Devils-Flyers Game 4: Forget Comeback This Time

The Flyers took control of the 2000 Eastern Conference Finals against the Devils by being up 3-1 in that series. After a frustrating 3-1 loss to the Flyers, then-Devils coach Larry Robinson kicked a garbage can outside the locker room while he screamed at his players.

Robinson wanted to let off steam. He did not do this to inspire his players.

Yet, the players talk about how it got them going again. The Devils rallied to win three straight against the Flyers in advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Robinson's team would not be denied of winning the Stanley Cup after that comeback. The Stars tried to bully the Devils into submission, but the Devils would have none of that.

They outclassed the Stars with their size and speed in winning the Cup in 2000.

Ten years later, the Devils are in the same situation. The Flyers took a commanding 3-1 lead over the Devils after celebrating a 4-1 victory last night at Philadelphia.

For those that want to compare this to 2000, stop right there.

It isn't happening. It's hard to do that again. What the Devils did that year was rare and special.

It said a lot about the character of the Devils players. Ken Daneyko, Scott Stevens, Randy McKay, Bobby Holik, Sergei Brylin, Claude Lemieux, and Scott Niedermayer knew how to win and rally the team from adversity.

This group of Devils don't have it. Not only is their defense terrible, but most of the forwards don't know what it takes to succeed in postseason hockey.

This current team quits as soon as the other team scores a goal.

As soon as the Flyers tied the game at one on a Jeff Carter goal in the second period last night, the Devils looked defeated. They begged the Flyers to go out and beat them, and that's what happened in the third period.

The Flyers scored two goals in that period without any resistance. The third goal of the game was a gimme by Brodeur, who should have saved it. The fourth goal was an EZ-Pass type of goal.

Just looking at this, it's hard to compare that team to the Devils of 2000. That 2000 team should feel insulted about having this current team in the same sentence as them.

This team hasn't exactly been great on the road these last few years too.

It's best to say the Devils are a weak-minded bunch.

In last night's press conference, Jacques Lemaire sounded like a man who has no answers to what's going on with his team. He had no idea what the team could do to snap out of their struggles.

He expressed his frustration about guys not doing whatever it took to score. He ripped his team for taking stupid penalties.

He questioned the team's mindset and smarts not just last night, but this entire series.

It was a cry for help.

If the coach does not have any confidence in his team, then they're in trouble. That seems to be the case for the Devils.

Ilya Kovalchuk provided the team's highlight by scoring his first goal of this postseason last night. It gave the team a 1-0 lead in the first period.

One would think the team would receive a boost out of that. For five minutes, they did, but then the team created several turnovers, and the Flyers tied it up.

If Kovalchuk's goal can't get the team to feel good about themselves, what else can happen?

No one should have been surprised to see the Devils lose last night and blow a 1-0 lead. This team has not played well overall, and the Flyers know how to beat them.

It's clear the Flyers don't fear the Devils. They respect the Devils, but they know they can beat them. Game 3 said it all.

One can say the third game was the pivotal point of the series, not the tying goal of the second period last night.

The Devils will play for pride for tomorrow's game. That's the approach they need to take at this point.

If they survive to play another day, then their approach is to be in a position to play in Game 7.

In Game 7, anything goes.

It's hard to believe this goes far. For all intents and purposes, it's over.

This series should be wrapped up tomorrow night.