Penguins Game 5 Review

Okay, so I'm a little late on this one.

Anyway, we actually had a real hockey game this time.  The nonsense finally stopped, and the teams simply played hockey.  The Flyers started out pretty well, but fell behind in the second period and couldn't squeak out one more goal to come back, though they came pretty close.

I like the Flyers odds in game 6, but this is a real series again.

Notes:
-Goaltending.  Before you say anything about either team getting a goaltending advantage, consider the stats thus far; Bryzgalov, 4.54 GAA, .848%, Fleury, 4.70 GAA, .837%.  Equally awful.

Now that doesn't mean it will necessarily continue that way, and it certainly looks to me like Bryzgalov is being affected by injury.  His chip fracture in his foot may not be fully healed, and there are rumors his hip is also bad.  Either way, he cannot move laterally to the right.  On several plays the last two games when the puck goes that way quickly, he doesn't even try to move that way, and just falls on his back and flails his goal stick futilely.  This is a major concern for the Flyers.

On the other hand, it would be unwarranted to conclude Fleury has turned the corner and will be better the remainder of the series.  A few posts, a few slower whistles, or Danny Briere roofing a rebound as is his specialty, and Fleury gives up 4+ goals that game.

-The Flyers PP is absolutely killing it right now, but no even strength goals since game 3.

-The team scoring first is now 0-5 in this series.

-I despise Malkin.  He is such a puke, and a weasel.  He was pretty quiet on all fronts through the first 3 games, but once he got his first goal of the series, it seemed to get his blood pumping.  Since then, he has headhunted Grossmann with a blind-side headshot, tried to castrate Couturier with his stick, and also blindsided Couturier up high away from the puck.  This has been Malkin's MO for years, and you'll notice he only strikes other players when they are not looking.  Slash, trip, punch, high-hits, and only to players who are distracted and looking the other way.

-Speaking of Grossman, he skated yesterday.  I suppose there's a small chance he could play, though that would be awfully quick after an unofficial concussion.  The Flyers could definitely use his size and shot blocking.

-JVR returned the lineup, but only played 7:31, the least of any forward.  Hopefully he's well enough to play more minutes and carry the puck.  Lilja and Kubina actually played fewer minutes, as obviously Laviolette doesn't trust them right now.