Philadelphia Flyers: 4 Things Not to Do When Trying to Complete a Sweep

The Philadelphia Flyers entered Game 4 on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins up 3-0 in the series and looking for the sweep.

The Flyers were on home ice, and the Penguins had three players out of the lineup for Game 4 due to suspension, so the Flyers were in a good situation to close out the series. 

During the first period it became clear that the Flyers were putting on a clinic in playoff hockey.

Unfortunately for the Flyers and their fans, the team was putting on a clinic of what not to do in Game 4 when up 3-0 in a series.

Everyone might not have fully grasped everything that the Flyers were doing in Game 4, so here is a summary of Philadelphia Flyers: four things to not do when trying to complete a sweep.

Do Not Get into a High Scoring Shootout

When a team is up 3-0 in a series and is looking to complete the sweep, it is important to keep the scoring in Game 4 down. 

A team that is trying to avoid a sweep has its back against the wall and is looking to come out and put up points to stay alive. 

The Flyers came out and played a horrible defensive game. They lost the small puck battles, didn’t clear the front of the net, and that resulted in the Penguins having an offensive explosion.

The Flyers tried to keep up with the goal-for-goal battle and did for the first period. The Penguins, fueled by their desire to keep the season alive, kept the offense going, and the Flyers couldn’t keep up.

Do Not Lose Cotrol or Composure

The Flyers, in general, did a good job of avoiding the unnecessary violence that could have happened in Game 4. 

To win Game 4, it was important for each team to put their egos aside and focus on hockey and winning the game. 

The Flyers were in good shape until Zac Rinaldo took a cheap late shot at Zbynek Michalek after he had already cross-checked Michalek. 

Rinaldo made the team look bad, taking such a cheap shot when down 9-3 in the game, and showed that he clearly was not thinking about his actions.

Rinaldo showed immaturity and should be hearing from the NHL about a hearing. 

Avoid Too Much Time in the Box

When you are up 3-0 looking for the sweep, it is important to make the other team earn everything it gets and not help it come back. 

Entering Game 4, both teams knew that the officials would be calling the game very closely to avoid things getting out of hand. 

The Flyers had 64 penalty minutes in Game 4.  Allowing the other team to play with a man advantage made the win easier for the Penguins.

Do Not Give the Other Team Hope

When a team is down 3-0 in a series, it knows that the chances of coming back in the series are very small. It is important to close the series quickly and not give the other team hope.

The Penguins getting a big win in Game 4 gives them hope.

The Penguins now believe that they have the ability to beat the Flyers and can beat them soundly. 

The Flyers need to close the series out as soon as possible, because every game that the Penguins stay alive adds to their confidence.