Game 3

After losses in games 1 and 2 in Pittsburgh, the Flyers were saying all the right things as the attention and the action shifted to the Wachovia Center for game 3. It was clear from start the Flyers were determined to play a much more physical and disciplined game than the previous 2. 

Over the course of the season the Flyers have had a very balanced team, not just scoring attack. The Flyers have combination of skilled young guys and savvy veterans and the luxury of being 3 lines deep; In game 3 the Flyers were able to perfectly display their team dynamic.

The scoring got started by the Flyers regular season goals and points leader, Jeff Carter. Carter received a nice drop pass from fellow line mate Joffery Lupul, completely froze a Pittsburgh defender and goaltender Marc Andre- Flurry and buried a beautiful backhand goal.

The Flyers scored their second goal by captain Mike Richards sniping awkward side angle shot to put the Flyers up 2-0.

The Penguins were certainly not going to go away easily as Evgini Malkin scored on a defensive miscue with 11 seconds  remaining in the 1st period. The Penguins continued where they left off in the second period tieing the score at 2-2 less than a minute into the period.

After the loss in game 2 its possible that no one felt worse about it than rookie Claude Giroux. With the score tied at 2 and a feeling of momentum changing, Giroux came to the rescue. Giroux gave the  Flyers a 3-2 lead after getting a perfect rebound pass from Danny Briere. Then after a terrible holding call against Richards Giroux out hustled a Penguin to a puck in the corner of the Penguins zone then out skated 3 Penguins and made a pass that not many people can make to Simon Gagne to score a shorthanded goal and to give the Flyers a 4-2 lead.

To put the "nail in the coffin" the honors were done by another rookie, Jared Ross who scored his first NHL goal to put the Flyers up 5-2. Penguins would score again, of course on the powerplay, and of course it was Malkin, however the Flyers would add a empty net goal by Simon Gagne to double up the Penguins 6-3. Also not to be over shadowed was the terrific defensive effort by Kimmo Timonen. 

Yesterday certainly was a joyous day in Philadelphia, however if the Flyers do not come with the same intensity on Tuesday as they did yesterday their chances of making it out of the first round will be significantly hurt.