Flyers Not Concerned With Another Series Deficit

CHICAGO -- Understandably, the third team in NHL history to extricate itself from a 3-0 series deficit didn't flinch at the prospects of another hole.

"We are certainly not leaving Chicago thinking we can't win," Flyers forward Daniel Briere said. "A bounce here going our way and the series could be tied, 1-1. But we are down 2-0. We can't change that."

The Flyers' 2-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals at the United Center on Monday was preceded by a 6-5 loss in Game 1. So far the Finals is shaping up much like the second-round series when the Flyers dropped the first two games by one goal to the Boston Bruins, who tagged on a Game 3 victory in Philly.

The difference, however, is that the Flyers are generally healthy now. They got a boost in Game 4 of the second round when forward Simon Gagne returned from a toe injury then rallied around goalie Michael Leighton after Brian Boucher went down injured in Game 5. Forwards Jeff Carter and Ian Laperriere, and Boucher have also returned to the lineup.

Briere said his team isn't in need of reinforcements.

"The guys who are in the room is all we can rely on," Briere said. "That's what we've been doing since the beginning of the year. We haven't had many additions. At the trading deadline, there were no trades. These guys have been doing the job the whole year and that's not going to change now."

Blackhawks lead series, 2-0
Blackhawks 2, Flyers 1: Recap | Box Score | Series Page

The addition of forward Daniel Carcillo -- who had been a healthy scratch the three prior games -- to the Flyers' lineup seemed to add some punch. He logged 11 minutes and jawed with any Blackhawks player within earshot, although he finished a minus-1 with no points.

"I thought Danny did a good job," Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said. "He skated, he forechecked [and] he made some hits. I thought he brought some energy."

Not that the Flyers haven't gone against it this postseason, but history isn't on their side. Clubs with the home-ice advantage who win the first two games have gone on to win the Stanley Cup 31 of 33 times (93.9 percent). The 1971 Blackhawks and 2009 Detroit Red Wings were the only two teams to squander the advantage.

"It's a hole, but it's not anything we can't get out of," Gagne said.