Flyers push Penguins to brink of shocking sweep with Game 3 win

The Philadelphia Flyers are in complete control of their first-round playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and thanks to their 5-2 win on Wednesday night, now have a 3-0 series lead. They have a chance to complete the sweep in Game 4 on Saturday night in Philadelphia.

The recipe in all three games so far has been pretty simple: Frustrate the Penguins with a smothering defensive performance, wait for the Penguins to make a mistake, and then pounce on it.

It is working to perfection.

Flyers keep frustrating Penguins, and Penguins keep playing right into it

Despite the 3-0 series lead, as well as the 11-4 edge on the scoreboard over the three games, it is not really a case of the Flyers dominating the series.

At least not offensively. 

In terms of offensive zone time, and even at times the overall scoring chances, the Penguins have had the upper hand. They are spending more time in the offensive zone and have at times had extended shifts around the Philadelphia net. 

But they are not getting anything against the Flyers in transition.

They are not getting odd-man rushes. 

They are not even getting clean looks at the net when they do have offensive zone time. 

Philadelphia is doing a masterful job of taking away the neutral zone, locking down the defensive zone, closing off passing lanes and shooting lanes, and insulating goalie Dan Vladar so he rarely has to face a prime shot and rarely has to face a rebound shot. 

The entire game plan has been to wait for the Penguins to force the issue and make a mistake. And that is the one thing in this series the Penguins have excelled at. Most of the goals against have come off turnovers or general mistakes with the puck. 

Instead of simplifying their game and trying to match the Flyers' patience, the Penguins keep trying to play their up-tempo, high-offense style, and the Flyers are eating it up. It has resulted in the third-highest scoring team in the league during the regular season being completely neutralized. 

Making matters worse for the Penguins is that they are allowing the Flyers to get inside their heads and lure them into post-whistle chaos. The lack of discipline has not helped. 

The Flyers are playing their strategy to perfection.

The Penguins have no answer for it.

That is the biggest reason this series is potentially one game from being over.