Pens Must Win to Stay Alive
The Penguins know this much - In order to participate in a Game 5, let alone advance towards Lord Stanley's Cup, they must win tonight against the Flyers at the ever-hostile Wells Fargo Center in Philidelphia.
What the Penguins don't know, to this point anyway, is how to crack the resilient Flyers game.
The Penguins are staring at possibly the worst post-season collapse in their franchise's history. A loss tonight, in whatever fashion, would catapult this team into the Penguins record books for all the wrong reasons. Most remember the '75 Penguins as the team that truly unravelled in the post-season, taking a 3-0 series lead against the New York Islanders, only to squander the series with four straight losses.
Ten days ago, these same Penguins were a 4-1 Vegas favorite to win it all. They were healthy for the first time in nearly three years. They had the regular season scoring champion and near shoe-in MVP in Evgeni Malkin. Pascal Dupuis, Chris Kunitz, James Neal, and Jordan Staal had career years.
Now, every fan and analyst from here to Tucson are asking themselves "what happened to these Penguins"?
It's simple really - They've been outplayed.
The Flyers have won nearly every concievable statistical category in this series, and it no fluke. They've owned the special teams battle. They've scored at will on their powerplay, and somehow managed three short handed goals of their own. They've had numerous odd-man break/ breakaway scenarios. They've stood toe-to-toe physically with the Penguins, and have consistently stolen their momentum away with timely responses to every push.
The Flyers have won nearly every concievable statistical category in this series, and it no fluke. They've owned the special teams battle. They've scored at will on their powerplay, and somehow managed three short handed goals of their own. They've had numerous odd-man break/ breakaway scenarios. They've stood toe-to-toe physically with the Penguins, and have consistently stolen their momentum away with timely responses to every push.
How often in a Pens/Flyers series have we been able to say the Flyers are skillful, speedy, executing at a high level, and staying disciplined?
These Flyers are different. These Flyers have not follwed the same self-defeating script that they have become noted for as a franchise. They have jumped all over every Penguins mistake, and have limited their own gaffes significantly. Time after time in this series, the Flyers have made the Penguins pay, and pay dearly.
Sunday's Game 3 was a microcosim of that analysis - and the outcome was decided well before the final whistle blew.
Game 3, aside from acting as another crushing and lopsided Penguins defeat, also showed what can happen when emotions boil over and control is lost. Sunday afternoon was not only an embarassment for the richly proud Penguins franchise, but it stood to make their very leader and co-owner, Mario Lemieux, look like a jerk. He has spoken out adamently on numerous occasions for eliminating the very play his team ennacted on Sunday afternoon.
Accordingly, repercussions from Sunday afternoon came down hard on the Penguins. They will be without the services of James Neal, Craig Adams, and Aaron Asham for Game 4 of the series because of incidents during Sunday's game.
Simply put, Game 4 means more to these Penguins than an opportunity to play another game. They must not only find a way to stave off elimination, but more importantly, they must restore the class and integrity to their franchise name.
Side note : #47 Simon Despres was called up this morning from the Penguins AHL affiliate in Wilkesbarre, Scranton to possibly replace the now injured Paul Martin.
Accordingly, repercussions from Sunday afternoon came down hard on the Penguins. They will be without the services of James Neal, Craig Adams, and Aaron Asham for Game 4 of the series because of incidents during Sunday's game.
Simply put, Game 4 means more to these Penguins than an opportunity to play another game. They must not only find a way to stave off elimination, but more importantly, they must restore the class and integrity to their franchise name.
- Burgh Boy
Side note : #47 Simon Despres was called up this morning from the Penguins AHL affiliate in Wilkesbarre, Scranton to possibly replace the now injured Paul Martin.
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