extra power to get the puck moving. If it weren’t for Hartnell pushing Leino’s stick I doubt he would have been able to get enough power behind the shot to get into the net.
"Chris Pronger sneaked in the back door...banged it home."
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twitter is saying that Giroux is expected to play in game 6
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by HockeyOutsiders on May 11, 2010 10:29 AM EDT reply actions
All was said already and I pretty much agree with most of you. I just feel like saying that I’m beyond happy how Gags is playing. I love to see how he makes those who wanted to have him traded few weeks ago, how he makes them eat their own words. Now on FB or youtube… you can just see how these people suddenly love him. That’s kinda ridiculous.
I love the Lightning AND the Flyers... go ahead, preach me!
I hear ya, but it’s still fair to say that his entire regular season was pretty disappointing.
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Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on May 11, 2010 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
If Simon Gagne wins a cup here, #12 will be retired.
He is one of the only Flyers ever (aside from Dave Poulin) who can do no wrong in my book, even when he isn’t producing.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
For me, it was only disappointing injury-wise. That he needed surgery and was out for quite a long time. Again. As for scoring and his contribution (especially after the Olympic break) I’m happy with his performance. I dont know how about you but for me 40 pts in 58 games, that’s far from disappointing.
I love the Lightning AND the Flyers... go ahead, preach me!
apparently though, even Jared Ross could do that.
Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com
by HockeyOutsiders on May 11, 2010 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions
He’s just so damn good away from the puck. When he’s not putting up points, he is still a huge impact player. Still.
"As long as there's sex and drugs, I can do without the Rock N Roll"
Mick Shrimpton
Exactly. I have this opinion that some players don’t essentially need to score to be useful, to have an impact on the game. And Gags is one of them. Imo.
I love the Lightning AND the Flyers... go ahead, preach me!
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