Leighton's magical ride continues
Another game, another shutout.
Leighton's magical ride continues
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
MONTREAL -- Bernie (no last name necessary) never did it. Hexy (no proper name necessary) never did it, either.
But Michael Leighton has done it. He now has three shutouts in the same Stanley Cup playoff series following his 3-0 win on Saturday afternoon at the Bell Centre. Three in one series is a franchise record.
Leighton also has four shutouts in the six games he has started since taking over after Brian Boucher tore up his knees in Game 5 of the previous series against Boston. Out of the 20 periods he has played, Leighton has pitched a shutout in 15 of them.
"Well, obviously it's nice any time you get a shutout," Leighton said. "But I'm not really concerned about shutouts right now. I'm concerned about winning. Tonight that's not really even on my mind about the shutout. If we would have won 5‑1, I would have been just as happy. We're looking at the next game. I'm not even thinking about that going into that game, and hopefully we play a similar game as we did tonight."
Truth be told, Leighton has been fronted by a ruthlessly-efficient defense for most of his games -- and this game probably more than any. Of the 54 shots that the Canadiens attempted, the Flyers blocked 27 of them, exactly half. (Of the rest, 17 were on net and 10 went wide.) It is a very big number, the team's second-highest total of the post-season; they had 30 blocked shots in Game 6 against Boston.
The problems of Game 3, when the Flyers lost by a 5-1 score, seem so distant now.
"Well, obviously that was one of our main goals was to play better defensively," Leighton said. "We definitely did that. I don't know how many times they came down the wing trying to fire pucks at me, and we had their "D" men who stuck their stick out and it went up in the crowds.
"We talked right before the game, and said we want to block as many shots and stop them charging the net, and we definitely did that. Our "D" did a great job doing that, and our forwards at the point were doing a good job blocking shots, too."
For the record, there were four other series in franchise history when the Flyers had two shutouts: 2003 against Ottawa, 1985 and 1975 against the New York Islanders, and 1975 against Toronto.
The Flyers have allowed five total goals in the series, all in Game 3. Just for reference, the fewest goals against in franchise history in a five-game series is seven (1980 vs. the New York Rangers). In a six-game series, it's nine (1999 vs. Toronto). In a seven-game series, it's 16 (1975 vs. the Islanders and 2003 vs. Toronto).
That is a lot of numbers, a lot of records -- and Michael Leighton is knocking them down, one at a time.
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The entire team is rising to every challenge. Leighton is playing the best hockey of his career and it's a wonderful thing to see, especially for Flyers fans.— wylies99- The Flyers, as a team, have 5 shutouts so far in these playoffs. That breaks the franchise record of 4 in one playoff year set by the 1975 Stanley Cup Champions.— wylies99
This kind of team defense bodes well for the finals. My grandmother would have been able to get a shutout behind that defense today. 17 weak shots ... only 1 shot total in the second. Amazing.— eagle1971
Comment removed.- It would seem that Tonka needs a reality check. The habs are toast. The Flyers will eliminate them on Monday right here in Philly. Don't cry Tonka, there is always next year. This is OUR year. LETS GO FLYERS!!!— suknay
Hahahaha, Tonka go back and play with your toy trucks in Canada. Flyers in Five!!— RUAngry- The Habs gotta score first Tonka. And right now, they don't look like they could score on anyone.— buttermilk67
- stunning! leighton is a revelation, they need to get him signed ASAP after the season is over, emery back to russia, boosh is a very capable backup, always has been— lukebonbon
- A can of Campbell's soup would have got the shutout tonight. The Flyers defense was fantastic. Not to rip Leighton, because he's done everything he's been asked to do, and they should definitely try to bring him back for next year. But the Flyers defense was awesome today.— JSaq
- Let's not get ahead of ourselves here but if they can continue this same defensive performance, we may have something really special with this team. Just hoping they can kick some Blackhawk bootie.— Beechdancer
- And let's not forget the Flyers lost that 6 game series in 1999 when they only gave up 8 goals.— eldiablodelsol2009
- Come on guys. Let's be positive here. I don't know about the rest of you but I feel that this team will not be denied. Forget about all the bad stuff that has happened to us in the past. This team is very talented and has the much needed leadership and coaching that hac not been here before. Were going to the finals. Bank on it!!!— suknay
- The Players and Coach(es)have been unbelievable!!!— lerze77
- ole' ole'...ole'ole' The Flyers don't need to win 5 more games, they only need to win 1....The next one...— dedhed
- After a childhood of Flyers love (was 9 year old for the first cup win) I have been, how do you say, Flyers apathetic since 1988...I am now officially Flyers curious...all you new Philles fans out there can relate (a team, like the Eagles, that tend to get my full attention). So, today for the first time in, say, 12-15 years I watched an entire hockey game. And all I can say is, I am not sure how the Habs have any chance. They looked completely out played and out coached. And Mr. Leighton seems hardly the reason. He made his saves, but the D and the game plan has done wonders in protecting him from most threats. So, from the peanut gallery, all I can say is...Go Flyers!— bobcitydoc
