Why the Philadelphia Flyers Will End Their Stanley Cup Drought

Like the Chicago Blackhawks, the Philadelphia Flyers come into the 2010 Stanley Cup Final in the middle of a long Stanley Cup drought.

The last time a Flyers squad won the Cup was in 1975, when the Broad Street Bullies repeated their 1974 championship. 

As I’ve previously admitted, I am a Penguins fan. I have made more than my share of jokes about "Losers Since '75." 

However, when I take a serious look at the Flyers, I believe they can end their 35-year Cup drought and establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with.

Here is why I think the Flyers can end their Stanley Cup dry spell.

Coaching

Before John Stevens was fired in December, the Flyers looked lost. Several of their key players went down with injuries, and they had been shut out in two consecutive games. Their record was a dismal 13-11-1, and they were out of the playoff picture with 27 points.

The Flyers brought in Peter Laviolette, who won a Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes back in 2006. They managed to finish the season with a record of 41-35-6, good enough for a third-place finish in the Atlantic Division and a seventh-place spot in the Eastern Conference.

Laviolette’s previous Stanley Cup experience is a strong asset to the Flyers because his players have limited experience in the finals. He has also won at other levels of the game, including a Calder Cup with the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League and a medal for Team USA at the IIHF World Championship. 

With a coach who knows what it takes to win leading the way, the Flyers have a good chance to get rid of the “choker” moniker and reign victorious.

Cinderella

Let’s face it. Almost no one predicted the Flyers would make it this far in the playoffs. A stronger opponent would surely eliminate them in the first or second round...right?

Not so fast.

Philadelphia disposed of Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils in five games.

Then they did the unthinkable and charged back from a 3-0 series deficit against the Boston Bruins. Simon Gagne set the tone by scoring the game-winning goal in overtime of Game Four. The Flyers never looked back and became the third team in NHL history to accomplish this rare feat.

They punched their ticket to the finals by beating another Cinderella story, the Montreal Canadiens, in five games.

Why should the Flyers stop now? They’ve defied the odds to make it this far. The only option is to finish the job. 

Clean Bill of Health 

Ian Laperriere made a huge impression on NHL fans when he put his body on the line for his team in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. He suffered a mild concussion and required about 70 stitches above his eye. He has become the definition of "taking one for the team" since this was not the first time this season he got hurt when making a play to help the Flyers.

Despite the perceived seriousness of his injury, he returned to the lineup in Game Four against Montreal.

Simon Gagne was also injured in the first round against the Devils. He returned in Game Four against the Bruins and made a big impact, scoring in overtime to help the Flyers on their way to a historic comeback.

Jeff Carter was another victim of injury in round one. After missing the entire Boston series, he also came back for Game Four of the Conference Finals.  Although he went scoreless in that game, he scored two goals in Game Five.

Not only have these key players been getting healthy, they’ve also been quick to contribute when they return, making up for missed time and inspiring their teammates to victory.

Goaltending

Michael Leighton is playing in his first NHL playoffs and has become the go-to goaltender after injuries to Ray Emery and Brian Boucher. In his eight playoff games, he has just one loss to go along with a .948 save percentage and a 1.45 GAA. He also has three shutouts.

Now that the goaltending merry-go-round has stopped in Philadelphia, the team has gained confidence in Leighton. If the Flyers continue to give Leighton proper support and he continues to improve his statistics, the heavily favored Blackhawks will find themselves in some tight games.