John Toperzer: Pens-Flyers: Groundhog Day or Game 3 win? Pens have gotten out to first-period leads in both playoff games but haven't found a way to put away the resilient Flyers

This is a case where we NEED the win... almost like a game 7 type of game...

LETS GO PENS!!! PLEASE!!!!

Penguins are going to be up against something similar to what the Flyers were up against in the first period of game 1... a jacked up team in their home building. Pitt is going to have to weather that storm, as the Flyers were unable to in Pittsburg, and not fall behind early like the Flyers did.

It is quite amazing how Penguins fans (not all) are writing this series off. I have a few buddies from Pitt who just simply feel the Penguins have no shot in the series now. Myself and all my friends who are Flyers fans are thinking the complete opposite. Very weird dynamic to things for sure.

The match ups are in the Flyers favor now so Malkin is going to need to solve the Couturier line for Pitt to win this game. Malkin needs to have an impact on this game in my opinion.

DROP THE PUCK!

Penguins are going to be up against something similar to what the Flyers were up against in the first period of game 1... a jacked up team in their home building. Pitt is going to have to weather that storm, as the Flyers were unable to in Pittsburg, and not fall behind early like the Flyers did.

It is quite amazing how Penguins fans (not all) are writing this series off. I have a few buddies from Pitt who just simply feel the Penguins have no shot in the series now. Myself and all my friends who are Flyers fans are thinking the complete opposite. Very weird dynamic to things for sure.

The match ups are in the Flyers favor now so Malkin is going to need to solve the Couturier line for Pitt to win this game. Malkin needs to have an impact on this game in my opinion.

DROP THE PUCK!
- Flyers2821

A pens win today and it's a series, a loss and it's not, that simple.

This is a case where we NEED the win... almost like a game 7 type of game...

LETS GO PENS!!! PLEASE!!!!
- nh4442

Almost time for the Independence Day speech...
"We will not go quietly into the night, we will not vanish without a fight"

Almost time for the Independence Day speech...
"We will not go quietly into the night, we will not vanish without a fight"
- Rawdog9755

I'll settle for a third guy high in the offensive zone.

My hope is the Flyers win today but I would suspect the Pens pull it out.

1. Everyone knows the impact playing in front of a home crowd can give. So much emotion can give teams too much energy.

2. The Pens should come out with their best effort because they know losing today nearly guarantees a series loss.

3. I think some of the Pens are trying too hard to be physical which could be really dangerous as the Flyers can match them stride for stride in both speed and skill.

I'll settle for a third guy high in the offensive zone.
- Gunner Staal

Me too. Im scraping bottom trying to get my adrenaline and hopes up for another run today. Looking back, I hope today is the game on the DVD series after the season where it starts with "the Pens went to a 1-4 delay with the lead and changed the momentum of the series"
New fence is going in tomorrow so if all else fails I will be taking my aggression out on the old fence today with a sledge. We have some pretty nasty weather coming through STL shortly and if im lucky a tornado will touch down in my backyard and remove the old fence without harming the house.

I just don't know about todays game. It's a must win, but I don't know if the players can get themselves into a mindset to do the little things that can lead to wins.

Game 3. Lets get it on.

Me too. Im scraping bottom trying to get my adrenaline and hopes up for another run today. Looking back, I hope today is the game on the DVD series after the season where it starts with "the Pens went to a 1-4 delay with the lead and changed the momentum of the series"
New fence is going in tomorrow so if all else fails I will be taking my aggression out on the old fence today with a sledge. We have some pretty nasty weather coming through STL shortly and if im lucky a tornado will touch down in my backyard and remove the old fence without harming the house.
- Rawdog9755

Good fences make good neighbors. Hello backyard privacy!

Good fences make good neighbors. Hello backyard privacy!
- akane13

Hi-de-ho!



G'mornin', Pens fans.

Hi-de-ho!



G'mornin', Pens fans.
- tangent_man

hey, neighbor.

Just read the team comments and today's game day report on nhl.com. Unfortunately I see nothing to indicate any change in the Pens style of play. The players and coches are still saying we need to get more pucks in behind them and keep it in their zone.

As long as we continue to play the same style and do no change I am just not that hopeful. We must have 3 men back. We need to limit shots defensively. Their offense is too potent to play Dan's usual style.

I hhope the team can adapt to this style of play, which is what every other team is pretty much doing in this years playoffs. If we see another track meet I won't watch the next game and I will begin to seriously question the team management.

This does not diminish Philly who has a great team.

Getting on a plane this morning, should arrive just after the first. Have a good feeling today boys, think we're going to pull both of these out. Then we just have to find a way to beat these guys at home.

TTYL

Just read the team comments and today's game day report on nhl.com. Unfortunately I see nothing to indicate any change in the Pens style of play. The players and coches are still saying we need to get more pucks in behind them and keep it in their zone.

As long as we continue to play the same style and do no change I am just not that hopeful. We must have 3 men back. We need to limit shots defensively. Their offense is too potent to play Dan's usual style.

I hhope the team can adapt to this style of play, which is what every other team is pretty much doing in this years playoffs. If we see another track meet I won't watch the next game and I will begin to seriously question the team management.

This does not diminish Philly who has a great team.
- powerhouse

Yeah, Bylsma said yesterday his team always plays a 1-2-2. That's laughable. No offense to him, he's a nice guy an all, but if his system is a 1-2-2, I'm Jaques Lamairs.

Watching Washington last night.....they always had a 3rd man back. Can't believe Bylsma has allowed them to become less disciplined than Washington.

Who would have thought that this would be the cleanest series?

A pens win today and it's a series, a loss and it's not, that simple.
- Gunner Staal

+1, and accordingly I expect this to be a big "throw everything including the kitchen sink" type effort from the Penguins.

Who would have thought that this would be the cleanest series?
- rival22

I definitely expected something more like the end of the Sharks Blues game last night.

+1, and accordingly I expect this to be a big "throw everything including the kitchen sink" type effort from the Penguins.
- BulliesPhan87

I think that's what they've been doing. I want a controlled effort with short shifts and good gap control. I still think MAF will have to be the difference.

Reporter: So. Coach. Any changes heading into game 3?

Bylsma: Just my underwear. Pete ruined my last pair when he stretched them over my head....again.

Remember, the Penguins finished higher than Philly in the regular season standings
- the-mitch-wilsons

Through shoot out wins. A dynamic that thankfully has no business in the playoffs.

Through shoot out wins. A dynamic that thankfully has no business in the playoffs.
- TheRat14

At least for now until NBC pressures the Eighth Dwarf into putting them into the playoffs!

Who would have thought that this would be the cleanest series?
- rival22

I'd love to hear Tortorella explain the difference between what Orpik did to Stepan and what Hagelin did to Alfredsson in terms of a cheap shot. I guess the difference is that since it's his player that did it then it's fine but when other players do it it's purely a dirty play.

Okay, Pens remember the key for today's game is NOT to get a two goal lead in the first five minutes! If they do then the Flyers have them right where they want them.

Great article by Larry Brooks today!

http://www.nypost.com/p/s...id_MgdpFN0CMCS4AF8c5cIjsM