There may have been some doubt in the fans' minds as to whether the Flyers would make the playoffs 8 games into the season (when they sat at 1-7-0), but this team improved more than any team in the NHL from the beginning of the year. They put the finishing touches on their turnaround tonight with a 5-2 win over the Panthers to seal playoff birth. Since everyone knows strike-shortened seasons don't count, (and the Blackhawks only have 4 Stanley Cups) the Flyers have now made the playoffs every year since that abominable 2006-07 season.
After a first period reminiscent of the last couple of scoreless games, in which it took the Flyers over 6 minutes to get a shot off, the offense exploded in the second period. Vinny Lecavalier became Philadelphia's 7th 20-goal scorer for this season 2 minutes into the period, sneaking a rebound past backup goalie Dan Ellis' five hole. No other team in the NHL has seven 20-goal scorers.
Claude Giroux then lit the lamp two times in a two and a half minute span to make it 3-0.
Sean Couturier finished the period with his first goal in 18 games off a rebound he was able to wrist in.
Up 4-0 early in the third, things got rocky for a bit, as Erik Gudbranson fired one past Mason from far up near the blue line a minute in. Four minutes later Jonathan Huberdeau would beat Mason after a turnover despite being well covered & being forced to the wing by Streit. Mason knew the shot went past his pads immediately. It was far too weak of a shot to be a goal.
With the lead only at 4-2 the Flyers cracked down to finish the game. Lecavalier found Tye McGinn, who beat Ellis with 4:54 left to make it 5-2. This was McGinn's first goal of his current stint with the Flyers & first since October 15. McGinn's current call-up was extended thanks to Zac Rinaldo's actions Sunday, taking him out of the picture for 4 games.
The Flyers are now guaranteed a playoff spot and an eventually showdown in the first round with the Rangers seems to be looming. This is no time to lay off the gas. The Flyers stay in Florida (like the Soul do this week) to play Tampa Bay Thursday at 7:30.
-Ben Lebo
@BroadStBeat has clinched a Twitter spot.
Claude Giroux then lit the lamp two times in a two and a half minute span to make it 3-0.
Sean Couturier finished the period with his first goal in 18 games off a rebound he was able to wrist in.
Up 4-0 early in the third, things got rocky for a bit, as Erik Gudbranson fired one past Mason from far up near the blue line a minute in. Four minutes later Jonathan Huberdeau would beat Mason after a turnover despite being well covered & being forced to the wing by Streit. Mason knew the shot went past his pads immediately. It was far too weak of a shot to be a goal.
With the lead only at 4-2 the Flyers cracked down to finish the game. Lecavalier found Tye McGinn, who beat Ellis with 4:54 left to make it 5-2. This was McGinn's first goal of his current stint with the Flyers & first since October 15. McGinn's current call-up was extended thanks to Zac Rinaldo's actions Sunday, taking him out of the picture for 4 games.
The Flyers are now guaranteed a playoff spot and an eventually showdown in the first round with the Rangers seems to be looming. This is no time to lay off the gas. The Flyers stay in Florida (like the Soul do this week) to play Tampa Bay Thursday at 7:30.
-Ben Lebo
@BroadStBeat has clinched a Twitter spot.
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