Nobody needs to be told this, but the Flyers didn't generate many chances and the Devils got plenty in their Eastern Conference Semifinal series.

While the Flyers spent long stretches of play not getting a shot, let alone a chance, the Devils appeared to threaten nearly every time they had the puck in the Flyers defensive zone and often created chances through an aggressive forecheck. Both games that the Flyers came within five chances of the Devils went to overtime, the rest were deservedly won by the Devils as they completely dominated.

Exploiting the matchups was key to the Flyers winning the first round. Sean Couturier managed to keep Evgeni Malkin ineffective for most of the series at even strength, which allowed Claude Giroux to play against Sidney Crosby and Danny Briere to not have to play defense much at all.

The Devils were supposed to present an easier task. After playing Zach Parise, Ilya Kovalchuk and Adam Henrique together all season, Devils head coach Peter DeBoer put Parise with Patrick Elias, Kovalchuk with Travis Zajac, who had just returned from injury, and Henrique was put on a third line with a variety of players. Every line had at least two strong possession players and created matchup problems for Peter Laviolette.

Looking at the head-to-head chances, if one of the Flyers lines was good against a Devils line, it was also bad against another one. Zajac and Kovalchuk scored a lot of points in the series but the Elias line and the Henrique line deserve a lot of credit for pinning the Flyers in their own end and creating chances.

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Let's take a look back at a happier time. It might not be pertinent now, but the numbers from the Penguins series are still interesting. -- Travis

It goes without saying that this series was full of open hockey and plenty of scoring chances. Often it appeared that neither team's defense really cared about opposing players with or without the puck skating free in the slot and that's reflected in the scoring chance results. A typical Flyers game usually has 25-30 chances total from both teams; the Flyers and Penguins on average had 35 chances per game. Two excellent attacking teams with lots of powerplay time and often shoddy defending led to the high number of chances. Combine that with abysmal goaltending and you get a ridiculously high scoring series.

A game chance breakdown shows how both teams went through each period, at even strength and on special teams. These could be considered as rough indicators of how the teams played in each game and whether it was closer than the score suggests. Usually, but not always, the team that gets the most chances wins.

Much had been made of the matchups before the series, and during the series a big topic was how Sean Couturier was shutting down Evgeni Malkin. The head to head matchup charts show the even strength chance differential between opposing players and can add to/back up what many see happening during the game. It's roughly presented as line vs. line but on a finer scale you can see how individual players performed against each other, such as Couturier vs. Malkin or Giroux vs. Crosby.

After the jump is a game by game breakdown of total scoring chances and the head to head matchups. There is a lot to take in here, so mostly I've just presented the numbers as they are for digestion. Additonally, there is a quick look at how Ilya Bryzgalov and Marc-Andre Fleury did against scoring chances (Hint: not well).

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The Flyers could learn a thing or two about how to start games from the Penguins. The Pens got chances early and converted them into goals by Crosby and Kennedy, while the Flyers only really started to match them in chances from the ten minute mark. From there both teams generated four chances each, but the Pens got a third goal on the back of a genius dump behind the net from Crosby and great hand-eye co-ordination from Dupuis. I watched this goal a dozen times in both real-time and slo-mo, and I'm convinced Dupuis managed to bat it in.

In the second the Flyers managed three chances in a row including the Briere goal, but after that the Pens managed to restrict the Flyers chances to the perimeter and get four of their own on net. At this point it looked like the Penguins were going to choke the Flyers out of the game.

However, the third period was Flyer dominance, where they won the chance battle 8-3, including Schenn's game-tying powerplay goal. The comeback was complete and both teams managed to stifle each other for the remainder of regulation in order to each get a point. Unfortunately, the script I use to record chances hasn't been updated for the playoffs so I couldn't record any of the overtime period, as far as I can recall there was only one.

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Many regular readers of BSH know that many here put a lot of stock into the so-called "advanced statistics" -- both as a way to understand what we're watching on the ice night in and night out, and as a way to predict future events.

For example, Fenwick tied -- a measure of unblocked shots directed at the net while the team is tied -- is known to be an excellent way of estimating future winning percentage. This has been shown several times over the last few years, like the Devils getting more points than the Dallas Stars over the last half of the season, and the Minnesota Wild being awful this year despite spending quite some time at the top of the Western Conference.

Peter Laviolette may be unaware of the statistical powers of Fenwick numbers, but we know that he puts a lot of stock into scoring chances -- and we also know that there is a correlation between Corsi/Fenwick and scoring chances. You can decide whether or not you put any stock in Fenwick numbers, but scoring chances are simple to understand and their importance is pretty obvious.

That's why we've been tracking them here at BSH over the course of the season, and it's time to get caught up on some trends over the first half of this year.

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It's been a while since I posted the game-by-game scoring chance results (sorry, I'll try get them out soon), I've still been recording the chances for all the games and I thought a chance summary was more interesting anyway.

The Flyers chance summary for games 1-11 can be found here.

Total team chances: Games 1-22

This table is shown from the Flyers perspective, so SH CF/CA indicates the totals while the opponent is on the powerplay.

• Through the first 11 games the Flyers were getting 58% total chances and 57% of chances at even-strength, which is really good. After 22 games they have managed to sustain this advantage in chances generating 56% of the total chances and 55% at even strength.

• The Flyers play an awful lot of the game with special teams, more than any other team in the league. I don't know the total number of PP opportunities the Flyers had at 22 games, but their current rate is 4.6 PP for per game (145 PP for in 31 games). Given that, the Flyers get nearly one chance on every powerplay with 4.3 PP chances per game (95 chances in 22 games). I'm not sure how that compares to other teams, but it compares well with the Flyers opponents. The Flyers give 4.8 PP against per game and allows 3.2 PP chances per game. Not only does the Flyers PK allow a much lower number of chances than the teams PP generates, they also get a good number of short-handed chances with at least one per game.

Jump for the team and individual summaries for games 12-22

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In the interest of catching up, the chance data for the Sabres, Devils, Blue Jackets, Lightning, Panthers and Hurricanes games can be found in the BSH archives or the Scoring Chances section without analysis.

The Flyers more than doubled the Coyotes in scoring chances for this game, finishing 18-8 in total and ahead 10-7 at even-strength. The 4 chances the Coyotes managed through the first two periods is the lowest of any opponent all season (Columbus was the previous low with 5 through two periods). The Flyers special teams were excellent; despite not scoring the powerplay generated 6 chances from their three oppurtunities and the penalty kill kept the Coyotes powerplay chanceless and got 2 chances of their own.

The Read-Talbot-Voracek line was the best for the Flyers at even-strength, with positive chances against the entire Coyotes lineup. The JVR-Briere-Simmonds were the opposite, finishing with negative chances against most of the Coyotes. This line hasn't been very good since it was first put together in Game 14 versus the Blue Jackets, it very rarely outchances the opposition. Peter Laviolette is known to pay attention to scoring chances so I wouldn't be surprised to see this line changed, especially now with Jagr out (I haven't watched the Jets game yet but I understand the lines were all over the place).

Best ES forward: Read, Voracek, +5
Worst ES forward: Simmonds, -4

Best ES defender: Coburn, +4
Worst ES defender: Meszaros, -1

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Best ES forward: Voracek, +6
Worst ES forward: Briere, JVR, -2

Best ES defender: Meszaros, +5
Worst ES defender: Coburn, -2

Chances for this game also recorded at Shutdown Line.

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Best ES forward: Simmonds, +1
Worst ES forward: Hartnell, -4

Best ES defender: Timonen, Lilja, 0
Worst ES defender: Pronger, -4

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Best ES forward: Hartnell, Jagr, +1
Worst ES forward: JVR, Voracek, Read, Talbot, Giroux, -2

Best ES defender: Lilja, +1
Worst ES defender: Coburn, -5

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Best ES forward: Giroux, +5
Worst ES forward: Briere, Rinaldo, -2

Best ES defender: Carle, +3
Worst ES defender: Meszaros,+0

Chances for this game also recorded by Matt Wagner at The Cannon

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Best ES forward: Shelley, +2 (for real)
Worst ES forward: Briere, -6

Best ES defender: Carle, +1
Worst ES defender: Lilja, -6

Chances also recorded by C. J Richey at In Lou We Trust

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Best ES forward: Couturier, +6
Worst ES forward: Holmstrom, Simmonds,-2

Best ES defender: Lilja, +6
Worst ES defender: Coburn, -1

Chances also recorded by Dave Oleksy at Die By the Blade

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On a game-by-game basis, scoring chance results provide an insight as to how the team played in that game. For example, a team can play well but lose and the scoring chances can illustrate that if a few bounces went their way, the outcome might have been different.

A scoring chance is recorded when an unblocked shot is taken from within the scoring chance zone, shown below, and thanks to a Vic Ferrari script, information about who was on the ice at that time is pulled from NHL.com and turned into a presentable chart.

While an individual games' scoring chance results can be interesting, the true power of this data is found over a large set of games. Scoring chances have been found to correlate strongly with Corsi, which is known to correlate with winning. Moreover, the information is collected from watching the game, which will hopefully convince the "saw him good" crowd of the usefulness of these data.

Of course, after saying this I have to add the caveat that eleven games isn't actually a very large sample size. At the team level, we could say that the Flyers are dominating chances in total and at even-strength, but this could be (and is) affected by a couple of very good games. At the player level, the sample size effect is even greater as the player having the most even-strength minutes is Matt Carle with 187.

Nonetheless, there is value in reviewing the data and seeing how the team has performed, and cautiously making predictions of future results.

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Scoring chances through the first two periods were fairly even between these teams, finishing 13-11 at the end of the second and 11-10 at even strength. The third period was complete dominance by the Flyers, outchancing the Canes 10-3 for the period and 6-2 at even strength. The powerplay only generated 2 chances from 4 opportunities, but the penalty kill was impressive, outchancing the Hurricanes powerplay 3-2.

The first line of Hartnell-Giroux-Jagr put up all the points at even strength and dominated the chances against nearly all the matchups they faced, especially the Canes fourth line. JVR-Read-Voracek and Simmonds-Couturier-Nodl were mostly positive, but we should hope to see more out of them in future games as Giroux's line can't be expected to carry the offense every game. On defense, Carle and Timonen once again stood out getting positive chances against most opponents. The Hurricanes defensive pairing of Harrison-Kaberle was impressive, they weren't dominated by Hartnell-Giroux-Jagr and managed to get chances against most of the Flyers lineup, especially the Read line.

Best ES forward:  Jagr +6

Worst ES forward: JVR -2

Best ES defender: Carle +5

Worst ES defender:  Lilja, Gustafsson 0

For the Hurricanes perspective, head to ShutdownLine

Jump for the charts

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Ridiculous. Keeping in mind that I only count a scoring chance as a bonafide shot from within a designated area, the Jets at one stage had 1 goal and 0 scoring chances. By the end of the second, the Jets had a total of 8 scoring chances and 6 goals, though the Randy Jones and Tanner Glass goals did not count as chances. The Flyers meanwhile were only converting on 21% of their chances (3 goals from 14), plus the goal off Maxime Talbot's leg. The third period featured a run of 5 goals from 5 chances, and a total of 7 goals from 10 chances. The Flyers outchanced the Jets 20-12, including 14-8 at even strength, but a collection of bad defence, bad goaltending and lucky bounces meant the Jets won the game.

Head to head, the top three forward lines outchanced most of the Jets lineup, but the Shelley-Talbot-Rinaldo line suffered against the Jets top line and the third pairing of Oduya and Jones. On defense, the Timonen-Meszaros pairing were the best, though Carle and Gustafsson were successful against the Ladd-Little-Wellwood line.

Best ES forward:  Hartnell +5

Worst ES forward: Rinaldo, Shelley -2

Best ES defender: Timonen +6

Worst ES defender: Coburn, Lilja -1

Jump for the charts

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The Flyers and Leafs both generated 13 scoring chances at even-strength, with no team really dominant at 5v5 at any stage of the game. However, the Flyers special teams were excellent. The powerplay generated 9 chances on five opportunities with the man advantage, and the penalty kill kept the Toronto powerplay to 0 chances on three opportunities.

The Canadiens game started strongly for the Flyers, outchancing the Habs 8-2 and 4-1 at even strength. The next two periods were completely different as the Canadiens generated 16 chances and the Flyers only managed 6 more (including only 1 chance in the third).

vs. Leafs

Best ES forward:  Jagr +3

Worst ES forward: Voracek, Read -4

Best ES defender: Timonen +3

Worst ES defender: Carle-5

vs. Canadiens

Best ES forward: Simmonds, Briere +1

Worst ES forward: Voracek -4

Best ES defender: Carle+1

Worst ES defender: Coburn, Lilja -3

Jump for the charts

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Despite losing both these games the Flyers outchanced the Capitals 18-9 and the Blues 16-10. Both games were characterised by defensive lapses allowing weak goals by the Flyers and excellent goaltending from both Tomas Vokoun and Brian Elliot keeping their respective teams in the game. An encouraging sign, though it could be due to score effects, was the Flyers dominated scoring chances through most of the third period trying to tie the game.

vs. Capitals

Best ES forward: Giroux, JVR, Jagr +5

Worst ES forward: Voracek, Schenn -1

Best ES defender: Carle +8

Worst ES defender: Timonen +1

vs. Blues

Best ES forward: A whole bunch with +2

Worst ES forward: Simmonds, Jagr -1

Best ES defender: Carle +5

Worst ES defender: Coburn -3

Jump for the charts.

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The Flyers were absolutely dominant throughout the first period of this game, outchancing the Senators 9-1 and taking a 4-0 lead thanks to the Senators taking multiple penalties where the Flyers generated five chances on the powerplay. It is worth noting here that Matt Read's individual effort goal doesn't qualify as a scoring chance as it falls outside the scoring chance zone (see below). Shots from that area should be routine saves for NHL goalies (sorry Alex!) and so aren't counted as a chance. The Flyers sat back in the second period and ended up being outchanced 4-7 and allowed a goal at the end of the period to Jason Spezza. The Flyers led the chances in the third 9-6, with the final chance total ending 22-14 and a 15-11 advantage at even strength.

Best ES forward: Briere, Simmonds +5
Worst ES forward: Talbot, Rinaldo, Zolnierczyk -2
Best ES defender: Pronger +6
Worst ES defender: Coburn, Timonen -1

Jump for the rest of the charts

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The final scoring chances for the Canucks vs.Flyers game reflected the even contest between these two teams, with the chance total ending at 17-17. The Flyers managed eight chances in the first period, largely due to spending a lot of time on the powerplay where they generated six chances. The second and third periods featured a lot less powerplay time for the Flyers and only nine more chances for. The Canucks managed 11 more, including four on the powerplay in the third period when the Flyers continued to take penalties and risk having the Canucks tie the game.

At even strength the Flyers were outchanced 9-10. Best performers were James Van Riemsdyk, Jaromir Jagr and Chris Pronger, who all finished +3. Wayne Simmonds, Andrej Meszaros and Andreas Lilja were worst performers, finishing -3. Head to head, the Flyers first line and top defensive pairing was very good, beating the dangerous Sedin a line. Surprisingly, the Canucks fourth line appeared to be their best, getting chances against the Flyers top three forward lines. For the Canucks defense, their top pairing of Hamhuis and Bieska was downright terrible allowing far more chances than either other defensive pair.

Against the Kings, the Flyers dominated the opening period chances 9-2. The Kings first chance came on the powerplay with 10:05 remaining and their final chance of the period was at 8:31, although it was Justin Williams first goal. Each team totalled eight chances through the second and third period, and the Flyers ended regulation with a 17-10 lead in the chances including 13-5 at even strength. The Kings generated three powerplay chances in overtime, including the game-winning goal.

The even-strength dominance by the Flyers was backed by Scott Hartnell and Sean Couturier both managing +4, Matt Read and Wayne Simmonds were both +3. On defense, Meszaros was an excellent +5 (5-0) and Kimmo Timonen was +4. Head to head, every line and defensive pairing was overall positive, especially against the Kings first line of Gagne-Kopitar-Williams. Despite all the even-strength control, the Flyers still lost  due to Kings goaltender Jonathon Quick and poorly timed penalties.

Jump for charts and tables from both games.

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While it appeared the Flyers controlled most of the play through the first two periods, the Devils actually led in scoring chances 12-9. However, the third period was entirely Flyers as they outchanced the Devils 6-0, and continued their third period dominance from the Bruins game.

Both powerplays were poor, the Flyers only getting five chances on their eight powerplays, although you could argue the Simmonds goal was set up on the powerplay. The Devils managed three from their five powerplays (all in the first period over 26 seconds). Additionally, the Flyers got two short handed chances through breakaways to Nodl and Couturier.

Check out In Lou We Trust for a Devils take on the games chances.

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Many of you who were around Broad Street Hockey at the end of last season may remember that I started tracking the Flyers scoring chances, and I will continue to do so this season.

For those of you who haven't read about the scoring chance project undertaken by members in the hockey blogosphere, or for those who would like a refresher, I suggest reading the following links:

- An intro to scoring chances by C.J Richey at In Lou We Trust covers the basic premise of the scoring chance project and how to interpret the charts.

- Scoring chances, microstats and why they matter by Derek Zona demonstrates the use of advanced statistics by hockey teams for many years and why we as fans should care about using them.

Also, I wrote a summary of the few games I did track at the end of last season, which shows what you can do with several games worth of scoring chance data (as well as small sample size effects!). 

Briefly though, a scoring chance is defined as a clear play directed toward the opposing net from a dangerous scoring area -- loosely defined as the top of the circle in and inside the faceoff dots, though sometimes slightly more generous than that depending on the amount of immediately-preceding puck movement or screens in front of the net. 

Blocked shots are generally not included but missed shots are. A player is awarded a scoring chance anytime he is on the ice and someone from either team has a chance to score. He is awarded a "chance for" if someone on his team has a chance to score and a "chance against" if the opposing team has a chance to score.

After the jump you'll see the area I use to define a scoring chance, data from Game 1 against the Bruins and an explanation of the charts.

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Ed. Note: Added to the front page because this is a great analysis.

With Mike Richards traded, this Flyers team is in need of a tough minutes center; someone who is going to take on the Crosby/Zajac/Dubinsky/Backstrom/Krejci opponent line and effectively reduce their scoring chances.

You could argue that Claude Giroux could fill this role, but I believe that is a waste of Giroux's offensive talents. Two season ago, Blair Betts played a minor checking role, but this changed last season as he had to carry Jody Shelley around the ice. We also don't want to see Betts playing 15+ minutes a night as well as PK time. Braydon Schenn has been touted as a "future Richards", but the idea of putting a 20 year old against Crosby does not fill me with confidence.

It is my opinion (also shared by Eric T. and Snevik, probably others but I believe we three have been most vocal) that the Flyers need a tough minutes center to take on this role, at least until Schenn has developed to a point where he can manage it. The type of role that Manny Malhotra played so well this season in Vancouver, allowing the Sedin's to start in the offensive zone 70% of the time, and Ryan Kesler to take on a more offensive role. Sure he won the Selke, but it was Malhotra that was playing all the tough minutes allowing Kesler to score goals (and gain exposure which no doubt helped in the Selke voting).

While Malhotra did everything you could want from a third line center, his cap hit of $2.5 million (which is outrageously good) is on the high side to fit in to the Flyers roster. However, there are a few unrestricted free agents that could take on a mini-Malhotra role (or a mega-Betts if you want to think about it that way), and I hope that Holmgren/Snider is considering a contract for one of them come free agency.

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Facing elimination, the Flyers could not break down an excellent Boston defense. The final boxscore credited them with 23 shots, but they only generated eight scoring chances, largely due to the shots coming from outside the scoring chance area. The Bruins on the other hand, were able to regularly get into good positions to shoot and generated a total of 17 chances. Six of those chances came on powerplays, which doesn't seem so inept anymore.

Early in the first period the chances were even, with Braydon Coburn getting two chances for the Flyers. The Bruins then generated the next nine straight chances, including a Milan Lucic powerplay goal. The Flyers would not get another chance until there was ten seconds remaining in the period. The period ended with the Bruins outchancing the Flyers 10-3.

The Flyers outchanced the Bruins in the second 4-2, and tied the game with a 4v4 Kris Versteeg goal with 6:39 remaining in the period. James van Riemsdyk's chance with 4:16 remaining in the second would be the last chance the Flyers would get for more than twenty minutes of hockey as the Bruins took over in the third. The Bruins got five chances in the third, including two goals, while managing to keep the Flyers to the outside in their defensive zone. JVR would get the final chance for the Flyers with 1:09 remaining, but it was far too late by then. The empty net goals weren't counted as scoring chances and to be honest I wasn't paying close attention by the end of the third, but I don't think I missed any chances.

Jump for the charts (if you want, I probably wouldn't, they are pretty depressing).

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The Flyers were outchanced by the Bruins 13-19, and 11-15 at even strength. They generated two chances on their two powerplays, and allowed four chances while penalty killing. Chances by period were 3-5, 7-8, and in the third where the Flyers needed to push to maintain any chance of winning they were outchanced 3-6.

Daniel Carcillo, Matt Carle and Nikolay Zherdev were the only Flyers to have an even-strength chance differential greater than +1 (in fact they were all +2). Braydon Coburn (-4), Scott Hartnell (-4) and Ville Leino (-5) were the worst skaters for the Flyers, but that's singling out a few from many that were poor.

If you make the jump to the Head to Head even strength chance summary you'll see how Bruins coach Claude Julien was able to exploit the matchups he wanted in Boston's favour.

Apologies for the lame chance recap, but I wanted to move on from this game as I'm sure many of you do. Jump for the charts.

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The first period was filled with penalties and bad plays by Michael Leighton. Unsurprisingly, the Sabres took advantage of their powerplays to score two goals on four chances. The Flyers didn't manage a single chance on their powerplays, which included some 5v3 time. The chances for that period were 7-7, with all seven of the Flyers first period chances came at even-strength, including a goal to Danny Briere.

The second period started well for the Flyers, with James Van Riemsdyk finding a loose puck in the slot and shooting it past Ryan Miller to cut the deficit to one. Briere scored again, this time on the powerplay, to tie the game up. In the final ten minutes of the period, the Sabres generated nine more chances, while the Flyers only had one more through Danny Carcillo. In that time, the Sabres had five powerplay chances, including a Drew Stafford shot that hit the post. Nathan Gerbe scored past Brian Boucher's glove to regain the lead for Buffalo. Chances for the second period were 6-11 in favour of the Sabres.

The teams then traded chances in the third period until there was 15:00 remaining and Brad Boyes was stopped by Boucher. The Flyers then generated the next eight chances, including a goal to Scott Hartnell, and the Sabres didn't get a chance until 3:26 remaining. Final chances for the third period were 9-3 to the Flyers.

There were three chances in overtime, two for the Flyers and one for the Sabres, but the only chance that really matters was Ville Leino's game winner.

Final chances for the game were 24-22 to the Flyers. The Flyers were better at even strength with the chances 18-13, and generated six chances on the powerplay and allowing nine on the penalty kill.

Jump for the charts

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The first chance didn't come until 13:23 remaining with the Flyers on the powerplay. Jason Pominville would score the only goal of the game three minutes later, but it wasn't for a lack of trying that neither team managed a goal. The total chances for the first period was 11-8 in favour of the Flyers, with the team getting five even strength chances and five powerplay chances, plus one shorthanded. Both Ryan Miller and Brian Boucher were solid, with Boucher getting help from the posts on two occassions.

The highlight of the second period has to be James van Riemsdyk getting three great chances in seven seconds, with Miller staying strong and keeping each chance out of the net. The second ended with the chances 9-5 to the Flyers, and Mike Richards in the box for elbowing and a five minute major.

The penalty killers for the first five minutes of the third were excellent. The Sabres only managed two chances on the powerplay (from two shots), and the PK unit gave the Flyers every chance to get back in the game. Unfortunately for them (and us), Miller was spectacular. Danny Briere was left all alone in front of the net and Miller was able to stay with him and caught the shot in his glove like it was nothing. Boosh was also great, and I think his stop on Ennis' breakaway chance with 5:21 remaining really typifies the type of goaltender he is. Fifteen seconds afterwards, Richards had a great chance to equalise but didn't get everything on the shot and Miller was able to slide his stick back to block it. A helmetless JVR would have the final chance of the night on a rebound right in front of the net but Miller preserved his shutout. Final chances for the third were 6-5 to the Flyers.

The Flyers had a 26-18 in chances overall, 20-12 at even strength, and generated five chances on the powerplay and allowing six chances on the penalty kill.

Dave Oleksy at Die By the Blade should have his results up at some stage, and it will be interesting to compare the recording differences. I have a feeling that I may be too generous, so it will be my off-season homework to try and improve tracking chances.

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Rejoice, the scripts appear to be working again!

The Flyers controlled the play for the first ten minutes, with Jeff Carter scoring a powerplay goal early and the JVR-Giroux-Carter line generating three scoring chances. The Sabres then got into the game and a Coburn interference penalty lead to Drew Stafford scoring a powerplay goal. The Sabres continued to pressure, aided by a Scott Hartnell double-minor, but didn't manage to score on the powerplay. At the end of the first the chances were 5-8 to the Sabres.

The second period was dominated by the Flyers, who lead in scoring chances 9-4 by the end. Starting with a goal to Danny Briere with 17:17 remaining, the Flyers were able to generate scoring chances in bunches, with the Sabres chances only coming from broken plays. The Flyers would take a 3-1 lead through a Nikolay Zherdev goal, but the Sabres pulled it back to one through Nathan Gerbe.

Kimmo Timonen, Zherdev and Darroll Powe penalties in the third gave the Sabres opportunities to generate chances through the first nine minutes of the period, but they couldn't beat Brian Boucher. The Flyers then held the Sabres chanceless for the next ten minutes, while generating four of their own, until Thomas Vanek had a chance with Ryan Miller pulled.

Final chances were 18-18, with the Flyers outchancing the Sabres 16-11 at even strength. The Flyers managed two chances on their three powerplays, but allowed five while 4v5 and two at 3v5.

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Given that I haven't been able to publish any of the scoring chance results for the first two playoff games as the script used hasn't been providing the information needed, I decided to look back at the results from the last seven games of the regular season.

The chances have been broken down into even strength, powerplay and penalty kill. Due to the small sample size, strong conclusions shouldn't be drawn from these results, but it's at least interesting to see individual performances at the end of the season when the team was not performing as well as expected.

A massive thanks to Neil Greenberg who tracks the Washington Capitals scoring chances for Russian Machine Never Breaks for helping with data compilation. His results for the Capitals regular season can be found here. Also, thanks to Vic Ferrari for writing the scripts.

Charts after the jump (there seems to be some interesting formatting with the table border unfortunately).

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The Flyers started the first period scoring two goals on two chances. A Flyers powerplay then killed any momentum they had, and the Islanders scored on a Michael Grabner breakaway and a 5v3 goal from Travis Hamonic. Danny Briere would score to put the Flyers ahead 3-2, only for Tavares to even it up just over two minutes later. After 12:05 played, there had been nine scoring chances and six goals. The first period ended with two more chances for each team, but no additional goals.

The Islanders got a power play early in the second period and were able to convert through P. A Parenteau. With 12:16 remaining in the second period, and the teams skating 4v4, the Flyers recorded the next seven chances with Andrej Meszaros scoring to tie the game again. The Islanders rallyed and generated the next five chances, but went unrewarded. Scott Hartnell would score with 1:32 remaining to put the Flyers ahead.

The third period was fairly even, with teams trading chances and the Flyers scoring again through Meszaros. John Tavares tried to get his 30th goal of the season (thanks for letting me know 50 times, MSG announcers), but was unsuccessful.

The final chances were 25-20 in favour of the Flyers, with a 17-11 advantage at even strength. The powerplay had six total chances, and the the penalty kill final differential was 2-9.

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The two teams traded chances throughout the first period, with the Flyers moving ahead 6-4 with two late chances. There was a stretch of eight minutes where neither team got a chance, until Scott Hartnell's goal put the Flyers in the lead.

The second period started poorly for the Flyers, with Nathan Gerbe scoring on a shot from the point. While his shot was from outside the normal "scoring chance area", the fact that Sergei Bobrovsky was screened by about six players meant I included it. It got worse when Jason Pominville got behind the defense and froze Bobrovsky while shooting over his glove.

The Sabres then went on the powerplay due to a Darroll Powe delay of game penalty. The Flyers penalty kill was dominant though, getting the only chances plus Versteeg scoring shorthanded. Danny Briere then scored as the penalty finished and the Flyers lead, 3-2. Another Flyers penalty, this one to Kimmo Timonen for interference, saw the Sabres generate two scoring chances. The Sabres would not record another scoring chance until the final four seconds with a Pominville breakaway.

The Flyers limited the Sabres to two chances in the first ten minutes of the third, but Gerbe tied the game on a backhand shot with 9:59 remaining. After the goal, the teams combined for five more chances. While it appeared the teams were playing for a tie, one chance every two minutes is only slightly under the game average of one chance every 1:45.

There was one chance in overtime, and it was the Vanek game-winning goal.

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