Defense is the reason this series is now even.

And just like that what was a best of seven series is now a best of three.


Much like Chicago in games one & two, Philadelphia held serve on their home ice winning game four last night 5-3 to even up the Stanley Cup Finals at two games a piece.


The reason the Flyers have been able to make this a series after being down two games to none is because right now their blue line is playing better than Chicago's blue line.


Everyone's favorite villain Chris Pronger is having a monster series right now for Philadelphia. He may not have had a point since game one of the series but he was a plus four on the ice last night and has been responsible for shutting down Chicago's top line of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, & Dustin Byfuglien.


Pronger's presence is also allowing the Hawks to take dumb penalties. Byfuglien was called for a slash on Pronger in game three which led to a power play goal. Last night Patrick Sharp was also penalized for slashing Pronger. While Philly may not have scored it doesn't help Chicago to have one of their top forwards in the penalty box when they are trailing by two goals.


While Pronger is getting all the attention his partner on defense Matt Carle has been just has good. He helped set up the tip in by Claude Giroux to win game three and his goal at 14:48 of the 1st period gave Philly it's first two goal lead of the series.


Kimmo Timonen also got on the score sheet for the first time this series when he assisted on Giroux's goal to give the Flyers a two goal lead once again after Chicago had scored fifty-one seconds earlier.


As good as Philly's defense has been you can also say the Chicago's has played poorly. Philly's first goal of the night came on the power play when Mike Richards skated behind Niklas Hjalmarsson and lifted his stick, stealing the puck in the process and scored on Antti Niemi.


Philly's second goal came as the result of a bad clearing attempt in front of the Chicago net by Hjalmarsson. His clearing pass went right on the stick of Carle who fired it into an empty net to give the Flyers a two goal lead.


The third goal for Philadelphia happened when Chciago lost Claude Giroux behind the net. (Seriously, how the hell do you lose Claude Giroux?) The puck came to Kimmo Timonen who found Giroux wide open standing beside the net. All Giroux had to do was tip it in and it was 3-1 Philadelphia.


Not all of Chicago's defenseman were bad in game four. Duncan Keith had assists on all three Blackhawk goals and Brian Campbell got his first goal of the post-season late in the 3rd period. 

But Chicago needs more form their defense. In a series where neither team has a dominant goaltender it is important for the defense to step up and help out. Philadelphia is doing that by not allowing the Blackhawks to create traffic in front of Michal Leighton. Chicago's defense has to stop being careless with the puck. Game five would be a good time to start.


I'll be back tomorrow with a preview column for game five which is on NBC tomorrow night at 7 PM. Until then thanks for reading & enjoy the hockey.