Off-Day Report: Philadelphia media believes Kunitz should have been suspended
Philadelphia_ The Chris Kunitz hit on Kimmo Timonen was about as clean as it’s going to get as Kunitz caught Timonen with his head down, coming around the net. Click here to view Video The Philadelphia media doesn’t see it that way and it shouldn’t come as any surprise. Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquire writes the NHL rulings are a joke Carchidi writes, ‚ÄúNo matter how I say it, it’s going to sound like I’m being a homer. Trust me, I’m not. I’m for fairness. And Colin Campbell, the NHL’s discipline czar, is not being fair with the way he is handing out suspensions.‚Äù ‚ÄúOr, more to the point, NOT handing out suspensions. Campbell should have suspended Pittsburgh’s Chris
NHL, refs must protect players who make clean hits
Philadelphia_ Chris Kunitz delivered a bone-crunching hit (click here to view) on Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen in the first period of Sunday’s game. The hit was shoulder to chest as Kunitz caught Timonen coming around the net with his head down. After Kunitz delivered the hit, Flyers defenseman Ryan Parent gave him two cross-checks to the back which should have drawn a minor penalty and as Kunitz skated down the ice, Scott Hartnell gave him a few whacks with his stick until the two players came to blows and were assessed 5 minute fighting majors. There was not a extra penalty assessed to Hartnell and Parent did not receive a penalty. Physical play is what makes the NHL a great game but
Flyers beat Penguins 6-3
Pittsburgh leads series 2-1 The Philadelphia Flyers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead and never trailed at any point of the game as the Flyers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 Sunday afternoon at the Wachovia Center to cut the Penguins series lead in half. Looking to get off to a quick start and build off of the home crowd, Jeff Carter (2:59) and Mike Richards (5:14) scored their first goals of the series within 2:15 of each other in the first period as the Flyers put the Penguins on the ropes early.
Game 2: Pregame update; Timonen misses morning skate
Pittsburgh leads series 1-0 The Penguins just took the ice at for their morning skate as the team prepares to host the Philadelphia Flyers for game 2. The Flyers will take the ice at 11:30 a.m. — Pittsburgh comes into tonight’s game with all momentum but a Penguins loss changes the whole dynamic of the series as the Flyers would head home tied at 1-1 Many believe the Flyers are in a must-win situation but the Penguins know the importance of winning game 2. The way things look right now the Penguins will go with the same lineup. Read more for the latest Penguins lineup news and updates on the Flyers morning skate.
Off-day report: Timonen limited with charley horse, will play; Carcillo suspended for game two; Penguins practice report
Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen was limited today with what is being described as a “charley horse” from team officials. Timonen suffered the injury on his first shift of the game, Wednesday night. Timonen may limit himself in Friday’s morning skate, but he will play. The NHL has suspended Philadelphia Flyers forward Daniel Carcillo one game and fined coach John Stevens $10,000 for his actions at the end of Wednesday night‚Äôs Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series against Pittsburgh No changes for the Flyers on their
Hartnell in denial about undisciplined penalties
Following the game, the Philadelphia Flyers talked about how it was difficult to generate any momentum because of the penalties they were taking. 30 goal scorer Scott Hartnell played a factor in the Flyers being unable to generate any momentum. Hartnell had three minor penalties on the night and was assessed a 10 minute game-misconduct late in the third period Interesting quotes from Hartnell following the game on how the penalties he took were not undisciplined
Malkin, Crosby lead Penguins to convincing 4-1 win
Penguins lead series 1-0 Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby each had a goal, assist and Marc Andre Fleury made 26 saves as the Penguins got a convincing 4-1 win against the Philadelphia Flyers in the series opener Wednesday night at Mellon Arena. The Penguins were able to set the tone early and controlled the play throughout, as the Flyers became frustrated very early in the game. Undisciplined penalties followed the Flyers all night, and the Penguins converted on their first power play, on a goal from Sidney Crosby at 4:41 of the first period. “One of the goals was to set the tone in the game and we did that in the first,” Dan Bylsma said.
Game 1: Flyers to match Jeff Carter up against Malkin
For coaches, the post-season is about making the right decisions when it comes to line-matching. The Flyers go into game 1 with the plan of
Game 1 – Morning Skate Update: “Game Time decisions”
Morning Skate Update All seven defensemen alternated in the morning skate. Dan Bylsma just announced after practice that he will make a game-time decision on who sits. Eaton or Boucher will be the odd-man out tonight. Hal Gill is not under consideration to be scratched. Chris Kunitz missed the skate as his wife went into labor but he will play. Game Time decisions on Adams and Godard too but I’m hearing Bylsma is leaning towards playing Godard in game 1. It’s the time of the year where coaches aren’t going to disclose lineups in the morning skate like they do in the regular season. The Flyers just took the ice and they have one lineup change. Rookie Jared Ross will
Series Preview: Penguins in 6
(Courtesy of South Central) Season Series 10/14/08: PIT 3 – PHI 2 11/13/08: PIT 5 – PHI 4 12/13/08: PHI 6 – PIT 3 1/13/09: PIT 4 – PHI 2 2/21/09: PIT 5 – PHI 4 3/22/09: PHI 3 – PIT 1 Star Power PIT: Evgeni Malkin (112 pts), Sidney Crosby (103 pts) PHI: Jeff Carter (84 pts), Mike Richards (80 pts) Advantage – Pittsburgh Forwards Pittsburgh: Down the middle the Penguins are the deepest team in the NHL with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal. While Crosby, Malkin had little help for much of the season, Penguins general manager Ray Shero added Chris Kunitz (18 points, 20 pts) and Bill Guerin (12 points, 17 games) prior to the