PIT vs PHI

THE CHANGE

At some point, you figured the Flyers would put either Riley Cote or Steve Downie in the lineup against Pittsburgh. After failing to get physical – real physical – in Game 1, coach John Stevens has decided to bring in Downie for Game 2.

“He wins a lot of puck battles,” Stevens said of the rookie winger. “He's a guy that's come in and played well. I think our fourth line has done a good job. And I think Steve's been a part of that mix there and has had the ability to come in and be a big player. He's a big‑game player. The bigger the game, the better he plays.”

DOWNIE ON DOWNIE

“I’ll play my usual, simple, physical game,” said Downie, who is a young man, 21, of very few words.

MIKE RICHARDS ON DOWNIE

“I think Steve stepped in really well in the Game 7 in Washington,” Richards said. “He brings a physical presence. He's actually a skilled player. But, I mean, he just has that presence on the ice where everyone has to know where he is because he does have that physical side of him.”

LINE OF THE DAY

Joffrey Lupul, amid a turbulent dressing room full of noise and reporters, speaking about Downie: “Everyone paints him as this kinda savage or animal or something,” Lupul said. “He’s a good hockey player.”

JOHN STEVENS’ BEST QUIP

The Flyers coach is upset he’s not the favourite in the series. And he doesn’t like how some people say the Penguins will win in a sweep. One writer said “three-game” sweep.

“I was more upset that the monkey didn't pick us,” Stevens said. “He was 1‑1, the monkey on TSN. He picked us in Round 1, and we won. And he didn't pick us in Round 2. So we're hoping he would pick us in Round 3 so the pattern would continue.”

BIRON ON ADJUSTING

Goalie Marty Biron was asked what needs to be adjusted for the next game. “This team, I think Pittsburgh is a little like Washington in the sense that they don't shoot a lot. They don't shoot unnecessary pucks to the net. Whenever they get a chance, it's a good chance, a scoring chance when they get the puck to the net. So I think that you don't get to feel the puck and feel your angles. You've got to be extra focused and mentally ready. The first shot of the game could be an incredible scoring chance.

"Some teams you'll face three, four, five shots before that happens. So I think that's an adjustment as a goalie you've got to make. Even if it looks like they might shoot the puck on net, and, you know, there's always a play that they have in the back of their mind that might be a better scoring chance.”

MICHEL THERRIEN SAYS

Evgeni Malkin took some rough hits in Game 1 and dished a few out himself. He is deceptively strong, despite being so tall (six-foot-three) and lanky. He took a terrific shot from Mike Richards that left him stunned early in the game, got off the ice, and instead of going back up ice on the penalty kill, remained at the blue line for a cherry-picking pass from Sergei Gonchar that resulted in a shorthanded goal.

“He made some big‑time progress in the year,” Therrien said of Malkin's physical capabilities. “And especially since Sid got hurt, he picked up his game, and he's been a true leader. And leaders have to lead by example. And that was the challenge that I gave to Geno. I want him to be a leader, and leaders have to lead the right way. That means playing both sides of the ice, being physical when you have to be physical.

"Those young kids got a lot of grit. They're not going to back down. They're not going to disappear on physical play. He's a guy that when the emotion is there, he's capable to elevate his game. So he deserves a lot of credit right now because he's playing really well.”

SIDNEY ON GENO

Asked about Malkin’s physical play: “I'm sure he's getting used to the attention. Guys aren't going to let him free wheel out there,” Sidney Crosby said. “But I think he's just using his size. He's a guy that likes to compete. It's not like he's not afraid to go into traffic areas, so I don't think that's something he shies away from me. He makes sure he's ready for it, but at the same time he doesn't let it affect the way he plays. He sometimes uses his size to his advantage.”