.2 Seconds. It can make all the difference in the world...or in this case, a critical Game Four in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Carolina was up 3-0 until the 19:32 mark of the second period, when Brian Gionta was sprung for a breakaway. He was able to beat Cam Ward to cut the lead to two heading into the intermission. Two defensive miscues and two rebounds later, finished by Brendan Shanahan and David Clarkson, and we had ourselves a tie game.
With little time left in regulation, it seemed that that the Canes and Devils were in store for yet another overtime conclusion.
They weren't.
Dennis Seidenberg's wrister with time waning in regulation redirected off of Jussi Jokinen's left skate and into the back of the net with .2 seconds showing on the clock.
My hat's off to the Canes for being able to battle through what had to be an emotional let down after surrending a 3-0 lead with less than 21 minutes left in the game.
The fact is, this game had the potential to be very ugly in favor of the Canes. Marty Brodeur played a superb game, stopping 42 shots to allow his team the chance for the comeback.
The storyline for Carolina is clearly the play of their depth forwards. Ryan Bayda and Chad Larose scored their second career playoff goals...their first goals came in the last contest. Back-to-back games with a goal from a third and a fourth liner, in the playoffs no less, is a coach's dream. Scott Walker was all over the place, as well, notching his second straight game with a helper.
The Bayda-Jokinen-Walker line combined for 2 goals, 1 assist, and 8 shots....all in a combined 25:45 in ice-time.
Carolina is heading back to the swamps of Jersey (or should I say the refurbished slums of Newark now? anyway...) tied at two games apiece, and their offensive depth is the key reason why...
Further up on I-95, the Flyers weren't as lucky.
Despite peppering Marc-Andre Fleury with 46 shots, the Flyers will be heading back to Steel-town facing elimination.
Mike Richards played an excellent game, and Daniel Carcillo ignited the fans in the third, but it just wasn't enough to overcome a tremendous effort by Fleury.
In the battle of the 3rd lines, the Penguins were victorious. Tyler Kennedy showed some poise in the slot after taking a pass from Matt Cooke, moving the puck from forehand to backhand, and then inserting it behind Marty Biron and into the twine. The Giroux and Briere tandem was unable to be the x-factor, as they were on Sunday, in a game that Philly so desperately needed to win.
0 for 8 on the power-play. A snake-bitten Jeff Carter. The elements for success weren't there for Philly tonight, despite vastly outplaying Pittsburgh for the last 30 minutes, or so.
The Flyers now face a mountain that will be tough to climb...
Another enjoyable post!!!
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