MVN - Most Valuable Network

Series Shifts Back To Philly

On this morning before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals, the Philadelphia Flyers have a lot of work cut out for them.  As the series shifts to South Philly, not only are the Flyguys down, 2-0, they’ll be without their top two defensemen in Kimmo Timonen and Bryadon Coburn.

Both are freaky, fluke injuries that can have you question the hockey-gods as to their motives.  I understand the rationale for those who are pushing for visors to be worn by everyone, but I see the visor as an accomplice to the instigator-rule.  Granted, the visor could’ve prevented the serious injury to Coburn’s face, but worn by others, they’re more likely to take a run at another player without consequences.

Ryan Parent will take the ice in place of Coburn and will probably be teamed up with veteran Jason Smith.  The Flyers aren’t asking the world of Parent, just limit the turnovers and make good passes out of the defensive zone.

The last time the Flyers and Pens faced each-other in the playoffs was in 2000.  The Pens had a 2-0 series lead, before losing the next four.  It was a different time and era.  Keith Primeau’s 5thOT goal is ancient history, but the Flyers issues on the blueline are just as present today.

For the Flyers to win tonight:

- Danny Briere, Vinny Prospal, and Scott Hartnell are going to get on the score sheet - in a good way.  Hartnell has to create room for Prospal and Briere, and #48 can’t worry about “non-calls,” etc.  Play the game.

-  RJ Umberger has to finish.  He’s had many opportunities in games 1 & 2, it’s time to go back to basics.

-  Stay out of the penalty box; ’nuff said.

- The Flyers can’t allow the Pens to dictate their own powerplay.  For most of Game 2, on their powerplay, the Orange&Black just dumped the puck, hoping something good will happen in the Pens zone.  They’re still waiting.

All I know is that the crowd at the Wachovia Center is going to be loud, but if the Pens jump out to a quick, early lead, you’ll see most of them at AT&T Pavillion drowning their sorrows.

Here’s a little rockn’roll with some rock’em sock’em hockey for you, courtesy of our friends at Broadstreetbully.com:

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 13th, 2008 at 8:25 am and is filed under Danny Briere, Kimmo Timonen, RJ Umberger, Braydon Coburn, Jeff Carter, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Eastern Conference. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.