NHL Conference Finals Analysis Part 2

So before I discussed the Western Conference final, now lets take a look at the Eastern Conference Finals. After last night, the Philadelphia Flyers have a 2-0 series lead on the surprise Montreal Canadians. game 1 of the series was a total surprise as the Flyers blasted the Habs by a score of 6-0. The goal scorers fpor Philly that night were Braydon Coburn and Simon Gagne with power play goals, and even strength goals came from James van Riemsdyk, Danny Briere, Scott Hartnell, and Claude Giroux. Flyer netminder Michael Leighton stopped all 22 shots he faced. Meanwhile his counterparts didn't fair as well. Jaroslav Halak, who had done great things between the pipes for the first 2 rounds of the playoffs was pulled in Game 1 after allowing 4 goals on 14 shots. Cary Price, Halak's replacement, didn't fair much better, allowing 2 goals on 11 shots. The whole time during game 1 the Canadians showed no life in their legs what so ever. The Flyers had all the jump and were winning all the battles the entire game. Jaroslav Halak looked human in game one, getting beaten by easy shots and not getting much support.

Now moving on to Game 2 of the series which took place last night in Philadelphia. The Flyers took the game 3-0. Philly's first 2 goals came on the power play, with Danny Briere connecting in the 1st and then Simon Gagne in the 2nd period. The 3rd and final goal came in the 3rd period off the stick of Ville Leino. leino's goal has been the softest goal that Halak has allowed in the playoffs all year. Don't believe me look for yourself:



During the game itself, Halak made 20 save allowing the 3 goals, while at the other end, Michael Leighton stopped 30 of 30 shots that the Habs took.

The first 2 games of the series have been very surprising to this point. It partally has to do with the play of the Flyers, but, for the most part, it has been the play of Montreal that has been a real shocker. Jaroslav Halak, who looked superhuman in the first 2 rounds has now seemed to come back down to earth here in the first 2 games. Halak has faced 34 Flyer shots and has allowed a total of 7 goals. That can't happen NOW in the playoffs. Again Halak played great through the first 2 rounds against Ovechkin and the Caps and then Crosby and company in Pittsburgh. Now he goes against what I consider slightlty inferior competition and Halak is starting to falter. Halak really needs to try to find his game and quick. Besides Halak trying to find his game, the Canadians need to try and find their offense again, which has been shut out in 120 minuts of hockey by Michael Leighton. The Habs really have gotten no solid pressure on Leighton. No traffic has gone in front of the Flyer net, and most of the shots that do get through to Leighton, are either from far out and he can stop them quite easily, or are coming from erally bad angles. So if Montreal wants to turn this series around in Game 3 tomorrow night at the Bell Center, Halak and the Habs offense need to be found.

Looking at the series now from a Flyers perspective, you have to be very very pleased. The offense seems to have come from virtually out of nowhere. Everything seems to be clicking offensivly for the Flyers. Also it does not hurt that Michael Leighton is playing out of his mind right now. From what I have ssen of the first 2 games of the series, it really seems to me that Jaroslav Halak and Michael Leighton may have switched teams. Leighton is playing great and Halak is underperforming. Plus Montreal, as mentioned earlier, has no life. So Game 3 in Montreal could be HUGH for the rest of the series. If both teams keep up their current play, then this series is over. However it can always turn the other way in favor of the Habs. You never know what can happen.