Pronger comfortable with Flyers' situation

An hour after Philadelphia dropped Game 5 and Chris Pronger posted a minus-5 for the first time in his NHL career, the veteran defenseman was all but handing out high-fives underneath United Center's stands.

Resplendent in a tasteful summer suit, Pronger laughed and joked with friends late Sunday before hopping on the Flyers team bus.

What, you thought Pronger would curl up in a ball and start hyperventilating?

"We seem to like to make things difficult on ourselves," Pronger said. "So this is no different."

Actually, this is a little different. The Flyers didn't lose after Game 3 in any of their three previous playoff series.

They didn't win the majority of the 50/50 battles in the corners like they did at the Wachovia Center.

They didn't provide the voracious forecheck that was the defining characteristic of the previous seven periods - starting with the third period of Game 2 - of these Stanley Cup Finals.

"All our success this series was not turning pucks over," Flyers captain Mike Richards said, "getting the puck in deep, hitting their defensemen, and we had none of that going on in the first period."

"We didn't do a very good job in the neutral zone," Pronger said. "Unless we get pressure and force them to make plays, anybody can make a play when you have all day to make one."

Clearly those will be Philadelphia's points of emphasis when Game 6 dawns Wednesday night. And, clearly, the Flyers cannot withstand another night when Pronger does not provide a positive impact.

It's still hard to believe Pronger wasn't on the ice for any of the Flyers' 4 goals in Game 5, yet he was on the ice (or in the penalty box) for all 7 of the Hawks' goals.

"I think if we just look for Chris Pronger to (lead in Game 6), everybody will be in trouble," Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said. "I'm sure Chris will have a big game and lead the way. We need to make sure we have all hands on deck."

Backup goalie Brian Boucher, who could get the start in Game 6, summed up the Flyers' attitude.

"I don't know why we wouldn't have confidence," Boucher said. "We've had our backs against the wall for the last 21/2-plus months."