NHL playoffs: Penguins at Flyers, Game 4 (Pittsburgh leads 2-1)
Probably the most fun series to watch so far in these NHL playoffs has been the Pittsburgh-Philadelphia matchup, and the Flyers can assure this series goes at least six games with a win in Game 4 on Tuesday night.
Philly is -135 WagerWeb.com money line favorite for Game 4, with an over/under of 5.5 goals.
Basically, the Pens allowed the physical Flyers to get under their skin in Game 3, a 6-3 Philly victory that made this a series again.
“Our frustration level was pretty evident with the stuff after the whistle,” said Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik. “The first two games, we were smart enough to stay away from it. We fell victim to it [on Sunday] and played right into their plan. They want to slow the pace down. That gets their crowd into it, too, so any time they can do that, it’s an advantage for them.
Yet Pittsburgh still had seven power plays but converted only one into a goal. In the first two games, the Pens had three power-play goals, including the game-winner in overtime of Game 2 in Pittsburgh.
On Sunday, the Flyers finally figured out Pens goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who had a 1.30 goals-against average in the first two games in which the Flyers shot mostly from the perimeter. Jeff Carter and Mike Richards scored their first goals of the series Sunday. Richards had scored just two goals in his previous 14 games.
“I’m sure it’s not going to affect his confidence that much; it’s only one game,” Philly winger Simon Gagne said of Fleury.
The Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby have combined for 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in this series, and the Pens have a 6-4 advantage at even strength.
“When we play five-on-five,” Penguins forward Petr Sykora said, “we are the better hockey club.”
Philadelphia, which is 2-11 all-time after falling behind two games to none, last overcame an 0-2 hole when it defeated the Penguins in six games during the 2000 conference semifinals.
WagerWeb.com Trends
* Over is 12-2-1 in the last 15 meetings in Philadelphia.
* Favorite is 22-6 in the last 28 meetings.
* Over is 19-7-1 in the last 27 meetings.
* Penguins are 13-5 in the last 18 meetings.
* Home team is 35-17-4 in the last 56 meetings.
* Penguins are 3-7 in the last 10 meetings in Philadelphia.
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