Playoffs 2000:East finals: Game 3 could be as rough as Game 2

East finals: Game 3 could be as rough as Game 2
Associated Press

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- After Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, officials at the First Union Center in Philadelphia beefed up security in the wake of a fight in the stands.

Thurs., May 18
The Flyers cannot fall behind again. The Devils will not make the same mistake of blowing a two-goal lead. But I also think the Flyers must get their defense into their offensive system.

One thing is for sure: The Flyers won't win if they rely solely on Mark Recchi and John LeClair.

While that calmed things down for the fans for Game 2, it got downright nasty on the ice between the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers.

There were hits galore, pushing and shoving after the whistle, a couple of fights, some stick work, facial massages -- with gloves on, of course -- and a lot of trash talking as the Flyers posted a 4-3 win to even the best-of-seven series.

With a couple of injuries added in and some bruised egos, the potential for more rough stuff might increase on Thursday night, when the turnpike series between the long-time rivals crosses the border from Pennsylvania to New Jersey for Game 3 at Continental Airlines Arena.

Both teams will probably be missing a center.

Daymond Langkow, who scored the game-winner, sustained a concussion in a collision with Devils defenseman Scott Stevens early in the third period, the Flyers said Wednesday. His status is being listed as day-to-day.

If he can't go, right wing Mark Recchi will move to center, rookie Simon Gagne will move to the top line and forward Mark Greig will play for only the second time in the playoffs.


	Mark Recchi hopes to keep putting pressure on Devils goalie Martin Brodeur in Game 3.

Devils rookie center John Madden will be sidelined with an injured right knee. The team did not disclose the exact nature of the injury, but it said an MRI on Wednesday revealed it was similar to the one sustained by Sergei Brylin in the opening round.

Brylin did not require surgery but was unable to skate for two weeks and missed six games.

Steve Brule, who had 30 goals for Albany of the AHL this season, is expected to make his NHL debut in filling in what would be another physical game.

"There is only one thing we are worried about, that's winning the series," said Devils center Bobby Holik, who exchanged big checks with Flyers defenseman Dan McGillis in Game 2 and later bowled over Flyers goaltender Brian Boucher.

"You don't go out there to try to injure some of the other players because that's not why we play," Holik added. "We want to win four games as soon as we can. We're not worried about revenge."

What the Devils and coach Larry Robinson are concerned about is letting the rough stuff take them out of their game. New Jersey doesn't mind the physical play, but it becomes a problem when the players are more concerned about hitting rather than staying in position and doing the little things that win games.

Robinson and some veterans like Claude Lemieux have reminded everyone it's better to turn the other cheek sometimes and not get involved.

That's not always easy, rookie Scott Gomez said.

"What happens if you work in an office and some guy comes up and hits you," Gomez said. "What are you going to want to do? Do you want to get fired or keep your job?

"If you want to play, you have to suck that up," Gomez said. "It works both ways. We're not angels and they're not angels. It's part of hockey and we've all gone through it. But yeah, you'd definitely like the get the guy back."

It's almost certain the Flyers will continue to play a physical game. That's just their style. They like to get the puck in the offense zone, work in the corners, get shots and crash the net for the rebound.

"I think it's a style of hockey that we like to play," said Flyers center Keith Primeau, who set up Rick Tocchet's second goal with a play behind the net. "We want to make contact. That's how we play, we create turnovers that way. That's how we generate our offense."

The Flyers' four goals in Game 2 were the most given up the Devils in the playoffs this season, and they were all scored even strength. The win also snapped a five-game losing streak against New Jersey this season.

Philadelphia has struggled even more against the Devils in New Jersey, going 4-22-2 over the past five years here.

"We think we can play against anybody anywhere," Flyers coach Craig Ramsay said. "I don't care where the game is. I don't think it bothers our players, they believe in what they're doing. Believe me, our players aren't going over statistics from two years ago, nobody cares."