2011 NHL Playoffs: Philadelphia Flyers' 7 Areas of Uncertainty

The NHL playoffs will begin on Wednesday, April 13th, 2011 and they couldn't have come soon enough for most Flyers fans.

As I pondered the Flyers' postseason chances, I found that most of the team’s perceived problems could just as easily be viewed as potential solutions.

I compiled a list of critical factors to their playoff success and provided a verdict on the most likely result.

7. Nikolay Zherdev

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PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 03: Nikolay Zherdev #93 of The Philadelphia Flyers in action against the Toronto Maple Leafs during their game on March 3, 2011 at The Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Why he could be a problem:

Zherdev has spent much of the year in head coach Peter Laviolette’s doghouse. He came to the team out of shape and unwilling to play consistent defense.  

Why he could be the solution:

Laviolette admitted publically that Zherdev was one of the better players at the end of the season. 

Verdict:

Solution. Zherdev’s offensive talent was never in question and the Flyers could use his goal-scoring ability. He brings much more to the table offensively than Andreas Nodl and is just the kind of wildcard who could be the difference-maker in the playoffs.

6. Blair Betts

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 22: Blair Betts #11 of the Philadelphia Flyers shoots during warmups before an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals at the Wells Fargo Center on March 22, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/G

Why he could be a problem:

Betts, who spends most of his time on the ice killing penalties, is coming back from a lower-body injury, but looked very sluggish even before he got hurt.  

Why he could be the solution:

The rest could do him some good in the same way that it appears to have revitalized Danny Briere.

Verdict:

Solution. It seems contradictory to what I've witnessed in recent games, but statistics show that the Flyers are a better penalty-killing team with Betts in the lineup. They allowed five power-play goals on 13 chances in the last three games without him. 

5. The Power Play

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 05: Mike Richards #18 of the Dallas Stars skates against the Philadelphia Flyers on February 5, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers defeated the Stars 3-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Why it could be a problem:

The Flyers’ power play has converted just 15 out of 104 opportunities since the All-Star break.

Why it could be the solution:

The Flyers scored three power-play goals in their last 12 chances of the regular season.

Verdict:

Problem. Success on the power play for talented teams is about confidence, and even after some recent success, the Flyers still struggle in this department. At this point, they actually look better offensively while shorthanded. So they may need some fortuitous bounces early in the playoffs to get on track. 

4. Jeff Carter

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PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 24: Jeff Carter #17 Philadelphia Flyers in action during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 24, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lou Capozzola/Getty Images)

Why he could be a problem:

Carter has 12 goals and 19 points in 41 career playoff games.

Why he could be the solution:

Carter has averaged 38 goals and 70 points in his last three seasons.

Verdict:

Problem. I will not be convinced that Carter can produce in big games until he shows it in the playoffs. He came back early from an injury last year, but this time around there are no excuses.

3. The Third Defensive Pairing

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 2: Andrej Meszaros #41 and Sean O'Donnell #6 of the Philadelphia Flyers try to stop Justin Abdelkader #8 of the Detroit Red Wings from gaining control of the puck in a game on January 2, 2011 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michi

Why it could be a problem:

The Achilles heel of the Flyers in last year’s playoffs was supposed to be remedied by GM Paul Holmgren’s off-season acquisitions of Andrej Meszaros and Sean O’Donnell. However, lingering questions about the availability of Chris Pronger could mean Nick Boynton or Danny Syvret is placed in the lineup, which puts more pressure on the 39-year-old O’Donnell.

Why it could be the solution:

Pronger’s return would push Meszaros to the third line pairing, take some coverage responsibility off O’Donnell and spread the minutes more evenly amongst the defensemen.

Verdict:

Solution, with an obvious stipulation. If Pronger can play then it is likely that all is well, if not, then it could be an issue.

2. 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)

Why he could be a problem:

Bobrovsky is young, inexperienced and has never played in the NHL Playoffs before.  

Why he could be the solution:

Bobrovsky is young, inexperienced and has never played in the NHL playoffs before.  

Verdict:

Solution. In the last five years, Antti Niemi and Cam Ward have shown that experience isn't as important as being steady and having a solid team surrounding you. Perhaps it is as simple as being too naive to understand the gravity of the situation.

That said, there is much more pressure on veterans like Marc Andre Fleury, Tim Thomas, Ryan Miller, and Henrik Lundqvist to carry their teams in the playoffs. 

1. Chris Pronger

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 05: Chris Pronger #20 of the Dallas Stars skates against the Philadelphia Flyers on February 5, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers defeated the Stars 3-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Why he could be a problem:

Pronger has not played since March 8th and looked a bit sluggish when he returned from a month-long layoff in January.

Why he could be the solution:

He’s Chris Pronger and he thrives during this time of year.

Verdict:

Solution. 75 percent of Chris Pronger is much better than 100 percent of Boynton or Syvret, not to mention Pronger is a great leader. And, despite rumors of an injury setback, I can’t imagine Pronger missing Game 1.