Philadelphia Flyers Getting It Done with Depth

It’s been tough substituting the beaches of the Bahamas for the thrill of the NHL playoffs, but somehow I willed myself in front of a television for yesterday’s Philadelphia Flyers-Montreal Canadiens game.

Surrounded by Canadiens fans, I made it my mission to seek out some Flyers fans. A quick trip to the pool and I had found two willing partners with whom I would chant “Let’s go Flyers” at every opportunity.

We sat watching hockey while sipping back the local flavors of piña coladas and Kalik beer—a little different than sucking back a Molson Canadian, but it did supply us with a little “courage.”

As it turned out we didn’t need the booze, as a motivated Flyers team supplied us with plenty to cheer and gloat about, en route to defeating the Canadiens by a final score of 3-0.

The Flyers are now just one game from completing their impossible run to the Stanley Cup Finals, one that was filled with numerous player injuries, the incredible series comeback against the Boston Bruins, and now seemingly dominant performance against the NHL’s other Cinderella team: the Canadiens.

Clearly, there are a number of heroes in the Flyers' locker room. Chris Pronger has been a force throughout the playoffs, keeping opposing forwards out of Brian Boucher's and Michael Leighton’s crease area and chipping in offensively with numerous key points, including four power-play goals.

Danny Briere is having the playoffs of his career, posting 18 points—including nine goals, four of which have been game-winners. Flyers captain Mike Richards has continually stepped up, posting 18 points despite often getting the nod as the go-to guy against the opposing teams' top lines.

Claude Giroux—a player that has endured as much criticism as he has received praise—has emerged as one of the Flyers' most potent performers, scoring eight goals—including three power-play markers and one game-winner.

Pronger, Briere, Richards, Giroux, defenseman Matt Carle, grinding forward Arron Asham, and even tough-luck Scott Hartnell have combined to bring us some tremendous hockey that has resulted in the Flyers looking every bit the part of Stanley Cup Finalist, if not Champion.

And what can you say about the Flyers goaltending? Brian Boucher and Michael Leighton have been rock solid, causing many Flyers fans to forget about Philadelphia’s apparent need for a No. 1 goalie this summer. Here’s a news flash for ya, Flyers fans—ya got a No. 1 goalie, his name is Michael Leighton!

It is the team concept and the accepting of roles by all players that has caused the Flyers to be so successful. The Flyers' second round scare against the Bruins helped build character and confidence going forward and should serve the Orange and Black well should they find themselves in a hole at some point.

As much as the Flyers' success can be traced back to their players, plenty of praise should be given to Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette. Laviolette’s Stanley Cup experience, leadership, and ability to get his players to buy into his systems have catapulted an underachieving regular season Flyers team into a team that seems destined for greatness.

Let’s face it, the Flyers still need that ultra-tough fourth victory against the Canadiens before we can start making claims to a Stanley Cup Championship, and the Orange and Black will have to get through either the high-flying Chicago Blackhawks or the San Jose Sharks to win Lord Stanley’s Mug.

One thing we can all count on is the Flyers putting fourth a great team effort—after all, it’s all they’ve known this playoffs.