I guess the drama that was absent from most of the second round of the NHL playoffs hasn’t reared its head in the conference finals.
It’s hard not to think that when Pittsburgh tore down the Flyers as a lofty $2.40 home “chalk” 4-2, while the total pushed ‘over’ the total of 5 ½. It was the second straight match between these Keystone State rivals that eclipsed the closing number.
What has to make this loss a bitter pill to swallow for Philadelphia is allowing Max Talbot, a fourth-line checking forward who just returned to the lineup since April 29, posted the game-winning mark midway through the third period.
The defeat also marks the first time the Flyers have been down two-games to none as they head back to the “City of Brotherly Love” this postseason. Oddly enough, this series could have been much different if not for a couple of mental breakdowns on Philly’s part.
Game 1 was marred by Philadelphia giving up the puck time after time to the Penguins.
The second match of the best-of-seven was much more to the Flyers’ liking. They hit Pittsburgh more (45-33) and also cut their giveaways down from 10 in Game 1 to seven last Sunday. However, Steve Downie’s turnover at the blue line ultimately turned into the Flyers’ death knell.
Martin Biron played better in goal for Philadelphia in Game 2 as well, stopping 34 of 27 shots. As good as those numbers sound, they’re not up to snuff when looking at the complete body of work. In his first two road games in the last two series, Biron went 2-2 with a 2.75 goals against average and an 89.3 save percentage. His two defeats in the East Finals have yielded a 3.56 GAA with a deplorable 87.9 save percentage.
Is all lost for the Philly faithful at this point? Not really, but the sportsbooks aren’t exactly believing in the Flyers by making them slight $1.15 home favorites (risk $115 to win $100) with the total coming in at 5 ½.
If the Flyers want to give it a fighting chance, then they’ll need to find a way to get past Marc-Andre Fleury…which is easier said than done. The former No. 1 overall pick has been the most impressive net minder in the playoffs up to this point, going 10-1with a 1.80 GAA and 93.7 save percentage.
Something else that makes Philly’s trek that much tougher is Fleury is the best road warrior in the postseason by going 3-1 with a 1.75 GAA while saving 94.5 percent of the shots fired his way. Just to add a little salt in the wound, he’s posted a 5-3 record with a 3.05 GAA at the Wachovia Center for his career.
Trends could also put Daniel Briere and company on the brink as the Flyers are 8-5 in a game that follows two consecutive road defeats. The ‘over’ went 6-5-2 in that time frame as well.
Philly’s numbers there aren’t that bad, but pale in comparison to its in-state rival. The Penguins are 20-13 in any contest following up a pair of wins at Mellon Arena since 2005. They’ve also seen the ‘over’ go 18-13-2 in this situation as well.
I don’t know if you looked at it, but the current series price doled out by Las Vegas Sports Consultants for the Pens is -950. I’m not shocked so much by the high number, but from the fact that it is still on the board at all. That’s because Pittsburgh is 8-2 in its history when they take a two-games to none lead in any playoff series. One of those losses, however, came at the hands of the Flyers in the 2000 Eastern Conference Semifinals.
This contest will be on Versus starting at 7:30 pm EDT.
You can reach Judd Hall via e-mail at judd@vegasinsider.com
