PHILADELPHIA--In his post-game conference following the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, head coach Ken Hitchcock put on his best "Dr. Phil" impersonation in diagnosing his team's woes.
"We seem to struggle a little bit to get emotionally connected and it takes us a little while to get going," said Hitchcock, as the Flyers faced a 1-0 deficit in the opening minutes of their third consecutive playoff game.
"For whatever reason, our team seems to wade into things. "We waded into the series, (and) almost got away with (a comeback) victory in Game One and didn't get away with it in Game Two."
"(Tonight) we just showed up and played," said Hitchcock.
Unlike Monday's debacle where J.P. Dumont's goal at 1:41 of the first period opened the flood gates for another four Buffalo markers, the Flyers regained composure, netting the equalizer less than five minutes later on Brian Savage's shorthanded goal.
"It was huge because we were on our heels," said Hitchcock. "I'm sure the feeling in the stands was 'Oh no, here we go again.' To get it back that quick was huge for us. It brought the building alive, it brought our bench alive, and I think for us, that was the biggest goal of the series."
"That goal brought our team back into the game," said Hitchcock.
The Flyers took the lead for good in the second period when a pair of Peter Forsberg goals deflected off Buffalo players and into the net behind Ryan Miller who stopped 23 of 26 shots in a losing effort.
"He tried to bank it (in), and it was a heads-up play," commented Miller on Forsberg's second goal. (Mike) Knuble was in front of me, and I didn't want to open up any holes for him to tip the puck."
"(Simon) Gagne shot (the puck) through, and it tipped off of my blocker."
The Flyers dominated the second period while playing perhaps their best 20 minutes of the series.
"They were buzzing pretty good...they got two pretty good bounces on their goals but they also created a lot of chances," said Buffalo's Chris Drury, who was on the ice for three of the four Flyers' goals.
"When you get 17 shots in a period, chances are that you are going to get a couple of bounces and (score)."
"I thought they got some breaks," said Buffalo head coach Lindy Ruff.
"Their first goal went off Jay McKee's skate, and the second one goes off (Dmitri) Kalinen and off Ryan (Miller's) back and goes in."
Tim Connolly brought the Sabres to within one with a marker early in the third period, but that was as close as Buffalo would get.
Simon Gagne finished with an empty-netter with 16 seconds remaining as the Flyers' top line accounted for three goals and seven points.
Filling the role that Keith Primeau did for the Flyers two seasons ago, Forsberg seemed to give Philadelphia the kick where they needed it and when they needed it.
"That's what happened in Buffalo," said Hitchcock. (Buffalo's) best players were the best players in the game and that's why they won. (Forsberg) sets a higher standard for himself than anybody on our team and he's a leader, when (Peter) goes, we go."
