The first-round series shifts to Minnesota for Game 3 on Monday night. Puck drop is schedule for 7pm ET.
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Philadelphia was undone by their inability to stay out of the penalty box and inability to capitalize on power plays.
The Capitals did not dominate the game as much as the score suggests.
The Philadelphia Flyers hope to begin the improbable series comeback by getting this victory. Jakub Voracek scored the only goal for the Flyers. Then, it was the Flyers’ turn to jump on the man advantage, first due to a Jason Chimera roughing penalty and then a late Mike Richards goalie interference. After all, win together and they can at least walk proudly into Game 4 Wednesday.
Before the game, Kimmo Timonen recalled his greatest Flyers memory, the game he will carry with him until his final days. After all, tonight is going to be fairly dramatic for the Flyers.
The Philadelphia Flyers honoured founder Ed Snider before Game 3 of the playoffs in their first home game since his death last week. Now, as Game 3 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals devolved into a sideshow, ensuring that the Capitals’ first 3-0 series lead in franchise history and their team-record five power play goals will go forgotten, they dotted the rink, white like the ice. The arena lit up like a Christmas tree while Flyers Stanley Cup Playoff logos flashed on the ice. “It’s going to be pretty emotional”.
Then, towards the end of the game, Flyers forward Pierre-Édouard Bellemare delivered an atrocious hit on the Caps’ Dmitry Orlov. We just have to go game-by-game like we’ve been doing for the last three months of the year. “We’re still there and we’ve got to fight back to even up the series”. You put on the Flyers sweater, however, and insane things seem inevitable.
“Embrace it”, he said. “I think it was tough on a lot of people, and that includes the organization, everybody that was ever involved with the Flyers”. “I think if we want to get there more we’ve got to- at times we’ve chosen the path of least resistance”. The Philadelphia Flyers had what it took this season to make the playoffs but unfortunately, they could not get out of that dreaded second wild card spot. Justin Williams’ dump into the Flyers end hit the glass and came off at an odd angle and deflected to the front of the net, where a surprised Mason caught a piece of it with his glove. Game 3 is Tuesday night in Nashville. “He was a huge part in this one”.
Johnson had 13 goals in 26 playoff games a year ago. This plucky Philadelphia team has overcome tremendous adversity this season but what they face now might be insurmountable.
Philadelphia continued to battle, as did Washington, but a classic powerplay goal from Alex Ovechkin, at 17:21, put the Caps within touching distance of taking a 2-0 series lead. Braden Holtby made 31 saves and had an assist. Holtby has controlled his rebounds well, but the Flyers will try to get better looks at second chances in order to break through offensively. After all, a few months ago, no one expected them still be playing.
Sometimes that’s easier said than done but Mason believes the Flyers have that in them. We played solid, didn’t make any mistakes. We just have to continue pushing. They haven’t made it past the second round in any of those postseasons. Right as Brayden Schenn released the puck, Ovi checked him up and into the Capitals bench.Holtby says Mason’s soft goal will only be more motivation for their next game.
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“Special teams are important during a hockey game and we know that”, Giroux said. “It is a little frustrating sometimes when you see some (shots) bouncing off the post, off his body to the post, and you realize, ‘How lucky can you get?’ But you know he’s a good goalie for a reason”. He scored on the power play Saturday night from his office in the left circle.
