If Game 2 of the Stanley Cup finals seems to have a bit more trash-talking, more hits and more post-whistle scrums, it’s probably because of Daniel Carcillo.
The popular Philadelphia Flyers agitator will be in the lineup Monday night for Game 2 and his team trailing the Hawks 1-0 in the series.
“It was a secret,” Flyers forward Ian Laperriere said after the team’s pre-game skate.
It was Carcillo who let the cat out of the bag. Either way, Carcillo brings an edge that was lacking at times for the Flyers in Game 1.
He was a healthy scratch — a decision Flyers coach Peter Laviolette called very difficult — late in the Eastern Conference finals against the Montreal Canadiens and in Game 1 with Jeff Carter able to play.
Carcillo may seem like a wild card, especially if you look at his 207 penalty minutes in the regular season, but he has a knack for drawing penalties too.
“I’m not sure of the exact numbers,” Laviolette said. “You would have to look it up. Somebody gave them to me. He doesn’t cross over that line too much. In fact, that line goes the other way. I believe he finished top three in the penalties that he draws, as opposed to the penalties he takes. It was like a plus 25 rating.
“Danny Carcillo has done an excellent job with his discipline when he’s been in the lineup, so he plays an aggressive game. He can agitate a little bit. He’s physical. And I think he’s done an excellent job of controlling his game and keeping it legal. ”
