I took the Flyers to win this series in 7 games.
In doing so, I figured they'd get a split in Chicago. They've carved a much deeper hole here to win the Cup but I still think we're going back to Chi-Town tomorrow morning.
Either way, tonight marks the last game at the Wac this season.
Wonder how it plays out with the fans.
“All season long, our season has been up and down and our backs have been up against the wall,” Ian Laperriere said to reporters on the "riser" this morning after the skate,
"Especially, that last game of the year and that Boston series. You just get stronger as a team and hopefully, that pays off tonight.”
Lappy had a message for his teammates this morning.
“You just go out there and relax a little bit,” he said. “You cant overthink it. We all know how big the game is, it’s no secret. But at the end of the day, it’s a hockey game we need to play and if you are too tight, and too stressed out there, then you don’t make the right decision.
“That’s my job out there. To make sure everybody is relaxed but still focused.”
I still can't understand how relaxed and confident the Flyers appeared in Game 5 only to come out on their heels back-peddling against the Hawks at United Center. I'm willing to let that go as just one of those "bad" games that happen to fall in the Final.
They'll have 18,000 screaming maniacs here in South Philly tonight.
“If you're nervous and you go on the ice, you probably won't be effective,” coach Peter Laviolette said.
“In saying that, there will be a lot of energy in the building, and we'll certainly need a lot of energy. I think they had us in the skating and they're on their toes a little bit more, a little bit quicker than we were [in Game 5].
“We need to harness that energy. It's a fine line, I think, between energy and nerves. Certainly you don't want to go out there and be nervous and play that way. You want to grab the energy in your building and play at highest tempo possible.”
Regardless of what happens, I think it's fair to say this group has earned a special place among Flyer fans, much like the 1987 group did against Edmonton.
Neither was expected to hang in there ... And this team, still has a chance to make it happen.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»