Pittsburgh Penguins aim to avoid elimination against Philadelphia Flyers -NHL Playoffs Game 4 Preview
As intense as this 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Eastern Conference playoff quarterfinal series was expected to be between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Flyers have managed to easily gain a huge 3-0 lead so far and have Pittsburgh on their feet entering
game 4.
No one could have thought that Philadelphia would hijack the series with such intensity and having a franchise record of never having lost a playoff series after gaining a 2-0 lead, it makes the situation for Pittsburgh even more difficult.
Penguins will basically have to make history now if they have any hopes of making a comeback as Philadelphia has dominated in every respect with each and every contest being filled with fights and extreme physical play.
Sidney Crosby, the Penguins superstar captain, also showed his physical side, according to some, which did not suit him while others, praised it as better now than never.
"I see Sid as such a great competitor," Philadelphia’s Maxime Talbot said. "When things don't go his way, he tries to do other things. He's kind of like me, but with 10 times more skill. He's going to do everything he can to spark his team to get a win."
Game 3 was a little better for Pittsburgh as they limited Philadelphia to four goals, half of their usual in the first two games, but going into the next, things are not looking up for the struggling Penguins.
Last year, Penguins managed to get through the first round without their top forwards, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, but with them back on the line-up, Penguins are struggling in the postseason even more.
Penguins were certainly one of the most likely teams to make a run for the Stanley Cup heading into the playoffs with 108 regular season record, but it is still confusing why Pittsburgh has failed so much as to being on the brink of elimination.
"I think we're trying to do whatever we can to win hockey games," Crosby said. "We've just got to win one game. That's really what it comes down to. I think that it is what it is. I don't think anybody came here today shocked or down.”
Game 4 will certainly be an exciting one as Penguins hope to rebound while Philadelphia is all set to advance on Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at the Wells Fargo Center in Pennsylvania at 7:30 PM ET.
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