On Monday night the Penguins returned home to attempt to stave off elimination for a second consecutive time. Despite watching the Flyers erase a 2-0 deficit supplied by Elmer Solderblom in the first and Connor Dewar in the second, the Penguins remained calm and collected – a stark difference from Penguins teams of the past against Philadelphia (or anyone for that matter) – and regained the lead late in the second off a favorable bounce. As expected, the Flyers gave a solid push in the third period that for the most part the Pens defended. There were certainly some golden opportunities for Philly that could’ve tied the game, but either Silovs or luck (in the way of missing the net) were there. The final two minutes served as a great reminder that this sport, this team, is one hell of a drug.
And now the series shifts back to Philadelphia. A third straight elimination game, the second in front of the Philly fans. If this seems vaguely familiar, it’s because we have been here before. In 2012 the Penguins entered the playoffs as a Cup favorite, only to have Daniel Briere go 4 feet offsides, a missed call that somehow sent Marc-Andre Fleury and the Penguins to a psych ward. After three games they were down 3-0, before scoring 10 goals in game four and scratching out a win in Pittsburgh in game 5, a game that saw multiple suspensions to Aaron Asham, James Neal, and Dan Balsam receiving a $10,000 fine because of a Craig Adams instigator penalty.
That game six in Philly started and ended when Claude Giroux laid a punishing hit on Sidney Crosby in the first shifts of the game. Everyone knew the series was over at that moment, and 60 minutes later we were correct when the Flyers secured a 5-1 win and 4-2 series win. Maybe this trip jogged some cobwebs for you, but I bet Sidney Crosby remembers it clearly. By the way Crosby has transformed the last two games, Letang has played actual hockey, and Malkin has stay level-headed amidst the scrums, it is safe to say the big three remember this series, and they do not want to end this ride against Philly.
Tonight, the Penguins return to Philadelphia for game six. Win and all bets are off for a game seven. Lose, and the improbable season ends prematurely. It would not surprise me to see the Captain put his stamp on this game in a similar way Giroux did 14 years ago.
Game 5 finally showed Anthony Mantha produce something other than untimely penalties as he was a menace and he was under the Flyers skin. Solderblom scored in the first as well, and Kindel had his best game of the post-season. Chinakhov continues to be snake-bitten but not from a lack of trying, his wicked shot has just gone off the mark. The entire city of Philadelphia wants to keep Sidney Crosby off the scoresheet tonight. I know it, he knows it, Dan Muse knows it. The likely difference in this game is going to be if the second and third lines can find the net. It wouldn’t hurt if the power play shot more than once per man-advantage as well.
Then there are the Flyers. A group of teenagers who pulled off a miraculous spring to get here in the first place. They rode that momentum into the playoffs and attacked the geriatric Penguins during nap time. They only reason we are still here is because the inexperience of the Philly team resulted in them not having the go-for-blood mentality it takes in game four. Now the doubt is creeping in. Tocchet is shuffling lines. An alleged dispute between Michkov after being scratched has resulted in his whereabouts being unknown. There was some report of benching Vladar. Essentially, oddly, with the right start tonight, the Penguins have them exactly where they need them.
It is game six. This one has the potential to be electric from the start. Every goal the Penguins score chips away at this young Flyers teams confidence. Up until Saturday night they had been playing “playoff hockey” without getting punched in the mouth. The Penguins threw the first jab in game 4. They landed a left hook Monday night. Tonight it is time for the hay-maker. Come out with a thirst for blood. Set the tone. Do not let them breathe. Do not give them room to skate. Make them wish they had closed this out the last time they were in Philadelphia. Make their fans realize they won’t see this team play again this year. Let’s bring this thing back to Pittsburgh.
DO IT!
LGP