Penguins Vs. Flyers, Game 3: Goals, Penalty Minutes Aplenty As Philly Takes 3-0 Series Lead

But the Canucks are at least going down with dignity. Sure, they might dive and they might complain to the officials after the game has already been decided, like Alex Burrows did immediately after the final horn at Staples Center following Game 3, but they’re keeping their cool about them. They aren’t turning the game into a joke.

Neal wasn’t penalized for the hit on Couturier, and as he stayed on the ice for the offensive zone faceoff immediately after Couturier made his way to the locker room for observation, he gave it just a few seconds before taking an even more egregious run at Flyers superstar Claude Giroux.

The hit connected with Couturier’s head and was a blatant attempt to injure, yet Neal was not penalized. That would turn out to be a vital mistake on the part of the officials.

As you can see, Giroux was quite woozy after the hit. He’s had concussion problems this season, so it’s definitely a concern for Philadelphia moving forward. Giroux didn’t play a shift after this, but he did remain on the ice after the check attempt by Neal when tempers flared.

Via @NHLFlyers

Remember, Malkamania -- a fan dressed as Hogan in Pittsburgh -- taunted the Flyers after a brawl earlier in April. Really just a great way to put an exclamation point on an afternoon of fights.

The Penguins are attempting a comeback in the third period, but the Flyers have suddenly begun playing suffocating defense. Pittsburgh hasn’t been able to up many chances in the first 10 minutes of the third period, and a three-goal lead seems rather safe. Then again, the way this series has gone ...

For more on the Pens, check out Penguins blog PensBurgh and SB Nation Pittsburgh. For more on the Flyers, head over to Flyers blog Broad Street Hockey and SB Nation Philly.

All right, fine. You’re going to have to wait until after this Game 3 between the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins to catch your breath. The 20-minute intermission is not enough time to relax.

It wasn’t nearly as physical in the second period as the teams began to settle in and play a bit of hockey, and that probably makes sense: The Flyers are concerned with protecting their lead and the Penguins are concerned with trying to avoid a 3-0 series deficit. Both teams kinda sorta reached their goals.

There’s another way you could look at this involving the digestive track, as well. Either way, it’s a great GIF and a rough goal to give up.

After one period, the Philadelphia Flyers hold the 4-2 lead.

Can the Penguins turn things around while on the road against the Flyers? The first test comes on Sunday afternoon.

Game time/date: 3:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 15, 2012