Physical Flyers keep their promise

PHILADELPHIA - As advertised, the Flyers came out more physical at home Wednesday night in Game 3, and at times at least it seemed to get the Blackhawks off their game.

"I don't know," said Chris Pronger, when asked if he got under the Hawks' skin. "There was a lot of talk coming from their side of the ice. We were just busy playing the game."

Pronger has been physical the entire series, but he had several big hits Wednesday, including a couple on Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane in Philadelphia's 4-3 overtime victory.

"We tried to play physical," Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said. "They're trying to play physical. It's going back and forth pretty good. You're going to take your licks on whoever you can out there."

The Flyers have outhit the Hawks in all 3 games, but it was more noticeable from the start Wednesday as the home team was more desperate.

"It's a war out there," Hawks defenseman Brent Sopel said. "We have to fight hard, but we have to be smart."

A few times Wednesday the Hawks didn't look smart, with both Kane and Brian Campbell taking pokes at Flyers after hits, and Dustin Byfuglien taking a bad slashing penalty in retaliation for a Pronger cross-check that wasn't called.

That led to a Philadelphia power play goal.

"I think Buff is pretty composed," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said, when asked if Byfuglien was out of control. "I think Buff has been a factor and something they have to be concerned about.

"I just think we have to play hard against (Pronger), and Buff knows he gets rewarded by going to the net."

The Flyers, with a win under their belts, will continue to pound the Hawks, especially if they react the way they did Wednesday.

So the Hawks have to remember it's their skill and speed that wins out in the end.

"We know what we have to do," Duncan Keith said. "We just have to do it."