Thursday, May 5, 2011
Posted: 2:28 p.m.
By Tim Panaccio and Sarah Baicker
CSNPhilly.com
BOSTONIf the Flyers are to have any real chance to stave off elimination Friday night when the Bruins attempt to sweep them out of the Eastern Conference semifinals, they might want to try stopping David Krejcis line.
Through three games in the series, Krejcis unit has simply killed the Flyers with 14 pointssix goals, eight assists.
That line is doing to the Flyers what Danny Brieres line did to the Bruins last season and did to Buffalo in the first round.
Coach Peter Laviolette has used three different lines against Krejcis unit to find a shutdown-answer. None have worked.
Recall it was during Game 3 against the Bruins last spring when Krejci was hit hard by Mike Richards and broke his wrist, missing the rest of the playoffs.
NHL
I just wanted to come back and beat the Flyers and go into the conference final, Krejci said. I didnt take last year personal. Its a new year. We have new teammates.
Asked about his lines success, he shrugged.
Everything is going right for us, he said. Were creating chances. We did that in the first round but now the puck is finding the back of the net. We havent changed anything. Once we get these chances we bury them.
The Bruins won a remarkable 78 percent of the faceoffs in Game 3. Krejci was a perfect 8-0, but didnt take any draws in the third period.
I dont remember ever having a perfect night, he said of his faceoff success. I remember couple games losing one draw. But that 8-0 after the second period. I could have extended it or lost it in the third. I was feeling pretty good.
Given how dominant Boston was in the circle, you have to wonder if the Bruins picked up something on film against the Flyers.
No, we have a really good faceoff team, one of the best in the league, Krejci said. We work it long after practices, all of us centermen. It was our night. It could go the other way.
Now, its up to the Flyers to figure out how to put a stop to the Bruins top linebefore its too late.
They have a good line," Kimmo Timonen said. "One of the best lines inhockey. They have everything. Good size and speed and skill. I stillthink we havent played our game. And when we play our game we can stopanybody. Im not worried about their line, I'm worried about us. Webring everything we got well be fine."
I think we have to do it as a team, Briere said. We havent, except for two periods in this series, we havent played up to what were capable of. In the playoffs, when youre not playing up to your standards, anybody can take advantage of you.
Obviously the Krejci line is doing that, but it seems all their lines are having a lot of success because were not up to where we should be.
Getting past Thomas
Before Andrej Meszaros netted the Flyers sole goal in Tuesdays 5-1 loss, Bruins goalie Tim Thomas had stopped 68 consecutive Flyer shotsmore than enough to steal his team a win in Game 2.
So whats the key to besting him in Fridays do-or-die Game 4?
I think he was a factor in Game 2, Briere said. But in Game 3 especially, I dont think we tested him enough. Obviously when youre down two goals to start the game, and at one point being down four goals, the other team is not going to give you much. Theyre going to sit back and play very tight defensively, which they did really well. We need to find a way to get to him. But yeah, I thought Game 2 he was great.
It just takes one
The Flyers are in a familiar position, down 3-0 to the Bruins in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Last year, they found a way to fight back from that seemingly unbeatable hole to take the series in seven gamesonly the third time in NHL history such a feat had occurred. According to the Flyers, another comeback is possible, and it all starts with a win Friday.
Thats the goal, Briere said. All we want to do is win one game and go from there. I said it last night, were not going to win four games tomorrow. The good thing is, were still alive. You look in here and theres 23 other teams that are on vacation already. Its a good thing were still alive. Weve put ourselves in a tough spot, but we win one game and you never know what can happen.
Pronger and Carter
Jeff Carter did not take part in Thursday's practice, but he was at TD Garden. He wanted to skate so badly, in fact, that he watched practice from the stands. Chris Pronger was at the rink, but did not skate.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net. E-mail Sarah Baicker at sbaicker@comcastsportsnet.com
Related: Flyers hope added aggression can prolong seriesSource: Bobrovsky 'probable' to start in Game 4