[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby can be expected to be roughed up by the physcial Flyers. (Mike Carlson/Associated Press) Penguins captain Sidney Crosby can be expected to be roughed up by the physcial Flyers. (Mike Carlson/Associated Press)

Backgrounder

The Third Round

Hockey Night In Canada analyst Scott Morrison breaks down the Eastern Conference final

Last Updated Mon., May 5, 2008

Scott Morrison, CBC Sports

PITTSBURGH (2) vs. PHILADELPHIA (6)

PENGUINS
STRENGTHS - Where to begin? Marc-Andre Fleury has been solid in goal, the defence is unheralded but good, and there are weapons galore up front. If it isn't Crosby it's Malkin or Staal or Malone or Hossa. The Penguins proved against the Rangers they can win with offence (recall the series opener in which they trailed by three, yet still won) or defence (recall Game 2, in which they won 2-0 with an empty-net goal). And they also dealt nicely with adversity, recovering from a shutout loss to the Rangers and a blown two-goal lead in Game 5 to win in overtime.

WEAKNESSES - Maybe if the Flyers are able to use their speed, create a forecheck and get physical they can create some issues in the Penguins zone. As well, the young Penguins proved they can be, if not rattled, then bothered by some of the physical play and extra curricular stuff. That falls right in to the Flyers wheel house, so discipline is going to either be a key or an issue for the Penguins young guns.

KEY PLAYER - Sidney Crosby. He has at times been terrific and at times appears to be labouring, still showing the effects of his high ankle sprain. Now is the time for him to be the difference maker.

Flyers goalie Martin Biron, right, will be tested by the Penguins' explosive forwards. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press) Flyers goalie Martin Biron, right, will be tested by the Penguins' explosive forwards. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)

FLYERS
STRENGTHS - He was somewhat of a question mark when the playoffs began, but Martin Biron has proven he is a quality goaltender, capable of making the big saves when needed. The shutdown defence of Kimmo Timonen and Braydon Coburn has been terrific and overall, coach John Stevens has found a way to make two offensively gifted teams play more north-south, than east-west so far in the playoffs. Then there are the heroes, the likes of Mike Richards and Jeff Carter and the Johan Franzen of the Eastern Conference, R.J. Umberger. Everyone is contributing to a Flyers team that is swift and aggressive.

WEAKNESSES - As much as they were able to build leads in every game except one against Montreal, the Flyers had a tough time protecting them. Biron was very good, but he also faced a lot of shots. Eventually, penalties will take a toll. But then discipline has been an issue all season long, it just hasn't been a killer yet. Playing a little tighter still, with a little more discipline is a key. With the Penguins having so many scorers, shutting down more than one line will be a challenge.

KEY PLAYER - Martin Biron. An obvious choice, but the Penguins have offensive options, so he is going to be busy.

Go to the Top

Story Tools: PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

World »

Whitney Houston's funeral to be held Saturday video
Pop star Whitney Houston's funeral service will be held Saturday in the New Jersey church where she first showcased her singing talents as a child.
Eurozone meeting on Greek bailout cancelled video
A meeting of the finance chiefs of the 17 euro countries to discuss Greece's second multibillion bailout planned for Wednesday was called off after Athens failed to deliver on several demands made by its partners in the currency union.
CN blamed for fatal train derailment in Illinois
CN is being blamed for a 2009 train derailment in Illinois, in which several cars went off the tracks and caught fire, killing one person and injuring seven others.
more »

Canada »

updated Legalize pot, say former B.C. attorneys general video
Four former B.C. attorneys general are joining a coalition of health and justice experts calling for the legalization of marijuana.
Online surveillance bill targets child porn: Toews video
A bill that would give police and intelligence agencies new powers to access Canadians' electronic communications is needed to protect against child pornography, says Public Safety Minister Vic Toews.
Botox injected by unlicensed practitioners video
Some Vancouver-area medical spas are ignoring Health Canada regulations that Botox be prescribed and injected by a physician, a CBC News investigation has revealed.
more »

Politics »

Trudeau says sovereignty less of a bogeyman now video
Justin Trudeau says sovereignty is less of a bogeyman than it once was as he defends himself against accusations he's sympathetic to the desire to leave Canada.
Online surveillance bill targets child porn: Toews video
A bill that would give police and intelligence agencies new powers to access Canadians' electronic communications is needed to protect against child pornography, says Public Safety Minister Vic Toews.
MacKay says submarine fleet has 'spotty' history
The ongoing maintenance for Canada's troubled submarine fleet is "on track" despite the damage suffered by HMCS Corner Brook from a crash last year, Defence Minister Peter MacKay says, adding that the history of the fleet is "spotty."
more »

Health »

Chronic fatigue may be reversed with exercise
Taking it easy is not the best treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome, rather exercise and behaviour therapy are, a large study finds.
AT&T buys T-Mobile USA for $39B US
AT&T Inc. said Sunday it will buy T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom AG in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $39 billion US, becoming the largest cellphone company in the U.S.
Milky Way home to 50 billion planets: NASA
Scientists have compiled the first cosmic census of planets in our galaxy: at least 50 billion planets are estimated to call the Milky Way home.
more »

Arts & Entertainment»

audio Regent Park dance studio heralds culture of change audio
A Toronto dance company opens its new home Tuesday in Regent Park — the neighbourhood with Canada's biggest social housing project.
Whitney Houston's funeral to be held Saturday video
Pop star Whitney Houston's funeral service will be held Saturday in the New Jersey church where she first showcased her singing talents as a child.
Prospective WSO maestros unveiled
The Windsor Symphony Orchestra unveiled a shortlist of prospective music directors on Tuesday, and the public will have a hand in selecting the finalist.
more »

Technology & Science »

Online surveillance bill targets child porn: Toews video
A bill that would give police and intelligence agencies new powers to access Canadians' electronic communications is needed to protect against child pornography, says Public Safety Minister Vic Toews.
New iPad anticipated in March
The latest version of Apple's iPad tablet will launch in early March, according to blog and media reports this week.
Higgs boson hunt aided by energy boost
The world's largest particle accelerator is ramping up its beam energy in hopes that scientists will learn definitively this year whether the last undiscovered particle in the Standard Model of Physics exists.
more »

Money »

Eurozone meeting on Greek bailout cancelled video
A meeting of the finance chiefs of the 17 euro countries to discuss Greece's second multibillion bailout planned for Wednesday was called off after Athens failed to deliver on several demands made by its partners in the currency union.
Air Canada confident it can reach deal with pilots
Travellers flying Air Canada can keep booking their flights as negotiations continue with a new federally appointed mediator to help resolve an ongoing contract dispute between the airline and its pilots.
CPP invests $1.8B in U.S. malls
The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board is making a whopping $1.8-billion investment in shopping malls in the U.S. with a new joint venture agreement with the Westfield Group in its biggest real estate deal to date.
more »

Consumer Life »

Honda recalls Fit subcompacts
Honda Canada says it will recall 14,640 of its 2009 and 2010 Fit subcompact cars to replace lost motion springs.
U.S. travel fee proposal criticized by Harper
Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he doesn't think much of a new border tax that's being proposed by the United States, calling it a cash grab designed to help a budget crisis.
Bell class action suit approved by Que. court
A Quebec Superior Court judge has authorized a class action lawsuit to go ahead against Bell Mobility.
more »

Sports »

Scores: NHL NBA

Lin, Knicks stun Raptors with rally
Jeremy Lin, the NBA phenomenon who went from a seldom-used player to the league's hottest story in the span of a week, drained a three-point shot with 0.5 seconds on the clock to lift the New York Knicks to their sixth consecutive victory, 90-87 over the Toronto Raptors.
Spezza's hat trick burns Lightning
Jason Spezza had three goals and an assist, Craig Anderson made 28 saves, and the Ottawa Senators beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-0 on Tuesday night.
Messi, Barcelona master Leverkusen: Champions League video
Lionel Messi helped Barcelona shake off its domestic troubles in Spain by inspiring the defending champions to a 3-1 victory at Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16 of the Champions League.
more »

Diversions »

[an error occurred while processing this directive]
more »