The Flyers played their most inspired game of the season last night, beating the Devils 3-0 in a game they absolutely had to have. Martin Biron stopped all 22 shots he faced to post the shutout, as the Flyers snapped a six-game losing streak against New Jersey.
R.J. Umberger, Scottie Upshall, and Joffrey Lupul scored the goals, but it was the Florida Panthers who recorded the big assist. The mathematically-eliminated Panthers hadn't beaten the Hurricanes in Raleigh since 2002, but won 4-3 in regulation last night.
And with that, the Flyers have clinched a playoff berth and completed their remarkable turnaround from last year's historically bad compaign.
Where they'll be seeded and who they will face in the opening round has yet to be determined. They could finish as high as sixth and draw the Southeast-division winner (likely the white-hot Washington Capitals). They could leap-frog idle Ottawa for the seventh spot, or remain in eighth place and play Montreal or Pittsburgh.
At this point, none of that matters. What matters is the Flyers' roller-coaster ride of a regular season will end with them in the playoffs.
They'll have to share the Wachovia Center with the Sixers, who also punched their post-season ticket last night with a 109-104 win in Atlanta. Andre Iguodala led the way with 30 points and 10 assists as the Sixers ended the night as the fifth seed in the East.
R.J. Umberger, Scottie Upshall, and Joffrey Lupul scored the goals, but it was the Florida Panthers who recorded the big assist. The mathematically-eliminated Panthers hadn't beaten the Hurricanes in Raleigh since 2002, but won 4-3 in regulation last night.
And with that, the Flyers have clinched a playoff berth and completed their remarkable turnaround from last year's historically bad compaign.
Where they'll be seeded and who they will face in the opening round has yet to be determined. They could finish as high as sixth and draw the Southeast-division winner (likely the white-hot Washington Capitals). They could leap-frog idle Ottawa for the seventh spot, or remain in eighth place and play Montreal or Pittsburgh.
At this point, none of that matters. What matters is the Flyers' roller-coaster ride of a regular season will end with them in the playoffs.
They'll have to share the Wachovia Center with the Sixers, who also punched their post-season ticket last night with a 109-104 win in Atlanta. Andre Iguodala led the way with 30 points and 10 assists as the Sixers ended the night as the fifth seed in the East.
As it stands, they would get LeBron James and the Cavaliers. But that, too, is subject to change.
The Wizards are the six seed and have the same 39-37 record as the Sixers. Toronto is 38-38 and slotted seventh. Regardless of their position, the Sixers are beginning to garner league-wide attention as the team nobody wants to see in the first round.
The Wizards are the six seed and have the same 39-37 record as the Sixers. Toronto is 38-38 and slotted seventh. Regardless of their position, the Sixers are beginning to garner league-wide attention as the team nobody wants to see in the first round.
.JPG)
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