Quest For Perfection - Monday, May 12, 2008
158 Views :: 0 Comments :: :: Michael Bradley

   Giveaways. Dumb penalties. Bad Luck. It's all there on the Flyers' resume in the first two games of the Eastern finals against Pittsburgh. And if you have been paying attention, you have noticed it's impossible to beat the Penguins with that nasty combination. The Pens, for all their aversion to the rough stuff and incessant whining, are far too talented to beat without a near perfect effort.

   That's not to say things won't change beginning Tuesday at the Center. The Flyers come home for a pair and will no doubt feed off the energy of their fans. They might even have Braydon Coburn back (in a Hannibal Lecter mask), provided the swelling in his face goes down after that hideous injury he suffered early Sunday night. This is no obituary, folks. The Flyers are far from dead.

   They are, however, in need of some tightening up. Sunday night brought a closer attention to the need to protect the puck, and that was good. After turning it over incessantly Friday night, the Flyers showed they had deep concern for control of the rubber disc, although that Steve Downie giveaway that led to goal number three wasn't too pretty. In all, it was a good game in that department. 

   Trouble is, good isn't good enough against the Pens, because they have too many ways to make you pay. Downie coughs it up, and Maxime Talbot lights the lamp. Not Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin or even Marian Hossa. Maxime Talbot. The Penguins are deep, man.

   Tuesday night's main charge will be to cut back on the dumb penalties. It's great to play physical hockey, but there is no need for stupid crosschecks in front of the net (Derian Hatcher) or on other parts of the ice (Mike Knuble). The Penguins are killers on the power play, and giving them opportunities is inviting disaster. The Flyers took care of the turnover problem Sunday. They must cut back on the penalties Tuesday.

   Of course, something else could crop up Tuesday night that must be addressed in time for Thursday. That's what these Penguins do to you. They expose weaknesses and pounce. It's bad luck that Coburn and Kimmo Timonen are out, but it's worse that the Flyers can't stop making costly mistakes. If they want to get back into this series, they have to seek perfection.

   Now.