Game 4: More of the Same for Flyers

The chants of “fire Hakstol” rang loud through an empty Wells Fargo Center.

Something has to change, or this is going to be a quick series.

The Flyers missed Sean Couturier as Pittsburgh had their way offensively the entire game.

The bad team discipline continued as the Flyers made bad decisions on and off the puck. Malkin was the first to connect with a powerplay goal, deflating the building.

The Flyers didn’t quit, and spent two or three minutes in the Pittsburgh zone, hounding the puck and grabbing the rebounds easily. They didn’t score, which would have been fine. The crowd gave an ovation and the arena was alive again.

Until the ensuing counter-rush ended with a Phil Kessel shot trickling through Elliott, his first of the series.

The chants died out, and the Penguins never let up.

A Letang shot that deflected off MacDonald in the slot and under the bar chased Elliott, a familiar phrase. Neuvirth replaced him and was beaten by Crosby three minutes later.

Riley Sheahan took a nice flip pass from Maatta off the glove of Konecny and snapped a shot into the top corner over Neuvirth. Most of the fans had left the arena and those who remained stayed quiet.

Philly had four powerplay opportunities, including a double-minor call against Malkin. They converted zero.

The Positives:

Nolan Patrick was an offensive force but unable to finish. He’s been robbed by Murray several times in the series.

The Flyers can only play like this one more time before we get to draft talk, and put this series behind them.

However, it IS a seven game series. They need Couturier back to have a chance.

Statistics:

Sidney Crosby: 1G, 1A

Phil Kessel: 1G, 1A

Matt Murray: 26/26

PIT 5-0 PHI

Pittsburgh leads the series 3-1 and looks to clinch Friday night at home, 7pm.