Every mistake -- big or small -- is magnified at this time of year, with so much at stake.
Give credit to the Flyers' Steve Downie for answering questions after last night's game about his costly turnover that led to the game-winning goal.
"It cost us the game. We played well all night, and it cost us a goal ...
"The puck came up my wall. I tried to clear it. It cost us a goal. I just fanned on the puck. Didn't get it out. Simple as that ...
"No excuses. No excuses. That puck's got to go out. I didn't get it out."
Downie was inserted into the lineup in the one change that coach John Stevens made from Game 1. Patrick Thoresen was a healthy scratch. The intention was to help the Flyers on the forecheck and add more offense to the fourth line.
Rich Hofmann has been at the Daily News since 1980. He previously blogged the Eagles' postseason run in 2006. 
Ed Barkowitz was the first Philadelphia Newspaper journalist to write a blog, starting back in 2002.
Comments (14)
Downie was not the only culprit. Hathcer could not clear it either and then made the rookie mistake of chasing the puck behind the net, leaving Talbot to slide right into an open shooting lane, take a pass and beat Biron.
Hatcher did get back out in time to give him his customary late hit. But while Downie falls on the sword, Hatcher gets praised for his minutes played. Oh by the way, he did hook Malkin. Just another stupid Hathcer penalty.
I guees he will be poking his stick in Crosby's face tomorrow and all of Philly will be saying how tough he is. Just watch Sid score another PPG. Go Pens !!
Posted by Jeff | May 12, 2008 10:04 AM
Wrong, wrong, wrong. The goal was on Downie, it was his responsibility to clear the zone. Good for Downie to own up to it.
The penalty that Hatcher got for "hooking" Malkin was a dreadful call, an obvious fact to anyone outside of Pittsburgh.
Posted by Dave | May 12, 2008 10:48 AM
All is quiet on the Eastern front today, eh loudmouths?
The Flyers just aren't good enough to beat the Penguins. Plain and simple. Pittsburgh played their worst game of the playoffs last night, and they still never trailed.
Are the Flyers really paying Hartnell $4.2 mil a year? What a shame. He's nothing more than a cheapshot punk. I can't wait until Gary Roberts beats the living $h!t out of him.
The Flyers can't win this series because the PENS ARE JUST TOO LOADED!!
Posted by PensAreJustTooLoaded | May 12, 2008 10:49 AM
What's the matter, PensAreJustTooLoaded, didn't get anyone to react to your troll earlier so you have to try again? Grow up.
Posted by Dave | May 12, 2008 10:52 AM
Yes.
Posted by PensAreJustTooLoaded | May 12, 2008 10:57 AM
right
Posted by mike | May 12, 2008 11:24 AM
right
Posted by mike | May 12, 2008 11:24 AM
Could Vinny Prospal be any weaker on the puck????
He should be watching from the press box.
new lines: umberger briere hartnell
lupul richards downie
uspshall carter knuble
while downie didnt do himself any favours yesterday, he has proven in the past (when lupul was out after hatch concussed him) that he's a capable player. Spot duty on 4th line is no use to him.
Posted by shane | May 12, 2008 11:29 AM
Agreed, Shane. For a person of his size and skill, Prospal's none too eager to play along the boards or take/make a physical play.
Posted by Brian | May 12, 2008 12:08 PM
You know what. It was my fault. I should have gotten the puck out. Mastering my Jedi mind powers. Or wait, let's blame the economy. There are thousands of what-ifs and plays that could have ended up with the puck in the opposing net. For a defense as ravaged as ours I think holding the Pens to 3 goals and an empty netter is pretty good.
We need to work on putting the puck in their net. We need to start getting to Fleury. He's been a question mark in the past. We need to get him thinking about that.
Posted by flyler | May 12, 2008 5:30 PM
Fleury may have been a question mark in the past but that is WAY in the past. He has won 16 in a row at home and during the playoffs, he has not done too bad on the road either at 4-1.
He is thinking but it is just about the Stanley Cup.
Go Pens !!
Posted by Jeff | May 12, 2008 10:28 PM
Pens fans are just front runners. Can't support your team when they are not at the top. Heck Philly had to send money to keep your team from leaving town. True fans follow their team through it all. The Flyers fans will respond and so will the team. Go Flyers!
PS The refs don't protect our stars with phantom calls.
Posted by JFSully_55 | May 12, 2008 10:59 PM
"PS The refs don't protect our stars with phantom calls."
That because you don't have any. And you get plenty of calls. Look at the obvious goal taken away. The "phantom" call on Ruuuuuuuuutu....twice. You lose because your team is like the town, you think being tough makes you winners. When's the last time your city won anything other than being the dirtiest and ranked as having the ugliest women?
Posted by Lets Go Pens | May 13, 2008 7:50 AM
Although we lost the game last night, because it was you guys philadelphia that wanted it more golf clap oooooo you won right just one in this 300 mile rivalry game!!! If you guys really had piss and vinegar you would be the ones on top but our home ice advantage is TOO GREAT at Mellon Arena, philly fans better realize that and realize it quick because youe funeral is at 2 08 pm on Sunday or whatever, you guys are nothing but goons if i played hockey a stick or a puck to coburns left eye will suffice so that the UGLY DUCKLING OF THE FLOCK WILL BE OUT INDEFINATELY your off season is waiting on Sunday philly!!!!!! GO pens!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by njeil stetzik | May 16, 2008 2:16 PM