Don’t tell the Flyers they’re dead men skating, even though everything points to their season being over this weekend.
And don’t try to find solace in their plight through history, since only three teams in professional sports — the 1942 Maple Leafs, 1975 Islanders and 2004 Red Sox — have overcome a 3-0 series deficit.
In their minds, this predicament is nothing more than hard work and a few good bounces.
“We were down 3-0 to Pittsburgh two years ago and didn’t quit [eventually losing in five] and I don’t expect us to quit now,” said Danny Briere. “I know it’s a tough task, but one game at a time. You never know what can happen.”
The Flyers have been in this spot six times, and they’ve never gotten the series to a Game 6. The team has been swept five times, including twice in the Stanley Cup finals. And having to constantly play from behind — the Bruins have led each game within the first six minutes — has clearly taken its toll on a team missing big guns Jeff Carter and Simon Gagne.
“We’re down 3-0,” said Claude Giroux. “But I don’t think the series is close to being over.”
