By increasing the stops against the Penguins, Carey Price had managed to get into the head of Sidney Crosby and, above all, of Evgeni Malkin. The Flyers may well lead this series two wins to one, it would not take much to keep their tenors on edge.
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Travis Konecny (24), Kevin Hayes (23), Sean Couturier (22) and Claude Giroux (21): these four scorers of at least 20 goals in the regular season have still not found a way to make the red light sparkle . The same goes for James van Riemsdyk (19), who would have reached this plateau without the Covidian break.
“It’s true that we are able to do better offensively. At the same time, we still find ways to win. Yes, we only scored three goals, and we are capable of doing better, but we are leading the series 2 to 1, ”Couturier reminded us.
Whoever is nominated for the Selke Trophy, awarded to the best defensive forward in the NHL, is not wrong.
In fact, in six games so far, including the round robin, Philadelphia has suffered only one setback: the 5-0 beating on Friday afternoon.
Nevertheless, in addition to the two goals of Jakub Voracek, the contribution of the Flyers came more from support players and defenders.
Missed chances
In addition, since the start of the confrontation with Carey Price, Alain Vigneault’s troops have missed the target 50 times, an average of 16.67 times per game.
This is more than double than in their three round robin matches (22 missed shots for an average of 7.33).
A bit like the Pittsburgh Penguins, who had started to make too many passes in the box, one can wonder if this lack of precision is not attributable to the presence and the solidity of the number 31 in front of the net.
“I don’t think that’s something you really think about. Yes, he’s an elite goalie and you may need a perfect shot to beat him. However, I think we are all trying to reach the net. It allows you to get feedback or, even better, to score a goal, ”said Hayes, who has missed out on three times since the start of the playoffs, each time against the Canadiens.
Returns, returns
It will take perfect shots, but first and foremost, shots. In Sunday’s setback, the Flyers only tested Price on 20 occasions. Since he has a .953 save rate since the start of the playoffs, he only gives up, on average, once in 20 shots. Right inside.
“You always want to make life hard for the guard. It’s hard for him to stop a puck he can’t see. However, we have to find a way to create a little more chances, get more shots at the net and jump on more returns, ”said Couturier.
A third defender
It’s not just when he’s between the posts that Price gives his opponents headaches.
“He helps his defenders a lot in the zone exits,” Couturier agreed. You have to be smart and find a way to establish good failure first. “
Price’s efficiency around his net recalls the heyday of Martin Brodeur.
At the time, the Quebecer was considered the third defenseman of the New Jersey Devils so his relays and his zone exits were so precise.
A skill that had forced the NHL to establish its famous trapezoidal zone that the goalkeeper cannot cross.
No problem
A restriction that does not prevent the goalkeeper of the Canadian to slow down many opposing impulses.
“There’s no doubt that is something we discussed before the start of the series,” admitted Flyers coach Alain Vigneault. We try as much as possible to place the puck where we can establish a suitable forward check. “
To prevent the masked man from the CH being able to grab the puck and thus cut short the front failure, it is important to ensure that the puck dies in the corners of the rink. Easy in appearance, but not so obvious in practice.
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