Last night showed, that when you strip away all the nonsense about Pronger injuries and shocking goaltending, the Flyers are a much better team than the Sabres. The Flyers jumped all over the Sabres, who almost survived until Miller let in an awful goal. I guess that would make terrible goals allowed ~9-1 this series?
Outside of Game 1, in which I thought the Sabres did very well to keep the Flyers out of dangerous scoring areas, the Sabres haven't been able to slow down the Flyers attack. This series went seven games based another shutout win on the back of Miller, and the worst goaltending you will see this time of year.
The one other big difference last night was blocked shots. I don't have the statistics, but through the first 25 minutes of the game the Flyers blocked a ton of shots, protecting Boucher. That is the kind of effort they will have to replicate against stronger competition.
Observations and other deep thoughts:
-I've ragged on Coburn a bit, but when push comes to shove he's a trusted defensemen. He covered a lot of ground in game 6, and has one of the best all-around games among the flyers defensemen.
-Good first period from Richards, driving the net. Skated less as the game went on. I still say something is up with him physically, but he will battle and hopefully get healthier.
-Encouraging to see Pronger play meaningful minutes, though the fact the Flyers still dressed Syrvet (only to play 19 seconds) means they're keeping an eye on his still-mending health. And did I see a note that Pronger went up the tunnel with <1 minute left in the game, and thus missed the handshake? Not sure on that one, but would be kind of bush league if that's what happened.
-One more goal each for JVR and Briere.
-Zherdev is trying, but you can tell the way he kind of haphazardly throws himself he has no idea how to throw a check. Either way, earning his keep in the lineup and at this rate he'll bag a goal or two.
-No, I did not think the Flyers were going to get their first SO last night, even when it was 4-0 in the 3rd.
-I thought the Flyers power play hit a turning point in game 5, and last night took another step, as the Flyers power play looked like a real threat. Pronger helps, but I also like moving Richards back and JVR to the front.
-Felt like "old' times with the Leino-Briere-Hartnell line, pinning the Sabres in their own end on many shifts.
-Leighton has fallen off the face of the earth apparently, and there was even a rumor (which Holmgren denied--big surprise) that Leighton had gone AWOL from the team after being pulled from game 6. Not much makes sense to me. Leighton has been a good a soldier, so I don't see why he would bolt after being rightfully pulled from game 6. On the other hand, the Flyers handling on Leighton has been strange, sending to the minors for all those months, recalling him but not playing him in the regular season, then giving him a playoff start, then being the number 4 goalie the next day? It's all hard to make sense of. Either way, his chances of returning to the net these playoffs are basically zero, and we'll leave it at that.
I like the baby. Very emotive.
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