Elimination Game? Nothing New For Flyers
The Flyers season could’ve been over in game number 82 of the regular season. Hosting the New York Rangers in the season finale at the Wachovia Center, the scenario was simple. The winner is in the playoffs, the loser goes home. And if Olli Jokinen took a different path to the net to beat Brian Boucher on the last shot of the shootout, the Rangers might have been in the playoffs and the Flyers could be home right now.
That’s the wonder of sports, really. One little bounce or one split second reaction can completely change the course of things. As a result, the Flyers made the playoffs, drawing a highly favorable matchup in the New Jersey Devils, a division rival who they had much success against all season long.
Read Article >By The Numbers: A History Of Post-Lockout Game 7s
Over at our general hockey blog, From The Rink, Mike Chen paged through the last several Game 7s, hoping to find a few trends as we prepare for a perhaps-historic one of those games between the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins on Friday night.
His conclusion? Since the lockout, there have been no trends when it comes to Game 7s.
Read Article >Bruins Shakeup Lines In Preparation For Game 7
Big, physical forward Blake Wheeler will be promoted to the Boston Bruins top line on Friday night as they try to eliminate the Flyers for the fourth straight game. This time, however, the Bruins are equally as close to the edge to the edge of the cliff.
Wheeler, joining Patrice Bergeron and Mark Recchi on the first unit, will replace Daniel Paille, who might not even be in the lineup tonight according to Boston.com. The Bruins are hoping that Wheeler’s promotion gives them a bit of an offensive spark on home ice in Game 7, but they have to be careful on the other end as the line loses the defensive-minded play if Paille.
Read Article >Flyers Can Become Fourth Major Pro Team To Win After 0-3 Hole
You remember the 2004 Boston Red Sox, don’t you?
They were the last major professional sports team to return from an 0-3 series hole to win a Game 7 and a series. That team of destiny knocked off the rival New York Yankees in that fashion, of course, eventually riding the momentum to a World Series sweep.
Read Article >History Will Be Made? Once Down 3-0, Flyers Look To Shock Bruins, Advance In Game 7
Philadelphia can complete the improbable journey Friday at TD Garden..
“We know what’s at stake, and it’s pretty special, but the toughest is yet to come,” Briere said. “That Game 7 in Boston will be tough. We expect them to come out with a lot of desperation, so we have to match that.”
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