It was an epic battle for the ages and a rare occurrence in the NHL. A game 7 that needed to be decided in overtime.
The series itself from the drop of the puck in game 1, until Lupul’s goal in OT in game 7 was hard fought by both clubs. There were moments in each game where one team seemed to dominate the other, however nowhere in any of the games was it more evident than in the third period, when Washington out played, out hit and truly owned the Flyers in every aspect of the game….except the scoreboard.
The capitals just could not get the puck by goaltender Marty Biron who had the period of a lifetime. Couple that with the NHL’s leading goal scorer making the bad decision to pass the puck as opposed to shooting it when he had a clear open shot in front of the net, and you could see the Capitals were just snake bitten. Al lot of ifs on a single play…if Ovechkin shot the puck or if Federov just saw the puck on Ovechkin’s pass, might have lead to Washington moving on. Instead they are going home waiting for next year.
As tough as the game was against the Washington Capitals, it only gets harder for the boys from Broad Street. Next up the conference leading Montreal Canadians. The Flyers are 0-4-0 against the Canadians this season and are only averaging 1.5 goals per game against them. However the Canadians, like the Flyers, are coming off a brutal series as well against the Boston Bruins, who also took their opponent to 7 games.
Every indication shows that the Canadians are a better team then the Flyers, but so did the stats against the Capitals. Montreal does not have an Ovechkin type scorer on their roster, but they hit well, play as a team, and work hard.
Sounds just like the flyers. This should be a great series!About the Author: Michael C. Podlesny is the hockey editor for http://www.hockeysimulatoronline.com An online hockey simulation game where you are the owner, GM, and manager of your own hockey franchise.
