Flyers gain stranglehold
Flyers 8, Penguins 4
Flyers gain stranglehold
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
What we have learned through three games and three victories for the Flyers against the Pittsburgh Penguins:
That goaltending in the playoffs can be overrated.
That rookies in the playoffs can play like veterans.
That fighting is still a part of playoff hockey.
That the Penguins are barely breathing.
And as the game wound down, the crowd at the Wells Fargo Center chanted, “You can‘t beat us.” And they haven’t so far. The final score on Sunday afternoon was Flyers 8, Penguins 4. They go for the astounding sweep of the series on Wednesday night.
This one was part circus, part wrestling match, and wholly outrageous. There were 72 penalty minutes in the first period and a wild series of brawls in the final 5 minutes of the third period. Somewhere, Gene Hart is smiling.
But in between, the game was wild and wide open and the goaltending was pedestrian on the Flyers‘ end and godawful on the Penguins‘ end, and that was that. Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has been terrible in the series, to put it charitably, and he was finally yanked after the second period and replaced by backup Brent Johnson.
Naturally, Claude Giroux scored on the first shot Johnson saw. Or maybe he didn’t see it.
There isn't a lot to say here. The Penguins were the Las Vegas betting favorite to win the Stanley Cup and now they are on the brink of elimination after three games of the first round. A young, young Flyers team has rollicked and rolled and fought and feasted on opportunity after opportunity provided by a Penguins team that has completely abandoned any semblance of defensive play (or teamwork, for that matter).
At this point, it seems all over but the misconducts.
Amazing game by our Flyboys. Despicable game by Pittsburg. Neal tried to take out both Couts and Giroux. In yo face PITSSBURG.— PhileaglyersFan- Can't believe those WHINERS go for the head. No respect for the game just like Lavy said a few weeks ago. I picked Flyers in 5. Who would have known it would be 4. Buh bye Cindy. — Voytas
- "That goaltending in the playoffs can be overrated." You couldn't be more wrong. Exhibit A - the playoff performance of the Flyers for the last decade or so. They may be outslugging the Pens in this series, but you can't win a Stanley Cup that way. Sooner or later, they will need better goaltending if they hope to keep advancing.
— JimG - Eddie Shore? Old-time hockey?— Armin Tamzarian
- Asham and Neal must get suspensions if the NHL doesn't want to make a fool of itself. I hope Giroux isn't injured, he didn't look good after the cheapshot late in the game.— flyerdommo
Neal clearly left his feet when he hit Couturier and then he hit Giruox in the head right after that. What will Mr. Shanahan do? Nothing.- Get the brooms out and sweep those crybaby gutless cowards all the way back to the other side of the state where they belong.— Jerome99RIP
- After the sweep, I decree that Penguins fans will forever have to refer to this Flyers team as the Legion of Broom — mikeyhigs
- After the sweep, I decree that Penguins fans will forever have to refer to this Flyers team as the Legion of Broom — mikeyhigs
- Has there ever been a bigger punk in the NHL than Sidney Crosby? Polish up your golf clubs Sid, you'll be needing them on Wednesday.— RH
- You're an embarrassment for the league, Pittsburgh! Deliberately trying to injure players when you can't win fair and square. Hopefully disciplinary action on your players start next season cause you season is over! Classless punks, just like the trash that reside in that dump of a city!— AnukKrakatoa
- there won't be any suspensions. The NHL has a long history of disrespecting the Flyers. If Crosby chips a toenail taking off his skates in the locker room, a Flyer will get suspended.— RH
- The Pens are arrogant, dirty and sore losers. Crosby the face of the NHL? Great player, otherwise a little git.— flyerdommo
- FORK CROSBY, FORK PITTSBURG, AND FORK ANYONE THAT DOESN'T LIKE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— clouden - there won't be any suspensions. The NHL has a long history of disrespecting the Flyers. If Crosby chips a toenail taking off his skates in the locker room, a Flyer will get suspended.— RH
