Stanley Cup Final Game 6: Do or die... again

by Travis Hughes on Jun 9, 2010 4:44 PM EDT in 2010 Playoffs

Stanley Cup Final, Game 6
Chicago Blackhawks at Philadelphia Flyers
Blackhawks lead series 3-2
Wachovia Center - 8:00 PM ET - Philadelphia, PA
TV: NBC HD, CBC HD, RDS HD
Radio: 610 WIP (internet stream here), XM 204, SIRIUS 208
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PHILADELPHIA -- The Flyers are in yet another do or die situation tonight as they face the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final at the Wachovia Center.

Maybe I'm stupid, but I'm not worried. I'm a bit nervous, I guess, but that's pretty natural given the circumstances here. After all, a team can win the Stanley Cup at the Wachovia Center tonight.

But as far as confidence, and the belief that the Flyers will pull out a victory tonight, I believe it's going to happen. How could we not believe at this point, really?

We know the obvious reasons -- "they're relentless!" -- but the most telling thing to me is how this team has responded after stinkers in these playoffs. In Game 3 against Montreal, the Flyers were absolutely terrible on every side of the puck. Game 4? Completely different story. The Flyers didn't necessarily cruise to victory that afternoon, which saw the return of Jeff Carter to the lineup, but they certainly controlled the game for just about the duration.

More notably, we all know -- seriously, I don't even think it's a question -- that Chris Pronger will rebound tonight and have a superb night of puck. When he's on his A game, the game is played at his level, and Pronger has the ability to slow the game down when his teammates need it to be slowed down. When he senses a burst, he can speed the game up with one of his patented stretch passes through the neutral zone.

To me, Pronger is the key to Game 6, the Flyers fifth elimination game this season. And he's going to have a fantastic showing. He has to, really, or we all know the Flyers season will be over. He knows this, too, and he'll be ready.

Obviously, there are other questions. Will Mike Richards bury his chances tonight? Will Jeff Carter look like Jeff Carter again? Will Dustin Byfuglien quiet down after an amped up Game 5? Will the Flyers be able to counter the line changes Joel Quenneville implemented in Game 5? Will Michael Leighton rebound?

This team knows the goal here. They've been in this spot this for. It's not about winning the Stanley Cup tonight. It's not about winning a Game 7. It's about winning a Game 6, and that's it. Can the beat the Chicago Blackhawks tonight, as Peter Laviolette would say?

They most certainly can, and I believe they most certainly will. Game thread at 5:30ish.

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LET’S GO FLY-ERS!

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

by KreiderDesigns on Jun 9, 2010 4:47 PM EDT reply actions

CLAP-CLAP CLAP-CLAP-CLAP

#1 Flyers fan in England (originally from Southeastern PA)

by Orange and Black Forever on Jun 9, 2010 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

LETS GO FLYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by The Legend on Jun 9, 2010 4:50 PM EDT reply actions

CLAP-CLAP CLAP-CLAP-CLAP

#1 Flyers fan in England (originally from Southeastern PA)

by Orange and Black Forever on Jun 9, 2010 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

To actually comment on what was written…

I to feel a sense of nervousness but not of fear. Your absolutely right I don’t think it is a question as to whether or not we rebound tonight, its a matter of whether the Hawks can handle how well we do rebound.

I love our mantra of ‘Can We Win Tonight?’ It’s brilliant in its simplicity. This team has the make-up they have the heart they have the dedication and they have the opportunity. They’ll seize it tonight!

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

by KreiderDesigns on Jun 9, 2010 4:56 PM EDT reply actions

Nervous/anxious/excited? Definitely. Fear? Not at all. It’s the anticipation of such a huge game that has me completely scatterbrained today. I’m really looking forward to it, just to see what happens. Because with this team, anything is possible. The question tonight is, as always, who wants it more?

by hintzy64 on Jun 9, 2010 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Travis, when did you change the tagline back? I just noticed.

by Ben Feldman on Jun 9, 2010 5:07 PM EDT reply actions

After Game 2.

Proudly supporting a Flyers team with "no honor."

by Justin F. on Jun 9, 2010 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Does anybody else think that the hit that sent Prongs into the board is being talked about to much? I might need to watch it again but it looked liked he might of been off balanced when that happened.

by The Legend on Jun 9, 2010 5:17 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t. I mean, after being abused for days, Buff finally got Pronger and got him good. That hit was a microcosm of the entire game. For Hawks fans it gave them a feeling like maybe Buff wasn’t totally worthless this series. If anything it was your typical, good guy taking out the bad guy…and that’s fine. Let them feel that way. Pronger will get his tonight, that much I am sure of.

Go Go Gadget Gagne
What if Broad Street Didn't Fight Back? History HAS been made. 5-7-10
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!

by EREX21 on Jun 9, 2010 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

i’ve been in situations like this before. you are off balance, and my 93 year old grandmother could knock you over.

but hey, buff had position and oppurtunity. i would have done the same thing.

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

by psudrozz on Jun 9, 2010 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Pretty much.

Go Go Gadget Gagne
What if Broad Street Didn't Fight Back? History HAS been made. 5-7-10
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!

by EREX21 on Jun 9, 2010 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Lines?

Should we try a little:

12-18-45
22-48-19
21-17-28
LINE OF MONSTERS
?

by Snevik on Jun 9, 2010 5:31 PM EDT reply actions

I could roll with that. Have we heard anything about line s being shuffled?

New Zealand's 4th best Philadelphia Flyers fan

by ToddtheFox on Jun 9, 2010 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

i would think changes would be necessary to balance their forwards without touching the redemption line.

just don’t ask me what those changes should be. in lavvy i trust.

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

by psudrozz on Jun 9, 2010 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m not expecting huge changes but something like Snevik suggested would be fine. Something to take pressure off Mike

New Zealand's 4th best Philadelphia Flyers fan

by ToddtheFox on Jun 9, 2010 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I like it. Definitely keep 22-48-19 together, no matter what. 12-18-17 just doesn’t seem to be clicking, so maybe this combo could work.

by hintzy64 on Jun 9, 2010 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Lines?
Should we try a little:
12-18-45
22-48-19
21-17-28
LINE OF MONSTERS
?

I like those lines. Can you whisper them to Lavvy?

#1 Flyers fan in England (originally from Southeastern PA)

by Orange and Black Forever on Jun 9, 2010 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Or I think we could instead go like this:
12-18-28
22-48-19
21-17-45

I like that better but I know that Richards and Gagne could use 45 or 13

by historywillbemade on Jun 9, 2010 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s not like I needed to get any more pumped for this game but since 12:30 or so I’ve been watching three of the greatest game 6s (that didn’t win the cup) in Flyers history. 1987 vs. Edmonton, 2004 vs. Toronoto, 2004 vs. Tampa Bay I was going to write a fanpost about these games and the similarities to this team but time got the best of me. Needless to say I’ve gotten the chills five times today already (two more to come) and i don’t see anyway I don’t get them again!

Is it 8 yet?

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

by KreiderDesigns on Jun 9, 2010 5:32 PM EDT reply actions

thank goodness i have soul train on from 5-6 down here. helps pass the time. and booze.

and the isley brothers are tearing sh!t up right now.

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

by psudrozz on Jun 9, 2010 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, in their defense, when AREN’T the Isley Brothers tearing shit up?

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

by KreiderDesigns on Jun 9, 2010 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions

there has to be a time period when they aren’t.

otherwise, every performance would be average. it’s one of those “if everyone is special than nobody is” kind of things.

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

by psudrozz on Jun 9, 2010 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Touche.

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

by KreiderDesigns on Jun 9, 2010 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Editorial note:

In your game info summary way up top, it’s “Chicago Blackhawks at Philadelphia Flyers” tonight. :-p

by hintzy64 on Jun 9, 2010 5:51 PM EDT reply actions

(and you thought you got a great deal on StubHub for those UC tickets tonight!)

by hintzy64 on Jun 9, 2010 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks. The horrors of copy and paste get me again.

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

by Travis Hughes on Jun 9, 2010 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions