FLYERS: Jeff Carter is a Modern-Day Mike Schmidt

INSIDE THE FLYERS: TIME FOR FLYERS FANS TO APPRECIATE CARTER

…This is a REALLY interesting comparison, for a lot of reasons. Anyone who has ever sat next to me during a Flyers game, or watched a game with me, knows that Carter is not one of my favorites.

What Carchidi likens to Carter “playing so effortlessly that sometimes fans think he’s lazy,” I actually DO liken to laziness. Listen, there’s no doubting that Carter is one of the best players on this team right now, and arguably their best scoring threat, but until he proves to me he can be a clutch player (yes, I still haven’t forgiven him for not scoring on Niemi in Game 6 last year after the Flyers had tied the game late), I don’t want to compare him to Schmidt. Mike Schmidt is arguably the greatest 3rd basemen in Major League History; Jeff Carter is simply a good winger.

Maybe the fact that both seem to be underappreciated by the fan base is a good argument, and I’ll admit it’s what intrigued me to read this article, but Carter is in no way, shape, or form comparable to Michael Jack. He has no ring.

FLYERS: Three in the Top-50 for Fantasy – NHL.com

MIDSEASON TOP-50 FANTASY HOCKEY RANKINGS

…I’m not really all that much of a fantasy hockey guy – I prefer Fantasy Football – but it’s cool to see three of the Flyers players in the top-50 amongst the entire league. Mike Richards (29th), Jeff Carter (34th), and Danny Briere (43rd) all make appearances. While I don’t really keep track of my fantasy team, I always only draft Flyers players, so I guess I’m doing well in my league because I know I have all three of those men on my team.

FLYERS: Carter is Signed (For a Long, Long Time)

TSN reports have been confirmed by Flyers beat writers Anthony San Filippo and Tim Panaccio that the Orange and Black have locked up sniper Jeff Carter to an 11 year deal worth $58 million.

The deal essentially means Carter will be a Flyer for life, and that the team’s offensive core of Carter, Mike Richards, and Claude Giroux will all be together for the next few seasons. More reaction after the game tonight.

UPDATE (5:50 PM EST): Bob McKenzie of TSN Tweets the Carter Contract breakdown:

…Some reaction around the hockey world:

BROAD STREET HOCKEY

SBNATION PHILLY

THE 700 LEVEL

PUCK DADDY

…Sam Carchidi, of The Philadelphia Inquirer, offers this viewpoint onto the next hopeful big signing for the Flyers:

FLYERS: More Production From the Wingers Needed

The Flyers defensive unit finally slid out of a funk last night against the Islanders as Chris Pronger (2 goals) and Kimmo Timonen (1 goal) scored the first goals of the season by members of the team’s blue line. It now appears that problem has been solved – for the time being – but there still remains a concern over the team’s lack of production from their wingers.

JVR is among a host of Flyers wingers who need to step it up offensively

It’s been harped upon time and time again: the Flyers need someone, anyone, to step up and off-set the loss of one of the best wingers the franchise has ever had in Simon Gagne. While Danny Briere and Claude Giroux – two centers – have had incredible starts offensively for the Orange and Black, there still lacks a constant production from the players who man the wings. Scott Hartnell is looking far better than he did at this point last season, and Ville Leino appears to be getting his legs back under him after off-season hip surgery, but players like James van Riemsdyk and Nikolay Zherdev need to start finding the back of the net to supply the Flyers with a larger dose of secondary scoring. Zherdev has been so unimpressive thus far that he’s spent the last two games in a suit as a healthy scratch.

The Flyers’ wingers are a strong group on paper, but just haven’t been there all that much statistically this season thus far. Of course, it’s early, and it’s hard to believe that they won’t come around, but questions start to linger the longer it takes for such an event to happen. Hopefully more wingers can find the score sheet come tomorrow’s contest against Carolina.

Sam Carchidi offers his take on the lack of scoring from the wings thus far this season right here: INSIDE THE FLYERS: LOOKING FOR SCORING FROM THE WINGS

FLYERS: Player Report Card – Jeff Carter

NAME: Jeff Carter

POSITION: Center

Regular Season Statistics: 74 Games Played – 33 Goals, 28 Assists, 61 Points. +2

Analysis: Coming off a season in which he scored over 40 goals, expectations were high offensively for Jeff Carter coming into the ’09-’10 season. While his totals weren’t at the same level that he finished a year prior, Carter’s statistics this past season were definitely commendable. As was the them of the entire Flyers team this season, Carter certainly had his moments where he underachieved this season, going stretches of five games or more without scoring a goal on four occasions this season. However, the stretch run for Carter was severely hampered when he broke his foot blocking a shot in a March game against the Atlanta Thrashers, an injury that would keep Carter away from the ice until the season-ending home-and-home with the New York Rangers. While Carter wasn’t really a factor in the home-and-home with New York, nor all that much when he was healthy down the stretch against teams who the Flyers were trying to catch in the playoff race, it still needs to be acknowledged that the Flyers wouldn’t have even been in a position to attack for a playoff spot had Carter not carried the load offensively at certain points throughout the year.

Postseason Statistics: 12 Games Played – 5 Goals, 2 Assists, 7 Points. -5

Analysis: Oh, Jeff Carter and the postseason. Unfortunately, a title that doesn’t make too many Flyers fans smile. This postseason gave them reason to believe there would be a change in Carter’s play in the NHL’s second season, but another broken foot – this one in Game Four against New Jersey after having a shot hit him in front of the net – sidelined the Flyers sniper and didn’t give him a chance to continue what was an otherwise solid first round against the Devils. In the four games he participated in during the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal, Carter had two goals and one assist, all of which came in the final game he would compete in during the series. The broken foot sidelined him for the entire Boston series, and #17 didn’t make his return to the Flyers line-up until Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals against Montreal. He would score twice in Game Five, a game that clinched the Flyers’ first Eastern Conference Championship since 1997, but was rendered invisible during the Stanley Cup Final against Chicago. The Blackhawks defense had an answer for every move Carter tried to throw at them – granted, Carts was visibly slowed down by the lack of healing time given to his broken foot before he came back – and the Flyers sniper finished with one point in the Final, an empty netter that sealed a Flyers victory in Game Four.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Reasoning: Carter’s offensive prowess is undeniable. There were times when he was silent this year, but, in my opinion, a pair of broken feet will do that to you. I gave Carter a lot of flack during the Final because of how slow he looked on the ice, and I stand by that opinion. Still, I give Carter credit for what he meant to this team during the regular season, and I think everybody knows now that Carts is an integral piece to the future here in Philadelphia. The reason for that is because the Flyers dealt fan favorite and the longest tenured current member of the Orange and Black, Simon Gagne, last month to the Tampa Bay Lightning, electing to go with their shining youth, as opposed to their shining Vets. Sure, Carter’s had a good couple seasons in a row here, but if he doesn’t pick up the pace this year, it’s hard for me to imagine their won’t be people calling for both he and Paul Holmgren’s collective heads. Pressure’s on now, Carter. Don’t give anyone a reason to doubt you.

FLYERS: Forsberg Nearly Returned to Orange and Black

I read this yesterday morning on the great European Flyers blog, EuroFlyers, as Teemu made note of the fact that Paul Holmgren had reached out to Peter Forsberg late this season when Jeff Carter and Simon Gagne were each battling injuries and the team was on the verge of missing the playoffs. Thankfully, Foppa declined Homer’s offer – citing a series of health issues – and no one had heard a thing about the ordeal. I didn’t think much of it after reading it, but apparently some bigger news sources – such as this article from TSN – deemed it worthy enough to make headline news. So, I suppose I’ll weigh in on it.

Peter Forsberg almost re-joined the Flyers in March for the stretch run

Of course, if you don’t know already, I am still a little bitter to Forsberg for how he treated the Flyers when he made his comeback to the NHL in 2008, spurning their offer to return to his more famous home of Colorado to play for the Avalanche. With that being said, he was one of my favorite Flyers ever – despite his stay in Philadelphia being brief – and I will always remember his incredible skill and playmaking ability on the ice. Obviously, 2008 didn’t work out for the Avs too well, and the Flyers made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Final that year, so I don’t have much room to complain about Forsberg not being a Flyer at that time. Still, that move by Foppa has bothered me to this day. There were few people more excited than me when the Flyers inked Forsberg out of the lockout. He was still in the last stages of his prime, and had long since been considered one of the best players – and regarded as the best when healthy – in the world. Forsberg’s years with the Flyers didn’t amount to much, and the former top prospect that was dealt to Quebec in the Eric Lindros deal was traded away again by the Flyers, this time to Nashville during the ’06-’07 season – when the Flyers finished with the worst record in the National Hockey League.

Foppa Captained the Orange and Black in 2006-'07

In 2007-’08 he could’ve returned to the Orange and Black. He opted not to. It appears that in 2009-’10, Forsberg once again had the opportunity and turned Philadelphia down. Some may say I’m crazy for being glad he turned it down, but, seriously, an injury riddled Forsberg added to a team that is struggling enough as is at that point? Trust me on this: I saw the guy compete for Team Sweden in Vancouver, and he’s slow. The game has slowed him down; he’s a step behind every play and the puck – which once seemed to find its way to him – suddenly seems to be as far away as possible. Don’t get me wrong here: Peter Forsberg will go down as one of the greatest hockey players not only in my lifetime, but in the history of the sport. However, as far as this season was concerned, I’m pretty sure even if the Flyers had missed out on the playoffs I would have the same feelings towards the idea of bringing him on board at the end. His ankle/foot will never be the same after all the surgical procedures he’s undergone and I don’t think it would’ve been worth it to bring him back for the stretch run this year.

Now, as far as next season is concerned…

FLYERS: Stanley Cup Final Series Recap

The incredible run of the 2010 Philadelphia Flyers came to a crushing halt Wednesday night on the Wachovia Center ice. Patrick Kane slipped an overtime marker past Michael Leighton and the Blackhawks claimed their first Stanley Cup since 1961 – leaving the Flyers 0 for their last 6 in Stanley Cup Final appearances. It’s a tough pill to swallow for the Flyers and their fans, and while the wound is still fresh today, it is healing slightly a little better than it was yesterday. The Flyers enjoyed a remarkable ride en route to the franchise’s first Cup Final appearance since 1997. As a seven seed, they knocked off the two-seeded New Jersey Devils in five games in round one, made history when they came back to eliminate the Boston Bruins in seven games in round two, and dispatched the Montreal Canadiens in five games in the Eastern Conference Final to claim hold of their first Prince of Wales trophy in 13 years. This was a team that was 14th in the Eastern Conference at one point this season, and made a coaching switch midway through the year that started with the team losing seven of it’s first nine under Peter Laviolette. However, they bought into his system, they kept believing, and now they are going to be able to raise a banner at the Wachovia Center next season. Although it may not be the ultimate goal, I think we can all agree that “2010 Eastern Conference Champions” is pretty sweet.

Now, onto my series recap. Obviously, all the points here will be Flyers related, so when my Series MVP isn’t a ‘Hawk, don’t get all crazy on me. I know this, and I did it purposely. I’ve broken it up into three categories: 1) Series MVP, 2) Series Turning Point, 3) Why the Flyers Lost. I left out the “What has to change for the next series” category, because, well, there is no ‘next series’. That is, until, next postseason….

1) SERIES MVP: Danny Briere, Right Wing.

Many will argue Ville Leino should be here, and many others will say Scott Hartnell was more deserving. However, in my opinion, it was the third part of that line that was easily the most important – and certainly the most valuable. Danny Briere finished the postseason as the leading point scorer in all of the National Hockey League. He had twelve points in the six game series against Chicago – easily making him the highest scoring player in the series, and finished the playoffs with 12 goals and 18 assists. While many – myself included – look for more from Briere in the regular season because of his gigantic contract, there’s certainly no denying that he earns his paycheck when the year matters most: the playoffs. His speed and skill were heavily on display throughout the entire postseason, and I think that despite his regular season struggles, Briere has completely endured himself to the Flyers’ fan base with his postseason performance. He made the most of his first career appearance in the Stanley Cup Final, and let’s hope it’s in the cards for him to make a few more return trips there in the Orange and Black.

2) SERIES TURNING POINT: Game Four’s Final Minutes.

I understand the reasoning as to why Game Five may be many people’s turning point for this series, but it was not. Instead, this series took a turn for the worst for the Flyers with less than ten minutes remaining in the Flyers’ 5-3 Game Four victory over Chicago. Sure, the Flyers won the game, and ultimately evened up the series at two games a piece, but that wasn’t the bigger story. The more important, and far more telling fact of Game Four was that in the period’s final minutes, ‘Hawks coach Joel Quenneville switched up his lines, and Chicago absolutely dominated the play. The Flyers couldn’t clear the puck from the defensive zone if their lives depended on it, and Chicago smelled blood with their newfound momentum. They carried that same strategy that came up just short in Game Four into Game Five, and ran the Flyers literally out of Chicago and on the next flight back to Philadelphia. It was certainly a much tighter game in Game Six – hence the score being tied after sixty minutes and heading into overtime – but with their new line combinations, Chicago still dominated heavily and controlled the play for long durations of the game. The new lines gave Chicago new life, and ultimately a Stanley Cup. We can thank the furious push from the ‘Hawks in Game Four for re-installing the confidence needed to be successful in the playoffs and tight situations. It’s the reason there’s a parade in Chicago today.

3) WHY THE FLYERS LOST: Antti Niemi was (slightly) better than Michael Leigthon/Brian Boucher.

Game One: 5 goals, Game Two: 1 goal, Game Three: 4 goals, Game Four: 5 goals, Game Five 4 goals, Game Six: 3 goals. Antti Niemi was not magnificent. In fact, most of the time – aside from Game Two – he wasn’t even consistently all that good. However, he managed to somehow be just a little bit better than the Flyers goaltenders Michael Leighton and Brian Boucher. Boosh relieved Leighton twice in tight, high scoring games in Chicago (1 & 5), but took home the loss in each contest. Niemi was never pulled, although no one would have questioned Quenneville had he done it at specific points in the series. Instead, the Finnish Fortress was just simply OK. And, with how the goaltending went in this series, OK was “good enough”. Niemi made two critical stops in Game Six to Leighton’s one. Leighton’s toe save on Jonathan Toews with under six minutes to go paved the way for Scott Hartnell’s goal that tied the game in regulation. However, Niemi’s breakaway save on Simon Gagne early in the second, and his acrobatic flop to stop Jeff Carter in the waning minutes of the third period were truly the game savers. In the end, I must reluctantly say, it was Niemi>Leighton/Boucher.

FLYERS: What Needs to Change for Game Six

Bartulis played just 1:58 in Game Five

The talented Sam Carchidi has a bit of advice for the Flyers as they head into the first of (hopefully) two do-or-die games against the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2010 Stanley Cup Final. Chicago is a mere one win away from claiming Lord Stanley, and it could happen on the Wachovia Center ice if the Flyers are not careful.

Carchidi lays out several guidelines he believes the Flyers will need to follow if they are to make a serious statement in this series moving forward. Among Carchidi’s requests: sticking with Michael Leighton, having Jeff Carter and Mike Richards step up, and perhaps even having Peter Laviolette insert Dan Carcillo back into the lineup for Game Six and scratch a defenseman (Oskars Bartulis), going with 13 forwards and five d-men.

You can check out the article, here: SOME (FREE) ADVICE FOR FLYERS

FLYERS: Home Mojo Propels Orange and Black to Series Tie

Down 0-2 to arguably the most talented team in the National Hockey League and facing two must-win games on your home ice to keep your Stanley Cup hopes alive? Not a problem.

The Philadelphia Flyers handled their end of the bargain last night as their 5-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks allowed them to even up their series at two games a piece. The Flyers also took Game Three in dramatic fashion, with Claude Giroux scoring the winner in overtime to bring the series to 2-1 Chicago. The series was 2-0 heading into Philadelphia, as the Blackhawks also held serve on their home ice, taking Games One and Two in the United Center. The Flyers knew a Game Four loss could potentially end their season, as they’d be staring down a 3-1 series deficit with Chicago having the opportunity to win the Stanley Cup on home ice in Game Five. That is no longer the case.

Instead, this series will at least go six games, and to many experts, now seems destined for a seventh and decisive game next Friday night in Chicago. Of course, the result of Game Five will largely dictate the possibility of a Game Seven. For now however, it’s all about what happened in Game Four to get this series even.

An old face returned to the Flyers line-up in Game Four, as James van Riemsdyk took back Dan Carcillo’s spot in the Flyers’ line-up. Some new faces made their way into the Chicago line-up, as Andrew Ladd returned from an upper-body injury he sustained in Game Four of the Western Conference Final and Nick Boynton played in his first playoff game in five years, replacing Jordan Hendry on the Blackhawks’ blue-line. The ‘Hawks new additions were a plus to their new strategy: heavy neutral zone pressure on the Flyers and continue to force turnovers. While the ‘Hawks strategy was effective, the Flyers continuously had answers for Chicago.

Richards is congratulated on his PP goal that opened the scoring in Game Four

Andrew Ladd welcomed himself to the game and the series by promptly taking an undisciplined interference penalty just 36 seconds into the contest, effectively putting the Flyers on the power play. While Chicago did kill off the penalty, the early damage was certainly done, and the Flyers had established a flow to their liking early on. After killing the penalty, some great back and forth action followed, with Chicago suddenly seeming to get their way with the flow of play. It wasn’t long however, before the Blackhawks took another stupid penalty and put the Flyers back on the powerplay. This time, the Orange and Black made them pay. With a little over fifteen minutes to play in the first, Niklas Hjarlmarsson looked to clear the puck from his end on the penalty kill. He was stripped of the puck on a great hustle play by Mike Richards, who immediately swung to the front of the net, and sent a backhander in on an off-guard Antti Niemi. Niemi let the puck slip through his five-hole and Richards gave the Flyers the 1-0 lead in the game.

The remainder of the first period was very back and forth, save a few chances here and there that either Niemi and Michael Leighton each turned away. The period appeared to be heading to intermission 1-0 Flyers, until a crazy final five minutes totally opened up the scoring. Matt Carle scored on another defensive zone turnover by Hjarlmarsson, as he deposited the puck into an empty net with a little over five minutes left in the first. Just four minutes later, a bouncing puck in the Philadelphia end found its way to Patrick Sharp who let fly with a slap-shot from the slot, beating Michael Leighton after the puck hit a few bodies on its way in and making the game 2-1 Flyers. An uneasy feeling came over the Wachovia Center. However, just 51 seconds later, the Flyers answered back. With only 37 seconds left in the first period, Scott Hartnell, Kimmo Timonen, and Claude Giroux played a little tick-tack-toe and Giroux completed the slam dunk to deposit the puck into the back of the net and give the Flyers a very important goal and very important 3-1 lead heading into the first intermission.

Claude Giroux's slam dunk put the Flyers up 3-1 in the first period

The second period was scoreless, but it certainly didn’t lack intensity. Up and down action followed, with three penalties being called on Chicago in the period, and one penalty being called on Philadelphia. The Blackhawks held control of the shot totals in the second, much like they did in the first. In the second frame, shots were 13-10 Chicago, and in the first, the ‘Hawks lead 11-8. Still, although the pressure was there from Chicago, Michael Leighton stood tall for the Flyers. Leighton wasn’t excellent in this game, but he made a few saves that we’re pretty incredible, and he got the win, so it’s important to give credit where it’s due. Antti Niemi, on the other hand, finally showed his true colors. Pucks at the net and pressure in front will expose true weaknesses of any goaltender, especially one that, as I said earlier, was just getting flat-out lucky in making saves. Don’t get me wrong, Niemi’s a strong netminder and the likelihood of the ‘Hawks being in the position their in without him is definitely in doubt, but pucks that he had no business stopping – let alone seeing – just seemed to hit him the first three games. Not so much last night.

Jeff Carter congratulates Michael Leighton on the Game Four win

In the third, the Flyers got an incredibly fortuitous bounce off Kris Versteeg’s back on a Ville Leino wrister to give them what appeared at the time to be an insurmountable 4-1 lead. The Blackhawks didn’t give up though, and thanks to two marginal calls on the Flyers with under ten minutes left, the ‘Hawks were awarded a 5 on 3 power play. It took them all of about 20 seconds before Dave Bolland made the score 4-2 in favor of Philadelphia. The Flyers fortunately were able to kill of the remaining part of the 5 on 4, but the ‘Hawks had taken over the game at that point. About four minutes later, a Brian Campbell wrister hit just about every player on the ice before trickling past Michael Leighton to make the game 4-3 and Flyers fans immediately started to get very nervous. The Flyers, however, withstood a remarkable onslaught from the Blackhawks in the final four and a half minutes, getting some big takeaways in the defensive zone accompanied by some huge saves from Leighton. The Flyers fortunes changed for the better when a rebound off a Patrick Sharp shot hopped over the stick of Duncan Keith at the ‘Hawks blue line, springing Jeff Carter loose on a breakaway at an empty net, as Chicago had pulled Niemi for the extra attacker. Carter scored his first goal of the series to make it 5-3 Flyers and seal the deal to even this series back up at two a piece.

Now, the pressure shifts back to Chicago, who will need to find a way to take Game Five at home. We all know the last thing any player on the Blackhawks wants to do is come back to Philadelphia with their season on the line. Let’s hope the Flyers can make that exactly the scenario tomorrow night.

FLYERS: Don’t Stop Believin’

Who could blame you right now if you’re doubting the Philadelphia Flyers?

Really, who could blame you? Who could say that your thought process was either “way off” or “discombobulated”? Who could tell you that this current series is by no means over?

Who could make you believe?

How about the Flyers themselves?

Remember back to game 82 of the long and grueling regular season that comes along with participation in the National Hockey League. The Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers squared off in a “Win and You’re In” game at the Wachovia Center. The Rangers scored first, and looked in control early. If your thought process involved the Flyers sinking into an abyss, and faltering at that point in time, who could’ve blamed you? However, the Flyers kept working. The Orange and Black proved to live up to their season mantra, for perhaps the first time all season, sustaining a “Relentless” attack against the Rangers and goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. In the third period, when the hope was likely the dimmest for many Flyers fans, the Flyers shined light heavily back into the equation. Matt Carle roofed a rebound off his backhand and into the net to even the game at 1-1. The Flyers had always believed, and now the fans had reason to again. Still, a 1-1 draw ended up remaining on the scoreboard until the game headed into overtime. In an overtime filled with tension and anticipation, heart rates climbed when the only buzzer that sounded during the frame was that signaling a trip to a shootout.

A shootout; placing the entirety of your playoff hopes against arguably the best goaltender in the league today. The Rangers had Lundqvist, the Flyers had Woonsocket, Rhode Island native Brian Boucher. Who could’ve blamed the majority of the Flyer faithful for having their doubts? Danny Briere certainly couldn’t have. Yet he helped ease the suspense when he sent Lundqvist’s jockstrap somewhere onto I-76 on a deke as the first shooter to give the Flyers a 1-0 lead in the shootout. Still, why was there any reason to believe in Brian Boucher and his ability to stop at least two breakaways at that point to send the Flyers to the postseason? There wasn’t much of a reason at all, to be honest. But Boucher stood tall in his first attempt, a stop on try from Erik Christensen.

Boosh played hero in Game 82

And then, when Claude Giroux scored in the third round to give the Flyers a 2-1 lead in the shootout (P.A. Parenteau had beaten Boucher in round two), there still couldn’t have been many who believed in Boosh to stop sniper Olli Jokinen and save the game and the season for Philadelphia. However, that’s just what he did, and they Flyers earned the trip to the postseason that had come so hard, but felt so rewarding. Brian Boucher believed the Flyers could do it, and so did his teammates.

Next up came a showdown in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with the second-seeded New Jersey Devils. And after hanging on by a thread to win Game One, the Flyers were defeated late in Game Two, as New Jersey evened up the series. Who would blame you for doubting the Flyers then? The Devils had Ilya Kovalchuk and seemingly new life in a series they were favored to win. Who could’ve blamed the Flyers for folding and taking solace in the fact that they’d just been fortunate enough to make the playoffs in the first place? Anyone but the Flyers themselves, it seemed. Of course, the rest is Flyers history. Danny Carcillo was the overtime hero in Game Three to get the series back in Philadelphia’s favor. The Devils never won another game.

Simon Gagne silenced the Boston crowd with his PP goal in Game 7

Then came a semi-final series with the Boston Bruins. The Flyers quickly fell into an 0-3 hole, and also fell behind 1-0 in Game Four. Why was there reason to believe that this Flyers team could come back? How could Michael Leighton, ice cold and coming off a high ankle sprain, fill in strongly in place of Brian Boucher, who went down with a pair of sprained knees in Game Five? How were the fans, and even the Flyers themselves, able treat an 0-3 deficit as if it were a 3-3 deadlock for four consecutive games? It would’ve been easy to keel over and die then, it really would’ve. Instead, the Flyers decided they’d rather make history. Simon Gagne decided he’d come back early from a broken toe and join them. The Orange and Black took four straight from the Black and Gold to join the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs and 1975 New York Islanders as the only NHL teams to win a series after being down 0-3.

What if Ian didn’t believe in sacrifice? What if Broad Street didn’t fight back?

The Eastern Conference Finals were a whirlwind in themselves, with the Flyers seemingly coasting to wins in Games One and Two. But after the scene shifted to Montreal and the Habs blew the doors off the Flyers in the process en route to a 5-1 rout in Game Three, who would ever have expected the Flyers to come out and dominate in the fashion they did on their way to a 3-0 shutout and a 3-1 series lead in Game Four? Ian Laperriere and Jeff Carter did. And so did the teammates and coaches they returned to join in Game Four after missing the previous three games of the Conference Finals and the entire Semi Finals series with what had previously been thought to have been season ending injuries (Broken orbital bone and brain contusion, and a broken foot, respectively).

What if, when the series shifted to Philadelphia, Mike Richards took a chance to close the series and snatch a certain Prince of Wales at home for granted? What if he didn’t rekindle images of the determination of Bobby Clarke when he tossed Tomas Plekanec out of the way en route to setting up a Jeff Carter empty-netter to send the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Final?

What if the Flyers, a team burdened with the expectations of bringing a Stanley Cup to Philadelphia, simply wrote this season off as “not being our year”? What if they faltered in the limelight of the Stanley Cup Final, and fell to the Chicago Blackhawks convincingly?

Far from it. The Flyers arguably could have a 2-0 lead in this series going into tomorrow night’s Game Three at Wachovia Center. Instead their down 0-2 to the Blackhawks, and face a must win situation in Game Three to keep their Stanley Cup hopes alive. Who would blame any Flyers fan right now for having his or her doubts? Most wouldn’t.

I would.

Mike Richards and the Flyers can get right back into this series tomorrow night

This Flyers team knows they could be up 2-0 in this series right now. The Blackhawks know they could be down 0-2 in this series. The Flyers know they let two winnable games slip away in Chicago, so who’s to say that they won’t win two winnable games here in Philadelphia? And if they win Game Three, how much of a confidence boost will it give this franchise and this city, which collectively haven’t seen a victory in a Stanley Cup Final game since 1987? If you doubt the Philadelphia Flyers’ ability to do the unthinkable now, then shame on you. If you will be at the Wachovia Center tomorrow night and intend on sitting on your hands in nervous anticipation, don’t go and make a fortune selling your tickets. There are so many Flyers fans right now that would die at the opportunity to be inside the Orange Crush of the Wachovia Center tomorrow night. I’ll be there. I’ll be loud. And anyone else in Orange better be right there beside me. Chicago’s strutted their stuff on home ice. They’ve brought the series to Philly needing two wins to the Flyers’ four to win the Cup.

I don’t give a crap. All I care about is tomorrow night and the Flyers getting back into this series. I care about that sea of Orange that will be so loud and boisterous, your television sets likely won’t do it justice because (as is the norm at the Wachovia Center in the playoffs) they’ll have to turn down crowd volume so you can hear the announcers. I care about Lauren Hart, and the great Kate Smith singing a certain song to make the roof shake on top of the Wachovia Center. I care about a strong first period – one that sets the tone and one that lets the Chicago Blackhawks know that there is absolutely no chance they are going to win a game in our building.

Most importantly, I care about a win.

The Flyers have been sporting orange tee-shirts in their dressing room this series that show a picture of the Stanley Cup and simply state: “Don’t Stop ‘Till You Get Enough”.

Let’s be real here – to the Flyers, with everything that’s happened to this team this year and all they’ve had to overcome both off and on the ice, there’s only one phrase that’s related to the one on their shirts that is even remotely justifiable:

“Don’t Stop ‘Till You Get the Cup”

Do I Believe?

You had better believe it.