Flyers Keys To Game 2

Early and often boys, LET'S GO!

Game 1 was fun, exciting, and very memorable.  To come back from a 3 goal deficit in the opening game of the playoffs is something that very few teams can accomplish.  But Game 1 is now a thing of the past, and tonight the Flyers have to be entirely focused on taking a 2-0 lead in the series.  Here are tonight's keys to a Flyers victory.

1. Hot Start
The Flyers have fallen behind early in games all year but they can't continue to do so in the playoffs.  Everyone likes an exciting comeback, but the Flyers need to do a better job of coming out with a lot of intensity in the first period.  It shouldn't take a 2-0 deficit and a Peter Laviolette timeout to get these boys going.

2. G, Jags, Hartsy
Not to say that this line played bad in Game 1, but I would definitely like to see some more production from them tonight.  Danny Briere can't be relied upon to score all of the goals for the Flyers.  Other guys, namely Giroux and veterans Jagr and Hartnell need to get involved offensively.

3. Long Possessions
The Flyers dominated the Penguins in the second and third periods on Wednesday mainly because they were able to sustain long offensive possessions.  The Flyers were diving and making plays just to keep the puck in the zone and give the offense more opportunities to score.  Tonight the Flyers need to continue to keep the puck in Pittsburgh's zone.

4. Traffic In Front
This kind of goes without saying, but getting traffic out in front of Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury is going to be key tonight.  Brayden Schenn and Jakub Voracek both scored on Wednesday by getting out in front of the net and trying to make things happen.

5. Bryzgalov
After allowing 3 goals in the first period of Game 1, Bryzgalov was perfect in the remainder of the game.  But giving up 3 goals in the first period of a playoff game puts a lot of pressure on the goalie, so Bryz needs to come out focused and ready to play strong early on.

6. Young Gun
Brayden Schenn was the outstanding rookie of the game on Wednesday night.  In Game 2, another rookie needs to step up and have a big game.  I think that either Matt Read or Sean Couterier could have a big game tonight.

7. Forget About Game 1
Game 1 is a thing of the past.  The Flyers need to build off of what they did well on Wednesday, but they can't get over confident and relaxed.  The Flyers have a great opportunity to take a 2-0 lead in this series.  If they are still celebrating Wednesday's victory, this series could very easily return to Philadelphia tied 1-1.

It should be a very entertaining game tonight.  I think the Flyers will jump out to an early 2-0 lead, but the Penguins will battle back and tie the game at 2.  Ultimately I think the Flyers will win by a final of 3-2 and bring a 2-0 series lead back to Philadelphia.