Take a Deep Breath

OK, this series comes back to Philadelphia for Game 6 tomorrow.

The Flyers turned in a very workmanlike effort to win last night, doing several things they failed to do for most of the first four contests:

1) Clogged up all passing lanes

2) Clogged up the middle, specifically within a 10-foot radius of Martin Biron.

3) Actually hit people

4) Scored first, second, and third

5) Completely neutralized Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin (with the exception of the kicked-in goal)

6) Gave Biron plenty of time to set himself for the few challenging shots he faced

7) Didn't take foolish penalties

8) Won on the road

It should be noted, however, that this was not a spectacular or inspiring effort by any means; after the first period, the Pens seemed more content to let the action come to them.

Also, and I will keep harping on this for as long as it takes to sink in, John Stevens' line-switching was not even close to the cure. He might have done some changes differently, but that's pretty much all he has in the arsenal once things don't work.

In fact, I believe the pressure remains on the Flyers, and it will be an even bigger monkey on their collective backs on Saturday. The Penguins have one road win in the series in their pocket, need only one more win to ice the series, plus Stevens has already complained in the past about how "distracting" playing in front of a home crowd can be, with all their "expectations" to see "passionate" hockey being played.

Just like last season, Stevens has only altered his game plan once; in 2008, the club was already down 3-0 before emotion and adrenaline took precedence over his system for the one win. This year, Stevens only relented in Game 3 and the Flyers posted their best win and most thorough game in weeks.

He will be wise to let the cascade of emotion from the home crowd dictate how his team comes out to play from the drop. If it's anything like Sunday, this baby's going back to Pittsburgh for a Game 7 which transfers a tremendous burden on the Penguins to win. If he insists on plowing ahead with the same plan, the outcome will most likely bear a negative result.

The fact still remains that the Flyers have only gotten three series to a seventh game after trailing 3-games-to-1. Those came in 1968, 1981 and 1987 - and the orange and black have lost all three times, twice at home.