Flyers Playoff History: 12 Videos to Watch Before the Road to the Cup Begins

For Flyers fans, the NHL playoffs need no added hype.

The excitement of the postseason—from playoff overtime to playing through pain to gut-wrenching seven-game rivalries—is more than enough reason to plan your next two months around Philadelphia's playoff schedule.

Tonight, the puck will drop in Pittsburgh, signifying the beginning of the playoffs and, hopefully, the start of a Flyers run to glory.

As we wait for the most wonderful time of the year to begin, we find ourselves thinking back on the best—and worst—moments from playoffs past.

Here are twelve videos from Flyers playoff history that serve as a little reminder of what we could be in store for this year.

Lindros's Hat Trick vs. New York

The last time the Rangers made it to the Eastern Conference Final, they ran into big No. 88. This Game 3 hat trick set the tone for the rest of the series and sent the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Final.

Joffrey Lupul Eliminates the Capitals

The Washington Capitals came back from a 3-1 deficit in the series to force overtime in Game 7 of Alex Ovechkin's first playoff series, but the Flyers held on behind Joffrey Lupul's winner.

Just a year prior, the Flyers were the worst team in hockey. This season, they would upset the Capitals and Canadiens en route to a surprising ECF appearance.

Leino Forces Game 7 vs. Buffalo

A rare highlight from the 2011 playoffs for the Flyers, Ville Leino punched in a rebound to force Game 7 back in Philadelphia.

This goal was especially critical for Leino, as he apparently used it to persuade the Sabres to sign him to a ridiculous and undeserved contract in the offseason. Safe to say, Sabres fans have never been thrilled with Leino, no matter who he plays for.

Giroux Comes Up Big on the Big Stage

Claude Giroux is now the face of the Flyers' franchise, but as an up-and-comer in 2010, he found his place in the spotlight.

With his team down 2-0 in the series and battling in overtime of Game 3, Giroux went unnoticed in Chicago's zone and redirected a Matt Carle pass to get Philly a win in the series.

Laperriere Puts His Career on the Line vs. New Jersey

As a low seed in the 2010 playoffs, it was going to take sacrifice for the Flyers to make the run to the Finals that they did. Never was this more prevalent than when Ian Laperriere sacrificed his face, and his career, for the team's playoff hopes.

While Lappy would return later in the postseason, the head injury would catch up with him and eventually cause him to hang up his skates. He only played one full season for Philadelphia, but this act alone has him revered as one of the most respected Flyers in recent memory.

Gagne's First Step Toward History

The Flyers were down 3-0 in the series and had blown a lead late in the third. The 2010 playoffs were a ticking clock for the Flyers until Simon Gagne, playing through injury, would start something beautiful with this overtime goal. Victory was still a long way off, but without this first step, Philly's remarkable comeback would never have happened.

Boucher Flops to Rob Elias

This Brian Boucher save is still a favorite among Flyers fans.

The series didn't turn out so well, but who can forget this moment from the 2000 Eastern Conference Finals?

Primeau Wakes Up in the 5th OT

In the longest hockey game in the modern era, someone, at some point, had to find the back of the net.

Flyers fans wouldn't have guessed that it would be their disappointing center Keith Primeau, but the team's future captain beat Pittsburgh's Ron Tugnutt with 7:59 remaining in the fifth overtime period to finally end this marathon.

Primeau and Gagne Force a Game 7

With under two minutes remaining in Game 6 of the ECF, the Flyers looked to be down and out. However, Keith Primeau found the puck behind the net and scored on a wrap-around to force overtime.

In the OT, Simon Gagne punched the puck home to end the game and send both teams back to Florida for Game 7.

Flyers-Leafs Show Why Nothing Beats Playoff Hockey

This two-minute, non-stop sequence might be the most exciting YouTube video you can find.

Both teams buzz around the net, creating chances. A huge hit from Darcy Tucker seemed to knock Sami Kapanen silly, but by finding his way to the bench, Kapanen kept play alive and allowed the Flyers to win it.

This one has everything except whistles.

Flyers Cap the Comeback vs. Boston

Short of hoisting the Cup itself, there has been no sweeter moment in Flyers playoff history than this one.

Not only did the Flyers come back from a 3-0 series deficit, but the team looked down and out at the start of Game 7. Boston jumped ahead 3-0 in their own building, but the pesky Flyers spent the rest of the game slowly silencing the Bruins faithful.

Simon Gagne, who started the comeback with his OT winner in Game 4, finished it with the deciding goal in Game 7.

Philadelphia Captures Its First Cup

For all the great playoff moments the Flyers have experienced since the '90s, none can truly compare to the 1974 and 1975 Stanley Cup Finals, when the team won its only two championships to date.

As Philadelphia prepares to face the Penguins and a field of dangerous playoff teams in the Eastern Conference, this video of the days of Bobby Clarke and Bernie Parent reminds us all of the ultimate goal, the glory that fans and players alike wish to see revived in the City of Brotherly Love.

There is no shortage of thrills in the Stanley Cup playoffs. But there is no thrill quite like winning the Cup.