Flyers Dismantle Penguins 8-4 In Game 3

Wayne Simmonds celebrates his goal with Braydon Coburn.

The Flyers have all the momentum in the world.


After stealing two games in Pittsburgh in incredible fashion, the Flyers came home to Philadelphia in hopes of taking a 3-0 lead.


Just like in the first two games, Pittsburgh got on the board first. Jordan Staal scored 3:52 seconds in, with assists from Chris Kunitz and Michalek.


In game two, the Flyers scored two short handed goals, one coming from Maxime Talbot.


Talbot was able to score on another short hander today, as Marc Andre-Fleury tipped it into his own net.


Then things got a little chippy. With Matt Niskanen taking a double minor, the Flyers took advantage of a Power Play situation.


Danny Briere, who has become Mr. Playoffs, received a cross ice feed from Wayne Simmonds, and buried a one timer to put the Flyers up 3-1.


The anger from the Penguins had finally boiled over. After a scrum in front of the Flyers net, Sidney Crosby got into it with Claude Giroux.


When Crosby knocked away Jake Voracek's glove, Timonen stepped in the middle. The rest resulted in a total of 41 total penalty minutes.


Both Kimmo Timonen and Kris Letang received game misconducts and were ejected. Steve Sullivan and Jake Voracek were given two for roughing, and Crosby and Giroux were given 5 minute majors for fighting.


But the worse was yet to come. 


After Brayden Schenn laid a massive hit on a Penguins player, Aaron Asham targeted Schenn and hit him right in the head with his stick, before punching him after he fell helpless to the ground.


Asham was ejected, and Schenn was somehow able to get up and continue playing. 


But back to hockey.


James Neal and Matt Read both scored before the end of the period, and the Flyers went into the locker room up 4-2.


With the Flyers spending most of the series losing, how would they play when winning by two?


The Flyers would soon lay all worries to rest, but not before James Neal scored his second of the game to make it 4-3, Flyers.


Matt Read would quickly respond for the Flyers on a PP goal, and put the Flyers back up by two.


However, both teams continued to trade goals, and Jordan Staal scored his second of the night to bring the score to 5-4.


Just as the momentum felt like it was swinging the Penguins, Wayne Simmonds dangled his way past the Pens defense and netted once past Fleury.


With Marc Andre Fleury giving up 6 goals just tonight (18 over three games), he was pulled in favor of backup goalie Brent Johnson.


Regardless of the goalie, it made no difference to this Flyers offense.


On the first shot Johnson faced, Claude Giroux deposited a goal on the pass from Jaromir Jagr, putting the game out of reach at 7-4. 


Max Talbot scored a wrap around goal in garbage time to make it 8-4.


Even with the Penguins down 2-0, they came out looking lackadaisical, and the Flyers made them pay. 


Even with the Flyers losing in the faceoffs department, they dominated total shots.


Matt Read and Wayne Simmonds, who had been quiet through the first two games, made their presence felt at home in Game 3.


Even Braydon Coburn stood out today, bringing aggresive play and help push the Flyers on a few breakaways. 


Th Flyers came out looking like a team with their backs up against the wall, and now have a chance to sweep the Penguins Wednesday night.