SB Nation Stanley Cup Playoffs -- Semifinal Round
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Michael Leighton turned aside 30 shots in his first career playoff start, as the Philadelphia Flyers took another step towards history with a 2-1 victory over Boston in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series at Wachovia Center.
The Philadelphia Flyers aren't thinking about history or the crazy odds they have going against them. They're simply thinking about winning one game at a time, and as SBN's Flyers blog, Broad Street Hockey, writes, they're relaxed even as they stare elimination in the face.
Can the Flyers actually do this? With a win tonight, they'll be one step closer to realizing history. But first, they need to win Game 6 in front of the home crowd. The place should be absolutely rocking tonight, especially thanks to an extra hour of anticipation, no Phillies game in town to delay traffic, and just the entire scenario the Flyers face.
It'll be an extra boost to the crowd, of course, but the Flyers can't sit back and feel the comfort of home ice at all. The Bruins are likely going to come out in much different fashion than they did in Game 5 and the Flyers need to be ready for that. It shouldn't be an issue, and the orange and black are good on home ice, so hopefully they're well aware.
They're a relaxed team though, aren't they? I mean, one look at Chris Pronger's media availability today can tell you that. The Flyers are relaxed, they understand what they have to do, and they truly are taking things one game at a time.
For more on the Flyers and to chat with other fans, visit BSH.
(Sports Network) - The Philadelphia Flyers will try to stay alive in the Eastern Conference semifinals once again when they host the Boston Bruins tonight at Wachovia Center in Game 6 of the best-of-seven series.
The seventh-seeded Flyers lost the first three games of this set, but have stormed back with back-to-back victories to stave off elimination. If Philadelphia is able to post a third straight win tonight, the Flyers and the sixth-seeded Bruins will meet Friday in Boston for a decisive Game 7.
Philadelphia is trying to become just the third team -- and first in 35 years -- to overcome a 3-0 deficit to win a series. The last time it happened was in 1975, when the New York Islanders charged back to defeat Pittsburgh in the quarterfinals. The Detroit Red Wings were on the wrong end of the other 3-0 comeback, losing the 1942 Stanley Cup Finals against Toronto.
The Flyers would be just the sixth team in NHL history to force a Game 7 after being down three games to none.
After winning Game 4 in overtime on home ice, the Flyers stayed alive with a 4-0 victory in Boston on Monday. Simon Gagne scored a pair of goals while Michael Leighton returned from a long layoff and filled in for the injured Brian Boucher, helping the Flyers dominate the Bruins in Game 5 at TD Garden.
Leighton, who hadn't played since March 16 and missed almost eight weeks with a high left ankle sprain, held off the home team for the final 35:25 of the contest by stopping all 14 shots he faced.
Boucher, the starter, left early in the second period with a knee injury after making nine stops, but nonetheless received credit for the victory. Boucher was hurt when teammate Ryan Parent fell on him during a goalmouth scrum with the Bruins' Miroslav Satan 4:35 into the second period. The defenseman's full weight appeared to come down on Boucher's left leg, causing the 33-year-old to writhe in pain.
An MRI revealed that Boucher has a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee, as well as an injury to his right knee, and is expected to be sidelined for a month. Leighton will get the start tonight and Johan Backlund will serve as the backup.
"Leighton, after a couple of months, comes in there and plays shutout hockey for a period and a half," Flyers forward Scott Hartnell said. "It doesn't matter who's in the pipes for us."
Ville Leino added a goal and one assist while Hartnell also tallied for the Flyers.
"It obviously feels a little bit different now," Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger said. "They're still sitting in the driver's seat, so we've got to come out with the same intensity in Game 6."
In addition to Boucher, Flyers forward Claude Giroux also suffered a shoulder injury in Game 5, but he is expected to play tonight. Giroux has five goals and four assists in 10 playoff games this year.
Tuukka Rask allowed all four goals on 31 shots in defeat for the Bruins, who suffered their first home loss of the 2010 postseason after five straight wins. Boston, which is trying to make the conference finals for the first time since 1992, was also dealt its first home playoff shutout loss since Game 2 of last year's conference semifinals against Carolina.
"They came out and slapped us in the face. Now we have to realize it's a series," Bruins forward Mark Recchi said. "We weren't on top of our game. We didn't play well. When you're not playing well, it doesn't matter who was in the net or who you're playing."
The Flyers are 3-1 at home in the playoffs and were 24-14-3 as the host during the regular season. Boston is 2-3 on the road in the postseason after recording a respectable 21-13-7 record as the guest during the regular season.
Boston and the Flyers are meeting in the playoffs for the first time since 1978. Each team has won twice in the four all-time playoff series between the clubs. The Flyers won the most notable matchup, beating Boston in six games to win the Stanley Cup in 1974. The Bruins have won the last two encounters, including a five-game series win over Philly the last time clubs met in the 1978 Stanley Cup semifinals.
The Flyers and B's split four games this year in a season series that included Boston's 2-1 overtime victory in the Winter Classic at Fenway Park. Both the Bruins and Flyers had 2-1-1 records in the series.
Flyers Hold Off Bruins 2-1 To Force Game Seven
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) – Michael Leighton turned aside 30 shots in his first career playoff start, as the Philadelphia Flyers took another step towards history with a 2-1 victory over Boston in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series at Wachovia Center.
Mike Richards and Danny Briere scored for the Flyers, who became just the sixth team in NHL history to force a seventh and deciding game after being down 0-3. Only the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs and the 1975 New York Islanders came back to win a playoff series after the losing the first three games.
Philadelphia can complete the improbable journey Friday in Boston.
Leighton made his postseason debut in relief of an injured Brian Boucher during Game 5, stopping all 14 shots he faced to post the second combined shutout in NHL playoff history. It was Leighton’s first appearance between the pipes since March 16, when he suffered a high ankle sprain in Nashville.
Boucher, meanwhile, is expected to miss at least a month with a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee, as well as an injury to his right knee. Boucher was hurt when teammate Ryan Parent fell on him during a goalmouth scrum with the Bruins’ Miroslav Satan early in the second period of Monday’s 4-0 win.
Boston goaltender Tuukka Rask finished with 25 saves.
Milan Lucic spoiled Leighton’s shutout bid with one minute left in regulation, driving the net and banging home the rebound of a Dennis Wideman point shot, but the Bruins squandered another opportunity to put away the Flyers.
Philadelphia joined the 1939 New York Rangers in pushing a series to the limit that Boston once led 3-0. The Bruins, however, did go on to capture their second Stanley Cup that year.
May 12 10:48p by Sean Keeley - 0 comments