Now THAT is Flyers' hockey!
Tuesday April 29, 2008 @ 02:42 PM EDT
David currently plays FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth on the FOX drama Bones. Though he was born in Buffalo, David will be following his Philadelphia Flyers throughout Stanley Cup Playoffs.
So I watched the game last night, and I’d like to put an exclamation point on the craziest Game 2 of the second round:
“Ole, Ole, Ole, Umberger!”
I think that the Flyers set a physical tone, and they’re going to play that game, win or lose. It’s competitive hockey this time of year; the blades are clean, the gloves are wet, and it’s time to do a little face-washing.
First of all, Game 2:
It was nice to see the Flyers keep the puck in the zone so much better than they had in Game 1. When Jeff Carter beat Price over his shoulder, it was unreal. It was good to get out of Montreal with a split. Even in Game 1, the Flyers controlled the game and then blew the lead.
It would be nice to be up 3-0, but I can’t talk like Philadelphia is going to win because Montreal is probably one of the best teams in the League right now, and they aren’t going anywhere soon.
What makes me happy is that it’s only a matter of time before the Flyers’ power play starts clicking. If you can’t capitalize on the chances, then it’s not meant to be. They had chances they didn’t bury, particularly in Game 3 in Philadelphia. Montreal outplayed the Flyers during long stretches of Game 3.
The Flyers had just two shots in the third period, which is ridiculous.
Philly hit a few posts, but in playoff hockey the posts can be the fans’ best friend. Montreal got the breaks in Game 1, but it works both ways, and the breaks came back to our side in Games 2 and 3.
There is a high animosity level between the two teams now and it’s only going to heighten.
Montreal has to respond after losing Game 3. They pulled Price, but you can’t ask him to do everything and I think he’s going to be a great goaltender, but it’s a learning experience.
Biron has been outstanding. He’s robbing people with his glove and utilizing his quickness. The five-minute major by Hatcher was aggressive play, but it’s hard to say who is right or wrong. Hatcher is a guy with an old-school mentality and the Flyers can’t take those kinds of penalties. I thought that was the beginning of the end, but Philadelphia got lucky and held onto the lead even though the Habs scored two goals during the penalty.
Steve Downie is aggressive and the Flyers can’t take too many penalties against Montreal’s power play. Philadelphia has survived this because of Martin Biron and Mike Richards’ play, but they can’t keep taking that many penalties because it will catch up to them in the long run.
R.J. Umberger has been outstanding and he’s really stepped up. Kimmo Timonen has responded well. Montreal did a great job of keeping the puck in the Flyers zone and they were causing turnovers with their relentless forecheck. The Flyers have to play better defensively to give Biron some rest because a team can’t rely on their goalie him to steal every game.
I think the officiating has been fair and they called a good game because they let the teams play. It’s tough to make close calls, but they called a really good game and it won’t get any easier for them Wednesday in Game 4. This maybe the toughest of the series, but it’ll be fantastic that the Flyers are at home.
Canadiens coach Guy Carbonneau looks fired up and he’ll have his team playing hard.
Philadelphia has to match their intensity level and keep pushing. It would be nice to see the Flyers take 3-1 series lead, but it’ll be tough and Montreal will not back down.
I heard Mike Knuble might be back, but the power play has to be better and two shots in the third period won’t help win many games.
The Flyers should put more pucks on Price because they got in his head a little bit. I think our crowd has to be even more into it.
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Commentsvanfanjimbo
May 02, 2008
dead or alive?
This has no doubt in my mind been the closest fought battle soo far in the second round! The Habs have played well but obviously not well enough to keep scoring up, and help out Price in net. I did not agree soo much that Montreal did not start Price, YES he has been a little shaky but if you are going to trade off Huet and shout out to the hockey world that Price is your man then you have to stick by that. And if you want to cry that his age is a factor then to me that is all the more reason to keep him as your starter… He has to learn to DEAL with the pressures and gain the experience in games that count! He won’t gain a thing by sitting on the bench. Now I am not trying to take anything way from Halak… He is a fantastic youngster too! The Canadiens have to start using that speed to get around the bigger bodied Flyers and make more good of their skill. They have to keep scoring up and as much as I hate to say it considdering this guy was a saving grace in the first round but Kovalev has got to get it going again! Ever since Koivu has come back I have noticed Kovalev disappearing more and more as each game continues. Now that the Flyers have a strangle hold on this series it is up to Montreal to pick it up abit and start playing the type of hockey we have seen from them all year. One thing I will say is that their power play has been decent in this series and that it wouldn’t hurt to fire it up abit more (much like they did in game 4 the other night)… Use that to their advantage! Philly is a team known for taking penalties, so try and draw as many of them as possible! Get more traffic infront of Biron and try and get him off his game abit. BUT I will admitt I am sooo impressed by this Philly team and everything that they have accomplished thus far in these playoffs! And I think everyone would agree if they do infact knock the Canadiens out of the running that EVERYONE underestimated this team and what damage they are capable of! Soo I will leave the question to you, what do you think? Can Montreal replay history and go on to win a series they are down 3-1 in, or will the Flyers find a way to continue their great play of late and knockout the top beast of the east?
JCos
May 01, 2008
Habs' are still in it....
Biron has been the difference, like a brick wall —it’s almost unstoppable to beat him. I think the habs need to screen him more, they have had their lapses at times but still manage to pull it off. Both teams are evenly match. I give credit to Philly’s special teams, and now allowing MTL PP to kick in.
I’m still a believer…
CHampions25
Apr 30, 2008
Now that's class!
Just goes to show that you’re a classy dude DB! You could ran your mouth off about how the Flyers are so great and kicked our ass and all, but u didn’t… u know they were outplayed and got some lucky bounces and realize that Montreal can play better too and the Flyers have to be ready for that. Good stuff!
Taking a page form u… I realize that I underestimated the Flyers and their good physical play and the how effective Umberger, Carter and of course Biron have shown us to be.
Now in all essence if only Montreal would get a body or two in front of Biron and distract him so he doesn’t see every shot from a mile away, maybe then we’d get a few more goals. We’re making it too easy for him! Just look at the Dallas game tonight… Morrow right in front of Nabokov and totally screens him on the game tying goal… THAT’S WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO HABS!!!!
Come on Guy, take a page from your former team… and block Biron’s vision of the puck!
Now let’s tie this up at 2 and make it a real great series!!!!
photopo
Apr 29, 2008
Crowd Noise
I was at game 3 and I must say I was slightly disappointed. For a 2nd round game in the Flyers house, there were looooooong stretches of the game were the crowd really didn’t seem into. Don’t get me wrong, the building did rock, but there didn’t seem to be any kind of sustained enery by the fans.
tabrandt
Apr 29, 2008
Game 3
You made the same points I did in my own blog, but you have more detail. I noticed the way Martin Biron had been working hard with the awesome saves. You can’t blame the guy when Montreal got 2 goals past him in the Power Play. He has been working his ass off. I thought Umberger was seriously injured after Bouillon’s hip-check left him hurting in the corner. But, he was moving fine when he showed up later in 3rd period.
It was a physical game 3, hopefully we can carry that to Game 4. I agree that the team has to start playing and make more shots, give Biron a rest on the saves. A goaltender can only do so much, as was seen with Price.
I’ll posted it in my blog and I reiterate it here: From what I saw in Game 3, if the Flyers don’t wipe the floor with the opposing team, the Flyers fans will.
Kyle_720
Apr 29, 2008
Flyers are hot
The Flyers certainly deserve the lead in this series. If they can keep up the intensity, they’ll make it to the conference finals after finishing well out of the playoffs last season. What a remarkable turnaround.
francie
Apr 29, 2008
What a game 3!
Welcome back, Mr. B. I have to agree with my Canadien friend here. You guys REALLY had the puck last night. We got close but not close enough. And yes, let’s give credit where credit is due. Biron…? Man, he’s something else, that’s for sure. Take your eyes off the game, and you lose him!!! And like I’ve said before, your turn to be on a high now. Who knows…? Might be us next time. Enjoy Game 4; I know I will. We’ll see you guys back here at the end of the week! It might bring either of us luck; Friday is a special day for me.
lani
Apr 29, 2008
Good to see you again
Game 2…I`m a Habs fan, it`s in my blood but I couldn`t help but be amazed by Biron. Guy was everywhere!! This series is amazing. This is REAL hockey, baby!
Price wasn`t there last night. I don`t know where he was, but his head wasn`t in the game. I think the guy needs a rest but with you guys leading, we just can`t give him a break. Maybe Carbonneau will think other wise we`ll just have to wait and see tomorrow.
I`m not a sour fan, I give credit where credit is due and your Flyers dominated! On these words, enjoy game 4!!!