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NHL playoffs - Habs v. Flyers Game 5: Destinies derailed and fulfilled, Flyers win 4-2

Mike Richards

Philadelphia Flyers’ Mike Richards celebrates after scoring in the first period of Game 5 of the NHL hockey Eastern Conference finals against the Montreal Canadiens, Monday, May 24, 2010, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

AP

The Flyers are headed for a date in the Stanley Cup finals after beating Montreal 4-2 and taking the Eastern Conference finals four games to one.

The Flyers were in full control of this game from the moment Mike Richards scored in the first period to tie it. Richards finished the game with three points and showing why he’s the captain of the Flyers by stepping up big in an elimination game.

While the Canadiens were able to make the game a bit more interesting after a Scott Gomez goal in the third period, the Flyers work on the penalty kill and their tenaciousness on the forecheck all game long are the reasons why they were able to dismantle Montreal efficiently. Montreal’s power play went just 1-21 in the series and they were 0-5 tonight, including not scoring on a four minute power play after a double-minor by Chris Pronger.

Montreal’s puck luck and defensive pressure waned throughout the series, Game 3 not withstanding, and while Jacques Martin was able to pull a rabbit from his hat with personnel decisions and game plans against both Washington and Pittsburgh, what they couldn’t do against Philadelphia was find a way to combat a team rolling four lines that brought the same kind of pressure all game long. Shutting down Washington was made easier by shadowing Alex Ovechkin heavily and locking down the trap. The trap again helped beat the Penguins and frustrated Sidney Crosby to no end, but against the Flyers it did nothing.

The Flyers, after all, warmed up against teams playing similar styles in New Jersey and Boston. Philly’s style feeds off of teams playing them physically and not being afraid to get down and dirty and their own run of destiny continues on because of it. Good thing for them is that they’ll be facing the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup finals. The Hawks are a team that likes to play things the same way, albeit with talent that is a bit scarier than anything the Flyers have seen in the postseason.

As for Montreal, in a battle of teams trying to claim “destiny” as their own and the way it turns out, the only “destiny” the Montreal Canadiens will be able to take home with them will have to be an exotic dancer on St. Catherine’s Street.

Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals will be Saturday night at 8 pm Eastern at the United Center in Chicago.