Flyers vs Penguins Game 3 Recap: Short-lived ecstasy

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1st Period

Shots – 11-4 Flyers

Hits – 14-13 Flyers

Faceoffs – 9-7 Flyers

10:25 – Penguins Goal – Sidney Crosby with a wraparound on Brian Elliott, 1-0 Penguins

11:55 – Penguins Penalty – Bryan Rust, 2 minutes, Tripping

14:41 – Flyers Penalty – Brandon Manning, 2 minutes, Tripping

18:17 – Penguins Penalty – Carl Hagelin, 2 minutes, Slashing

The Flyers came out as many expected, roaring just like the crowd. They pushed the pace of play for a majority of the period. Every time the Penguins turned it over, it seemed like Travis Konecny was right there to grab the loose puck. Nolan Patrick had a great chance on Murray, but Murray had a great save on his breakaway attempt. Patrick showed a ridiculous burst of speed on that. The Penguins scored the lone goal of the period, and it was Philadelphia’s favorite Penguin, Sidney Crosby, who netted the game’s first goal. Play was pretty chippy early on, and may escalate as the game goes on.

2nd Period

Shots – 19-17 Flyers

Hits – 22-20 Flyers

Faceoffs – 19-19 Tied

1:12 – Flyers Penalty – Claude Giroux, Slashing

2:48 – Penguins Goal – Derick Brassard on the PP, 2-0 Penguins

5:56 – Flyers Penalty – Jake Voracek, High Stick

6:48 – Penguins Goal – Evgeni Malkin on the PP, 3-0 Penguins

6:53 – Penguins Goal – Brian Dumoulin, goals are 5 seconds apart. 4-0 Penguins

7:53 – Penguins Penalty – Evgeni Malkin, Boarding

10:35 – Flyers Penalty – Too Many Men

13:42 – Flyers Goal – Travis Sanheim, his first career playoff goal. 4-1 Penguins

18:51 – Penguins Penalty – Derick Brassard, Tripping

The Peguins broke the scoring wide open in this period, and the Flyers just couldn’t seem to answer until the end. Brassard, Malkin, and Dumoulin all potted a goal, while Sanheim put one up for the Flyers. The Penguins controlled the pace of the second period, although there were a few missed calls along the way that could have changed that. Elliott looked less than stellar that period, letting through some goals that should have been stopped, but the defense didn’t do him any favors either. Sanheim’s goal was the lone bright spot, but the Flyers need to regain their game 2 form if they hope to salvage this game.

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3rd Period

Shots – 27-26 Flyers

Hits – 38-27 Flyers

Faceoffs – 32-28 Penguins

3:06 – Flyers Penalty – Scott Laughton, High Stick

6:13 – Flyers Penalty – Jake Voracek, High Stick

7:08 – Penguins Goal – Justin Schultz with a blast from the point, 5-1 Penguins

10:26 – Flyers Penalty – Radko Gudas, Tripping

15:43 – Penguins Penalty – Sidney Crosby, Hooking

17:45 – Penguins Penalty – Riley Sheahan, Delay of Game

The Flyers were undisciplined. Plain and simple. They gave the Penguins too many chances on their powerplay, which is one of the most, if not the most, lethal units in the playoffs. Matt Murray played phenomenal once again, giving limited chances for the Flyers to find the back of the net. We’ve seen the good and the bad from both teams, and both goalies, so far this series. Time will tell who we see show up to the Wells Fargo Center this coming Wednesday for game 4 of the series. Until then, the Flyers need to work on staying out of the sin bin. That was their biggest mistake today, and if they can wrap that up, and get back into Game-3-form, they can even things up going back to Pittsburgh for Game 5. If not, expect more of the same, and a shorter series than we want.

 

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports