Philadelphia Flyers Get Their Groove On Down the Stretch

The Philadelphia Flyers have got a little something brewing as the playoffs close in.

With just 12 games remaining, the Flyers find themselves with 88 points, two points ahead Sydney Crosby's Penguins, who sit at 86 points. The Flyers, however, have three games in hand, and a healthy Daniel Briere who scored two goals in a crucial victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night to keep pace with the streaking Penguins.

The Penguins got a boost on trade deadline day when they acquired Bill Guerin and Chris Kunitz. The month of March saw the Penguins win eight out of 10 games, before getting thumped by the Flyers 3-1 on Sunday afternoon, however, despite the loss, the Penguins still find themselves in the race for a playoff position late in the season.

The Flyers didn't sit quietly while other teams stacked up on trade deadline day though, acquiring tough guy Daniel Carcillo, who at this point in the season finds himself on the top line with Mike Richards and Jeoffrey Lupul.

Under normal circumstances, the goon on any team usually finds his place on the bench come playoff time. However Carcillo is no ordinary enforcer—this guy has talent.

While Carcillo is unlikely to carry the team on his shoulders, he is more than capable of contributing down the stretch.

His three goals this year are a career low, however in 03'-04', as a member of the OHL's Sarnia Sting, Carcillo notched 30 tallies and 59 points in just 61 games. Just before his trade to Philadelphia, Carcillo found himself on a line with Olli Jokinen, before both of them were shipped off to their new teams

I would hate to get ahead of myself, but when I watch this guy play I see shades of Bob Probert and Marty McSorley, arguably two of the toughest costumers ever to lace up the skates. Carcillo's 211 penalty minutes leads the league this year and re-emphasizes the toughness associated with the city of brotherly love.

As for the rest of the Flyers?

Coach Stevens has shuffled the lines in so far as there are two 20-goal scorers on each of the top three lines. The before mentioned line of Lupul/Richard/Carcillo will likely play the role of shutting down the opposing team's top line, however they should get their opportunity to produce as well.

The second line consists of Briere/Carter/Hartnell, and if Briere can get back to his dominating ways, this line could quite possibly be one of the most dangerous lines, come payoff time.

The third line boasts a trio of Gagne/Giroux/Knuble, and what is most desirable about this for a Flyers fan is how Mike Knuble will undoubtedly outmatch any third line left winger in the league.

Finally, there is the goaltending situation.

With questions all year looming between the pipes as to who is going to take hold of the top spot in the net, Martin Biron looks poised and hungry for another run come this spring.

With the Flyers going into combat tonight against the New Jersey Devils, the Flyers have to consider this a must-win to have any chance of catching the Devils, who sit eight points ahead in the Atlantic. However, the chance of the Flyers locking up home ice for at least the first round seems like a very realistic goal at this point

The Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, and New Jersey Devils, all leaders of their respective divisions, should watch out down the stretch. While the top spot in the East is desirable, it also puts a target on the team that others will want to hit.

The playoffs are well known for timely goals and hard hits in the corners, and while the Flyers may not be on the radar for some NHL fans, they should not be overlooked. They have the grit, depth, and the goaltending to compete with any team in the league.

Most certainly the leadership is there under Richards; look for that to rub off on his teammates as well.