Flyers-Blackhawks: Game 3's talking points

Here's what we're talking about after Game 3, heading into Game 4 tomorrow night at the Wachovia Center.

* The hope. The Flyers survived a game they could have easily lost and gave their fans another 48 hours of hope. At this point of the Flyers' season, every game is the most important they play, setting up another must-win tomorrow night. That's what happens when you lose the first two games; your margin of error is gone. Now, of course, it is easy to imagine the Flyers tying the series and really having a chance to win the Cup. Isn't it?

* The big line. Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and Simon Gagne were kept off the score sheet last night. Richards and Carter have zero goals in the finals and Gagne has one. Once the euphoria of the overtime victory wears off - and that might take some time - the big line's lack of scoring will take centerstage.

* A medium start. With a noisy, state-record hockey crowd in attendance, the Flyers didn't come out storming. Everyone expected a fast start, but that didn't happen. Danny Briere did score first, and the Flyers left the ice after the first period with the lead, but there was no carryover into the second period.

* Ville Leino. The Flyers winger was a magician with the puck last night, creating scoring chances for himself and his teammates. He scored a goal almost as important as Claude Giroux's game-winner just 20 seconds after Patrick Kane put the 'Hawks ahead early in the third period. The goal was Leino's second of the series. Remember, the Flyers got him in a salary-cap dump by Detroit on Feb. 6 for Ole-Kristian Tollefson.

* The styles of play. Fans at the Wachovia Center can easily see the differences in the teams. The 'Hawks really can skate and are faster than the Flyers. The Flyers are more physical, generally, and these contrasting styles are helping to create a great series.