With a decisive 3-0 series lead, it can be hard to nitpick and determine where the Flyers have to improve. While the series has been quite in favor of the Flyers, who have led for the vast majority of the first three games, there are still things that could be done better.
“Tonight is a desperate game for us because they’re going to be desperate,” said Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet on Saturday morning. That’s why they’ve been taking things one game at a time.
“There’s tons of pressure on us, there has been tons of pressure on us for the last two months. We’ve been trying to deal with it the way we’ve been dealing with it. You’ve got to stay mentally in this game, and can’t worry about tomorrow.”
The Flyers have controlled most of the series. Saturday will be a new test for Philly. They’ve had the Penguins with their backs against the wall all series. Now, it’s quite literally do-or-die time for the Penguins.
There was plenty to like from Game 3, but also still much to improve upon before Game 4. So, what will the keys to success be for a Game 4 win and a series sweep?
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There has definitely been an advantage for the Flyers in this series. That advantage is that the Flyers have very clearly found a way to get under the Penguins’ skin. The Flyers take penalties while doing so, but the penalty kill had been reliable to that point.
On Wednesday, the Penguins started to build some momentum on the man-advantage, scoring two power-play goals. If that unit gets its legs, it could be bad news for the Flyers, especially if they continue taking stupid penalties.
The biggest key to success is for the Flyers to keep the series at 5-on-5. Stay disciplined and do not give any unnecessary opportunities.
After Game 3, Penguins head coach Dan Muse was talking about keeping play between the whistles. However, it would not shock me if the Penguins took a page out of the Flyers’ book of agitation on Saturday.
Philly cannot bite and give them added power-play time. Keep the game where the Flyers have controlled the whole series – 5-on-5.
The defensive play in front of Dan Vladar has been spectacular all series. It’s a big part of the reason why the series looks the way that it does. That cannot change now.
Vladar is making his 4th consecutive start. He’s only won 4 games in a row once this season, and there was a game in the middle of his two starts, so it was not even four-straight.
This season, you could see the 4-5 game mark is where the Flyers’ top netminder needed a reset. Mix that with the fact that, despite being good to go for the game, he’s probably dealing with little bumps and bruises from his late-third-period collision with Bryan Rust in Game 3.
The Flyers have done a terrific job at keeping play to the outside and taking the middle away from the Penguins’ offense for the most part. That will be crucial for a Saturday night win.
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The Flyers have had the pedal to the metal all series long. That can’t change now.
Tocchet’s sentiment in his earlier quote is that the Penguins will not just roll over and let the Flyers end it in four games. They will be desperate to avoid the sweep. That should lead to the expectation for an all-out Penguins effort.
If the Flyers keep their foot on the gas, it should not be a problem. However, if you let one game go by, all of a sudden, you’re back in Pittsburgh with a chance for the Penguins to get right back in the series. One win can turn into three real quick, and the Penguins have fallen victim to that.
Even with the commanding lead, the Flyers should not get comfortable. They must maintain the same intensity they’ve had in Games 1, 2, and 3. Keep getting bodies in front of the goalie, and keep playing pesky, without crossing the line.