Bruins crush Flyers, 5-1
Bruins 5, Flyers 1
Bruins crush Flyers, 5-1
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
BOSTON -- Any resemblance to last year is nothing more than a mocking coincidence. Let us begin there, as the Flyers again contemplate history.
Twelve months ago, they fell into an 0-3 hole against the Bruins in the second round of the playoffs; same as now. And while they do not award style points in the NHL, especially not in the springtime, the reality is that the Flyers played very well in those three losses in 2010 but have gotten thrashed in two of the three losses in 2011. The identity of the more complete team is not currently in doubt. The probability that the Flyers could pull off another miraculous comeback, playing at their current level, is approaching nil -- which is why they call them miracles, after all.
We will talk a lot about goaltending, because that is what we do. And, yes, Brian Boucher was pulled Wednesday night from the 5-1 loss in the second period -- the sixth time in 10 playoff games that the Flyers’ starter was taken out of the game. It is worth a long discussion, clearly.
But the only howler Boucher allowed was the last one, when the score was already 3-0 and the Bruins were wringing the life out of the game, and the Flyers, with their neutral-zone trap. They lost this one long before Nathan Horton shot the puck through Boucher’s legs and forced Flyers coach Peter Laviolette to go to his bullpen, again.
The only reason the Flyers struggled to beat Buffalo in seven games in the opening round was their goaltending. But this situation, in this series, is much more complicated than that. The Bruins, top to bottom, appear to be the sturdier and more persistent team. A Flyers team with scoring on three lines and lots of capable defensemen has begun to wilt.
Maybe they do miss defenseman Chris Pronger that much; another topic worthy of discussion. Pronger, with his mysterious series of undisclosed ailments, has played in only three games in the playoffs. They are 2-1 with him and 2-5 without him. Again, this is something that will be picked over at length, one would assume, after the season is over.
But it seems like more than that. The Flyers came out in the first period and had nothing. They had played very well in Monday night’s overtime loss in Game 2 and had reason to think there might be something to build upon. But they came out flat-footed for Game 3 and the Bruins ended up scoring twice in the game’s first 63 seconds.
The first was a rocket launched by Zdeno Chara, the Bruins’ mammoth defenseman. The second was scored by David Krejci. Neither was remotely Boucher’s fault. And one would presume that that is just what Laviolette told his goaltender during the timeout that he called right after the second goal. It was an odd scene -- the rest of the team gather around assistant coach Craig Berube, and Laviolette and Boucher conversing, alone.
The Bruins, with a lead, with their trapping style when leading, and with their emphasis in this game on hitting, just seemed to keep the Flyers from skating at all. There were none of the breathtaking rushes in transition from Game 2. There was little doubt who was going to win the game -- especially when you add in the fact that Tim Thomas is a better-than-pretty-good goaltender.
Little doubt. It really isn’t like last year.
Does the wizard have any more hearts to give out?— Voytas- Anyone who doubted Pronger's importance to this team has learned their lesson during these playoffs. Without Pronger on the ice, the Flyers defense lacks physicality, intensity, and organization. The entire team is lost without him. Timonen is a nice #2 defenseman - he wilts as the #1. On the offensive side, Mike Richards and Versteeg are neck-and-neck for the most useless player in this series.— Kingsalami
- Always liked the flyers, and this year they fall flat. Its a shame. out of all the teams in Philly, the Flyers always try to win. Something goes wrong of course. But they are never short on trying. Wish versteeg/cancer would of never came here. hes terrible. Hope he gets scratched next game.— azguz
- Get these clowns off the ice so we can focus on better Philly teams! They let us down year after year.— Germantown_Ed
- the team hasn't played well since Versteeg came on board. What about picking up a man in front of the net, head on a swivel. Our bantams do better. No passion.— wyomingfan
- Will the Flyers be swept? I hope so ... s a team, they've been overrated since about 1976...— George Tomezsko
- And just think...the Flyers raised their ticket prices for next year! Of course they didn't mention this fact to the suckers who put down money to be "early birds" without a sense of what the tickets would cost. Congratulations all you "Early Birds", now your goose is really cooked!!— Valjean24601
Comment removed.- Good luck with the lightning Beantown. I will root for the B's because I cant stand Tampa Bay. Carter, thanks for trying.— NYPHILLYPHAN
- You should haven never pelted Santa Claus with snowballs. Silly Flyers, you could have had Thomas this season. Your bell has a crack and your entire fan base reminds me of a plumber's crack. The Flyers are choking on one big cheezesteak.
- "The only reason the Flyers struggled to beat Buffalo in seven games in the opening round was their goaltending."
Hmmm...I'd say NOT SCORING IN GAMES 1 & 4 and losing both 1-0 had more to do with that. By the way those 2 goals were in no way Bob's or Boosh's fault.— DarthFlyer - nothing will change without new ownership. these are the fraudsters. eddie snyder and bobby clarke and paul hommie. oh they are so smart!!! they are the greatest hockey men alive!!! LOL!! and what have they won since 1976?! yep thats right! NOTHING!!!!
and u know what? the joke is on u and me! and it will be the same next year too! oh yes! I promise you! it will be the same ole same ole next year too! LOSERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Too much dead weight. Versteeg at the top of the list.— icarus
- It happens.— Philly Fan in Kuwait
- If i won a Million ....i'd get hockey equipement and train in my basement with some rigged puck shooting machine, while watching re runs of Rocky 4 ....Dragoooooo and i'd stone wall em all...Good luck Flyers..you need it. But,.. nothing is impossible...right?...d=— mikerz
