PITTSBURGHIt seemed to take forever for Max Talbot to remove his gear, take off his skates and uniform.
He looked drained. Then again, Fridays engulfing 8-5 Flyers' win over the Penguins in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals left everyone drained.
Talbot had a goal and an assist. A critical shorthanded goal, we should add, that cut the Pens early 2-1 lead in half.
We all know that in the playoffs its special teams a big part of wins and losses, Talbot said. Tonight it made a difference.
Talbot echoed the words of so many Flyers after the game. Not satisfied with the start of the game, he said. Every Flyer who went to the dressing room podium seemed to use those two wordsnot satisfied.
Five straight games the Flyers have spotted Pittsburgh two early goals (or more) and had to come back. Four times they won.
We have to find a way to start games better, he said. But once again, we showed a lot of characterit was a big win for us.
NHL
The Flyers lead the best-of-seven series 2-0. They are a perfect 17-0 in their franchise history when that happens.
Eight-five win looks really good, Talbot said. Two guys Sean Couturier, Claude Giroux get a hat trick. For us, its not a win, its just Game 2. And Game 3 is going to be huge. The sooner we put that behind us, the better.
Game 3 is Sunday afternoon at Wells Fargo Center. Then there is a rare two-day break in the series. It resumes Wednesday with Game 4.
Another thing most of the players said was how wild the game was.
I havent seen the highlights yet, Talbot said. When you play the game, you try to just keep calm and keep focused. Its nice to score some goals and hat tricks and everything., but its still a game.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net