Flyers and Blackhawks jump out to early series leads
The Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks have taken a one game to none in their Conference Final series…the Hawks winning a close, hard-fought battle of the goalies, while Philly flat-out B-slapped the Habs.
After spotting the Boston Bruins a 3-0 lead in the first period of Friday night’s game-seven, the Flyers have scored 10 straight goals. Four came against the Bruins to complete their historic come-from-behind series win, and the all six Sunday night as they shut out the Montreal Canadiens to open the series.
Flyers defenseman Braydon Coburn scores in the first period during Philadelphia 6-0 route of the Montreal Canadiens Sunday night (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)
Impressively enough, all six of the goals scored came off the sticks of six different Flyer skaters. Braydon Coburn… remember him?… James van Riemsdyk, Danny Briere, Simon Gagne, Scott Hartnell and Claude Giroux each netted one in the 6-0 beat down of the Canadiens.
Jaroslav Halak was chased halfway through the second period after allowing 4 goals on 14 Flyers’ shots. Flyers goalie Michael Leighton stopped all 28 he faced and he has turned aside 94 of the 98 shots taken against him since coming on to relieve the injured Brain Boucher in game five of the Bruins series, (.959 SV%).
As bad as this was for the Habs, I wouldn’t count this team out. They were outscored 17-9 in games two, three and four to fall behind 3 games to 1 against Washington in the opening round, then stormed back to win three consecutive to upset the President’s Trophy Winning Caps. They trailed 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 in their series against the defending cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins…but won games six and seven.
That being said…Philly has looked more like a top-seed then a seven-seed this past weekend.
Earlier in the day the Chicago Blackhawks got by the Sharks out in San Jose 2-1 behind Antti Niemi’s 44-save gem.
“He’s been good for us all year”, Blackhawk’s forward Kris Versteeg said of his Goalie. “Everyone seemed to be doubting him except us. We’re confident in him”.
However, Versteeg admitted that the skaters in front of Niemi have to step up their defensive play by adding, “We have to give him a lot more help than we did tonight”.
After Jason Demers’ power play goal gave the home team an early lead in the first period, Patrick Sharp tied the score in the second and then Dustin Byfuglien netted the game-winner at the 13:15 mark of the third.
Although there were only 3 goals scored in the game there were a total of 85 shots taken. Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov stopped 38 of 40 while Niemi allowed just one on 45 San Jose shots. Niemi is now 9-4 during the playoffs with a .918 SV% and 2.44 GAA.
Jonathan Toews had an assist in the win and his 21 overall points leads all skaters so far in the post-season, as do his 15 assists.
Both series will resume Tuesday night.
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118 comments Add your comment
World Be Free
May 18th, 2010
9:53 pm
Very impressed with Michalek when Phoenix was here. Not sure Boston can afford Siedenberg, who will get more on the open market. Then again, how much is it work to play with Chara every night which is what he would do if he resigned with the Brunes. Is Adrian Aucoin available too?
Brendan
May 18th, 2010
10:06 pm
It’s a final. The Flyers win, 3-0. They take a 2-0 series lead. What does it mean??? I don’t know. I sat there waiting four (4) games to count the Bruins series in my win bank, and it didn’t happen. I do have the Flyers in this series, but I don’t think they’ve clinched anything. I’ll say this, the shutout streak by Leighton is incredible. And it’s not his first streak like this, in the playoffs. When Brian Boucher went down, Leighton deliverd 4 straight shutout periods between Games Five and Six.
Montreal has been outscored 9-0 in this series. For clarification, this is the team that eliminated Washington and Pittsburgh. Did they empty their tank in doing so?? I don’t know. I wouldn’t have thought so. Jaroslav Halak looked rather mortal on two of those three (2/3) Flyer goals. Good teams don’t give up late period goals, to trail by two into the 3rd period.
The Flyers had two (2) PPG’s. That’s a big achievement. The Flyers are cookin’ on all cylinders now. That’s six straight wins, and 13-straight straight goals, a new NHL team record for playoffs. Amazing. Are the Flyers writing the greatest Cinderella story ever written? Before you say, “no,” what about the 1991 North Stars? How about the 1993 Habs? Or the 1986 Canadiens? Or the 1971 Canadiens. Or the 1961 Blackhawks. Stop to think about this. If Brian Boucher does not defeat King Henrik, against the NY Rangers, the Flyers don’t even make the playoffs.
In that respect, it does recall to my attention how the 1988 New Jersey Devils entered the postseason. I believe they were in a situation where a tie would eliminate them from the playoffs in a game vs. the Chicago Blackhawks. Darren Pang was in net for Chicago. I think it was John MacLean who scored for the Devils, but I’m not too sure about that. In any event, the Devils had pulled their goalie, as a tie was “no good” for their postseason hopes. Coach Jim Schoenfeld came flying off the bench when the Devils scored in overtime to qualify for the playoffs. From there, they upset the NY Islanders is six. Then they drew the much favored Capitals, where again the Devils prevailed in Game Seven. Then they drew #2 Boston in the CF, where the Devils finally were eliminated, in Game Seven. Now that’s a Cinderella run! I hear ya, the North Stars, of 1991, was bigger, because they went farther. But the Devils didn’t know they were playoff-bound, until overtime of the final game of the season. So, in that regard, I think it’s more comparable to these 2010 Flyers.
If Philadelphia wins the Cup, it won’t make them the “greatest Stanley Cup Champions of all-time.” But it will make them a REQUISITE mention for “one of the greatest Cinderellas of all-time,” in my opinion. They might even become the greatest Cinderella ever, if they knock off either SJ or Chicago in the Finals. Go Flyers! Go Blackhawks!!
The nightcap game is about to get underway. Heeeeeeatley! Heeeeatley! Heeeeatly! You need a shower!! And some false teeth!!
World Be Free
May 18th, 2010
10:20 pm
The primary issue people seem to have with Campbell is the money. He’s a top 4 defenseman in Atlanta, QB’s the power play and most of all, is a great puck mover.
In the big picture, Chicago needs to get rid of his contract. They have to make a difficult deal whether they like it or not. If they don’t, they will be forced to dump 3 roster players and/or fail to sign their free agents. I haven’t done all the numbers, but I would say if they can demote Huet, trade Campbell and an asset they will be OK. The asset is where we (or someone) will get them. Target Versteeg; the deal would improve our front and back line.
All this is predicated on whether we want to assume Campbell’s contract which I believe has 5 more years. There’s his movement clause too. It makes sense that we would not, but it is also good conversation. Cause I’ll tell you, I will be very surprised if Campbell is in Chicago after the summer. Chicago’s options are limited.
Brad Richards’ name came up a few times today. I won’t mind having brad at less than his current salary of $7.8M/year.
Brendan, your recollection of the Buffalo situation is very accurate. We conversed on how overpaid Campbell was compared to Seabrooke and Keith, how tough it was going to be for CHI to resign both. Curly, Larry and Moe (Quinn, Regier and Golisano in that order) tried to get Soupie to call Buffalo home. The club and community stability makes alotta sense, but Campbell knew he would never win a Cup in Buffalo. He saw others refuse the hometown discount and bolt for big bucks. Will Ryan Miller be the next Sabre to pull a Dom Hasek and ask for a trade to a Cup contender? Gotta a kick out of watching Briere score again tonight, making Darcy Regier look like the fool that he is. Campbell and Briere could have been signed if Darcy would have negotiated during the season. Once they get close to UFA status, players are gone.
World Be Free
May 18th, 2010
10:25 pm
Brendan, was that when Schoenfeld chased Koharski down the hall and told him to “have another doughnut you fat pig”? It is very Canadian to equate daily life to doughnuts and beer. Just watch “Strange Brew”.
Hooky-Carcillo was ouyt there tonight, he was just behaving for once. Maybe somebody threatened to whip his butt.
Brendan
May 18th, 2010
11:35 pm
World Be Free, the “have another doughnut” comment was right about that time. I seem to recall Schoenfeld was coach of the Capitals when it happened, for some reason. It was a hilarious event. Every hockey fan from that era remembers that it took place, even if they cannot recall all the details. It’s just one of those things that you don’t forget.
If you’re under 30, who even knows what “Where’s the Beef?” refers to? If you’re under 40, do you have any recollection of who “Charro, the ‘hoochie-coochie’ girl was? Or who Phil Silvers was. Or just how funny and quirky Billy Barty was. Okay, that’s enough of that.
I agree that Chicago has to move Campbell. But since Campbell gets to pick one of 8 teams he’ll agree to play for, what are the odds one of those teams is us? Not good. Despite his “alleged” interest in the Thrashers. The only potential contract I’d be willing to take on, as others have mentioned, is Bobby Ryan’s next deal. But what are the odds Atlanta would ever do an RFA offersheet?
As for Tallinder, it’s just a thought. He’s on the back nine, anyway.
After trailing Chicago, 3-0, San Jose has finally tallied. It’s Patrick Marleau, the pending UFA. Evgeni Nabakov has NOT has a stellar game. There have been people in front of him, and a lot of the goals were “tip-ins,” which are very hard to stop, but the first Chicago goal was on Nabakov.
Why is it, that every time Doc Emerick is making a comment, it sounds like he’s delivering a “punch line.” Almost “Seinfeldian” in tone and nuance. “What’s the deal with airline peanuts?” “And now, SAN JOSE will be on the power play!” As if, the refs have just been clowning around all game, not calling the game seriously, or professionally. It’s my only criticism of Doc Emerick. But do check it out. Doc’s the only one who could make a simple utterance so filled with NUANCE. “And now, I’m suddenly THIRS-ty.” I’m left there thinking, “what?” What is Doc trying to imply with his statements?
kracker
May 18th, 2010
11:43 pm
0-3 Sharks vs Hawks midway thru game 2 ( It’s 1-3 now)…in the Shark Tank. 1-2 Final Sharks vs Hawks game one…in the Shark Tank. Who was it that was rather abrasevly lecturing us that Dudley should go after 35 yr old next season Nabokov for $6M +/-?? Oh, yes, I remember now…
He may still be proven correct, and I’m for the Sharks, but it ain’t looking good so far. You pay $6M+ for a goalie, he should be a playoff wall for a team looking to get the playoff-loser monkey off their back. The Sharks skaters aren’t playing that well thus far in the series. That is exactly when your stud goalie should be stopping everything ala Leighton.
1-3 Hawks after 2…c’mon Sharks!
Brendan
May 18th, 2010
11:59 pm
Kracker, exactly right. These are the playoffs. This is the time a goaltender is supposed to shine. I still think Evgeni will certainly get PAID in free agency, but he must start to steal games for San Jose. Soon.
MB
May 19th, 2010
12:00 am
Hooky, as much as I dislike the Flyers, they’re playing terrific hockey, and Laviollette has done a whale of a job with them. That said, after dispatching a disjointed Devils team, they topped the Bruins and are now two up on the Habs. I think it’s safe to say they’ve had the easiest road of the remaining teams, and they’ve yet to face anyone as talented as either the Sharks or the Hawks.
That said, they’re playing as solid a team game as anyone left. A begrudging tip of the cap to them.
HookyBob
May 19th, 2010
12:00 am
Is Toews coming into his own or what.
Alan R.
May 19th, 2010
12:04 am
As if, the refs have just been clowning around all game, not calling the game seriously, or professionally.
Where’ve you been since the playoffs started?
Face it, you left yourself open for that.
kracker
May 19th, 2010
12:12 am
You’re right, Brendan! It’s 1-4 now.
And what happend to my post where I said that I remember all those people you mentioned earlier? Cause I do.
Gotta go to bed, getting there too late again.
Brendan
May 19th, 2010
12:15 am
Alan R., so do you agree or disagree that Doc Emeric calls a game like Jerry Seinfeld delivers his jokes?
Brendan
May 19th, 2010
12:17 am
At 4-1, kracker, I think I’m off to dreamland. Go ‘Hawks. Even though I have the Flyers vs. the Blackhawks for the Cup, I doubt anything has really been settled. I’m still rattled by losing the Bruins-Flyers series. I’m 7-5, just trying to finish 8-7, to be above .500 in this whacky playoff year.
Brendan
May 19th, 2010
12:18 am
And just as I type that, Patrick Marleau tallies his second of the night. It’s 4-2, Chicago.
Rawhide
May 19th, 2010
12:21 am
Fantastic conversation going on in here these past couple of days…well done everyone.
Now…I have a quaetion for you. Will anyone score on Philly-Leighton again?
World Be Free
May 19th, 2010
6:19 am
Rawhide, the real question is, – IS Leighton Philly’s goalie from here forward? No UFA or trade for them in the off-season? (OK 2 questions)
Lee
May 19th, 2010
7:09 am
You can’t geta better game from Chicago. Toews played a great game. Leighton shut ‘em down. GO ‘HAWKS!!! GO FLYERS!!!
Joe Friday
May 19th, 2010
10:50 am
“Who was it that was rather abrasevly lecturing us that Dudley should go after 35 yr old next season Nabokov for $6M +/-?? Oh, yes, I remember now…He may still be proven correct, and I’m for the Sharks, but it ain’t looking good so far.”
You can’t be serious? Or mabye you can be…uh, he got them to the Conference Finals, has played great all year, and because he let in 3 goals last night, you want to give up on him? Did you watch the game? I suppose you’re all for signing Leighton now and he’s the greatest goalie because of two shutouts? Really? No, really? Neimi in the one we should get now because the Hawks won the first two games? Really?