Thursday, May 5, 2011
Posted: 3:50 p.m.
By Tim Panaccio
CSNPhilly.com
BOSTON -- There was a period before Peter Laviolette arrived in December of 2009 when the Flyers admitted they would show up at their practice rink feeling miserable about their lives.
Those days seem like ancient history. Or maybe history revisited because the Flyers showed up at TD Garden on Thursday morning feeling anything but comfortable with their current situation in this Eastern Conference semifinal series, down 0-3 to the Bruins.
Everybody was pissed off this morning, Kimmo Timonen said about Wednesdays dysfunctional 5-1 beating. It was a tough morning.
Danny Briere was looking for anger.
Whatever it takes to get us going, I guess, he said. Maybe some guys need to be angry, some guys, I just think we need more fire in our eyes than we showed in Game 3.
NHL
Obviously, it was tough this morning coming to the rink, but a lot of similarities we can draw from last year, coming in after Game 3. Tough morning.
It could be an even tougher Friday night if the Flyers come out with another emotionless start.
The Bruins sensed tentativeness, then proceeded to bang the Flyers around the rink, further jolting whatever confidence this team came to Boston with after Game 2s 3-2 overtime loss.
Coach Peter Laviolette gave them a speech Thursday, Briere said, similar to the one he gave last spring in this very situation.
That fired us up last year, and I hope its going to do the same, Briere said. We werent really talkative too muchI really believe guys are going to leave it on the ice tomorrow.
Given how little the Flyers left on the ice in Game 3, there should be plenty leftover to spill in Game 4.
Is there anything worth carrying over that the Flyers can build off for this latest elimination game?
I dont think you can take anything positive out of it, said Timonen, who never minces words. We got 37 shots. Maybe thats the only thing. Other than that, I dont think there is anything positive.
The only thing we can do now is look at one game and not the big picture. Make sure we bring our skating and forechecking and be aggressive Friday. Thats our game. If we are able to do that, well be in good shape.
No one knows what kind of shape Jeff Carter (right knee strain) or Chris Pronger are in. Carter watched in dress clothes as the Flyers skated. Pronger (backhamstring pull) remained in the trainers room.
The goalie? One club source said Sergei Bobrovsky was the probable starter. Laviolette should throw caution to the wind, look toward the future and start Bob, who played well in relief of Brian Boucher in Game 3.
So what about that speech Laviolette gave today? He didnt get specific with the media of what was said.
Were capable of giving more than we gave Wednesday night, Laviolette said. I truly believe that. Weve done it so many times. Without making excuses, it wasnt good enough last night.
We got to be better. Individually, were accountable to ourselves. We have to make sure were ready to play the game. And give all you got and then more. And thats where we came up short.
The Flyers have come from behind so many times this season, even in the playoffs, that its taken a mental toll on them.
Heres the rub: Last spring, they were down 0-3 to Boston, but they had lost 5-4 in overtime during Game 1; then 3-2 in Game 2; then 4-1 in Game 3. Two of the first three games were close. The Flyers felt they were in the series with Boston.
This time, being down 0-3 has a different feel to it. The Bruins have dominated. Of the three games played, only the 3-2 overtime loss in Game 2 made you feel like the Flyers had a chance.
Have the Bruins broken the Flyers will?
No, I dont think its over, said Bruin center David Krejci, who has eight points in the series. You saw last year how they came back. We have to take it game by game. Its Game 4. We go out and have the same approach as yesterday.
Anyone who thinks these Bruins are last years Bruins, just isnt looking at the reality. Their mental makeup is better, not to mention the number of key additions general manager Peter Chiarelli made in the offseason.
Ahh, maybe a little bit, Timonen replied when asked if this situation now feels different than last May. Out of the three games, maybe two games we havent played good. Game 2 at home we should have won that, but werent able to put the puck in the net.
If were able to play that kind of game tomorrow, were in good shape. Last year was last yearWere not happy with the series this year. We still have a chance.
When Timonen admits what other players are thinking -- that theres only been one close game so far -- it makes it that much more daunting for the Flyers to think they can come back again as they did last spring.
Then again, these are the Stanley Cup playoffs where oddities and rarities often present themselves.
Theres no question that physically and emotionally its draining, Laviolette said. I would rather not be in this situation, but we cant change that.
You cant pick and choose where you want to be. We sit here down 0-3. The only scenario that works is go out there and fight for somethingwe gotta win a hockey game.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net
Related: Source: Bobrovsky 'probable' to start in Game 4Flyers notes: 'Everything' working for Krejci's unit