Laviolette eyes Finals; Pronger-Byfuglien matchup looms
After the Flyers won the Eastern Conference title with a rivetting 4-2 victory over Montreal on Monday, winning coach Peter Laviolette looked ahead to his team's ultimate goal _ bringing home its first Stanley Cup since 1975.
Laviolette eyes Finals; Pronger-Byfuglien matchup looms
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
After the Flyers won the Eastern Conference title with a rivetting 4-2 victory over Montreal on Monday, winning coach Peter Laviolette looked ahead to his team's ultimate goal _ bringing home its first Stanley Cup since 1975.
Asked what it would take to defeat the favored Chicago Blackhawks, Laviolette didn't blink.
"I'm always a believer if your team can play their style and their system and implement their game, you've got a good chance of winning hockey games," he said. "We'll start preparing for the Chicago Blackhawks, and we'll be ready when the puck drops.
"I know they had a great year," said Laviolette, who directed Carolina to the 2006 Cup, "....But in order for two teams to get this far, I think both teams have to be playing well, so it should be a good series."
Chicago's massive Dustin Byfuglien, a 6-foot-3, 246-pound winger, had three game-winning goals in the Hawks' Western Conference sweep of San Jose.
"He's a big guy. I'll be honest, I haven't looked too much into Chicago yet. That would be a good question for a couple days from now," Laviolette said when asked how the Flyers would contain Byfuglien "But you're right, he's a big man. The goal _ I think the goal he scored to put them in the Finals _ exemplifies what he does best, which is to get to the front of the net."
Laviolette paused.
"We've got a big guy out there too, No. 20. He does a pretty good job of tying guys up in front of the net. So I'm sure they'll see a lot of each other."
Laviolette, of course, was talking about 6-6, 220-pound defenseman Chris Pronger. The Pronger-Byfuglien matchup is just one of the many great storylines of the Finals.
One of the many others: The series will bring together former Blackhawks goalie Michael Leighton and former Flyers forward Patrick Sharp. Chicago gave up on Leighton, much like the Flyers gave up on Sharp.
Now they are thriving with different teams.
If the flyers can jump on the bluehawks early they won't know what hit them!! Melrose is a F#@king idiot, btw. He has been against the Flyers all year, prove him wrong! LETS GO FLYERS— Murrayag11- Hey HAWKSRULE>fancy meeting you here. Done with the Sharks blogs, on to the runners up EH?— Redlights
- This is going to be a tough series. I think Chicago has better goaltending. Of course so did our last three opponents. This will be fun.— Paul1954
- This will be an interesting contest. You have to give the Flyers A+ for effort and tenacity, however the Eastern Conference competition is nothing close to the Western Conference! Look at the overall record and points. Teams that didn't make the Western Conference finals would have made 4th seed in the Eastern. We welcome the Flyers to real hockey. GO HAWKS!!!— Redlights
- Like the Sharks, the Flyers will try and goon it up with the Hawks. We will absorb it and at the same time dish it out. The Hawks will wait for the mistakes much like they did with the Sharks, and bury the puck! THe Flyers have not played a posession team like the Blackhawks, nor a team with the scoring ability, defesive rushes, or depth. We beat the Sharks by sending 4 strong lines that play two way hockey. Congradulations for making it to the Cup...but your party is about to end. But, win or lose, we both made it further than anyone else!!— Redlights
- Hey Philly fans, You have faced three of the worst offensive teams in the playoffs, New Jersey, Boston, and Montreal. Good luck with our 6'4" 257 lbs(nhl.com)angry gorilla named Dustin Byfuglien. If Blake and Murray of the Sharks can't move him, you think 35 year old Pronger will? Dustin has 40 lbs on him. Good luck should be a great series.— Mr Honesty
- Rountrip airfare, Orange County, CA to Philly:$352; Two tickets to game 3: $1,500; Another Stanley Cup in Philly: Priceless.— rjsmith
- Any comments based on the Flyers winning the one game during the regular season are worthless. Come on guys. We all know the regular season has nothing to do with it anymore. Just ask Washington about that! Not to mention, the Flyers won that one with 1 second left, and the Hawks had their less skilled goalie playing at that point. This will be a TOUGH series against a very good team. I think the Flyers can do it if they grind it out, but let's not kid ourselves and base any assumptions on that one meaningless regular season game.— 26cheesesteaks
- Enjoy your Orange Eastern Conference garb, Philly fan. It'll be your last purchase this year. Hawks are a different breed of cat. Phlyers don't even make the playoffs in the West this year. So you plowed through the 19th, 30th and 26th ranked teams for goals scored. Bravo.— Reality Czech Mofo
- Do the Flyers have a guy as tough as Duncan (no teeth) Keith? Had seven teeth knocked out and came back in after only missing 6 minutes of the game. Well do ya?— Happy Hawks Fan
- O-oh, here come the Chicago faithful, cluttering our message boards. Alright Hawksrule, enjoy your favorite status. We are very happy to be called the underdogs. Even Barry Melrose believes in you...I can't speak for the club, but as far as they are concerned I believe, you guys are just another stepping-stone to the Cup. I'm feeling generous today: Flyers in 6. And you can take that to your Bean (or whatever that thing is)...— petefreans
- Happy Hawks Fan said: "Do the Flyers have a guy as tough as Duncan (no teeth) Keith? Had seven teeth knocked out and came back in after only missing 6 minutes of the game. Well do ya?" Hmmmmm, let me think...well we had a player get a concussion and a brain contusion blocking shots, only to come back about month later to block even more shots. Laperriere I think his name was. So, yeah, we do....— petefreans
- The only reason Chicago fans are posting on our board is because deep down they are frightened and insecure about their teams chances. In the Playoffs this year, They have not faced a team as determined and with as much grit and heart as the Flyers have. They are just plain scared and jealous because the 2010 Flyers have the biggest comeback in sports history !! Yo Blackhawk fans, PUT THAT IN YOUR F$%@#$% PIPE AND SMOKE IT !! FLYERS IN 6. You can take that to the bank !!!!— longislandflyerfan
- phillyboy - I have no idea what your semi-literate post was trying to say, but it sounds like you're trying very hard to insult Chicago, just as you tried very hard to insult Montreal, just as you tried very hard to insult Boston. The common thread is that you spend a curious amount of energy trying to sound tough, but come off as a silly caricature. The Flyers played a strong series and deserved to win; pity you can't enjoy the moment without being a moron.— Lorne
- Redlights - I can't argue with your assessment of East vs. West based on stats alone, but let's be fair. The East had Washington with the best record in the NHL. They were summarily dumped by the 8th place Habs, who went on to dump the Pens. The 7th place Flyers took out the Devils, another top team. Just goes to show how wobbly the regular season throne can be. This makes for great hockey, and it's why, despite all stats to the contrary, the Flyers have a good shot.— Lorne
