Flyers Take Commanding 2-0 Series Lead

Bryz robs Kris Letang.

2 hat-tricks, 2 short handed goals, another early deficit overcome, and a final score of 8-5.  If you told me these things before the start of Game 2, I probably wouldn't have believed you.  But after a crazy back and forth game, the Flyers again came away victorious winning by a final of 8-5, and some of the individual performances in Game 2 are still hard to believe.

The Penguins again got out to an early lead.  The Flyers attempted a 5 man change after the opening face off, but the Penguins were able to beat the Flyers in transition thanks to a Susie Crosby goal.  From there the Penguins added a power play goal to take a 2-0 lead.  Max Talbot scored a shorthanded goal halfway through the first to make it a 2-1 game.  The Penguins then added a late first period goal to go up 3-1.

The second period can be described in three words: back and forth.  The Flyers tied the game at 3, but the Penguins quickly reclaimed the lead mid way through the period.  Sean Couterier added a late second period goal to tie the game at 4 heading into the final period.

The Penguins scored early in the third period, but that would be it.  From there the Flyers scored 4 unanswered goals to close out the game.  Couterier tied the game at 5, Jagr gave the Flyers a 6-5 advantage, and Couterier and Giroux both scored to close out the game.

It was truly an unbelievable game.  While it's tough to pin point one main turning point, I would say Couterier's second goal which tied the game at 5 was a real tough goal for the Penguins to take.  The Penguins had just taken the lead and had to be feeling pretty good about their chances of winning the game.  But then Couterier came back just a few moments later and tied the game up, completely robbing any momentum the Penguins may have built.  The Penguins look depleted after the goal and were simply unable to respond.

Offensively Couterier and Giroux both had hat-tricks. Talbot and Jagr also scored against their former team.  Overall the Flyers never quit on offense and continued to work hard even when they were behind.  It was amazing to watch them continue to fight and continue to find ways to score.

And although Bryzgalov gave up 5 goals, he still had an amazing game.  Bryz had some fantastic saves throughout the game, and was able to really buckle down in the third and keep the puck out of net.  Bryz was flashing the leather all night and robbing people left and right.

The Flyers now have a commanding 2-0 lead as the series shifts to Philadelphia.  On Sunday, the Flyers will have a great opportunity to really put the Penguins away in front of what is sure to be an absolute electric crowd at the Wells Fargo Center.  The first two games of this series have been extremely entertaining and I can't wait to see what is in store for Game 3.