The Bruins whipped the Flyers from start to finish in Game 3, getting two goals in the first minute and then dominating the rest of the way for a 5-1 win. The Bruins were by far the better team, dominating the physical game as well as the scoreboard for the entire night. From the Bruins control of the puck to Tim Thomas in net, nothing the Flyers did allowed them to get any traction towards a comeback. Game 3 was simply a lost cause for the Flyers as they failed to show up defensively in the beginning and then didn't have the determination to get back into the game.
After what happened last year, some fans might jokingly suggest that the Flyers have the Bruins right where they want them. While they did pull off the miracle comeback and won four straight games last year, nothing that we have seen from the Flyers in this series gives us any reason to have hope. The Flyers are a mess on defense, have below average goaltending at best and haven't been able to solve Thomas. Is there a chance that they somehow figure everything out and reel off four wins again? Sure, but this Bruins team is better than last year and they have shown they can hang with even the best that the Flyers have to offer. The difference this year starts with Thomas, who should be able to win one more game in this series on his own.
While I'm hoping they turn it around, it appears the Flyers are headed for a second round exit. Given how dominant they were for the majority of the regular season, that would be nothing short of a disappointment. I guess we're all pretty used to that in Philadelphia.
(AP PHOTO)
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Gonna need another miracle: Flyers trashed by Bruins, trail series 0-3
Jayson Werth booed, then cheered, in return to Philadelphia
In one of the greatest mixed messages ever, Phillies fans first booed Jayson Werth in his return to Philly, then gave him a standing ovation:
Yeah, the guy sold out for more money, but it's hard to blame him. Thanks for a few good years, Werth. Now I hope you never get a hit in Philly again.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Flyers face another deficit as Tim Thomas steals Game 2 for the Bruins
Tim Thomas stole the game for the Bruins, looking unbeatable after giving up 2 goals in the first 10 minutes of the game. Thomas made 52 saves in total on the night, including several of the highlight variety. There wasn't anything the Flyers could do against Thomas; no matter how often they generated a good scoring chance, he was there to stonewall them. The Flyers outplayed the Bruins for the majority of the game yet had little to show for their efforts because Thomas stood on his head.
Despite the loss, the best player on the ice for the Flyers tonight was James van Riemsdyk. This game was something of a coming out party for JVR, who had been emerging as the Flyers best forward in the playoffs. In Game 2 he took his game to another level, not only scoring a pair of goals but basically owning the ice whenever he was on it. While it may have taken awhile for him to develop, JVR has become the beast that we all envisioned when the Flyers took him second overall in the 2007 draft.
The Flyers goaltending carousel continued to turn in this one, though not because of ineffective play. Brian Boucher started the game for the Flyers and was solid in net despite letting in two goals in the first period. Midway through the second period, Boosh took a puck off the hand and had to leave the game. Sergei Bobrovsky replaced him and performed quite well, making a few sparkling saves as he shut down the Bruins for the rest of the period. Despite how well he played, Bob's night was done at the start of the third period when Boucher came back into the game. Despite giving up the overtime goal, the Flyers should feel confident in starting Boosh in Game 3.
Coming back from an 0-2 deficit in a series is nothing new for the Flyers but that doesn't mean it's going to be easy. The Flyers can take some consolation in the fact that they were the better team in Game 2 but, unfortunately, Tim Thomas probably has another game or two like that in him in this series. With the series now shifting to Boston, the Flyers are going to have their work cut out for them. Winning Game 3 and not relying on another miracle comeback will obviously be their first step in getting back into the series.
(AP PHOTO)
Experts weigh in on Eagles 2011 draft
Grading an NFL draft before any of the players take a snap in the NFL is pretty pointless; no one can really know how good these players are going to be in May. That said, it's still interesting to at least get a gauge on how the experts think the Eagles did in their draft. While the Birds didn't make any flashy picks like they have in years past, they certainly had a solid draft and addressed some of their needs. Here is just a sampling of what some experts are saying about the Eagles draft:
Mel Kiper, ESPN: C+
This feels like last year. I look at the Philly board and think, "Well, they got a lot of guys." The Eagles targeted what I considered their three biggest needs with their first three picks. The selection of Watkins surprised some people, as he may have been available even into the early second round, but they may believe he has the capability to stay at tackle. I think he's a guard. Elsewhere, Jarrett provides depth at safety, and Marsh will be asked to step in early at corner. David Akers can't feel too confident about his future in Philly, as Henery was the first kicker off the board. The looming question now is what picks or players will come back if and when the Eagles decide to deal Kevin Kolb.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: B
I like the pick of Danny Watkins in the first round. He is a nasty player who will fit in on their offensive line, which needs help. Fourth-round pick Casey Matthews, Clay's little brother, will help at a position of need. Should be a good special-teams player, as well. The Eagles always seem to do a good job in the draft. This year was no different. The key might be second-round safety Jaiquawn Jarrett.
Adam Caplan, Fox Sports: B-
The Eagles were able to secure at least three future starters with their first three selections. However, selecting a kicker in the fourth round is a bit questionable.
Clifton Brown, Sporting News: C-
Danny Watkins will help the offensive line, but they could have used a pass rusher, and some of their defensive picks may have been reaches.
For my full run-down of the Eagles draft, click here.
I give the Eagles a B-. They addressed their needs on the offensive line and in the secondary but they didn't even draft a defensive lineman. They must be waiting until free agency to fill that hole.
How do you grade the Eagles draft? Vote in the poll on the left!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Phillies fans break out in U-S-A chants after hearing of death of Osama bin Laden
If this doesn't make you feel proud for your country, nothing will. Way to go, Phillies fans. Video via Mocksession.com.
2011 NBA Playoff Predictions: Round Two
Western Conference:
Thunder (4) vs. Grizzlies (8)
Thunder in 5
The Grizzlies look like geniuses for tanking at the end of the season so they could face the Spurs. Unfortunately for them, they now have to play a team they don't match up well with in the Thunder. I scoffed at the idea of the Thunder making the NBA Finals when some were picking them in the preseason but now it appears that only the Lakers stand in their way.
Lakers (2) vs. Mavericks (3)
Lakers in 6
Dallas proved all the doubters (me included) wrong by handling the Blazers in the first round. Now, for the first time ever, Dirk will face Kobe in a playoff series. It's amazing to think these two have never faced each other but that doesn't mean I expect it to be much of a series. The Lakers big men are going to be more than the Mavs can handle.
Eastern Conference:
Bulls (1) vs. Hawks (5)
Bulls in 6
I'm not a big believer in the Bulls but I'm even less of a believer in the Hawks. Sure, they play great defense, but Chicago isn't going to get far if all they do is sit back and watch Derrick Rose go to work on offense.
Heat (2) vs. Celtics (3)
Heat in 7
The winner of this series will win the NBA Championship. Although they seemed to be sleepwalking through parts of their series against the Sixers, the Heat appear to be gelling together at just the right time. While they have zero bench, each player on Miami seems to have a better understanding of what their role needs to be for the team to win. In other words, LeBron is getting better about letting Dwyane Wade take over at the end of the game. I think the Celtics are going to run out of gas and the Heat are going to blow past them as the series goes deep.
Those are my picks for the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Let me know if you agree or disagree!
