Flyers Unable to Close Again, Series Goes to Game 6

It's officially a series again now. Two days after avoiding a sweep in Philadelphia, the Pittsburgh Penguins finally figured things out on home ice, and forced the series back to Philly again.

The Philadelphia Flyers were able to erase a 2-0 deficit, but not a fortunate bounce that proved to be the game-winning goal in a 3-2 loss to the Penguins in Game 5 on Monday night.

How It Happened

The Penguins wasted no time getting on the board. Just 2:45 into the game, Elmer Soderblom opened the scoring with his first of the series after a Pittsburgh takeaway behind the net.

The Penguins added another at 3:17 of the second. Connor Dewar's shot went in and out of the net quickly, but was ruled a goal after a review to make it 2-0. The Flyers answered right back just 12 seconds later, as Alex Bump scored to make it a 2-1 game with his first playoff goal in his postseason debut.

The Flyers tied the game at 15:06. Travis Sanheim's bid went off a stick and beat Arturs Silovs for his second of the series.

The Penguins got the lead back just over two minutes later at 17:12. Kris Letang's shot went wide, but bounced off the endboards and off of Dan Vladar to make it 3-2 Pittsburgh.

Neither team scored in the third, as the Flyers were unable to complete a comeback and get the game tied again.

Box Score

1st Period

PIT Elmer Soderblom (1) (Anthony Mantha, Parker Wotherspoon) 2:45

2nd Period

PIT Connor Dewar (2) (Sidney Crosby, Blake Lizotte) 3:17
PHI Alex Bump (1) (Rasmus Ristolainen, Noah Cates) 3:29
PHI Travis Sanheim (2) (Ristolainen, Travis Konecny) 15:06
PIT Kris Letang (2) (Crosby, Ryan Shea) 17:12

3rd Period

No Scoring

By the Numbers

Shots: Flyers: 20, Penguins: 21
Power Play: Flyers: 0-for-2, Penguins: 0-for-2
Faceoffs: Flyers: 53.3%, Penguins: 46.7%
Goalies: PHI Daniel Vladar: 18 saves on 21 shots, PIT Arturs Silovs: 18 saves on 20 shots

Key Performers

⭐ Sidney Crosby — The Penguins' captain isn't going away quietly, and had another two-assist game to keep his team alive.

⭐⭐ Elmer Soderblom — Set the tone right away with the opening goal less than three minutes in. You could just feel the momentum shift further with that goal.

⭐⭐⭐ Alex Bump — Making his playoff debut, Bump got the Flyers on the board and had plenty of energy that was needed. Of course, the player who just got into the lineup for the first time in five games can't be your best player.

The Takeaway

With back-to-back losses, it's now a series again. Losing Game 4 didn't feel detrimental to the Flyers' chances of advancing. Losing Game 5 really puts the pressure on now. And a big reason for that is they have allowed the Penguins to establish their game again. They are moving the puck better, harder on the forecheck, generating high-quality chances. Eventually, that was going to lead to goals. The Flyers will have to regroup quickly, and really need to take care of business in Game 6 to move on and avoid the possibility of being part of an unfortunate trivia answer.