Ch-Ch-Cha-Changes in Chicago
Daily News Flyers blog
Ch-Ch-Cha-Changes in Chicago
CHICAGO – Chris Pronger won’t take credit.
But he is just one of the reasons why the Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville may shake up his lines and/or lineup for Sunday’s Game 5, as the Flyers aim to take a 3-2 series lead in the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Finals.
The Flyers swept both games at the Wachovia Center this week, leaving it a best-of-three series for Lord Stanley’s chalice. It was the first time Chicago lost back-to-back games in the playoffs and just the first time they've lost back-to-back road games since November.
"We'll look at the line combinations as we go into tomorrow's game," Quenneville said. "We might make some adjustments as far as who is who. We know it’s a battle going forward and we need to be ready."
Chicago’s first line of Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Dustin Byfuglien has posted just one goal in the first four games. Those three players – including Toews, who is still the NHL’s leading playoff scorer – are a collective minus-12.
While he would not mind being the reason, Pronger wouldn’t take credit – offering it instead to his teammates.
“I don't necessarily think it's [me],” Pronger said. “If you go back and look, our forwards have done a great job. You look at the line that's scoring against them, it's the Briere line. That's done a great job of making them play defense. Which, obviously, they don't want to do. They want to play offense. They want to have the puck. They want to control the pace of the game, control the game that way.
“This game is five man units on the ice having chemistry. We've done a pretty good job of that thus far.”
Lacking momentum after two straight losses, Quenneville could remove Byfuglien to another line or choose to break up Toews and Kane and play them on separate units.
Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said he noticed multiple changes in Chicago’s scheme and units as the series progressed from Game 3 to 4 and then in Game 4 itself.
“There was quite a few changes, I thought,” Laviolette said. “You know, they changed their lines. More than once. I thought their system and their approach to the game had changed. They are trying to play a more aggressive game.”
Change lines would also be an aggressive move for Quenneville. Any line changes could potentially backfire, as it sends a public message that his top players aren’t good enough to play against the Flyers’ top players.
Pronger, too, sees it going both ways.
“I guess it could go two ways,” Pronger explained. “One, [the new lines] haven't played together that much. So maybe they're a little out of whack. Or B, it sparks them and fresh linemates and a new look, that gives them a little bit more offensive spark. I don't know. We'll see.”
Chicago’s potential changes won’t rattle the Flyers before Game 5.
Laviolette said the Flyers don't "tailor" their system to just one player or one line.
“[Their changes are] really out of our hands,” Pronger added. “All we can do is continue to get better, play even better defensively and make sure that we're keeping them in the perimeter, and Mike [Leighton] can see all the shots.”
So far, Leighton has seen most of the shots. He made another 31 saves in Game 4.
Now, just two wins away, the Flyers have the Stanley Cup in their sights, too. It will take at least one win in Chicago to grab it.
Impressive stat
The Flyers are an incredible 9-0 in Games 4-7 in the playoffs. Here’s the breakdown:
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
Game 4 vs. New Jersey – W 4-1
Game 5 at New Jersey – W 3-0
Eastern Conference Semifinals
Game 4 vs. Boston – W 5-4 (OT)
Game 5 at Boston – W 4-0
Game 6 vs. Boston – W 2-1
Game 7 at Boston – W 4-3
Eastern Conference Finals
Game 4 at Montreal – W 3-0
Game 5 vs. Montreal – W 4-2
Stanley Cup Finals
Game 4 vs. Chicago – W 5-3
Game 5 at Chicago - ?
Game 6 vs. Chicago - ?
In those 9 games, the Flyers have outscored their opponent 34-14 – with three of those being shutouts (all on the road).
Pronger couldn’t put his finger on why the Flyers have been so successful in the later stages of series – but hinted that it may have something to do with familiarity.
“I think you see teams over and over again,” Pronger said. You start to figure out what works and what doesn't. You start to feel better as a team. We've obviously gotten better with not only each series, but in games we get better with each period, or so it seems.
“I don't really know what the reason for it is, but we've certainly done a good job and hopefully that will continue for us.”
For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter (http://twitter.com/DNFlyers).
Frank Seravalli stinks.— WeTaserFags- Pronger is in everyones head--gotta love it— petemagoop
- @ Stanley you said leighton has played unspectacular like he did against montreal? um, did you actually watch any of that series? if 3 shutouts in 5 games, and allowing 7 goals in 5 games is unspectacular then by all means leighton, please be unspectacular.— famar
- That must be a tiny (minded) Tonka that is blithering, on and on. We must wonder if even he (she or it?) can possibly believe the drivel it typed into the computer.— BEMiller
Tonka - is this an act? Are you clinging to some superstition, where the more the Flyers win, the more you keep trashing them, as if you somehow can affect events clearly beyond your control? If so, then keep it up. If not, Mom's gotta use the basement to do some laundry - why not go outside and get some fresh air.— Doctor D- Let chicago break up that top line so Pronger can dominate one of the lines and Timmonen can shut down the other.— the sichee-ation
- I'm sure Tonka already has his paragraph written--- The one that starts with " The Flyers didn't really win the Cup- the other teams just..."— billinsporttt
- Leave Tonka alone, it's not nice to pick on a four-year old
Comment removed.- Tonka Toys--with us.— Romus
- There is no doubt that this unexpected run to the Cup is one of Philadelphia's favorite sports stories ever. There is nothing like rooting for a huge underdog and seeing them shock everyone. Whatever the outcome, this Flyers team will loved forever here. Winning it all will be the stuff of legend. Go flyers!— bradco
- Pronger the best I've seen and I go back to Orr days who would probably be a center in todays game— lawrence2465
- Hey Tonka.....keep watching the cubs....do you idiots in Chicago know that you have a hockey team and that they are in the Stanley Cup...dont worry...you always have the Bulls and Bears— jjritchie148
- ref: HockeyInChicago----there's some sense on this site !— ybob
- Tonka A.K.A. flyers-losers-for 35 years, supremeone, little tom, you cant fool us.— FlyerfanFromMontreal
- Tonka, are you watching these games? Maybe you should order and read Ice Hockey for dummies.— Gus L.
- I hate to state the obvious, but this is the Stanley Cup Finals. One would expect, hopefully, to see two relatively evenly-matched teams compete for the Cup as champions of their respective conferences. I don't get this thing in sports lately where folks root for their team with rose-colored glasses, and their opponent "sucks." I'm a lifelong Chicago sports fan, which means I've seen a lot more bad than good--one word for you, "Cub"--and I've suffered through the bad years of "Dollar Bill" Wirtz ruling the Blackhawks like Scrooge McDuck and almost killing one of the Original Six. Starting this series, of course the Hawks were the prohibitive favorites, since they had scored more points in the season and were a higher seed and had home ice. Not many folks who understand hockey in Chicago predicted a sweep in the Cup Finals (although, to be fair, not many predicted a sweep in the West Finals, either). Shouldn't the Stanley Cup Finals, which is supposed to be the two best teams remaining, be a six or seven game series? So, yes, the Hawks were slightly favored prior to the start of the Finals, but, that's why they play the games. There have been four games played so far, the home team has won both of their home ice games. I think the goals overall are 15-14 (hello, empty netter) in favor of the Flyers. Certainly, after winning the last two in a row, the Flyers have some momentum. But the Hawks are also coming home to play at the UC, and just like with Kate Smith, it gets loud in our house too. Just as I didn't think the Flyers would get swept after game 2, I don't think the Hawks are going to completely fall apart, either. We won two close one-goal games at the UC, you won one OT game and one essentially-one goal game on your ice. Just as the Flyers aren't frightened of the Hawks, the Hawks aren't scared of the Flyers. I'd guess it's gonna go seven games, and Game 7 will be in Chicago. Either way, it's been some good hockey on both sides.— HockeyinChicago
- Biggest hockey game in my 33 yrs of life..— ILUVPHILLYCITYOFLOSERS
- Someone's getting nervous...eh Tonka?— camtheman
- Note the amount of people who responded to the Flyers in 6 in my previous post- 1975. Coincidence, I think not.— phlyersfan
- I lifted this poll off of the Chicago Tribune sight for Flyer fans to see. Enjoy! Uh-oh, Hawks. Now what? Blackhawks fans, the series is tied at 2-2. Now what? • Hawks win in 6 (886 responses)18% • Hawks win in 7 (1137 responses)23% • Flyers win in 6 (1975 responses)39% • Flyers win in 7 (699 responses)14% • I can't take it, I'm out (349 responses)7% • 5046 total responses— phlyersfan
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So if they split Toews and Kane, then who do they play with? Your better players need to play with your other better players. Putting Kane on with Versteeg or Eager or Brouwer is not going to produce better results. It will just eat up Kane's ice time by making him try and elevate those mucker's game. Hard to split your big line in a game 5 of the Finals. Look at Pittsburg. They split their big two but are always quickly thrown back together. Can't blame Quenneville for thinking of this. At least it shows that he is trying to find an answer. Too bad it won't work. Tighten up your D Philly and come home with the series by the troat!- The reason Chicago fans are on here is because they feel they are entitled to the Cup. People from Chicago tend to think they are better than everyone else. They need to be reminded they live in the Midwest.— PhillyRising
- twinka- I meant to say Pronger wins the Conn Smyth and his 6th game puck. Look up from your basement squalor and watch the parade go bye- looooooser!— phlyersfan
- twinka= Pronger will own 6 game pucks and the Norris Trophy when the series ends, Wednesday night in Philly. Loser sitting @ home on a Saturday night posting @ 8:15.— phlyersfan
- Go Flyers.— LuckyDog
- If you look up, "Newbie Blackhawks fan" in the dictionary there must be a picture of Tonka. The guy sounds like he's been following hockey for about two months.— NYFootballGIANTS
- When I was a small child, Tonka used to live on the same street until one day the police came and took him away never to be seen again.— Richardgozinya
- TonkaFlunkaTanka is out of excuses and so is his team— flyercross
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- "changes equal domination by Chicago" Actually changes equal panic by Chicago. Chicago just got punched in the nose in Philly. We'll see if they give up or come out fighting. I think it's very likely Philly takes the next game in Chicago and the hawks collapse in Philly to finish the 09/10 Hockey season.— fmMD
- I wonder how the Norris nominee felt as he was watching Carter skate away towards the empty net after he was unable to keep the puck in the Flyers zone?— Jaymz
- Tonka has been talking bs every series in these playoffs. Talking down the Flyers and talking up the opposition . He did this with the Devils, the Bruins, and the Habs. He is a Flyers fan for sure and his reverse thinking has worked so far. Keep it up Tonka, whatever you are doing is working. ( I think he used this tactic to get layed once, and so he is sticking to what works for him) Unfortunately it only worked on his cousin so once is all he gets!— piercit
- tonka what's your boy friends name trunk............HA HA— eagles19
- mwilgus - agreed- I think Tonka is actually mocking the hawks - and if he is not - then the Hawks fans really are dumber than I thought.— gob1234
- The Hawks are rattled, the last thing a team does in the last 3 games of the season is change their lines, its called desperation and I hope that their chemistry is terrible. Their going to lose the game and come back to Philly hanging on a hope and prayer!— Fabulous
- I am starting to believe that Tonka is a Flyers fan and is saying all of this to do a reverse black cat. It's the only explanation for such complete nonsense. I would be shocked if Quenneville changes anything. The Hawks won both prior games at home and will have last change as it is. Shuffling the lines would be a sign of desperation I think.— mwilgus
- Isn't there a chicago.com or a csn chicago. Why do their fans feel the need to post their lofty assumptions on a Philly site? You can try as hard as you want but I will give you two reasons why you won't get under a real Philly phan's skin. 1. It's too thick. 2.We're too loyal! Look at the attendance for the years that teams had losing seasons and you will see just how loyal Flyers Phans are! Just know that the bandwagon will empty out soon enough for chicago now that they are faced with must-win situations! 8 of 10 chifans at game 4 admitted that it's must win game 5!— Jaymz
- @Tonka--- How can you say that Pronger can no longer play at Stanley Cup level play when he has dominated this entire series? Nice try in your attempt to talk smack, but you just end up looking like an ignorant idiot!!! Flyers sweep games 3-6 and win going away!!!— SMOKEY811
- I love people like Tonka. First it was "Chicago in 4" Then is was "Chicago in 5" Now its "Chicago in 6, Keith is Norris and Toews hoists cup". How about you wake up to a little reality? Whichever way this goes, you are sweating, your team is human after all - and they are bleeding. See you after game 5.— dragonx781
- Go flyers!!! i'm going to game 6 and i sincerely hope it's a flyers clincher! leights needs to step up though and help them steal one on the road. He was better last game, but still unspectacular like against the Habs— Stanley Cup
Gift penalties aside, the Hawks did play w/ some urgency in those last 10 minutes and finally started crashing the net more often. Not sure if that is there regular game or not, but obviously it's something the Flyers are aware of, "make sure that we're keeping them [on] the perimeter" Pronger...The Fly Guys just need to withstand the Hawks desperation, and then counter counter it. If successful, I think that will deflate that young team and Flyers impose their will. Gonna be fun watching it unfold...- @ Tonka, Pronger already won the Norris trophy Idiot.— z03mbm
- Doesn't it seem that in all sports the past 10 years or so, with all the free agency and changing teams, we have no year to year continuity. So, once you get to the playoffs, once you get hot, you are the team to beat. We have seen it in all 4 major sports over the past decade. This post-season, the Flyers have been the hottest team in the NHL at the end of series. They now have the momentum and are red hot. I see that being the X factor. Unless Chicago does something special to shift the momentum, the Flyers will take the Cup on Wednesday.— fb-omniscient
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- Those stats are amazing. Let's do it tomorrow night, boys, so you can do it here in Philly on Wednesday. Broad Street Believing!— xphile101
