After taking a three game break, the Flyers decided to show up for a home game Thursday, when they defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 to force a game five. The first three contests were really no contest, as the Flyers let the Penguins do pretty much whatever they wished. But in game four the Flyers had a change of heart; in that they decided to play with heart.

Now that the Flyers have forced a game 5, they could get a ton of help on their blue line for that Sunday matinée. Reports say injured defensemen Kimmo Timonen and Braydon Coburn could return to the lineup. If that is indeed the case, this series could get very, very interesting.

A strong start for the Flyers game 4 contest didn’t necessarily mean anything, as they started with the same kind of start in game three and ultimately lost. Eventually, at 8:27, Joffery Lupul opened up the scoring and gave the Flyers only their second lead of the series with his slap-shot entering the Pittsburgh zone. Danny Briere finally came to life with a strong power play goal as he had to fight in front to put the rebound home at 11:48. With a two goal lead, the Flyers looked like the team that got them to the playoffs, the team that won two rounds.

The team did all the things they didn’t do in the first three contests. They pressured Pittsburgh’s defense and forced them to make awkward breakout passes. When a team has to do that, they’re bound to cough the puck up, and the Penguins did that 18 times. No one had more giveaways than captain Sidney Crosby with five. They crowded the net in front of Fleury, who looked flustered when he had company in his crease. The blue line for the orange and black played a great game as they didn’t cough up the puck nearly as much and came out of their own zone much easier than their game three massacre. Perhaps the biggest feat for the Flyers Thursday night went gone un-noticed. They shut down the Penguins best player, Evgeni Malkin. He was -1 with no points.

The Flyers continued to win the physical game, outhitting the Penguins 23-18. At the end of the game the Penguins frustration showed as they scrapped with the Flyers a few times. Ryan Malone barely got a shot in against Derian Hatcher, who hammered him. Minutes later Sidney Crosby got ambitious and tried to go with Mike Richards, but once Brian Murphy recognized the mis-match he came to the aid of “Sid the Kid” and stepped in before he could get hurt. Usually the officials protect the young Pittsburgh team by assessing penalties, but late in this contest stopped them from getting beaten up.

Goaltending in this game was good, but not stellar. Marc-Andre Fleury wasn’t why the Penguins lost. He made a huge windmill save when he was his team was down 3-0. Marty Biron has very good when he had to be. He made 36 saves on 38 shots and controlled rebounds and pucks at the side of the net well with the exception of the Penguins first goal that bounced past his right leg.

If the Flyers can continue to play like this, they could make this an interesting series. After watching all four games this series it was very evident that the Flyers only took this game seriously. If they play with the same intensity, put the same pressure on Fleury and keep up the discipline on defense, the series may not be over on Sunday.

Dave’s 3 Stars of the Game

1. Joffery Lupul - 2 goals
2. Jordan Staal - 2 goals
3. Marty Biron - 36 saves

Photo courtesy: Len Redkoles/Getty Images