2011 NHL Playoffs: Philadelphia Flyers' Keys To Postseason Success

The Philadelphia Flyers have captured the second seed in the Eastern Conference and have ended the season on a downswing.

While the Flyers looked unbeatable in the first half of the season, they were shaky at times coming down the homestretch.

The Flyers are one of the deepest teams in the league and while the stretch of mediocre play wasn’t a good thing, it might have given them the emotional rest they needed for a long playoff run.

Most of this year’s team was in the run for the Stanley Cup last season and the experience is something that can’t be measured.

The following slideshow is of the top five keys for the Flyers to ensure a deep playoff run. Enjoy!

5. Establishing a Strong Forecheck

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SUNRISE, FL - FEBRUARY 16: Blair Betts #11 of the Philadelphia Flyers checks the puck away from Christopher Higgins #21 of the Florida Panthers on February 16, 2011 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. The Flyers defeated the Panthers 4-2. (Pho

One of the biggest strengths of this Flyers team is the defensive prowess of the Philadelphia Flyers forwards.

A team that has a strong, aggressive forecheck can get under other teams' skin and can force them to make mistakes. The Flyers are one of the few teams that can be dangerous on the forecheck.

With players like Kris Versteeg, Claude Giroux and Mike Richards playing an aggressive style of defense, it can open up the ice for takeaways and offense from defense.

4. Special Teams

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 22: Danny Briere (center, facing camera) of the Philadelphia Flyers celebrates a goal with teammates during an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals at the Wells Fargo Center on March 22, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylva

For the Philadelphia Flyers to have a prolonged playoff run, they will need to look for improved play from their special teams.

While the power play struggled this season, 19th in the NHL, they look for the return of Chris Pronger to strengthen their presence on the blue line. Mike Richards and Claude Giroux, as well as Jeff Carter will have to take charge and help push the tempo of the power play for the team to succeed.

Another spot of needed improvement will be the penalty kill. The Flyers rank 15th in the league, but have faced injuries to key penalty killers like Blair Betts and Pronger.

Both the power play and the penalty kill need to step up and play at an efficient level for the team to succeed.

3. The Redemption Line

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CHICAGO - MAY 29: (C) Ville Leino #22 of the Philadelphia Flyers celebrates with teammates Scott Hartnell #19 and Danny Briere #48 after scoring a first period goal against the Chicago Blackhawks in Game One of the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Unite

One of the biggest reasons the Philadelphia Flyers went to the Stanley Cup Finals last season was because of the Redemption Line.

The combination of Scott Hartnell, Danny Briere and Ville Leino was one of the most potent in the history of the NHL playoffs and the trio looks to add to its success.

While at times the trio struggled, the three Flyers combined to score 170 points this season and look to carry their postseason success from last season into this postseason.

2. The Return of Chris Pronger

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PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 05: Tim Connolly #19 of the Buffalo Sabres and Chris Pronger #20 of The Philadelphia Flyers during their game on March 5, 2011 at The Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

While it is important for the team to play its best as a whole, the Philadelphia Flyers need the return of veteran defender Chris Pronger if they want to make a deep run this postseason.

Not only is Pronger the quarterback of the power play, he is also one of the best penalty killers in the league and one of the top three shutdown defenders in the NHL.

The Flyers will look for his size and experience as they start to face the toughest teams the Eastern Conference has to offer. Pronger has practiced all week, but he is not taking shots and looks doubtful for Game 1 of the series against Buffalo.

1. Sergei Bobrovsky

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 12: Sergei Bobrovsky #35 of the Philadelphia Flyers in action against the Atlanta Thrashers on March 12, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The biggest key for a deep postseason run for the Philadelphia Flyers will be the play of rookie goaltending sensation Sergei Bobrovsky.

Bobrovsky was 28-13-7 with a 2.51 goals-against average and .917 save percentage, although he struggled down the stretch a bit.

While Bobrovsky has gotten the nod from the organization as the starting goaltender in the playoffs, he will be on a short leash and the presence of both veteran goaltenders Brain Boucher and Michael Leighton will show that the team will make a move in net if deemed necessary.