That's More Like it: Flyers take one from Pittsburgh

With their backs against the wall, the Philadelphia Flyers needed a win today, and they started out fast, scoring twice in the first 5:30 of the game. Jeff Carter finally got himself into playoff form, as the 46 goal scorer in the regular season managed to score the first goal of the game. Mike Richards added a power play goal, and things were looking good for the Orange and Black.

Of course, that never how things work out for the Flyers, as they can look like Stanley Cup contenders one moment, then look horrible the next. A late Evgeni Malkin goal cut the lead to 2-1 at the end of the first period, then Rob Scuderi scored just 13 seconds into the second period to tie the score. From that point on, it was all Flyers. Momentum was with the Penguins, and it looked like Pittsburgh could easily take control of Game 3 and put the Flyers down 0-3. That's when Claude Giroux took over. The rookie scored his first playoff goal to put Philadelphia in front again, then assisted on a shorthanded Simon Gagne goal that would put the Flyers in the lead to stay.

From that point on, the Flyers were able to play their type of game. Sure, the refs were still calling touchy penalties, but Philadelphia was still able to get to Pittsburgh with a physical style of play. The Flyers needed to make a statement today, and they did that. Sidney Crosby was contained for much of the game, and even though he had two assists, and Malkin had two goals, it wasn't enough today. Jared Ross got his first playoff goal to start the scoring in the third period, and Gagne finished things off with an empty net goal for his second of the game.

You could tell that the Flyers were happy to be home. The fans were into the game the entire time, and seemed to help spur Philadelphia along, even when the Penguins managed to tie the game early in the second period. Martin Biron looked good in goal, though I'm still not comfortable whenever he comes out of the net to handle the puck. None of that matters today though, since the Flyers have taken the first step in making this a series. Game 4 is almost certainly even more of a must win than this was, since the last thing any of us want to see is the Flyers going back to Pittsburgh down 3-1. I don't think any of us would think that the series would come back to Philadelphia.

Game 4 is Tuesday night. Hopefully, the Flyers can carry some of this momentum over and tie this thing up before it goes back to Pittsburgh.