Are the Flyers Cup ready? We'll know after this week

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Monday, March 21, 2011
Posted: 9:15 a.m.
By Tim Panaccio
CSNPhilly.com

Matt Carle said it in Atlanta.

Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and Sean ODonnell said it late Saturday night in Dallas after the Flyers clinched a playoff berth with a 3-2 shootout win over the Stars.

This is the week the Flyers finally get to play teams in the Eastern Conference who are right up there challenging them.

They actually get a showdown match with the Caps, a team capable of stealing the No. 1 seed from them.

And, of course, they get to meet their hated, cross-state rivalsthe Pittsburgh Penguins.

We have some big ones that were excited to get back into, ODonnell said. It shouldnt matter. You should play hard every night.

But these arent easy games to go win. I cant remember the last time theres been a buzz the day before, a buzz the day of the game and you could feel it in the building.

Maybe going into Boston or Washington in January being the last one. Itll be fun to have to have a team that is right at our heels. We could use some of those.To get those divisional games, those tough games, I think that is just what this team needs to get us back on track for the last 11 games.

It starts Tuesday against the Caps.

Washington has 94 points and can tie the Flyers (96) with a win in regulation. Butthe Caps cant pass the Flyers because the Caps would have 43 wins and right now the Flyers have 44 wins with two games in hand.

Those games work in the Flyers' favor. Its going to be hard for Washington to overtake the Flyers unless Peter Lavioettes club falls apart. Remember, the Flyers have been picking up points here and there even with losses in overtime and the shootout.

Pittsburgh visits Thursday minus Sidney Crosby (concussion) and Evgeni Malkin (torn knee ligaments).

Crosby is not expected back for the end of regular season and might not return at all. Malkin is out until next fall. The Penguins trail the Flyers by six points in the Atlantic Division.

You look at the standings and theyre both playing pretty good hockey, Carter said of the Caps and Pens. Theyre right on our tails. Were going to have to come out with our best games.

This is where it gets interesting because the Flyers have run out of excuses for why theyve been so erratic for nearly two months. The flu bug that dogged them is gone. Theyve had plenty of off days to get rest.

Theres no logical reason for them not to show up for the first period, or to even take a period off against two clubs they could end up meeting in the playoffs.

We say it before every gamebiggest game of the year, but its nice to play this competition, especially Washington which is battling for the top spot with us, Richards said. Itll be a big game in Philly and its nice to get back home.

The weekend doesnt get easy, either, as the Flyers have back-to-back games against the Islanders and Boston Bruins, followed by a road trip to Pittsburgh next week.

Again, Laviolettes club will find out just where they are as the regular season winds down and whether the mental edge they somehow lost lately, has returned.

Playoff berth, first place overall, Stanley Cup. Those are the targets. The Flyers hit one, now focus on their next: clinching No. 1 overall.

Weve talked about home ice, all rounds, starting in our building, and a having a Game 7if it comes to thatin our building, Laviolette said. And thats why we continue to push. We still got a lot of work to do.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net.

Related: Panaccio's Flyers Week in Review: March 15-21Buy Flyers gear

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