Closing time at Wells Fargo? That could be the theme tonight as the New Jersey Devils arrive in Philadelphia stoked on a 3 games to 1 lead over the Flyers and having dominated the play over the last few games.
And as though to add to the already untimely burdens of the Flyers, they will have to make do with Claude Giroux, who has been suspended for Game 5 owing to his hit on Dainius Zubrus in Sunday's game, deemed a dangerous play by Brendan Shanahan.
It would seem that after a pretty remarkable and emotional run in the first round over Pittsburgh, the stars it seems are aligning against the Flyers in this second round.
Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer suggested the worst possible scenario for the Flyers, that being of the team playing scared, something that won't be welcomed by the legions who call the Flyers their team and have filled the Comcast Centre through these playoffs.
Two things in Philly we imagine are well received, getting outplayed and as Carchidi puts it playing scared, go out on your sword is the culture of Philadelphia and thus far in series number two against the Devils, that theme isn't anywhere in sight.
Game four saw the Flyers outshot 43-22, meaning they can't hold goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov responsible for this second round meltdown, that burden falls on an offence that has suddenly gone cold, as well as a defensive corps that has made frequent mistakes and seems to have developed a problem in moving the puck out of their own zone.
Add on the subtraction of Giroux for tonights game five and the Flyers it seems are in as dire a situation as they've faced so far in the playoffs.
The Devils a team that isn't particularly known for its offence suddenly is flying up and down the ice, though mostly they just set up shop in the Flyers end of the rink and pepper shots at the beleaguered Brygalov.
The dependable and calm presence of Martin Brodeur in the Devils net is proving to once again be a confidence building thing for New Jersey, allowing the defensive squad to play with less worry able to move the puck around quite nicely, sending forwards off to take advantage of the many scoring opportunities that seem to be arriving.
If the Flyer's can't find a way to turn that ongoing theme of the series around, then it's surely closing time for the Wells Fargo Centre tonight.
Game Five -- New Jersey 3 at Philadelphia 1
DEVILS WIN the series 3 games to 1
Previews and Reviews
POST GAME
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils take series from Philadelphia Flyers despite always ...
Newark Star Ledger-- There's no reason for Devils to celebrate with something better ...
Newark Star Ledger-- Who's next: A look at the Devil's possible opponents
Newark Star Ledger-- Who is your series MVP vs. Flyers?
NY Post-- Devils defeat Flyers in Game 5, advance to conference final
NY Daily News-- NJ Devils clinch Eastern Conference Finals berth in Stanley Cup ...
Philadelphia Inquirer-- A hard fall for the Flyers
Philadelphia Inquirer-- Will Jagr, Carle return?
Philadelphia Inquirer-- Flyers' season ends with playoff loss to New Jersey Devils
Philadelphia Inquirer-- Gift goal won't soon be forgotten
Philadelphia Inquirer-- Jagr pensive about season cut short
Philadelphia Daily News-- Flyers' season ends with 3-1 loss
Philadelphia Daily News-- Another bad-luck puck for Flyers
Philadelphia Daily News-- Was this Timonen's swan song?
Globe and Mail-- The fall of the Flyers: What happened?
Globe and Mail-- Devils end Flyers' season
National Post-- Devils prove too much for the Flyers
PRE GAME
Newark Star Ledger-- Ryan Carter back on fourth line after food poisoning
Newark Star Ledger-- What are your thoughts on Pete DeBoer's aggressive system?
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils have used strong forecheck to wear down Flyers
Newark Star Ledger-- After Claude Giroux suspension, Devils won't alter aggressive approach
Newark Star Ledger-- Even Devils surprised by how well they have played against Flyers at home
Newark Star Ledger-- Flyers' Claude Giroux suspended one game for hit on Dainius Zubrus
NY Post-- Devils look to end series vs. Flyers in Game 5 tonight
NY Post-- Flyers star Giroux banned for Game 5
NY Daily News-- NHL suspends Flyer;s Claude Giroux for Game 5 ...
Philadelphia Inquirer-- Giroux lost his cool, now Flyers pay the price
Philadelphia Inquirer-- Hamels, Giroux: To tell truth, lying preferred
Philadelphia Inquirer-- Flyers will have to rally without Giroux
Philadelphia Inquirer-- Mez appears in, Rinaldo says Flyers owe G
Philadelphia Inquirer-- Can lost Flyers find desperation level?
Philadelphia Daily News-- Giroux suspended for Game 5
Globe and Mail-- NHL suspends Claude Giroux for Game 5
National Post-- The many masks of the Flyers' Ilya Bryzgalov
Previous items on this series
Game Four
Game Three
Game Two
Game One
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