Three things to look for in Flyers' Game 3
Three things.
Three things to look for in Flyers' Game 3
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
Big media mob at the Flyers' morning skate before Game 3 -- kind of eye-opening, really. And while the issues remain the same, the spin and the subtleties changes with each game being played.
1) The Flyers' lines. With the home-ice advantage and the ability to make the last change, Flyers coach Peter Laviolette has a decision to make. In Game 1, he put Mike Richards and Claude Giroux together -- and they saw a ridiculous amount of Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara as a result. In Game 2, Laviolette split up Richards and Giroux and also intermittently game them a taste in other situations where they could avoid Chara, and it was somewhat effect -- it led to Richards' first-period goal, for example. Now, Game 3, with more of a chance to avoid Chara, you wonder if Laviolette will put them together again and hope to recapture what was his original vision as the series opened.
2) 5-on-5. Other than the first period of Game 1, the games have been very even 5-on-5. (Rough definition of very even: after that first period, the teams have 44 shots apiece at even strength.) As defenseman Chris Pronger said at the Game 3 skate, "We need to continue to do the things we've done through the course of the first couple of games, and even the series against New Jersey. We need to skate, get pucks in deep, create turnovers and get into our two-man forecheck. When we do that, we're very effective. They haven't gotten a whole lot on their power plays but they've gained a lot of momentum from it."
3) Traffic cops. This really should have been first on the list. More than anything, the difference in this series has been the traffic in front of Flyers goaltender Brian Boucher -- he likely didn't see the first goal of Game 2 and only got a very late look at the game-winner. Much of that traffic is about being able to set up because of puck possession by the Bruins in their end. Simply, that needs to be minimized -- and it might help if the Flyers got off to a good start. As Dan Carcillo said this morning, "We've been behind the whole series, in both games clawing back to try and tie games. We've got to jump on them early in the first 10 minutes here, get some hits, get the fans into it, hopefully get the first goal and then roll from there."
Simple, isn't it?
4) a quick end to this stupid series. I mean, this is interfering with traffic at the phillies. Nobody cares about hockey, or the Phlyers, except for the 18,000 lemmings who still think they have a winning tradition.— fishthing- Why not place Richards, Briere and Giroux as the centers on 3 separate lines? Not only does it create (slightly) more balance among the forwards, it also allows other players that are contributing NOTHING (Hartnell, van Riemsdyk, Asham) to at least be paired with talented, productive players that could help them produce in turn. This would also avoid the reliance on two lines that log major minutes and eventually wind up gassed late in the game, when they are needed most. I feel this has contributed to the reason why the Flyers were so outplayed in the OT of Game 1 and the 3rd period of Game 2.— UncleEddie
- Plus Briere and Giroux are better at center than at wing.— UncleEddie
- Hey, "fishthing". As disappointing as the Flyers has been for a number of years, real men still like hockey. Baseball fans are generally effete snobs along with (in the Phillies' case) the usual assortment of front-runners. Cole Hamels needs to get checked into the boards one of these days.— CommonSenze
- fishthing - You obviously seem to care about hockey because you took the time to click on the link and comment. I bet you are an Eagles fan, who has NO winning tradition, except the NFL championship they won 50 years ago. I know you are an angry guy because every morning you wake up without a woman, but stay positive.— MarkNJ
fishthing- your a moron who obviously has no idea about Philly sports— jamarder- Fishthing - I agree. I'm going to the Phillies game tonight and these people that love "America's least favorite sport" only add to the traffic congestion.— VitoCorleone
- fishthing - Phillies, 10,000 career losses, winning tradition? Flyers, 2d best all time winning percentage ... facts are not your friends, indeed you don't seem to be acquainted. Suggest you write about dopiness, of which you appear to know a great deal.— Claudio Vernight
- the real issue in this series has been momentary lapses in coverage by the forwards. Still not sure why Hartnell was out killing penalties the other night. Granted he cannot score right now, but he's not exactly the prototypical PK guy. If we can score first and hopefully take Game 3 tonight, we'll be fine.— horhey
- fishthing - You are an idiot. If you don't admire hockey playoffs then you aren't a real sports fan. Go watch Ophrah.— ChrisM
- fishthing & CommonSenze - I am a lifelong fan of both teams. I am a Phillies season ticket holder and I am going to the Flyers Game 4 on Friday night and went to game 3 last series. So am I a man??? p.s. I used to play both sports, so yes CommonSenze, I have been checked into the boards a few times... GO FLYERS!!!— JesseH
- I hope VitoCorleone get tased.— JohnnyThunderCak
- fishthing & CommonSenze- I am a season ticket holder of both teams and, while I consider myself a baseball guy first, I would never go to a regular season baseball game over a play off hockey game. There is nothing better than play off hockey, play off baseball included. The Wach will be rocking tonight! Cannot wait. Go Flyers!!!!!!— Legion of Doom
- Forecheck is really all-important. Boston dominated with their forecheck pressure in Game 1 OT and in the 3rd period of Game 2. We were reduced to getting the puck out of the defensive zone by whatever means possible. As a result, there was no offensive zone pressure (Boston would just collect the puck in its zone and start up ice again) and we were stuck in a defensive posture. So what Pronger's saying is spot on. Also, please don't put Briere at center. He's way too much of a defensive liability.— Snap Crackle Propp
- I hope Carcillo murders someone tonight— blueye7
- Briere at center on defense does not know where he should be. Keep him on wing.— P Even
- I still would like to see JVR log more ice time with beter players. Give me a top two lines of JVR-Briere-Giroux and Carcillo-Richards-Hartnell.— edaptive
- I WANT A GOOD GAME!!— gmpr66
- OK, back to the actual hockey game. The Bruins are a beatable team. The Flyers problems thus far are because three minutes-eaters are out of the line-up and guys are playing longer/harder than they're used to. Therefore, the team is gassed by the end of the game. So to win, they need an early lead, Lavvy has to keep the shifts short, and they HAVE to stay out of the penalty box.— CommonSenze
- fishting, you don't care but you're on a BLOG about the flyers and tonight's game...— thrilladelf
Hey, I love BOTH sports and BOTH teams. Go Flyers!!!! Go Phillies!!!!— DaveCicc- "We need to continue to do the things we've done through the course of the first couple of games, and even the series against New Jersey." Maybe that's the problem, the Flyers still think they're playing the Devils....— Jmo6685
- I hope the Bruins will put the blocks to Caricillo!! in front of his home crowd!!!! would be nice to see.— iamcanadian
Three things to look for in tonight's game and I'll keep it simple. Goals, assists, and a win...how's that? GO FLYERS!!!!— eparico- Pittsburgh needs to send the Flyers a nice gift as they took out the Devils for them and then injured about 5 Bruin players to weaken that team before Sid and the boys take them out next round. Look out San Jose, the Pens will be waiting for you.....— Ticogringomike
