Flyers need to match Bruins' hunger
Before the series started, the Flyers didn't give a fudge that the Bruins held a grudge. Based on Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, maybe they should have. The Bruins embarrassed the host Flyers, 7-3. Game 2 is Monday night at the Wells Fargo Center.
Flyers need to match Bruins' hunger
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Before the series started, the Flyers didn't give a fudge that the Bruins held a grudge.
Based on Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, maybe they should have.
The Bruins embarrassed the host Flyers, 7-3. Game 2 is Monday night at the Wells Fargo Center.
On Sunday, the Flyers talked about having “brain cramps” in Game 1.
From here, the biggest “brain cramp” was underestimating the extra motivation that’s on the Bruins’ side.
The reason the Bruins have a grudge, of course, is because they became the first team in NHL history to blow a three games-to-none series lead AND a 3-0 lead in Game 7.
Before the series, the Flyers downplayed the notion that Boston would to be the hungrier team because it had a score to settle.
Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell suggested the Flyers were “in the heads” of the Bruins because of their collapse last year.
In Game 1 however, that was not the case. The Flyers allowed more goals than in any Game 1 in their playoff history.
No one is saying the Bruins won Game 1 simply because they had a chip on their shoulder.
But it says here it played a major role.
Mike Richards said the Flyers had tired legs. Yet, the Bruins also were coming off a seven-game series in the conference quarterfinals.
Did the Flyers have tired legs, or was it that Boston had more zip because it was the hungrier team?
Claude Giroux said the Flyers "got beat on battles" at both ends of the ice, and Briere said his team "got outworked in front of the net."
Again, this is all codespeak for this: The Bruins were the hungrier team.
Again, last year’s humiliation was the driving force.
The Flyers need a rallying cry to match Boston's intensity the rest of the series. How about this one: They need to get back to the Stanley Cup Finals to erase some bad memories of their own
The Bruins are a much more phsically imposing team than the Sabres and you have to fight hard against them in the corners and round the crease. The Flyers tried to out finesse them in game #1, and that won't work in this series. The D needs to step up as well. If they have learnt this lesson they still can get away with a 4-2.— flyerdommo- Bruin, schmooin. The Flyers took the last game off because they knew they could. I wouldn't be surprised if they spotted them a couple of more wins so they can make history again.
- Good points flyersdommo. The Flyers need to step up the physical play. They definitely need to hit Krecji more. He's clearly a finesse player, so make him pay. Match lines a little better and they'll be fine for tonight's game.— NYluvsPhylers
- Some players seem to lack the heart. Watch JVR...that's heart. Is it me...seems that since Versteeg got here this team has changed...not for the good. I think he has skills...maybe just not as a Flyer. This team can win it all, but they need to protect the weak goaltending. Boucher is not the answer. Homer needs to answer for this over site.— Flyerfan666
- Thomas is too good. Superior goalie makes the difference in playoff hockey.— dogman5
