Where has this version of the Flyers been all this series? After struggling to mount any offense, even in the victories, the Flyers (mostly Wayne Simmonds) reawakened tonight with 5 goals. Thanks to the 5-2 victory we now have a game 7 situation on our hands tomorrow night in New York. If the Flyers can channel the energy they had the last 70% of tonight's game and use it tomorrow they can definitely advance to play Pittsburgh next round...and you thought the embellishment calls were over.
The beginning of the game was reminiscent of the last game with the Rangers on offense most of the time and the Flyers committing numerous turnovers. The Flyers probably wouldn't have reached the first intermission holding the Rangers to zero goals if it weren't for Steve Mason, who played out of this world tonight. I said yesterday on the podcast that neither goalie has really made any highlight reel saves this series. Well tonight alone Mason must have had five.
The Flyers offense surge started seven minutes into the game with Wayne Simmonds scoring right in front of the net. Hank Lundqvist denied his initial attempt, but Simmonds showed great resolve and focus to put it home on his second try.
The Simmonds Show continued 1 minute into the second period after slipping one past Hank after receiving a pass from Brayden Schenn that the Rangers had managed to break up. Wayne's third goal of the night would come at the 15:19 mark in the second & make it 4-0. Simmonds deflected a slapshot from Jakub Voracek right in front of the net for his first career hat trick. I think the cumulative distance from the net for Simmonds' 3 goals was maybe 8 feet. Hank saw a lot of him tonight...except in the third because Hank was replaced with Cam Talbot.
In between those Simmonds goals, Erik Gustaffson scored when Braydon Coburn saw him breaking down ice after getting out of the penalty box. Gustaffson beat Lundqvist via the five-hole. The goal was made extra sweet by the fact that Gus was in the penalty box because Derek Dorsett embellished that his face was hurt on a high-stick from Gus that didn't even appear to touch him. Sidenote: Derek Dorsett must be NY's version of Hartnell because that guy couldn't barely stand on skates tonight.
Carl Hagelin and Mats Zuccarello scored the two Ranger goals in the third to break up Mason's shutout, but they were meaningless goals that I'm sure no Rangers fans or players took any joy from.
Claude Giroux scored an empty netter in the third for his second goal of these playoffs.
Ride this momentum, Flyers. Game 7 is tomorrow night at 7 in New York.
Notes: Nicklas Grossmann will miss the remainder of the playoffs after undergoing surgery on his right ankle that was hurt 2 games ago crashing into the wall.
You know who had the best save percentage tonight? Steve Mason? Close, he saved a stellar 36 out of 38, but it was actually Cam Talbot. Talbot saved 5 of 5 in relief of Henrik Lundqvist. Hank only saved 19 of 23. Mason was easily the best goalie if not the best player out there tonight. He and Wayne Simmonds won this game.
Apparently there was a huge fight in section 209.
Michael Raffl was on the first line tonight. Scott Hartnell bumped down to second line, Lecavalier to fourth. This seemed to work very well.
Flyers are 9-6 all time in game 7's.
-Ben Lebo
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
The Flyers offense surge started seven minutes into the game with Wayne Simmonds scoring right in front of the net. Hank Lundqvist denied his initial attempt, but Simmonds showed great resolve and focus to put it home on his second try.
The Simmonds Show continued 1 minute into the second period after slipping one past Hank after receiving a pass from Brayden Schenn that the Rangers had managed to break up. Wayne's third goal of the night would come at the 15:19 mark in the second & make it 4-0. Simmonds deflected a slapshot from Jakub Voracek right in front of the net for his first career hat trick. I think the cumulative distance from the net for Simmonds' 3 goals was maybe 8 feet. Hank saw a lot of him tonight...except in the third because Hank was replaced with Cam Talbot.
In between those Simmonds goals, Erik Gustaffson scored when Braydon Coburn saw him breaking down ice after getting out of the penalty box. Gustaffson beat Lundqvist via the five-hole. The goal was made extra sweet by the fact that Gus was in the penalty box because Derek Dorsett embellished that his face was hurt on a high-stick from Gus that didn't even appear to touch him. Sidenote: Derek Dorsett must be NY's version of Hartnell because that guy couldn't barely stand on skates tonight.
Carl Hagelin and Mats Zuccarello scored the two Ranger goals in the third to break up Mason's shutout, but they were meaningless goals that I'm sure no Rangers fans or players took any joy from.
Claude Giroux scored an empty netter in the third for his second goal of these playoffs.
Ride this momentum, Flyers. Game 7 is tomorrow night at 7 in New York.
Notes: Nicklas Grossmann will miss the remainder of the playoffs after undergoing surgery on his right ankle that was hurt 2 games ago crashing into the wall.
You know who had the best save percentage tonight? Steve Mason? Close, he saved a stellar 36 out of 38, but it was actually Cam Talbot. Talbot saved 5 of 5 in relief of Henrik Lundqvist. Hank only saved 19 of 23. Mason was easily the best goalie if not the best player out there tonight. He and Wayne Simmonds won this game.
Apparently there was a huge fight in section 209.
Michael Raffl was on the first line tonight. Scott Hartnell bumped down to second line, Lecavalier to fourth. This seemed to work very well.
Flyers are 9-6 all time in game 7's.
-Ben Lebo
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
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