|
|
| Braydon Coburn hopes to be able to play in Game 5 after being forced to the press box because of an injury to his eye, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Nothing is certain at this point, but with the Flyers in do or die mode you know that Coburn is pushing hard to prove to the team that he is healthy enough to play.
|
|
|
|
| Flyers defensmen Kimmo Timonen is close to returning to the ice from a blood clot in his ankle that has kept him out of action, according to the Associated Press. “There is nothing to prevent me from playing. I may have numbness in my toes, but if I can deal with that then I can play. We took another ultrasound, and based on that the doctor said I have a green light to give it a try. The doctor feels that there is no chance the clot is going to get loose or break up or anything like that. It’s a great sign. |
Our View: Timonen is an immense presence on defense for what the Flyers try to do to other team's top skaters, so his return would make a huge difference, though its likely too late with the Flyers trailing three games to one.
|
|
|
|
| Tyler Kennedy dished out two assists in Game 4 against the Flyers to double his offensive production in these playoffs. |
Our View: On a night where Sidney Crosby and Evegni Malkin were bottled up the rookie stepped and and helped to carry the offense, albeit in a losing effort.
|
|
|
|
| Jordan Staal scored two goals for the Penguins in their 4-2 loss to the Flyers in Game 4. |
Our View: Stall has five goals and a single assist for the Penguins in these playoffs as he has focused more on his defensive responsibilities than on putting the puck in the back of the net.
|
|
|
|
| Martin Biron stopped 36 of the 38 shots thrown his way on Thursday night to lead the Flyers to a Game 4 victory over the Penguins. |
Our View: Biron had allowed at least three goals in each of his last four starts so it was nice to see him rebound from a series of less than spectacular starts, though it's not like he is facing 10 year olds shooting against him so his struggles are understandable against a talented Penguins squad.
|
|
|
|
| Joffrey Lupul scored two goals for the Flyers in Game 4 on his way to second star honors in the Flyers victory over the Penguins. |
Our View: Lupul doubled his goal total entering the night, but he has be1n on the scoresheet with points in nine of his last 11 games.
|
|
|
|
| Daniel Briere was voted the first star in the Flyers 4-2 victory over the Penguins to force a Game 5 after he scored a goal. |
Our View: Briere came up big with his ninth goal after being held goalless for 4-straight games heading into this contest. It would talk a minor miracle for the Flyers to come back from being down 0-3, but they took the first step tonight.
|
|
|
|
| Marty Turco and the Stars will head to Detroit needing to win all three games that remain in the series, a task that appears daunting when you consider that Marty Turco is 0-9-2 in his career at Joe Louis Arena, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: The Stars fell behind in this series 0-3, so they would have to win four straight to make the Cup Finals. It isn't going to happen, and don't be surprised if the Wings close out this series in Game 5.
|
|
|
|
| Looking to spark their offense, the Flyers will go with a line last seen February 17th, that of Mike Richards, Daniel Briere and Scott Hartnell, according to the Philadelphia Enquirer. "Richie and Danny have had an awful lot of success together this year - mind you, mostly on the power play, but they're two of the best offensive players on our team and in the league, two of the leaders on our hockey team for years to come," HC Johns Stevens said. "So we thought we'd give it a look." |
Our View: This move leaves the team with a second line of R.J. Umberger between Vinny Prospal and Joffrey Lupul. The team is desperate for a win, so they are pulling out all the stops to try and extend the series with the Penguins.
|
|
|
|
| Gary Roberts will miss Game 4 due to illness, according to the AP. Roberts is battling a mild case of pneumonia, and is taking medication. |
Our View: Roberts will miss his second straight game due to the illness, but the team is in good shape without him, as they hold a commanding 3-0 lead in the series with Philadelphia.
|
|
|
|
| Braydon Coburn has been ruled out after his swollen left eye didn’t show enough improvement, according to the AP. Coburn was struck in the face by a puck in the opening minutes of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final last Sunday and sat out Tuesday when the Flyers lost to the Penguins. Coburn didn’t break any bones, but severe swelling forced his left eye to close. He practiced on Wednesday and hoped to play in Game 4. Coach John Stevens said, "He got on the ice a little bit, but still not ready to play. I think he’s getting closer, but definitely not playing tonight."
|
Our View: The Flyers are down 3-0, and the team will also be without fellow enforcer Kimmo Timonen due to a blood clot in his ankle. Earlier in the day Coburn said he expected to play in Game 4, but that was merely just tough-guy talk. Ryan Parent will take Coburn's spot in the lineup.
|
|
|
|
| Johan Franzen is going to miss Game 5 against Dallas, according to the AP. Franzen was scratched from the Red Wings’ lineup for Game 2 against the Stars, and hasn't returned to the lineup since. |
Our View: He is Detroit's leading scorer through the playoffs, but the team is not in panic mode, as they still hold a 3-1 lead in the series.
|
|
|
|
| Brad Richards notched an assist in Wednesday's 3-1 win over Detroit in Game 4. He scored a goal in Game 3, and he has two points in the series. |
Our View: Richards has racked up 13 points over 16 games in the playoffs. He will remain a solid source of production for the Stars until they play their final game. Dallas currently trails 3-1 to Detroit.
|
|
|
|
| Brenden Morrow generated a goal in Wednesday's 3-1 win over Detroit in Game 4, despite a sore left shoulder. |
Our View: Morrow's tough heroics helped Dallas ward off elimination, as they now trail Detroit 3-1.
|
|
|
|
| Sergei Zubov chipped in a pair of assists in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Red Wings in Game 4. Those were his first points of the series. |
Our View: Zubov has one goal and five assists through the playoffs. The Stars still have a life-line in the series, as they now trail 3-1 to Detroit.
|
|
|
|
| Loui Eriksson scored his first goal of the series in Wednesday's 3-1 win over Detroit in Game 4. He notched an assist back in Game 3 as well. |
Our View: Eriksson only scored 14 goals over 69 games in the regular season, but now has four in the playoffs, along with four assists. He has provided solid depth for the Stars.
|
|
