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On the verge Philly one win away from Stanley Cup finals
Posted: Sunday May 21, 2000 07:56 PM
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The Philadelphia Flyers picked the right time to overcome New Jersey's recent dominance. After beating the Devils just twice in 16 games, the Flyers have won three straight against New Jersey and are on the verge of making their second trip to the Stanley Cup finals in four years. Philadelphia can finish the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals with a victory in Game 5 Monday at the First Union Center. "I think we showed everybody and I think we showed ourselves that we can play with that hockey club," Flyers forward Keith Primeau said Sunday. "We went in there and played that patient style." The Flyers beat New Jersey 3-1 Saturday to take a 3-1 series lead. It was their second straight victory at the Continental Airlines Arena after going 4-22-2 there over the last five years. Since the NHL expanded in 1967, no team has rallied from a 3-1 deficit after the second round of the playoffs. "We're running out of tomorrows," New Jersey coach Larry Robinson said. "Maybe we're in a situation now where there is no other way for us to play except desperate," Devils forward Bobby Holik said. "Maybe this will bring out the best in us." The playoffs have brought out the best in the most unlikely Flyers. Craig Berube got his first point of the postseason and just his third playoff goal in 86 postseason games to break a 1-1 tie late in the third period of Game 4 as the Flyers took control of the series. "When you see Craig Berube score a big goal for us like that, there's even another level you can get to, because everyone is so excited for him," Flyers coach Craig Ramsay said. "The reward is for all the hard work he's brought to the team. "However, our players immediately said the right things in the dressing room, on the bus and to each other. It's wonderful but it's just another win. It's just one game." Philadelphia might get some help for Game 5. Center Daymond Langkow, out the last two games with a concussion, skated Sunday and his status will be a game-time decision. "He feels real good. He skated, had a good workout today," Ramsay said. "He feels very comfortable. We'll decide tomorrow." The Flyers, who rallied from a 2-0 deficit against Pittsburgh in their last series, realize the series isn't over yet. "I think we have too many veterans to know it's not time to celebrate," rookie goalie Brian Boucher said. "We still have a job to do here. Game 5 is going to be hard for us. We need to come out and play desperate. We're in a great position but by no means is it over. "We have to continue to play a patient game. You have to go out there and play period by period, shift by shift. This is a game we have to have. As we've seen in this series, one game, one play can give momentum to a team. That's what we don't want them to have." Meanwhile, the Devils blamed Saturday's loss on sloppy play in the third period just as they blamed their loss in Game 2 on a five-minute segment in which the Flyers scored three goals. "We tried to get fancy," forward Randy McKay said. "For two periods we kept it simple, and then we tried a little more finesse and only got two or three shots on net. "We put ourselves in this position, no doubt. We had them on the ropes in Game 2, were playing great, and then we faltered. We faltered, and we've been faltering ever since. We've got to snap out of this. This series isn't over. I still think we're the better team." Should New Jersey prolong the series, it could pave the way for the return of Flyers star center Eric Lindros. The former Philadelphia captain resumed skating last week. He is scheduled to undergo further tests and be examined again on Monday. If cleared by his doctor, neurologist James Kelly of Chicago, Lindros could participate in team practices Tuesday. Lindros hasn't played since March 12 because of a concussion. He sustained another concussion during a practice drill earlier this month. His captaincy was permanently transferred to defenseman Eric Desjardins in his absence.
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