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NHL on NBC: Flyers try to take a 3-0 series lead over Penguins

Claude Giroux, Brooks Orpik

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 13: Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers moves the puck in front of Brooks Orpik #44 of the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Consol Energy Center on April 13, 2012 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/NHLI via Getty Images)

There were plenty of reasons to be pumped about the Pittsburgh-Philadelphia series going into the playoffs. Both teams feature star-studded casts that feature interesting individual stories and, most importantly, they’re heated rivals.

So far, this series hasn’t disappointed.

Game 1 featured an impressive -- and controversial -- comeback by the Philadelphia Flyers while Game 2 was a wild, exciting, and ultimately historic affair. Both teams have had their moments, but the end result is the Flyers have a 2-0 lead as the series heads to Game 3 in Philadelphia.

In other words, Philly couldn’t be in a better position.

The Flyers have previously taken a 2-0 series lead in 17 series in their 44-year history. They won all 17 times. The Penguins are aware of that mark and have put themselves in a position where they ‘re forced to make history.

“We’ve got to be a lot better, and that’s all that we can control from this point,” Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said. “The mistakes that we’ve made have ended up in our net. It’s not like mistakes have gone by without any consequence.”

The Penguins have been a great first period team in this series, but need start finishing strong.

On the flipside, the Flyers have to find a way to come out stronger.

“We have to find a way to start games better,” Philadelphia’s Max Talbot said after Friday’s win. “But once again, we showed a lot of character – it was a big win for us.”

Game 3 Notes:

-- Claude Giroux is the first player to get six points in a game since Mario Lemieux on April 23, 1992.

-- On Friday, Sean Couturier became the third rookie in Flyers’ history to get a hat trick in a playoff game.

-- Pittsburgh took a 2-0 lead in Game 1 and Game 2. They had a commanding lead after one period in both contests.