Day Three Roundup

What has happened to the Philadelphia Flyers?

In a series that was supposed to be a the marquee match-up of the first round, the Flyers have failed to hold up their end of the bargain. Although they played a systematically sound defensive game, limiting break-downs and forcing the Penguins into some lower percentage shots, they failed to play with any passion or desire.

Fly-byes in the defensive zone. Not finishing checks. Not burying chances that could seal the game (cough, cough, Jeff Carter).

There is absolutely no way Mike Richards is playing at full strength. I refuse to believe it. He has looked absolutey brutal of late, including these first two games of the playoffs.

The funny part is, the Flyers were one Jeff Carter empty net away from stealing Game Two, despite not having their "A" game. A miraculous save by Fleury coupled by Carter not bearing down paved the way for an unfortunate holding call on Jeff Carter late in the third (bad call, but live I thought for sure it was a blatant hooking call, and I had the same angle as the official). On the resulting power-play, Pittsburgh was able to capitalize compliments of a Kris Letang shot which changed direction off of Evgeni Malkin's leg and into the back of the net.

Tie game.

OT can be summarized easily. Unnecessary penalty by Knuble. Giroux acting his age to give the Pens a two man advantage. Billy Guerin. Goal.

Game Over....

Over in Newark, Carolina was able to even the series at one apiece last night, courtesy of a Tim Gleason overtime marker.

I thought it was fitting that Gleason got the game winner. The guy gets no press, but he's a heckuva a defenseman. He's played efficient, sound hockey in front of Cam Ward all season, and is a big reason that Ward was able to post 39 wins during the regular season.

It was nice to see him get the game-winner and have his day in the sun...

Up in the land of our northern brother, the Canucks were able to defeat the Blues 3-0 (including an empty-netter).

As a hockey fan, this had everything you could want from a playoff game. Every hit was finished. Blocked shots galore. Quality chances on both sides. Raging fans. Goaltenders making big save after big save. End of the game shenanigans (unless your Gary Bettman).

Roberto Luongo, who registered his first playoff shutout, was perfect. It helped that Andy McDonald, who was all over the place and seemed to be on the ice for the entire game, clanked the iron three different times.

It was one of those games you left saying both teams deserved a 'W.' Unfortunately for St. Louis, that's not the way it works. Their forwards played much better than they did in Game One, their defense continued to be solid, and Chris Mason did his best to battle against Roberto Luongo.

If you're the Blues, you have to feel confident that you can go back to your own barn and take two games there. They were right there in Game Two. Plus, one Paul Kariya might be lacing them up come Game Three. That would be a huge boost...