Flyers, Devils and ailing wingers
How important is Tuesday's Game 2 between the Flyers and New Jersey Devils?
Flyers, Devils and ailing wingers
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
How important is Tuesday's Game 2 between the Flyers and New Jersey Devils?
Well consider this: The Flyers are 18-0 in series when they win the first two games.
They are just 17-15 in series that start with one win apiece.
The Flyers won the opener in OT, 4-3. In that game, the Flyers spent most of the last two-plus periods in New Jersey's end.
That has to change, Devils coach Pete DeBoer said.
"The best defense is a good forecheck and spending time in their end," he said on Monday.
The health of 37-goal wingers Scott Hartnell and the Devils' Ilya Kovalchuk will be a factor in Game 2.
Hartnell had an ice pack on his left foot Monday but is expected to play Tuesday. He limped off the ice after blocking a shot Sunday but returned to the action.
In seven playoff games this spring, Hartnell has two goals and four assists.
Kovalchuk is also battling an injury. He had treatment Monday on what is believed to be a lower-back ailment. Kovalchuk had no shots Sunday.
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The Devils showed in Game 1 they will be a formidable opponent in this Turnpike Series against the Flyers, but...
For the heck of it, let's assume the Flyers get past the Devils; they would then be HEAVY underdogs if matched against the New York Rangers.
That's why, we suspect, the Flyers were happy to see the Washington Capitals outlast the host Rangers on Monday, 3-2, and even their series at one game apiece.
The Caps can capture the series if they win their three home games. Hey, stranger things have happened.
Based on their 0-6 record against New York in the regular season, the Flyers aren't given much of a chance to to beat the Rangers if they meet in the conference finals.
Washington would be a much easier road to the Cup Finals.
But, again, the Flyers must first handle an underrated Devils team that had 102 regular-season points _ just one fewer than the Orange and Black.
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A Flyers-Flyers West (Kings) Stanley Cup Final seemed like a ridiculous suggestion before the playoffs started. Now? Well, it's still a longshot....but the odds seem to be getting better each night.
Not sure why the Flyers as Sam puts it would be HEAVY underdogs to the Rangers. He sure makes it sound like the Rangers are completely unbeatable, when they've been just so-so against the Sens/Caps. Would the Flyers be underdogs, sure. But regular season is over, and the Flyers are playing at an elite level right now. Sam, don't bother coming to the parade in June.— FlyerAdam30
Enigma is the word that comes to mind. After watching the Rangers play this post season, I can't for the life of me figure out how the flyers couldn't win one game against them. The Rangers play such an ordinary game and are winning by the skin of their teeth. Truthfully, I think the Flyers are peaking and the Rangers are coming down all so slightly throughout these playoffs. Even with Hart and Vezina trophy nominee Lundqvist, I wouldn't bet against the FlyGuys. First things first and game 2 should be first and foremost on Flyers minds.— Jiggs700- Jiggs, it's simple. The Flyers style doesn't match up well with the Rangers. Laviolette's system is based on the Forecheck, having the D lead or join the rush and speed in the Offensive zone. Tortorella plays a passive Forecheck and concentrates on solid D, clearing the creases & high slot and getting their chances on turnovers. Add Lunqvist into the mix and their very happy playing (and winning) 2-1 games. The Flyers aren't.— KJ6710
- Can we please stop with the lazy reporting of team records after winning the first game, splitting the first two, winning the first two, losing the first two and winning game 3, etc???? Obviously the Flyers chance of winning the series is much better after winning the first two games as opposed to a split - why even mention this, Sam? Jeez, that's poor journalism. Here's a thought, Sam...why don't you report on the Devils records after losing the first game, etc...better yet, stick to reporting on the game, not prognosticating.— fizzbin
- who cares, the rangers won't get past the caps. Flyers will be in the cup, and anyone from the west scares the hell out of me. anyone who says the west isn't strong and possibly stronger right now is on crack. And may you please share some...— azguz
- i don't know anyone saying that the west is weak, they are just as good, west definitely has an edge in goaltending right now, the question is who's gonna come out of there, Rinne in nashville looks like he's choking, and LA is coming together at the right time, and quick is by far the best goalie left in the tournament — mos19delta
- Bring on the Rangers!! I want to see them lose to the Flyers in the playoffs and make Lundy cry— Inchon
Comment removed.- And that's why you are a Toyota dealer. — Planet of the lacking analytical skills
Heavy underdogs against the Rangers? Underdogs Ok I guess I can buy that argument, but Heavy? No.
You know this team has done a lot of growing up so to speak since the last time they played the Rangers. So far in the playoffs the Flyers have really stepped it up and have taken the reigns of almost every game. They are quick and dynamic and just plain fun to watch. Its been a long time since I could watch a play unfold and almost see a goal before its even scored. You just get that feeling.
Ive watched all the Ranger games so far as well. I honestly can't understand why they did so poorly against them all year. Considering the 8th seed had them against the ropes and the 7th seeded team just handed them their butts last night, I don't see any reason why this Flyer team couldn't out best them in an Eastern conference final ( not to get ahead of my self).
To be the best you gotta beat the best right? At this point looking ahead, I'd would be more worried about an LA Kings match up. Especially with jilted ex-Flyers Carter and Richards looking to prove a point. Also there Kings goalie Marty Bro...I mean Jonathan Quick in net who is stealing games for them left and right.- For the most part this season, they Flyers play against the Rangers with a depleted defensive unit. They scored a lot of deflections and tip-ins. Add to that the fact that we were without JVR or Schenn for most of those games, as well as the fact that Briere wasn't scoring. For good stretches of the season we were a one line team with only Hartnell scoring. Now we have the 4 lines back and rolling well, Couts has matured into an amazing shut down center, Briere and Giroux are on fire... and the rest of the team believes! This is a DANGEROUS team. Devils also have a superstar goalie, and play a shut down style of hockey and wait for turnovers. That worked out well, right? I'm not saying the Flyers are going to roll over the Rangers, but it's not going to be as one sided as everyone seems to think. Flyers can win that series.— macd41144
- Sam, what is the Flyers record when they've won game one on a Sunday, and then play on a Tuesday at 7:30 pm as opposed to 7:00pm, and how would that affect the odds in game 3 if the game were shifted back to
7:00pm Any history on this. Oh, that's right, history has nothing to do with it, yet, sportswriters seemed hooked on this type of irrelevant analysis. Agree with fizzbin. Suppose several Flyer teams in the past lost a series after being up 2-0. This would not change the probabilities in the present series if they are to go up 2-0. Would the Flyers have a good shot at overcoming a 3-0 series deficit just because they did it against Boston two years ago? I wouldn't say it's lazy reporting. Just trite. Like sportswriters use of the term "blow a lead." Just habit.— retzlaff - Right, if you want to watch a great netminder, then watch Quick from LA. He makes Bryz look like a statue. Kings just got done crushing the number one seed in the league and they are now crushing the number two seed in the West. That's the team I would be worried about, not the Rangers.— Voytas
- You have to get to the dance before worrying about your dance moves. — Planet of the lacking analytical skills
