The Philadelphia Flyers have knocked out the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games, winning the final game 1-0. With the series victory over the Penguins, the Flyers advance to round two of the Eastern Conference Stanley Cup Playoffs to face the Carolina Hurricanes. With the Hurricanes having swept the Ottawa Senators in round one, they’ve been able to get a ton of rest ahead of this series. For the Flyers, there will need to be further discussions on defensive responsibility and offensive structure. While they started the series against the Penguins incredibly strong, winning three straight, the Flyers followed it up with a pair of mediocre games, threatening to derail the series. Against the Hurricanes, the Flyers won’t be able to afford such defensive lapses or lulls in offence. Carolina is an incredibly strong possession team that relentlessly hounds the puck and leaves no space for opposing players.
A Dominant Start in Game One for the Flyers
Photo by Jess Stiles/Sipa USA
Continued Domination in Game Two Over the Penguins
Game Two of the series was more of the same, with the Penguins trying to find life and failing due to the Flyers’ strong play. After another scoreless first period, Porter Martone showed up on the scoresheet again. His second goal in as many playoff games was followed up by veteran Garnet Hathaway scoring on the penalty kill. This took the wind out of Pittsburgh’s sales. While they mustered some chances in the third period, veteran uke Glendening would score on the empty net to put the game away. Goaltender Vladar would make 27 saves on 27 shots for his first career playoff shutout. Penguins goaltender Skinner made 22 saves on 24 shots in the defeat.
Some Hope for the Penguins in Defeat
Although the Flyers would take Game 3, the Penguins had a far better showing than their first two games. The Penguins struck first with an Evgeni Malkin power-play goal in the first period. Pittsburgh would, however, fail to carry this momentum forward. Trevor Zegras would tie things up on the power play. Minutes later, defenceman Rasmus Ristolainen would extend the lead, and then Nick Seeler would expand it further to 3-1. Pittsburgh would fight harder in the third this time, and Erik Karlsson would score on the power play. This is as close as the Penguins would get, as the Flyers clamped down defensively again. An empty net goal from Noah Cates would put the game away, and the Penguins found themselves down 3-0 in the series.
The Penguins Finally Win in Game Four
Game 4 gave the Penguins some reason to hope. Facing a sweep, Pittsburgh would take a 4-2 win over Philadelphia and avoid losing 4-0 in the series. While the Flyers led in shots, Pittsburgh’s swap to goaltender rturs Silovs would pay off dividends. He made 28 saves on 30 shots, while the Penguins finally broke through offensively enough to get the victory. Captain Sidney Crosby started the scoring with a power play goal. In the second, Rickard Rakell would extend the lead by stealing the puck from goaltender Vladar. Rookie Denver Barkey would score to cut the lead to 2-1. However, a slap shot from Kris Letang extended the lead to two once again. While Travis Konencey would score a big one to cut it to 3-2, onnor Dewar would put the game away with an empty net goal.
Some More Penguins Momentum in Game Five
Game Five of the Penguins and Flyers series was the game where it truly felt like the script was flipped. While neither team played exceedingly well, Pittsburgh did not allow mental struggles to turn into points on the scoreboard. Instead, they held strong in their avoidance of taking penalties. Philadelphia, meanwhile, made an interesting move in scratching young phenom Matvei Michkov for rookie Alex Bump. Deadline acquisition, Elmer Soderblom got the Penguins on the board just minutes into the first. This lead would hold through the period. In the second, onnor Dewar scored on a beautiful shot. Just a dozen seconds later, the aforementioned rookie Bump cut the lead back to one and halted Pittsburgh’s mounting momentum. Philadelphia would take advantage, as Travis Sanheim would score his second of the series to tie the game. However, a lucky bounce from a Kris Letang shot would find its way behind goaltender Vladar and give the Penguins a 3-2 lead after two. Pittsburgh would shut things down in the third and set the stage for a crucial Game Six.
Philadelphia Ends Series vs Penguins in a Critical Game 6
In a pivotal sixth game, the Flyers put the Penguins away and avoided an all-time upset in the process. The first period would once again go scoreless, with both goalies stopping about a dozen shots. The second period was another defined by low-event hockey. The shots on goal were 21 for the Flyers and 19 for the Penguins through two, with no score on the board. Once again, this continued in the third. Although the shots got up to 26 for the Flyers and 32 for the Penguins, neither Vladar or Silovs let anything into the net. While both teams had some chances and two power plays apiece, this game would require overtime. In overtime, Cam York would score to win the game with just 2:28 left from long range. With it, the Flyers take the series, and will face the Carolina Hurricanes in round two.
In this series against Carolina, the Flyers will need to focus on their defensive structure, as the Hurricanes are a relentless offensive team capable of attacking in waves. Players like Trevor Zegras, Porter Martone and Matvei Michkov will need to flex their offensive talent in order to have a chance to win against an overwhelming favourite.
Main Photo Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
