Philadelphia Flyers Edge Toronto Maple Leafs, Showdown with New York Looms

For the Philadelphia Flyers, last night’s tilt against the Toronto Maple Leafs was their most important game of the season...that is, until the next one...and the next one after that as well.

Heading into last night’s action, the Flyers sat in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, trailing by a slim one point behind the Boston Bruins for seventh place and leading the New York Rangers by one point.

Fortunately for the Flyers, the Rangers lost to the mighty Buffalo Sabres by a score of 5-2.

The Rangers' loss, combined with the Flyers' 2-0 win over the suddenly tough to beat Maple Leafs, made the Flyers' playoff hopes a little brighter as they leapfrogged the Bruins into seventh place in the East and increased their lead over the Rangers to four points.

The Rangers have three games left, two of which will be played against the Flyers.

Needless to say, the Flyers' Friday/Sunday matchups against the Rangers could very well decide their playoff fate. Each game could tilt the standings by as many as four points.

Neither the Rangers nor the Flyers have been lighting it up down the stretch.

The Rangers have gone 5-4-1 over their past 10 games, while the Flyers have struggled mightily at 3-6-1.

The Rangers will need to beat the Maple Leafs tonight in New York if they are to have any chance of making the playoffs.

The Flyers and Rangers have split the season series thus far with two wins apiece. If the Rangers are to make the playoffs, one has to think they will need to sweep or take three points against the Flyers (which would give them the superior record against the Flyers) and beat the Leafs, of course.

Both teams will have to be weary of the Boston Bruins as well, but things are shaping up as a Rangers/Flyers battle to the death—one that every Philly fan is looking forward to.

The Flyers goaltenders have been the victims of criticism all season long.

Last night, Flyers goaltender Brian Boucher gained back a measure of respect when, with just over three minutes left in the third period, he reached back towards the goal line to stop a puck that was rolling into the net.

It may very well have saved the Flyers' season and may emerge as the difference-maker in the Flyers' ever-better playoff hopes.

To say the Flyers dominated the Leafs would be a lie.

The orange and black struggled offensively all night long with far too many perimeter shots and not nearly enough pressure on the Leafs defensemen.

Overall it was just an average road game, but it was good enough to earn the two points, and in the end that’s all that matters.

Until next time,

Peace!