Flyers are still in better position than last postseason

As long as we're among friends here, let's be completely frank. It doesn't diminish the Flyers' thrilling run to the Stanley Cup Finals last year to acknowledge they had some breaks along the way.

And no, not the bones in Jeff Carter's feet.

It is part of the lore that the Flyers slipped into the playoffs with a shootout win over the Rangers on the final day of the regular season. They were the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference and pulled the first-round upset of No. 2 seed New Jersey.

They got to the Finals without having to deal with the two most dangerous, superstar-laden teams in the conference. Montreal took care of Washington in the first round and Pittsburgh in the second. The Flyers faced Boston - famously overcoming that no games to three series deficit - and the Canadiens, the Nos. 6 and 8 seeds in the East.

Perhaps the Flyers would have beaten the Capitals of Alex Ovechkin or the Penguins of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Just as the 2008 Phillies might have beaten the Cubs, Cardinals, Yankees, or Red Sox. The path that went Brewers-Dodgers-Rays-parade, however, proved welcoming enough.

The common wisdom last June was that the Flyers weren't likely to have things break in their favor like that again. The common wisdom in March 2011 says things already have. This seems worth discussing after the Flyers played those Eastern rivals, Washington and Pittsburgh, in back-to-back games.

First, to their credit, the Flyers are battling for a spot at the top of the bracket instead of the bottom. By getting a point against the Penguins Thursday night, the Flyers maintained their grasp on first place in the Atlantic Division. That means they will almost certainly be the No. 1 or No. 2 seed going into this year's playoffs.

It is easier to avoid the better teams when you're the top team. But the real twist this year is that neither Washington nor Pittsburgh is quite as daunting right now as they appeared in 2010.

The Flyers didn't have to deal with Ovechkin or defenseman Mike Green Tuesday night. There was no Crosby or Malkin Thursday, which deprived this rivalry of most of its juice. On the other hand, the Flyers were without Chris Pronger.

We're talking about a handful of the world's best players here, real difference-makers. The fact that both games were settled by shootouts tells you a few important things: Points are at a premium right now, so teams are really busting it; the Caps and Pens are much more than just their stars; and both teams will be that much tougher if they get those stars back.

Ovechkin is expected to play in the postseason. Green, coming back from a couple of concussions, could return before the end of the regular season. Malkin, with a severe knee injury, is out for the duration. Crosby, who hasn't played since a Jan. 5 concussion, is reportedly close to trying to return.

But there is no telling what impact their layoffs will have on the players who do return, or how smoothly they will blend in with teams that have played well without them.

It may still be true that having a true superstar or two is the best way to win a Cup - the two teams in the Finals last year suggested otherwise - but it is only true if those players are playing at an elite level. Take them away, or diminish them, and your team's identity disappears. The Flyers approach of depth and breadth of talent suddenly looks pretty good.

Three dangerous lines, three very good defensive pairs. If the goaltending can hold, this team is built for a long playoff run.

Sergei Bobrovsky, who was yanked after a shaky start against the Caps Tuesday, bounced back nicely against Pittsburgh. The rookie blocked Tyler Kennedy on an early breakaway, then rode that confidence boost through a strong game. Coach Peter Laviolette was looking for just that when he gave Bobrovsky the start.

Great goaltending would be an obvious asset in the playoffs, but not that many teams get it. The Flyers got within two wins of the Cup with Brian Boucher and Michael Leighton, and both were hurt through most of the tournament. The Blackhawks won with rookie Antti Niemi and were so grateful they let him walk for salary-cap reasons.

(Then again, the Blackhawks might miss the playoffs while Niemi is the top goalie for the Pacific Division-leading San Jose Sharks. So, grain of salt and all that.)

Against the Capitals, the Flyers would have won easily with decent goaltending. Against the Penguins, the Flyers were in the game only because of very good goaltending.

These were the two opponents the Flyers didn't have to deal with last year. This year, you get the feeling the Caps and Penguins would just as soon not deal with the Flyers.