Round Two, Game Three
Philadelphia Flyers vs Ottawa Senators
Series tied 1-1
by Rink Rat
With the National Hockey League play-offs now into the second round, names begin to surface of players producing superior performances. The best post- season performer is presented the Conn Smythe trophy. So we have Langenbrunner, Giguere, Hatcher, Madden and others who are drawing recognition. However if the Philadelphia Flyers win the whole shebang then their mutant goaltender Cechmanek just might take the cake.
He had a meltdown in game one of his series against Ottawa and then made a string of fine, if unorthodox, saves to record a shutout as the Flyers won 2-0 in game two. Philadelphia has now wrestled home ice advantage from the Senators. The Rat thinks Cechmanek is just about the most flawed goaltender he's ever seen play in the NHL. But the Flyers are winning.
Here is one reason why: 18.5 shots per game allowed at home. This guy keeps proclaiming he wants to face 30 per game. He'd be out of the league if he had to swim around after that many every game. He makes saves one at time while his defence frantically clears rebounds and opponents from the front, sides, and rear of his net. But credit where credit is due - that orange team is making it work.
Other elements are working too. Winger Recchi and battered centre Roenick have seven points apiece at even strength. Recchi was tied for the goal scoring lead at seven before Monday's play. The Flyers are averaging 4.25 goals per game at home ( 17, 1st in NHL) and 8 goals against (2.00). Their power play at home is good (5/20, 25%) and the penalty killing is exceptional (1/15, 93%). Cechmanek, the Inspector Clouseau of his profession, has a poor .892 home save percentage, but who needs Georges Vezina with that skimpy shot rate.
Not everything is roses with Philadelphia. Defenceman Desjardins is gone and he was the rock behind the blueline. His minutes have been taken by Johnnson, a quicker player but not as good a banger. Winger Amonte showed a bit of life in game two but their cause would be helped if former Legion of Doom member Leclair could remember how to shoot a puck. He leaves an impression that he's coming to the end of the line.
Ottawa is going to come to the end of the line if they don't start playing desperation hockey soon. In that game two loss they didn't have much push up the ice, didn't spend enough time in the Flyers end, and had at times a look of resignation about them. They've played only two road games so far this spring and a shock could await them in Philadelphia.
The crowd will be in a frenzy and the Flyers should be fully recovered from that long series with Toronto. Ottawa's goaltender Lalime has a nice fat .944 save percentage and he's going to need it as the Flyers are much livelier in their own building.
The Rat isn't going to quote any Ottawa road figures because with only two games, and against a poorly motivated New York Islanders team, those figures are likely useless. Ottawa will play tight, conservative hockey and try to keep the game close into the third period, then try to win it late.
Won't work. The Flyers will hit everything that moves and take game three. Play on the FLYERS, Money Line !!!
Philadelphia Flyers vs Ottawa Senators
Series tied 1-1
by Rink Rat
With the National Hockey League play-offs now into the second round, names begin to surface of players producing superior performances. The best post- season performer is presented the Conn Smythe trophy. So we have Langenbrunner, Giguere, Hatcher, Madden and others who are drawing recognition. However if the Philadelphia Flyers win the whole shebang then their mutant goaltender Cechmanek just might take the cake.
He had a meltdown in game one of his series against Ottawa and then made a string of fine, if unorthodox, saves to record a shutout as the Flyers won 2-0 in game two. Philadelphia has now wrestled home ice advantage from the Senators. The Rat thinks Cechmanek is just about the most flawed goaltender he's ever seen play in the NHL. But the Flyers are winning.
Here is one reason why: 18.5 shots per game allowed at home. This guy keeps proclaiming he wants to face 30 per game. He'd be out of the league if he had to swim around after that many every game. He makes saves one at time while his defence frantically clears rebounds and opponents from the front, sides, and rear of his net. But credit where credit is due - that orange team is making it work.
Other elements are working too. Winger Recchi and battered centre Roenick have seven points apiece at even strength. Recchi was tied for the goal scoring lead at seven before Monday's play. The Flyers are averaging 4.25 goals per game at home ( 17, 1st in NHL) and 8 goals against (2.00). Their power play at home is good (5/20, 25%) and the penalty killing is exceptional (1/15, 93%). Cechmanek, the Inspector Clouseau of his profession, has a poor .892 home save percentage, but who needs Georges Vezina with that skimpy shot rate.
Not everything is roses with Philadelphia. Defenceman Desjardins is gone and he was the rock behind the blueline. His minutes have been taken by Johnnson, a quicker player but not as good a banger. Winger Amonte showed a bit of life in game two but their cause would be helped if former Legion of Doom member Leclair could remember how to shoot a puck. He leaves an impression that he's coming to the end of the line.
Ottawa is going to come to the end of the line if they don't start playing desperation hockey soon. In that game two loss they didn't have much push up the ice, didn't spend enough time in the Flyers end, and had at times a look of resignation about them. They've played only two road games so far this spring and a shock could await them in Philadelphia.
The crowd will be in a frenzy and the Flyers should be fully recovered from that long series with Toronto. Ottawa's goaltender Lalime has a nice fat .944 save percentage and he's going to need it as the Flyers are much livelier in their own building.
The Rat isn't going to quote any Ottawa road figures because with only two games, and against a poorly motivated New York Islanders team, those figures are likely useless. Ottawa will play tight, conservative hockey and try to keep the game close into the third period, then try to win it late.
Won't work. The Flyers will hit everything that moves and take game three. Play on the FLYERS, Money Line !!!
