SBNation.com - Flyers Vs. Penguins, Game 6: Philly Clinches With 5-1 Winhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46737/sbn-fave.png2012-04-23T10:01:57-04:00http://www.sbnation.com/rss/stream/27308072012-04-23T10:01:57-04:002012-04-23T10:01:57-04:00Penguins Vs. Flyers, Game 6: Claude Giroux Sets Tone As Difference-Maker
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<p>Claude Giroux took the Philadelphia Flyers on his back Sunday, leading them to a series victory over their hated cross-state rivals. </p> <p>Many fans of the <a href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Flyers</a> were beginning to get antsy after the <a href="https://www.pensburgh.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> won Games 4 and 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals to pull to within 3-2 for the series. Having become just the third team in NHL history to come back from an 0-3 deficit to defeat the <a href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Bruins</a> during their run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2010, no one in the City of Brotherly Love wanted to see the other side of the situation by having the hated Penguins become the fourth.</p>
<p>As the club required someone to lead the way, <span>Claude Giroux</span> stepped up and wasted no time in setting the tone for Game 6.</p>
<p>Just five seconds after the opening face off, Giroux leveled Penguins' captain <span>Sidney Crosby</span> with a hard, clean hit right in front of the Pittsburgh bench. The hit sent Crosby flying, and sent the Wells Fargo Center into a state of pandemonium.</p>
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<p>In conjunction with what happened moments later, the 24-year-old native of Hearst, Ont. showed that as the face of the Flyers' franchise, he was taking charge of the eventual outcome of the afternoon.</p>
<p><span>Jaromir Jagr</span> beat <span>Kris Letang</span> to the puck at center ice, started a rush towards the Pens' zone and sent a pass across to Giroux, who cut towards the slot. His snap shot from the inside of the left circle beat <span>Marc-Andre Fleury</span> on the short side, giving Philadelphia an early lead.</p>
<p>After just 32 short seconds of play, Giroux had already established his presence in two gigantic ways for a club looking for the knockout punch it had lacked over the course of Games 4 and 5.</p>
<p>Giroux lept up against the glass, and you could see him yelling to his teammates, "Let's go!"</p>
<p>They were all too happy to follow.</p>
<p>"Claude called it for me before the start of the game," said <span>Maxime Talbot</span>. "He said, 'I'm going to have a great first shift.' I didn't know what it meant, and he was physical and he scored a goal, so that's what a leader would do. Claude definitely set up the tone early for us tonight."</p>
<p>Linemate <span>Scott Hartnell</span> agreed, and said he could tell as soon as he got to the arena that Giroux was going to have a difference-making game.</p>
<p>"G's probably the biggest competitor that I have ever played with," said the left winger of the ultra-competitive Giroux. "He wants to win so bad. I could tell right when I got to the rink this morning that he was fired up and ready to go. When you hit like that on the first shift, that's our best guy in here, and he played a great game tonight."</p>
<p>Following Game 5, Giroux pointed out that his team hadn't put together a full, 60-minute effort during the entire series.</p>
<p>One of the big reasons for the club's offensive explosion -- a team-record 30 goals in the six game set -- is the tremendous amount of success experienced by the Flyers' power play, which is quarterbacked by Giroux. After going 1-3 on Sunday, the man advantage unit finished the series at a blistering 12-23, or a sizzling 52.1 percent. The 12 PP goals set a Philadelphia record for a single postseason series, passing the former mark of 11, which was set against these same Penguins in 1989.</p>
<p>"We played the whole year with the same power play, pretty much," said Giroux. "We kind of know what the other guys are going to do, and we support each other pretty good. We try to put pucks on net and (Wayne) Simmonds is probably the best to get the garbage in front of the net, he puts everything in the net and Hartsy's strong stick. They make our jobs easier, those two guys. They're playing great."</p>
<p>Even after being held off the scoreboard in Philly's Game 1 victory, Giroux finished the series with with points in each of the final five contests. His six goals and 14 points, which included a tremendous six-point performance (three goals, three assists) in Game 2's comeback effort, was one of the most memorable outputs in Flyers' history.</p>
<p>The dynamo ended up with two goals and 3 assists while working with the man advantage during the series, as well as scoring once while the team was shorthanded and assisting on both of Talbot's two shorthanders.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px;">Peter Laviolette was asked if he felt with the performance that Giroux was taking the next step in the leadership department.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px;">"Not only leadership, but his game tonight was monstrous, it really was," said the head coach. "When the best player in the world comes up to you and tells you, 'I don't know who you're planning on starting tonight, but I want that first shift,' that says everything you need to know about Claude Giroux right there."</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px;">That is some high praise from Laviolette, indeed, who then added some more.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px;">"Claude had a great game, from start to finish, he made sure that the Flyers moved on to the second round. Along with every other guy in that locker room. But, it does have to be led somewhere, and when your best players make a statement like that, that's exactly what you need to happen."</p>
<p>"Right off the bat, being able to get that first goal was huge to get the momentum," Giroux said. "The fans right away got into the game, and then we closed the door."</p>
<p>And it was their best player -- the very face of the franchise, if you will -- that slammed the door tightly on the Penguins.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2012/4/23/2967165/nhl-playoffs-201s-penguins-flyers-game-6-claude-girouxDavid Strehle2012-04-22T19:40:05-04:002012-04-22T19:40:05-04:00Scott Hartnell Taunted By Divorce Joke, Gets Last Laugh
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<p><span>Scott Hartnell</span> and his ex-wife went through a semi-public divorce several years ago. He's never really talked about it with the media, nor should he have to, but that doesn't mean opposing fans haven't tried to use it against him.</p>
<p>In Pittsburgh, Pa., Hartnell isn't exactly a popular human being. So when the Flyers were in town to play the <a href="https://www.pensburgh.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Penguins</a> during the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, one fan taunted him with a sign: "SID LIKES LISA RENNEKE."</p>
<p>Sid, of course, is <span>Sidney Crosby</span>, Penguins star. Lisa Renneke would be Hartnell's ex. It's not the most clever of insults, but it was there nonetheless, displayed prominently at ice level during warmups at CONSOL Energy Center. Hartnell didn't acknowledge the sign at the time, but after the Flyers dispatched the Pens in Game 6 in Philly, he got his revenge.</p>
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<p>Great win Great effort <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523shesallyours">#shesallyours</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523motivation">#motivation</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Flyers">#Flyers</a> <a href="http://t.co/3FX6uDvj" title="http://twitpic.com/9cyylq">twitpic.com/9cyylq</a></p>
— Scott Hartnell (@Hartsy19) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hartsy19/status/194190310425886721" data-datetime="2012-04-22T22:25:52+00:00">April 22, 2012</a>
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<p>She's all yours. Hartnell wins.</p>
<p><i>For more on the <a href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Flyers</a> as they move on in the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, check with <a target="_blank" href="http://philly.sbnation.com">SB Nation Philly</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.broadstreethockey.com">Flyers blog Broad Street Hockey</a>.</i></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2012/4/22/2967666/scott-hartnell-divorce-sign-flyers-penguinsTravis Hughes2012-04-22T15:20:34-04:002012-04-22T15:20:34-04:00Flyers Vs. Penguins, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 6: Philly Eliminates Pittsburgh With 5-1 Win
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<p>It seemed over from <span>Claude Giroux's</span> massive opening shift, when the <a href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Flyers</a> stormed out to a 1-0 lead and showed they'd be setting the physical tone in Game 6. From that point on, it almost seemed as though the final 59 minutes of hockey were a formality as the Flyers cruised to victory, defeating the <a href="https://www.pensburgh.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> 5-1 and advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.</p>
<p>Pittsburgh entered the third period down 4-1, and when they put the puck behind <span>Ilya Bryzgalov</span> during a power play near the midpoint of the period, it seemed as though there was hope for the Pens. But upon review, the officials decided that Bryzgalov was pushed into his net and the goal was disallowed.</p>
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<p>That seemed like the final nail in Pittsburgh's coffin, and from there, the Flyers used solid defense to dispatch their cross-state rivals. It was the complete opposite of much of the series, where the teams combined for more goals than we've ever seen in a Stanley Cup Playoff series. Philadelphia killed off four of five Pittsburgh power play attempts and, in total, the 40 blocked shots and the 30 saves from Bryzgalov were the difference in the game.</p>
<p>The Flyers are the first Eastern Conference team to advance to the semifinals. Their second-round opponent is still to be determined.</p>
<p><i>For complete coverage of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, stick with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl">SB Nation's NHL hub</a>. For more on the Flyers, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://broadstreethockey.com/">Broad Street Hockey</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://philadelphia.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Philadelphia</a>. For more on the Penguins, head to <a target="_blank" href="http://pensburgh.com/">Pensburgh</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Pittsburgh</a>.</i></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2012/4/22/2967157/penguins-vs-flyers-2012-nhl-playoffs-score-recapTravis Hughes2012-04-22T14:12:52-04:002012-04-22T14:12:52-04:00GIF: No, Evgeni Malkin Is Not 'Lovin' It'
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<p><span>Evgeni Malkin</span> has a goal on Sunday afternoon, but for the most part, he and his <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pensburgh.com/">Penguins</a> have been shut down by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/">Philadelphia Flyers</a>. This makes Malkin angry, and it makes McDonald's happy they bought that ad at Wells Fargo Center.<br>
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<p><i>For complete coverage of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, stick with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl">SB Nation's NHL hub</a>. For more on the Flyers, visit <a href="http://broadstreethockey.com/" target="_blank">Broad Street Hockey</a> and <a href="http://philadelphia.sbnation.com/" target="_blank">SB Nation Philadelphia</a>. For more on the Penguins, head to <a href="http://pensburgh.com/" target="_blank">Pensburgh</a> and <a href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/" target="_blank">SB Nation Pittsburgh</a>.</i></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2012/4/22/2967034/evgeni-malkin-angry-gif-penguins-flyersTravis Hughes2012-04-22T14:09:21-04:002012-04-22T14:09:21-04:00Flyers Vs. Penguins, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 6: Philly Settles In With 3-Goal Lead After 2 Periods
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<p>It seemed as though the <a href="https://www.pensburgh.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> were ready to hop back into the hockey game. With the Penguins on a power play about midway through the period, <span>Marc-Andre Fleury</span> made a big save on a shorthanded breakaway by <a href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Flyers</a> forward <span>Sean Couturier</span>. On the return trip back up the ice, <span>Evgeni Malkin</span> put the puck in the back of the net to trim Philly's 3-0 lead down to 3-1, but just moments later, it would all be for naught.</p>
<p>34 seconds after Malkin's goal, <span>Danny Briere</span> squeaked a puck just past Fleury to give his team the three-goal lead once again. It was originally called no-goal on the ice, but after review, the officials got the call right. The puck had crossed the goal line.</p>
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<p>From that point on, the Flyers really settled in and controlled the remainder of the period. Goalie <span>Ilya Bryzgalov</span> was calm and Pittsburgh didn't put much too much pressure on the Flyers goal. Philadelphia seemed content just to play strong defense, something that's been atypical in this series so far.</p>
<p>Pittsburgh has one period left in their season if they can't find a way to crack the Flyers in the final 20 minutes of the game. They're capable of scoring three goals in a period, but it's going to have to come early.</p>
<p><i>For complete coverage of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, stick with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl">SB Nation's NHL hub</a>. For more on the Flyers, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://broadstreethockey.com/">Broad Street Hockey</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://philadelphia.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Philadelphia</a>. For more on the Penguins, head to <a target="_blank" href="http://pensburgh.com/">Pensburgh</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Pittsburgh</a>.</i></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2012/4/22/2967012/penguins-vs-flyers-2012-nhl-playoffs-scoreTravis Hughes2012-04-22T13:07:56-04:002012-04-22T13:07:56-04:00Flyers Vs. Penguins, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 6: Claude Giroux Sets Tone As Philly Grabs 2-0 Lead
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/">Philadelphia Flyers</a> look like they want to end this first-round playoff series against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pensburgh.com/">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> on Sunday and they're being led by <span>Claude Giroux</span>. Philly's top forward had an unreal opening shift in which he decked <span>Sidney Crosby</span> to the ice before skating in on goal and giving his team a 1-0 lead.</p>
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<p>It was the first shot of the game and it had to do a ton for the Philadelphia psyche -- both on the ice and in the stands -- as the Flyers had not cracked <span>Marc-Andre Fleury</span> at even strength since Game 3. Philly's power play has carried the team's offense throughout the first round, and when <span>Scott Hartnell</span> gave the Flyers a 2-0 lead with a power play goal at the 13:01 mark of the period, it set a Flyers franchise record for power play goals with 12 overall.</p>
<p>The period was mostly defined by defense as through the first 10 minutes or so, Pittsburgh had controlled zone time and had created sustained pressure in the Philadelphia end of the ice. But a calm game from goalie <span>Ilya Bryzgalov</span> and solid defensive positioning by the Flyers have been the difference, and the Penguins have not been able to put together many quality chances. </p>
<p><i>For complete coverage of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, stick with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl">SB Nation's NHL hub</a>. For more on the Flyers, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://broadstreethockey.com/">Broad Street Hockey</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://philadelphia.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Philadelphia</a>. For more on the Penguins, head to <a target="_blank" href="http://pensburgh.com/">Pensburgh</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Pittsburgh</a>.</i></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2012/4/22/2966879/penguins-vs-flyers-2012-nhl-playoffs-scoreTravis Hughes2012-04-22T10:00:45-04:002012-04-22T10:00:45-04:00NHL Playoffs 2012, Flyers Vs. Penguins Game 6: Game Time, TV Coverage And More
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<p>The Flyers had the Penguins dead to rights after three games. Can Pittsburgh continue its unlikely comeback?</p> <p>The Keystone State's entrant in the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs looked like a Philadelphia Flyers runaway after three games. But the <a href="https://www.pensburgh.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> have responded with their backs against the wall, winning two straight to push the series to a Game 6 in Philadelphia on Sunday.</p>
<p>Philadelphia's offense, so good in its first three games while pouring in 20 goals, has slowed down in Games 4 and 5, totaling just five tallies. And the Penguins have found their scoring touch of late, putting in 19 goals in <i>their</i> last three games, including a 10-goal explosion in Game 4 — which was played in Philadelphia.</p>
<p><b>No. 4 Pittsburgh Penguins at No. 5 <a href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Flyers</a></b><br>Noon ET -- Game 5, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals | Flyers lead, 3-2<br><b>National TV:</b> NBC, TSN, RDS</p>
<p><i> For complete coverage of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, stick with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl">SB Nation's NHL hub</a>. For more on the Flyers, visit <a href="http://broadstreethockey.com" target="_blank">Broad Street Hockey</a> and <a href="http://philadelphia.sbnation.com" target="_blank">SB Nation Philadelphia</a>. For more on the Penguins, head to <a href="http://pensburgh.com" target="_blank">Pensburgh</a> and <a href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com" target="_blank">SB Nation Pittsburgh</a>.</i></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2012/4/22/2966232/penguins-vs-flyers-2012-nhl-playoffs-game-6Andy Hutchins