I've spoken to Kimmo Timonen on a few occasions, and he's one of those great postgame ambassadors for a team: Soft-spoken but jovial, filling reporters' notebooks with well-reasoned insight while always keeping the focus on the rest of his teammates. If that's one of the virtues of being a strong leader, then the Philadelphia Flyers have one hell of a strong leader in Timonen.

So while I'm sure Timonen's surprise pregame speech in the Flyers' locker room last night wasn't going to make anyone forget Pacino in "Any Given Sunday" (video), it was likely enough to inspire something Philly hasn't had in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins: Confidence.

Three goals in the first period, with two on a power play that's sorely missed Timonen. A feisty defensive game that finally managed to yank the welcome mat in front of the Flyers' zone away from the Penguins. Marty Biron suddenly forgetting that as a Flyers goalie deep in the postseason, he's obligated to fall apart at the seams. And perhaps the greatest indication of newfound confidence: It looked like Flyers hockey again last night:

That said, let's all take a deep breath and ask ourselves if the Penguins are allowed a bad game in these playoffs; because they hadn't had one yet before looking as flat as a silver dollar at IHOP last night.

The Pens allowed the Flyers more access to the offensive zone and in front of Marc Andre-Fleury than they had in the previous three games; indeed, as Ed Barkowitz so eloquently put it in the Philadelphia Daily News, the Flyers had previously "seemed to treat the Penguins' crease as if it were being guarded by Martha Stewart watering petunias."

It's impossible, based on one game, to figure out if Coach John Stevens's adventurous new line pairings that placed Mike Richards and Danny Briere on the same shift made such a colossal difference, or if the Penguins just laid an egg. (And if they did, I hope it never hatches, because "Happy Feet" sucked.) Whatever the case, the Flyers have received a stay of execution. "The longer you let them breathe, the worse it gets," Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik said after the game.

Damn right, and watch those orange-and-black lungs fill with air if Timonen and Braydon Coburn make their improbable returns to the lineup for Game 5. For the Flyers, it could turn momentum into a movement; the Lucky 33 campaign is already picking up steam.

But here's the bitter reality for Flyers fans: They're going to have to win at Mellon. And the Penguins haven't lost there in the third round, the second round, the first round, April or March; their last non-overtime loss was on Feb. 13 against Boston, back when Sidney Crosby was in street clothes, ConkBlock was the starting goalie, and Clemens was talking to Congress.

The Flyers have the momentum. Pittsburgh has the 3-1 lead, and a 15-game winning streak at home. Who would you rather be?

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