No question. It's anyone's series. One game doesn't decide anything. Always nice to win game 1 though, especially on the road.
- PLindbergh31

It is more then nice when you turn an expected blow out (which it was for the first 20) into a win.

I have a hard time believing it actually happened.

Having Briere and Schenn step up is huge for this series, it creates some match up problems for the Pens. Towards the second half of the game Bylsma switched Staal's line from covering Giroux to covering Briere's line.

Not much praise for Matt Carle today, I though he quietly had a great game. He is very good jumping into the offensive play when the Flyers were down, and blocking shots and clearing pucks well all night.

That first period by the Pens was very scary to watch. It was a great comeback, but it had me thinking that the Flyers have no chance if the Pens can play at that level the whole time.

Is Rinaldo being "Carcillo'd"? I mean his reputation is getting him called every time he is involved in a hit, and Lavi may have no option other then to sit him. It's a shame, I think he can be effective and help them grind on the Pen's D on his forecheck, but he won't get the chance to do it.

Fascinating how most of the players involved in last summer's big trade had a huge night. Richards and Carter combined for the game winning goal and 5 points last night. Richards was very good against Kesler,and had him off his game a bit.

I can't stand the embellishing. But I agree with JSAQ, its up to the refs to stop it, otherwise the players will use it to try to win. I think it ultimately bites the team that is doing it in the ass.
- Marc D

Rinaldo got greedy on that play. The ref let him get away with the first two on Neal but Zac forced the call by going one more. He needs to learn how to do it more effectively. Downie finally got it. Maybe Zac will too someday.

It took a stellar save by MAF seconds before the Briere goal to keep the Flyers off the board. Clearly momentum was building. Even at 3-1 the Flyers took a couple of penalties so the Penguins had a chance to get a 3 goal lead again. The call helped the Flyers without question, but to suggest Pittsburgh lost the game because of it is unjust. Bylsma said as much in his press conference. Home team still has to close out a 2 goal lead there, regardless of a bad call.
- PLindbergh31

First of all, I didn't come close to stating that the Pens lost the game due to that one bad call. If need be I'll show you a post I just made very recently where I clearly said the players decided the game, not the officials. secondly, momentum is just momentum until the puck is put in the net. That goal got them back in the game, and the Flyers caught a huge break there. And to further clarify, to suggest that I in any way stated that the game came down to that one play, is incorrect.

because an icing call is always left to the discretion of the official who is supposed to judge adequately if the player(s) were able to reach the puck in time...an offside is black on white (or rather blue on white!), there are no leeways, you are offside or you are not...and briere was offside by a mile!
- Raven33

he wasn't offsides by a mile, more like a skate......and the linesman had his arm up for icing, then there was a collision and he put his arm down to protect himself from players and his arm never went up. enough already.

he wasn't offsides by a mile, more like a skate......and the linesman had his arm up for icing, then there was a collision and he put his arm down to protect himself from players and his arm never went up. enough already.
- flyersfan51

It wasn't that close. Briere was offsides by 2-3 feet.

BTW, must say that I liked the way Bylsma handled his postgame media time. Barkann was mocking him on CSN but I thought Bylsma said all the right things and gave the right answers, up to and including crediting the Flyers for what they did to establish the comeback.

Contrast that to Guy Carbonneau in 2008, where he kept insisting his team was doing everything right, needed no adjustments, and the Flyers were just getting unbelievably good luck --- right up til the Habs were eliminated in Game 5.

I thought Bylsma hit all the right notes: no sense of panic but a sense of respect for the opponent's capabilities.

It wasn't that close. Briere was offsides by 2-3 feet.
- MJL

I watched it again, and again, and again.....he can have one skate in before the puck, so if he would've just dragged his other skate, he may have been okay.

Rinaldo got greedy on that play. The ref let him get away with the first two on Neal but Zac forced the call by going one more. He needs to learn how to do it more effectively. Downie finally got it. Maybe Zac will too someday.
- rockychocbill

I agree.

What I wonder is if Lavi can play Rinaldo at all this year.

I think he will keep getting the penalty box, and they can't afford it.

It is only one game but if Rinaldo takes one more penalty I could see him sitting out.

It may be a moot point if they are still playing when Jvr gets back.

I watched it again, and again, and again.....he can have one skate in before the puck, so if he would've just dragged his other skate, he may have been okay.
- flyersfan51

Not sure which replay angle you're looking at, but he was miles offsides in the one I saw. Stuff happens.

I watched it again, and again, and again.....he can have one skate in before the puck, so if he would've just dragged his other skate, he may have been okay.
- flyersfan51

if he dragged his skate it would be an obvious call...
he was offside but to simply debate it from being 3 feet to 1 inch isn't necessary.

I agree.

What I wonder is if Lavi can play Rinaldo at all this year.

I think he will keep getting the penalty box, and they can't afford it.

It is only one game but if Rinaldo takes one more penalty I could see him sitting out.

It may be a moot point if they are still playing when Jvr gets back.
- Marc D

I can see Harry Z might getting back in. Rinaldo has a bulls eye on his jersey as you suggested.

Huge stat I saw for the Flyers in this game.

Giveaways
Flyers - 3
Penguins - 8

3 giveaways is unthinkable.

Not sure which replay angle you're looking at, but he was miles offsides in the one I saw. Stuff happens.
- rockychocbill

For reference:




Not close

For reference:



- BulliesPhan87

it's offsides for sure -- but if danny just keeps one skate on the blue line, he's good. so he was offsides by a foot....no pun intended.

BTW, must say that I liked the way Bylsma handled his postgame media time. Barkann was mocking him on CSN but I thought Bylsma said all the right things and gave the right answers, up to and including crediting the Flyers for what they did to establish the comeback.

Contrast that to Guy Carbonneau in 2008, where he kept insisting his team was doing everything right, needed no adjustments, and the Flyers were just getting unbelievably good luck --- right up til the Habs were eliminated in Game 5.

I thought Bylsma hit all the right notes: no sense of panic but a sense of respect for the opponent's capabilities.
- bmeltzer

I agree, I think he is a class act.

Someone asked him in the pregame interview if all the name calling towards Crosby and Malkin in the last two weeks were effecting them.

His answer was great, he said the name calling started way before the last two weeks, that Philly fans invented 95% of the derogatory nicknames for Sid and Geno, and that its the playoffs and that stuff doesn't mean a thing. I paraphrase but it was a great answer.

It wasn't that close. Briere was offsides by 2-3 feet.
- MJL

At game speed, it was clearly close as it wasn't called. Unless you're leaning toward Briere being allowed off-sides on purpose? Further, a lot of entrances into the offensive zone are close. This one just has the spotlight on it.

The way I see it, that was the lone break for the Flyers. Pitt had a few go their way. And the most relevant point is the Briere goal still left the Flyers down 2 with a lot of work to be done to tie and possibly win the game.

BTW, must say that I liked the way Bylsma handled his postgame media time. Barkann was mocking him on CSN but I thought Bylsma said all the right things and gave the right answers, up to and including crediting the Flyers for what they did to establish the comeback.

Contrast that to Guy Carbonneau in 2008, where he kept insisting his team was doing everything right, needed no adjustments, and the Flyers were just getting unbelievably good luck --- right up til the Habs were eliminated in Game 5.

I thought Bylsma hit all the right notes: no sense of panic but a sense of respect for the opponent's capabilities.
- bmeltzer

Bylsma's been consistent with that throughout his tenure. I really like his style of coaching.

For reference:



- BulliesPhan87

technology today will always destroy the human nature of the sport. sh!t happens, this time the Flyers were rewarded.
I'm not sure about NON icing call but if it was suppose to be icing then it's wash.

you always need a little bit of luck.

First of all, I didn't come close to stating that the Pens lost the game due to that one bad call. If need be I'll show you a post I just made very recently where I clearly said the players decided the game, not the officials. secondly, momentum is just momentum until the puck is put in the net. That goal got them back in the game, and the Flyers caught a huge break there. And to further clarify, to suggest that I in any way stated that the game came down to that one play, is incorrect.
- MJL

Richard Bachman is the goalie for Team USA in the World Champs

No question. It's anyone's series. One game doesn't decide anything. Always nice to win game 1 though, especially on the road.
- PLindbergh31

Absolutely!

At game speed, it was clearly close as it wasn't called. Unless you're leaning toward Briere being allowed off-sides on purpose? Further, a lot of entrances into the offensive zone are close. This one just has the spotlight on it.

The way I see it, that was the lone break for the Flyers. Pitt had a few go their way. And the most relevant point is the Briere goal still left the Flyers down 2 with a lot of work to be done to tie and possibly win the game.
- wolfhounds

until they broke it down frame by frame and with the angle they showed it live, it was close. then showing where the linesman was...bad position by him. As stated, the Flyers were rewarded.

At game speed, it was clearly close as it wasn't called. Unless you're leaning toward Briere being allowed off-sides on purpose? Further, a lot of entrances into the offensive zone are close. This one just has the spotlight on it.

The way I see it, that was the lone break for the Flyers. Pitt had a few go their way. And the most relevant point is the Briere goal still left the Flyers down 2 with a lot of work to be done to tie and possibly win the game.
- wolfhounds

I saw it as easily being offsides at game speed. Just because the call was missed doesn't mean it was close. The pictures posted above clearly show it wasn't close. Both teams got breaks. That was a big goal that got them back in the game. Even with the no call, Briere still had to put the puck in the net. And the Flyers still had to do what they did to tie and evetually win the game.

because an icing call is always left to the discretion of the official who is supposed to judge adequately if the player(s) were able to reach the puck in time...an offside is black on white (or rather blue on white!), there are no leeways, you are offside or you are not...and briere was offside by a mile!
- Raven33

Completely disagree. THe offside is also a judgment call. If it was black and white, they would not have missed it.

i wish the Flyers would have better starts.

going into game 2 the Pens will put the full court pressure on again like they did in Game 1. They have to weather the storm. If they do that and manage to put one past the Pens goalie, the game will be theirs.

until they broke it down frame by frame and with the angle they showed it live, it was close. then showing where the linesman was...bad position by him. As stated, the Flyers were rewarded.
- phi1671

No doubt. Goes back to your point about Technology.

Also, it's not like once Briere entered the zone the Penguins quit and let him have the goal...he still had to beat Fleury. Which he did...nicely.