What can you say? We earned this as a team and it's really nice to clinch via a win against a bitter rival instead of a loss (Detroit). I'm really glad that Boston choked because that's what they've been doing lately and they deserved to play their way out while we've played our way in. That trend continued today, so I'm looking forward to this.
We're playing with house money here. Losing in round one would not be a disappointment, but I think we can give the Caps all they can handle.
Simmonds and Schenn have had career years. The defense is much improved with Ghost and guys like Gudas, Manning and MacDonald are underrated. We're pretty strong down the middle with Giroux, Couturier, Cousins and Bellemare and that entire fourth line can play with anyone. That and Hakstol has put his stamp on this team and our goaltending will not be an issue moving forward.
Obviously we have a lot of bias, but truthfully, Hakstol and Ghost should get serious consideration for their respective awards. The Jack Adams and Calder Trophy, that is. Both have done more with less than probably anyone else in their fields and I think that says a lot.
I mean, Panarin has been playing with a red hot Patrick Kane all season long. Yeah, that guy who has 103 points and is running away with the scoring title. Of course he is going to pile up the points. McDavid really didn't play in enough games (half of the season). All of the others barely edged Ghost in scoring and with 18 more games played (as forwards). I think you have to judge Ghost as a defender against other defenders anyway and he literally broke records in that category.
Was there another team in the Nhl that nobody expected to make the playoffs but made it in anyway? Nope, it's basically just us. Hakstol deserves the lion's share of the credit for that, without question. Honestly, I take more from that than I do from Trotz riding the most stacked team in the Nhl to the Presidents' Trophy.
I believe the Flyers have taken the next step in the rebuild process by not faltering or caving when the going got tough and learning how to win and earn their way into the playoffs. This is the beginning and this is really satisfying to see this team come this far this year.
We open against the Caps, I believe. And now the next step is before the Flyers. It has been quite awhile but the Flyers now have to win a post-season series to continue the process.
This will be awesome to see what they decide to do even though we match-up well with the Caps. Who'd thought we would have made the playoffs THIS YEAR! I know I didn't. Excellent job boys, from top to bottom.
What a remarkable season. They finish the year 1 point back of the lightning and tied with the predators. I bet 0 people predicted that at the start of the year.
I love the heart of this team. They never gave up just kept playing and getting better. If we play our very best we could steal this series. I feel pumped this morning.
The last two games were classic take no prisoners Flyers hockey!!!!
Yes, the pens rested some guys and the Islanders weren't at full strength but I don't think any of that would of mattered!!! These boys wanted it in a big way!!!!
I hope they keep going and knock the shit out of the caps too!!!!