Flyers lose to the Rangers again...

Well, folks... the Flyers got swept by the Rangers in the regular season... The Penguins won last night, and we have a couple of injuries from the last Penguins game... What is your confidence level in the Flyers right now?

Flyers lose 5-3, with a goals from Voracek, Simmonds, and Lilja Hartnell.

The New York Rangers clinched first place in the Eastern Conference & Atlantic with the win, which kind of implies that the Flyers will be seeing Pittsburgh in the first round of the playoffs, that is unless the Flyers take a massive dump on the last two game of the season and lose to the Buffalo Sabres tomorrow, and the Penguins on Saturday. If that happens (I certainly hope it doesn't) The New Jersey Devils claim fifth in the East, and Flyers drop to sixth. Honestly, I really don't care who the Flyers face in the first round. I whole heartedly believe that the Flyers can beat the Penguins (the record this year definitely works in their favor) and if the Flyers make that unlikely drop to sixth place the Flyers will see the Florida Panthers, a team that boasts a far worse record than the Philadelphia Flyers, but gets a mandatory higher seed because they play in an inferior Southeastern Division. I should also probably point out that there are 2 games left in most teams' schedules and the Panthers haven't clinched their division yet, and it's incredibly possible that the Washington Capitals could take that division.

I would normally not think twice about worrying about anyone in the Southeast, however, if that's how the first round shapes up for the Flyers, that means they enter the playoffs with a three game losing streak. I do not like that. As evidenced by the recent (lack of a) playoff run of our 2011 Philadelphia Phillies, being cold going into the playoffs is absolutely not a good way to enter the playoffs. Again, let's reference our 2011 Philadelphia Phillies, because they exited in the NLDS (1st round).

With that being said, I would really rather have a winning streak entering the playoffs which means let's please hope to win out the season.

Injuries:

In regards to injuries, we learned that James Van Riemsdyk should be back mid 1st round, and that Andrej Mezaros should be back in the 2nd round (I read about these two players somewhere but can't remember where, I'm trying to locate the article. However, until then Sam Carchidi, Flyers beat writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer posted it on his twitter, check it out @BroadStBull). Tom Sestito said on his twitter that he should be ready to go 1st round, but that's not an official report. As already stated by Paul Holmgren Nicklas Grossmann is out 7-10 days with a Lower Body Injury (LBI) and Danny Briere (I'm sad about this) is out indefinitely with a back contusion, or in Briere's own words Back Spasms :-( .

The Flyers have a complete day off of practice today, and face the Buffalo Sabres, who need to win to still have hopes of making the playoffs, tomorrow at 7:00.

Madness I tell you!

Yesterday's game was incredible... crazy, but incredible.

The game had it all, goals, fights, cheap shots, and yelling. What a perfect Sunday afternoon game televised on NBC... national television.

A game that most definitely is beginning to set the tone for what is the most probable scenario for the first round of the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.

So now, without further ado, I will announce to you the victor of this round: The Philadelphia Flyers.

Your Philadelphia Flyers pulled out of this game with a 6-4 win, despite being down 2-0 early in the first period (same story, different day, eh?). The Flyers then came back to score five unanswered goals. Pittsburgh's Steve Sullivan scored the Penguins thrid goal fifteen minutes into the third period. Before one of our three magnificent gingers, Jakub Voracek, scored the Flyers sixth and final goal.

So before we get to the fun stuff, let's just say that Claude Giroux scored his 28th goal of the season yesterday with assists from Jaromir Jagr and Scott Hartnell (a beautiful first line if I may say so), and the former Penguin and all around lovable player, Maxime Talbot scored his 19th of the season with assists from Zac Rinaldo and toothless Sean Couturier. Jakub Voracek scored my favorite goal of the night for goal #16 on the season, and then #17 on the final goal of the game, an empty netter. Also, Wayne Simmonds scored a powerplay goal for his 27th goal of the season. Pittsburgh goal scorers were Steve Sullivan with two goals, James Neal, and Chris Kunitz. Check out the Flyers Official website for the complete box score.

The third period was absolutely nuts. From my count there were about fifteen penalties issued out with one minute (yes, one minute) left in the game. Including, the ejection of our Jamtastic coach, Peter Laviolette and Pittsburgh coach, Dan Bylsma. The highlight of this massive melee however, was Scott Hartnell (of course!). A Penguins fan Hulkamaniac was taunting the Flyers bench and Hartsy responded. Crossingbroad.com owner, Kyle Scott did a fantastic job of documenting the madness. Check it out it will make your day.

Anywho, at the end of the day, the Flyers move within one point of the Penguins in the Eastern/Atlantic Conference and they are one point away from home ice-advantage. Oh, and the Flyers and Pittsburgh play each other one last time in the regular season, on Saturday. Hold on tight Flyers fans, and don't lose your pants!

Double Duty..

The Flyers lost yesterday. I didn't get to watch the game, I felt responsible (damn superstitions!) however, I heard they played badly. Down 3-0 early, our Fly guys came back to tie it only to lose in overtime. Sad. Anywho, read this here article for your sad Flyers lose in overtime recap.

Did someone say Wayne Simmonds scored a goal with his face?! Yep. That happened. If you weren't on the Wayne Train yet, you better be. (Plug. go to hartnelldown.com and buy his #waynetrain shirts. it goes to charity, and they're pretty sweet) In fact, I'm wearing mine today:

However, there is a game today!

A very humungous big game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Flyers won the last meeting, which was also an afternoon game, but it took them a little while to get into the game. They don't have a good reputation this year for showing up for afternoon games so I'm excited to see today's game unfold.

Also read what the700level has to say on today's game's storylines, kinda interesting.

You can count the games left in the regular season on one hand, yet this isn't the last time we'll see the Penguins, besides this is the most probable first round match up for the Flyers. So, do you like that the Flyers are seeing the Penguins so much at the end of the season? Oh, and home ice advantage is still very much up for grabs.