Pens-flyers a hit in U.S.
PITTSBURGH— The U.S. sportscaster began with a disclaimer. “For some, hockey is a tough sell,” he said.
He continued with an endorsement. “But if you’re in that group, I believe you’re going to buy this.”
What followed, as the lead item on ESPN’S all-powerful Sportscenter, was the highlight reel of an NHL playoff classic, an 8-5 win by the Philadelphia Flyers over the Pittsburgh Penguins that gave the Flyers a 2-0 advantage in the series.
Here in the U.S. that wild aberration of a game commanded a healthy chunk of the sports-wise 24-hour news cycle from late Friday night until midday Saturday. And why wouldn’t it. It was, no matter your rooting interest, a beautifully consumable bit of sports entertainment that showcased both Sidney Crosby’s world-class mastery, Philly’s underdog pluck, and a generous share of telegenic footage. Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov’s sliding save to rob Kris Letang was ESPN’S No. 1 highlight of the night.
In Canada some would say: Who cares? But down here in the lower 48, it’s interesting to note that the most hotly anticipated matchup of this NHL post-season has been delivering to mainstream audiences in spades. Clearly the hope in these parts, and in the New York and Toronto offices of the NHL, is that there will be much more Flyers-penguins inventory to sell. Seven games would be ideal. But that breadth of material, of course, is hardly a guarantee.
With Game 3 set for Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia, there are those who wonder if the Penguins, for all the firepower that allowed them to lead the league in scoring, are possessed of enough defensive acumen to contain the speedy Flyers.
Philadelphia, after all, finished tied for second in scoring. And given that they’re averaging six goals a game in the playoffs — given that they’ve found open ice in abundance and at will — the spotlight on Pittsburgh’s commitment to defence is justified.
The question, really, is whether Pittsburgh feels the same way. Certainly there was no shortage of Penguins who appeared to feel that the results of the first two games weren’t much of a reflection on the actual balance of power in the series. It is, to put it diplomatically, an interesting theory.
“I think if you really watched the game closely it’s not like (the Flyers are) carrying the play and all of a sudden it’s five shifts that they’re wearing us down and then they’re putting one in. It’s the other way around,” Crosby said. “We have possession for most of the time and we make one mistake, and it ends up in our net. Unfortunately that’s the way the game goes sometimes. It doesn’t seem fair, but that’s the way it goes. So we really, really have to focus on not making those mistakes, and we all believe we have the guys to score goals.”
Still, no matter your view on the Penguins, the outlook isn’t brilliant. Teams that have fallen behind 2-0 in the opening round of the NHL playoffs have won the series just 16 per cent of the time. And as for teams that have shot out ahead with multiple-goal leads in two straight games yet lost both contests? The Penguins were up 3-0 in Game 1 and lost 4-3 in overtime. They were ahead 2-0 and 3-1 in Game 2 and couldn’t hold either lead. If confidence is a necessity in moments such as this, that list of blown chances can’t inspire much.
“Has it affected the mindset? I think it does,” said Penguins coach Dan Bylsma. “You can say that losing 4-3 is a 4-3 loss no matter how it goes down . . . and it’s painful for anyone losing 4-3. But we understand we had leads and 3-0 leads and two two-goal leads and they were able to come back. . . . I think it’s difficult to deal with those losses. But at the same time, we have to put it behind us.”
To write off the Penguins altogether would be wrong-headed. They’re the favourites to win the Stanley Cup for a reason. And given the circumstances of their season, of Crosby’s long absence especially, they’ve become accustomed to on-the-fly regrouping. Besides, Letang figured two games on the road might amount to “a little kick in the butt” for a team at sea harbouring an ocean of talent.
“We’ve faced a lot this season. We’ve had a lot of injuries. A lot of media questioned our team, how fragile it was, and we always respond well,” said Letang. “. . . I think we have a lot of leaders in that dressing room.” The folks who run the NHL can hope as much, anyhow. And as for those of us to whom hockey is not a tough sell? Whether or not Sunday’s game delivers ratings and popular highlight reels, it will almost certainly amount to the kind of proving ground only springtime can provide. Are the Penguins a resurgent favourite or a hollow flameout? By dinnertime on Sunday even Americans who don’t particularly care will know.
“We’ll see the true face of our team,” said Letang.