Penguins push Flyers to playoff brink

PHILADELPHIA -- An Eastern Conference final that began with the Philadelphia Flyers wondering how they would deal with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin is almost over with the Flyers wondering why they can't solve defensemen Brooks Orpik and Hal Gill.

The Pittsburgh Penguins, known for offensive flash, continued to strangle the Flyers defensively, holding them to 18 shots Tuesday in a 4-1 victory that left Pittsburgh a win short of reaching the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1992.

"They're very committed to the checking game right now," Philadelphia coach John Stevens said. "They're creating all their offense from the checking side of the puck, and they're doing it very well."

In front of a boisterous crowd of 19,965, the Flyers managed eight shots in the first 40 minutes against the trapping Penguins. They have scored five goals in falling behind 3-0 in the ...