Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Game 1 Afterthoughts

Image courtesy of AP

On Saturday night, Philadelphia’s sports teams went 0-3 and the city was disheartened. Four days later, they went 3-0. The Sixers beat Toronto and the Phils demolished the Marlins, but the biggest win came in Pittsburgh, as the Flyers came back from being down 3-0 to beat the Penguins 4-3 in overtime in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

It was a game that defined playoff hockey; the Flyers showed determination, grit and displayed a never-say-die attitude. After the Penguins scored three times in the first period, Danny Briere scored the team’s first goal in the second period and it’s second in the third. Both goals were assisted by rookie Brayden Schenn, who scored the game-tying goal with 7:37 remaining on the Flyers first power play of the game.

Schenn had three points in his playoff debut, a great sign for the Flyers heading forward. He’s a player who is only going to get better and coming up as big as he did in a game that meant as much as it did shows a lot.

Heading into overtime, the pressure was completely shifted from the Flyers to the Penguins, who did not want to open the playoffs with a blown three-goal lead… but they couldn’t prevent Jakub Voracek from scoring the game-winner just 2:23 into the extra period.

“It was an easy goal, but [it was] the biggest goal of my career,” remarked Voracek.

  

Even though the Penguins got on board three times in the first period, this was a very solid game for goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov. He made some very good saves and kept the Flyers in the game. The first two Pittsburgh goals by Sidney Crosby and Tyler Kennedy were good shots, but the third looked a lot like a fluke goal and Bryz made sure to not let another puck in the net after that one.

“I thought [Bryzgalov] made some brilliant saves, not only on the penalty kill but also on the 5-on-5,” said Flyers coach Peter Laviolette

Marc Andre-Fleury was pretty good too, making more than a few highlight saves throughout the game. But he fell apart late, the opposite of Bryzgalov.

While the Flyers scored on their only power play, they fought off all three of the Penguins’ man-advantage. That’s a feat in itself, as Pittsburgh was the fifth best team in the league on the power play during the regular season. But on this night, the Flyers were better.

Briere, along with Schenn, gave the Flyers an opportunity to steal this game from Pittsburgh. This was his first game in 10 days, but he’s been known for picking up his game in the playoffs. He did just that tonight.

“I don’t think it should surprise anybody that [Briere] had a big night tonight,” said Laviolette.

Now going into game 2, Coach Peter Laviolette may not believe in the word, but it seems the momentum has shifted towards the Flyers. Minus Saturday’s meaningless game, they have never lost at the Penguins’ Consol Energy Center. Friday is still anybody’s game, but the Flyers just needed one in Pittsburgh. A win Friday would be a bonus. But this is the playoffs. Every game is a must-win and I’m sure the Flyers will have that mindset come Friday.