PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- After falling behind 3-0 in the first period of Game 1, the Flyers returned for the second with a sense of urgency.
And tonight in Game 2, its that very urgency Penguins captain Sidney Crosby says his team needs in order to come away with a win.
The way you play does not change, Crosby said. If anything, you should be more desperate. I dont see that as being an issue.
There is a sense of urgency in every game. Everyone talks about scenarios and the way a series works out. The reality is, everyone is desperate every game. There is more emphasis when youve lost a game to come back and get momentum.
Thats the case in every series and that is the case tonight. We want to make sure we bounce back. That is where our mind is at.
For the Flyers, matching that sense of urgency to go 2-0 in a series figures to be harder.
Its hard, Kimmo Timonen said of going up 2-0 on the road. I dont think its ever happened to me. Its really hard. Thats why I told you guys before the series, I dont mind going on the road. Its easier to play and less pressure on you. You want to go into that game and win Game 1. No. 2 is a little easier and less pressure.
NHL
Scott Hartnell says he gets fired up if we ruin another citys night, by winning a playoff game.
Wed love to send everybody home wondering what happened to their team, he said. We can only control what we control.
Flyers coach Peter Laviolette doesnt buy it.
I think desperation usually trumps over when another team is trying to get on a roll, Laviolette said.
But theres probably as many cases made both ways. I dont know what the statistic is when you win Game 1. Is it 90 percent it goes to 1-1? It is 50-50 it goes to 2-0? Im not really sure.
The team that goes out tonight and plays hard and executes has the best chance of winning a hockey game.
Danny Briere sees it similarly. Just because the Flyers had all the momentum and desperation on their side in the latter half of Wednesdays victory doesnt mean they can count on it again tonight.
I really believe that theres no momentum in hockey from game to game, Briere said. There is within the game itself. But from game to game, its a new chapter. Youve got to turn the page. Now we have to focus solely on tonights game.
We cant dwell on last game. We have to move on. Be ready. Obviously the goal now for us is to go home up 2-0. We have to forget about what happened in Game 1.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net or Sarah Baicker at sbaicker@comcastsportsnet.com.