I would classify myself as being a news junkie and when it comes to sports, I make sure I get my daily fill from all available sources. What is surprising to me is how fans and media will not give credit to a deserving team. It’s more or less; how lucky the Flyers have been because of the amount of posts that have been hit, how they have been outshot and how they have been dominated. Oh, and let’s not forget that now the referees are helping them out.
To me the bottom line is that the “underdogs” are making the most of their chances and burying them compared to the Habs who have played well but not enough to win. The Flyers no matter what your opinion is has done enough to win. When they needed a save, Biron has come up huge. When they needed a goal, their depth has been able to score. This sums up the series and that’s why the Flyers are up 3 games to 1.
Each team has been given a timely penalty that has hurt their chances to win. As much as I detest all the officiating, in the end things even out to some degree. But, remember the Habs still have a slight advantage in Power Play time. Now, it’s being said the Habs are too young and they don’t know how to win in the playoffs that why there are having a tough time. This is just an excuse. Once again the Flyers are doing enough to win and the Habs are doing enough things to lose. The Flyers have a young team as well.
I will warn everyone out there that this series is not over till one team wins game 4. The Flyers need to make the most of their chances to close out the series.
I will pass one warning to the Penguins because it appears there will be moving on to the next round. They have traveled the road with the less opposition. Once again you will have more time on your hands once you close out the series. My warning is, Don’t Get Comfortable!!! Compared to all the teams that are still in the playoffs right now, you have played the less games compared to everyone else with little or no opposition. This is no disrespect to the Sens and the Rangers but right now the puck is bouncing your way along with the untimely injuries you opponents have. You have been playing well, that’s not the point. But, sometimes a little tenacity goes a long way.
I'm a Philly hater but will give credit where credit is due. They have been the better team overall. They have a lot of nice players and are playing with an edge. I'm glad they dialed down the runs at the goalie; wonder why cause I wouldn't think Montreal would be any more likely to stop it than Washington was. Philly is playing good hockey. Most teams that have playoff success get the better bounces, but it's not just a few lucky breaks; Philly is creating and capitalizing on their chances. I'm actually getting excited for the possibility of a Pitt-Philly ECF. No love lost there.
Its like you are reading my mind. I was just thinking how the Flyers get no respect for their hard work and scoring depth. I actually prefer it that way though, we seem to play better as the underdog.
I believe the Flyers, granted we move on to the next round, will beat the Pens in 6 or 7. The Pens only played 8 games, and have not lost yet. No one knows how they will bounce back, and neither team that they played is a physical as the Flyers. I'm real excited about next round.
I think it will be a good series if the Flyers play Pittsburgh. I'm trying to be conservative because they still need one more win. Live in the moment type thing. Kollarism - that's my point exactly. You don't know how they will bounce back when and if they lose a game. IMO, they have had only one tough game so far.RWRusso, thanks for the comments. Bruiser, yes I would rather be the underdog. As much as I get tired of all the media bashing the Flyers take, I find it quite funny to say the least.
It seems the Pens strategy to tank the last game of the season in hopes that they wouldn't have to face the Flyers may backfire on them yet. I'm not ready to concede that the series with the Habs in over yet, so it still may work out the way the Pens planned, but historically, the team with a 3-1 lead goes on to win the series at least 90% of the time. I do hope that the Rags make a series of it and at least win the next 2 games, but I'm not optimistic.
When it comes to the Pens vs. Ranger/SensThe Pens have been very lucky to come across two teams that are just fighting to stay healthy. yes, they have played well but there road has been very easy at this point in time compared to everyone else. If I was teh Pens I would be concerned. it reminds me of the Patriots and we all know what happened to them.
before we look to the next round, we still need to beat a very capable habs team.
Kinda ironic no Philly fans are giving credit to a very, very good Pens team. Pitt definitely have some physical players, I think much more so than Washington or Montreal. Even Hossa threw a check.
pitt and philly would be a great series. i already mentioned to a friend that it will be a tossup as to who takes the series, but it will go 6 or 7 and the hot goalie will be the one to take the series.
I never said they were NOT a good team. but, compared to all the other series that are going...see Russo I'm including the rest of the league here...they have had the easiest road. Pitt is playing well but truly what type of competition have the Rangers and Sens given them at this point in time? See it for what it is compared to bringing up you "ironic" point.
So Detroit hasn't had it easy against a decimated Avs team? I know, I'm just a "homer", a "bitter" Sabre fan who ignores the rest of the league. Washington squeaked into the playoffs on the last day, and Montreal is like Buffalo last year: not built for the playoffs. And when you can't count on goaltending, well, you find yourself in Game 7 vs. Boston or down 3-1 vs. Philly. But Pitt has been the only team to have it easy so far, they're really not that good.
Russo...I'm going to leave you with this. Preds vs. Red Wings went six games...I'm talking about the playoffs as a whole. But, you want to quote just the second round. Good for you. I would settle on bitter. Enjoy the rest of your day. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_Sabrescheck that out. I just realized the Flyers have ended your teams season more then any other team at a quick glance. so, once again i will settle with bitter. And once again, I never stated Pittsburgh wasn't a good team. thank you in showing all the other bloggers you have a hard time understanding.
No doubt ... I had you guys out in 5 against the Caps. Kudos! But what about my STARS? Never given credit by ANYONE!
Well Russo, this is at least one Flyer fan who is by no means underestimating Pittsburgh. I think the Flyers are certainly capable of beating them, but I know they will go in as a huge underdog and have to play even better than they are now to win. But I'm also not one to get ahead of myself. We almost blew a 3-1 lead last round, and this Habs team has much more talent than the Caps. Some Flyers fans seem to have real short memories.