Well the verdict is in. The Flyers will play the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference semifinals starting on Saturday. The Capitals collapse of a 3-1 series lead against the Montreal Canadiens is the reason the Flyers are in this position.
This series sets up well for the Flyers. Both teams play physical and have made an outstanding commitment to defense so far in the playoffs. Both goaltenders (Brian Boucher and Tuukka Rask) have elevated their play.
Here are the keys to the Flyers winning the series:
-Special teams are going to be crucial. The loss of Ian Laperriere is devastating to the Flyers' penalty killing unit that stifled the Devils so younger players will have to fill the void. Notable names mentioned have been Jon Kalinski and Andreas Nodl.
-Goaltending. Boucher and Rask have been surprisingly superb (remember in Sports Illustrated when Boucher was picked as number 16 out of 16 best playoff goalies). What it will come down to is which goalie can steal a game for his team not just make the routine saves.
Marc Savard. Savard has been cleared to play for the first time since getting annihilated by Pittsburgh's Matt Cooke and suffering a grade two concussion on March 7. Savard will most likely be rusty despite being able to practice the last couple of weeks just like when Jeff Carter came back from his first broken foot. If Savard resembles his old self though and ignites this offense, it could be a long series.
On paper and systematically, the Flyers got the match-up they wanted. As daunting as the injury list looks, the Flyers have not only overcome that adversity so far, they have done so with authority. There is no reason to doubt that now.
Prediction: Flyers in 6.
Finally I have loved all the different "History Will Be Made" fan videos that have been posted and I wanted to put one up here of my idol growing up and trying to play the game the right way.
Yo Bob it's Drew. Check out my blog sometime. Go Flyers!
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