PIT vs PHI

The Flyers are facing long odds to come back down 0-3 in their Eastern Conference final series to the Penguins.

If you are into numerology, then crunch these numbers: the 1942 Maple Leafs and 1975 Islanders each overcame an 0-3 playoff deficit to win a series. Thirty-five years apart. It is now 2008 - 35 years later. Could the Flyers be next?

ONE WIN AWAY

The Penguins are one victory away from the Stanley Cup Finals. How does it feel, Sidney?

“Sure, it's on their mind a bit, but you really can't afford to look ahead,” Crosby replied. “We've learned here in the last couple of series, especially the last one, that the last game is always the toughest one to win. So I don't think we can afford to look ahead. We just need to make sure we continue to do the good things that we've been doing and hope that we're rewarded for that.”

THE TIRADE

More than two years ago, Pens’ coach Michel Therrien threw a tirade after a loss to Edmonton about the team’s lack of defence. The Penguins are winning this series with a defensive commitment and not necessarily an offensive output.

“I think we've come a ways,” Crosby said. “I think we all look back. He was obviously emotional, but what he was saying wasn't necessarily off. I mean, we weren't strong in that area. If we wanted to be a good team, that's definitely something we had to improve on, and it needed to be everyone. It wasn't specifically defencemen or forwards or goaltending, it was everybody.

"I think we all realized pretty early when he came in that we all had to buy into the team defence. You know, we realized, especially through the playoffs, that that's been a big part of our success.”

HE’S ALIVE!

That was the infamous cry of the mad doctor after bringing the Frankenstein monster back to life with a little jolt of electricity.

Well, fans in Philly are happy to report that Braydon Coburn is alive and was on the ice Wednesday with the intent on playing Thursday in Game 4. Coburn wore a visor while his left eye is partially open. He will require medical clearance to play since the eye is not fully opened.

“We’ll see how it feels [today]; I had a good workout,” Coburn said. “I feel a little bit tired having been off a few days.”

LAUNCH THE PUCK

It was suggested to Flyers’ coach John Stevens that perhaps the only way his club can actually get a puck into the Penguins’ end would be to launch it over the Penguins’ defence.

“The aerial attack?” Steven asked.

“Yeah,” the reporter replied. Said Stevens, “Believe it or not, I went to a coaching clinic one time and one guy presented on the aerial attack. I’d have to go get my notes on that one.”

THE LINE CHANGES

Three of the four Flyer lines will change for Game 4.

The most notable involves moving Vinny Prospal off the top line of Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell and replacing him with Mike Richards, who will centre the unit. The Flyers used this line a few times in February.

“Well, Danny and I have had success on the power play,” Richards said of the change. “Even at the beginning of the year when we were put up together it seemed like we had some chemistry, and not being together just because we're both centermen. I'm excited for the opportunity to play with Danny.

Like I said, we've got to find ways to get to the net, get more pucks to the net and find them. And, hopefully, we can do that together tomorrow night.”

Briere seemed to be more muted on the subject.

“You know what, at this time in the playoffs, you know, it's not about yourself, it's about the team,” Briere said. “You know, if Johnny thinks that's the best way to go, it's the best way to go. So, yeah, we're excited. I know I'm excited about the opportunity. So, we're down, so you have to try to find a way. If that works, then great.”

ANYONE SEEN KATE SMITH?

From Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

“Before the game, the Flyers broke out a tape of the late Kate Smith singing 'God Bless America,' and paired segments of it with a live performance by Lauren Hart, their usual pre-game singer. Unfortunately for Philadelphia, once the game began, it again had to rely on a defence corps that, with Kimmo Timonen and Braydon Coburn injured, has puck skills and mobility rivalling those of Smith. In her later years.”