Before I look ahead, quick recap of the last two games:
Friday vs. Montreal – Richards, while next to his goal, whifs on an attempted clear. Kostitsyn steals it, wraps around the net, dishes the puck in front, and Plekanec scores. This was midway into the first period, and this is how the game would end. For the first 30 minutes, it was all Canadiens. They outskated, outworked, and completely outplayed the Flyers. The second 30 minutes was the complete opposite. It turned into one of hose efforts that leaves you wondering why it took so long to get going. It was the kind of effort that if played with on a consistant basis, would yield a lot more victories. Still, there was one glaring problem in this game. Halak will get credit for a ton of saves, but many of them were right at him. He gave up some dangerous rebounds, but the Flyers did a poor job of crashing the net. This was a winnable game that the Flyers let slip away. Also, it’s worth mentioning that there were a lot of fans that made the trip from Canada for this game. TheFlyers probably set aside tickets for them, because they were grouped together across a few sections. It made for a fun atmosphere as they started singing and chanting, only to get drowned out on a consistant basis.
Sunday vs. Detroit – Still very hungover from my bachelor party, I managed to watch this game in parts. It was the Game of the Week, and the teams put on a good show. Carcillo returned from his 2 game suspension in style, scoring the first goal 17 seconds in. A few minutes later, Timonen converted on a 4 on 2 rush to give the Flyers a 2-0 lead. It didn’t last though, as Detroit turned up the pressure, entered the offensive zone with ease, and tied the game at 2 before the first intermission. However, the Flyers marketing campaign this season is all about the team being Relentless, and that’s how they were for the second and most of the third period.Goals from Giroux and Asham in the second restored the 2 goal lead. Datsyuk scored on a beautiful shot in the third, and Detroit pressed hard for the final equalizer, but the Flyers held on. I saw a lot of good things in this game. I think the biggest tale of this game is the breakout and transition game. First, Laviolette talked after the game about how the Flyers had to adjust because they weren’t forechecking hard enough, and Detroit was getting out of their zone too easily. There was too big a gap between forwards and defensement, and the Red Wings had an easy time getting through the neutral zone. I like the fact that the coaches noticed this quickly, made some adjustments, and the players executed it well. Second, the Red Wings put a lot of pressure on the wings when they defend the breakout. I’m not sure whether or not it was a left wing lock, but the Flyers had to get creative to get out of their zone. And to their credit, they did it pretty well.
So now, we have 3 games left, we’re sitting in 8th place, and we control our destiny. Tonight, we play the Leafs, who sit dead last in the East. However, they’re 6-2-2 in their last 10, and the game is in Toronto. It’s a must win, ut nothing is a given. Toronto has good goaltending, and a bunch of guys playing for jobs next seasons and relishing the spoiler role. After that is a home-and-home with the Rangers. This is exactly what I was hoping to avoid a few weeks ago. New York has the better goaltending, but the Flyers have a much better line-up. Rumor has it that Jeff Carter might be back for the last game. For pure hockey fans, it will be exciting to watch as the final playoff spot will proably be decided in this mini-series. But from a Flyers fans perspective, it’s a bit weird because since 1995, we’ve usually had a spot locked up by now, aside from the season we shall not speak of. Anyway, I think we’re in store for some dramatic hockey, and hopefully, some Flyers wins.
Thanks for reading!
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