Rinaldo's Playoff Blog: Day 1

Voorhees, N.J. - Tues. April 10, 12:05 p.m.
I'm jacked up for the playoffs to finally start. Our flight leaves at 2:30 this afternoon and I couldn't be more excited to get to Pittsburgh.

I think what the team needs to do is just get bonding again. That's a big thing for the playoffs, for me at least, is just to bond with the guys and get even a little tighter than we normally are. That's a huge thing.

I didn't mind the practice schedule this week, playing Saturday and then Game 1 on Wednesday. I think that's a good thing for our team. It works to our advantage, we can work on our systems and fine tune things.

With all of the emotions facing Pittsburgh, discipline will be huge. It's always big in the playoffs, in every series. I think it works to our advantage. In the regular season, refs are usually calling the Philadelphia Flyers more than any other team.

It just means I can probably get away with a little bit more.

Tonight, I'll do whatever I feel like. I'm not superstitious in any way like that. If I feel like going out and about in the city, I will do that. I think my dad, his brother, and my grandfather will be coming down (from Mississauga, Ontario). I might go out for something to eat with them. If I don't feel like it, I won't do it. Maybe I'll take a nap.

I go about my day like any normal person.

We have a schedule to go by in the mornings on a game day. We have to be on the bus by 10 o'clock. I don't have a regimented time to go to sleep. I'll sleep when I'm tired. That might be a little tough tonight.

Flyers rookie Zac Rinaldo will be writing a daily blog on Philly.com throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs. Check back on Wednesday for another post. Follow him on Twitter at @RinaldoZac.