NHL Playoffs 2012: Philadelphia Flyers Could Use a Little Help for Second Round

The Philadelphia Flyers just knocked off the Pittsburgh Penguins in their first-round matchup.

The Flyers look ready to have a deep playoff run, but would like some help for the second round. While the Flyers sit and wait for their next opponent, they will be hoping the Senators, Devils or Capitals can advance as well. 

Currently, the Flyers are the lowest seed to advance to the second round of the playoffs. The Flyers would like for any team lower than them to advance to avoid playing the New York Rangers in the next round.

The best situation for the Flyers would be the Senators knocking the Rangers out of the playoffs during their first round matchup. 

If the Senators advance, then the Flyers will be able to avoid playing the Rangers completely.

The Rangers are the first seed in the Eastern Conference, so it's very likely they'll be able to beat the eighth-seeded Senators. If the Senators can’t knock off the Rangers, the Flyers can still get some help from other Eastern Conference teams. 

The Capitals and the Devils could both help the Flyers with a series win. 

If either the Capitals or the Devils advance to the second round, they would be a lower seeded team that would be matched up with the Rangers in the next round. 

Regardless of who the Flyers face in the second round, they will have to beat the best teams to win it all.

With a little help, Philadelphia could save the toughest matchup for much, much later.