For Flyers, it's Washington or (hopefully) Boston
The Flyers can't be took happy that they are going to have to wait an extra day before they start their Eastern Conference semfiinals. They are antsy and eager to continue the momentum they built during their first-round dismantling of the New Jersey Devils.
For Flyers, it's Washington or (hopefully) Boston
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Flyers can't be took happy that they are going to have to wait an extra day before they start their Eastern Conference semfiinals. They are antsy and eager to continue the momentum they built during their first-round dismantling of the New Jersey Devils.
But, truth be told, they could be VERY happy if they end up facing Boston _ and not Washington _ in the next round.
That became a stronger possibility when top-seeded Washington was jolted by eighth-seeded Montreal, 4-1, on Monday. Jaroslav Halak made 53 saves _ many of which were spectacular _ to highlight the win. It was the fourth-highest save total for a Montreal goalie in the frachise's storied playoff history
Washington will host the Canadiens in Game 7 Wednesday, with the winner moving to the conference semifinals.
Boston, seeded sixth, earned a semifinal berth by ending its series with a 4-3 win over third-seeded Buffalo on Monday.
For the seventh-seeded Flyers, it has come down to this: If Washington wins _ as I think they will _ on Wednesday, the Caps will face the Flyers in the next round.
If Montreal upsets Washington, the Flyers would meet Boston in Round 2.
The Boston matchup is much more favorable for the Flyers. The Bruins finished with 91 points, while Washington finished with a league-best 121 points.
The Flyers, who accumlated 88 points during the season, were 1-3 against Washington and were outscored, 22-13.
The Flyers were 2-1-1 against Boston, including a controversial 2-1 overtime loss to the Bruins at Fenway Park in the Winter Classic. In that Jan. 1 game, Boston appeared to score the winning goal with too many men on the ice.
Peter Laviolette's team will start the next round on the road. Game 1 is tentatively scheduled for Friday.
The Flyers, having not played since Thursday, will be much more rested than their opponent.
"There have been lots of cases where teams have had time off and they’ve won the Cup, and lots of cases where a team has had time off and laid an egg," coach Peter Laviolette said, hoping his team falls into the former category.
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There is always something to be said about rolling with the momentum of a long series...but with Gags foot, and Lappy's face, this time off is a very good thing. I don't care who the Flyers play in the next round, as long as they come with the same tempo and effort of the first round. I expect the long layoff will make for a game one stinker, but they won game one vs. the Devils with a stinker!— Hexy4GM- The exhibition Halak put on last night just might be the best playoff goaltending I've seen in the past 35 years of watching hockey. Absolutely incredible - and extremely lucky at times too.— schnitzelboy
- By regular-season point totals, Boston might look like the better match-up for the Flyers, but I'm not sure I buy it. Boston has been one of the best defensive teams in the conference this season... so I think it might work better for the Flyers, who are missing two of their top offensive players, to play the Caps and their all-offense approach instead of Boston's strong defense. Either way, if the Flyers bring the effort in the 2nd round that they did against NJ, they should be in pretty good shape. Let's go Flyers!— chaos91
- I think the Caps are OVerated. The Flyers play like they did in the first round and they can beat anybody.— BroadStreet
- Let's not forget that a lot of those regular season points by the Caps were are the lowly SE division opponents of which how many made the playoffs... one... the Caps.— BroadStreet
- I heard Hartnell was taking advantage of the extra time off to take skating lessons so he won't be falling down three times per shift...— Ticogringomike
- it is good that if they play the Caps, the Caps will be on 1 day rest following a 7 game series. it might not show in Game 1, but my the back end of the series, the Flyers could be the fresher team. of course, I don't put it past the NHL and/or NBC to push the Flyers/Caps Game 1 (assuming Caps win) to Saturday...— JesseH
- Gotta agree with BroadStreet here. Caps were 19-1 in the SE division. Thats a lot of points against a division who's #2 team was 35-34 for the season. I'm not saying they aren't good....they obviously are, but they are also WAY overrated.— grev63
- The Craps are overated! Their defense is terrible and they are already shifting goalies around. Defense and goaltending win championships! Plus, the Habs are just outplaying them, much like the Flyers outplayed the Devils. Last, the Euros cannot wait to get home for the summer, and the Craps Euros are playing like it. I say, "Bring them on!"— Flying P
Ticogringomike: "I heard Hartnell was taking advantage of the extra time off to take skating lessons so he won't be falling down three times per shift..." --- So true. I think he's been drinking before games.— azguz- Guys, be careful and remember who the Flyers played. The Devils stunk down the stretch. They lost practically all of their games, except against the Pens. They limped into the playoffs. They play a boring style of hockey that suffocated the offensive skills of guys like Parise and Kovulchuk. And Brodeur went through yet another end-of-season / playoff swoon. I think the Devils have won a 1st round series twice since they won the Cup in 2003, and did not make it past the 2nd round. Seriously! Can the Flyers beat Bos or Was? Sure. But don't base that on what they did to a very suspect NJ Devils team.— bdunn
- bdunn, The flyers lost 8 or their last nine down the stretch. we were a very suspect team too. I see your point, however, some times teams can turn it around.— azguz
- and there is the possibility the Caps win in Quadruple Overtime and are gassed Friday— HighFlyer
- Mike Wise in today's Wash. Post, "...it's time to officially envision the possibility that the current hood ornament for Washington-region pro sports teams could in all likelihood be knocked off by a bunch of less talented, but more committed players and their fearless and fabulous goaltender."— Beechdancer
- Washington was the higher seed two years ago when they gained a lot of points from their weak division rivals. The Flyers can beat them again. Or Boston. Meh.— Flyskippy
