Playoffs, baby!!! Flyers outlast Lundqvist, win game and shootout, 2-1

by Ben Rothenberg on Apr 11, 2010 6:53 PM EDT in Philadelphia Flyers Game Recaps - 09-10

Since 81 games wasn't enough, the Flyers and Rangers each waited to determine their place in the post season until the 82nd game. And since that wasn't enough, the game went to overtime. And since overtime too failed to determine a winner, the game went to a shootout. And since all's well that ends well, it's fair to say now that, for Flyers fans, it was worth the wait.

Jody Shelley, still disagreeable over having to be called by not one but two girls names all his life, scored for the Rangers on a tip 3:27 into the first period, deflecting a Michal Roszival shot from the point past Brian Boucher high to the stick side.

The Flyers dominated from there on, but remained in a 1-0 hole due to the stellar play of Rangers' goalie Henrik Lundqvist. The Flyers outshot the Rangers by the ridiculous margin of 30-13 through two periods, but Lundqvist rose to the occasion each time, and was saved by posts on a couple other occasions.

But the Flyers did not fold, cashing in on a power play about a third of the way into the third. Matt Carle pinched in to put a Jeff Carter rebound past Henrik Lundqvist, evening the game at 1-1 and giving the Flyers new life.

The Flyers continued to have more chances through the remainder of the third period, and into the overtime frame as well, as the Rangers seemed to be stalling, waiting for the inevitable shootout in which they hoped Lundqvist would pull them through. The stall worked, and the shootout began.

Danny Briere went first, making about fifteen moves close in to open up Lundqvist's glove side, putting it past him to get the Flyers off to a 1-0 lead. Brian Boucher then stepped up to stop Erik Christensen, giving the Flyers a huge 1-0 lead after one pair of shooters.

Mike Richards opted to pull up and shoot on Lundqvist, but Lundqvist got a piece of it. Boucher then backed himself almost completely into the net against the next Ranger shooter, PA Parenteau, allowing Parenteau to score and improve his career NHL shootout conversion record to 3-for-3.

Claude Giroux, shooting third for the Flyers, took half a page out of both Briere's and Richards' playbooks, making several moves before stopping and shooting the puck through Lundqvist's ridiculously large five hole. Olli Jokinen, the Rangers' last hope, skated several wild circles before taking the puck, eventually putting it into a splayed Brian Boucher, who stopped it inches before the goal line and then exploded into a celebration of jumping, stumbling, and hugging, joined quickly by his teammates and the rest of the Philadelphia area.

I still hate shootouts. Hate hate hate. But after that one, I am happy. Very, very happy.

The last article I wrote on BSH was about the Capitals DVD set, which involved copious amounts of mockery for its dwelling on the recent past. But man, the next time the Flyers come out with a set of all-time great games, today's classic had better be on it.

As of writing this, the Sabres and Devils are still going, so we don't yet know who the #7-seed Flyers will be facing in the first round.

The Flyers' next game will be some time this week. The Rangers' next game will be in October.

After the jump: questions answered, a comment of the game, and more celebration and speechlessness (the speechlessness might be harder to see with the naked eye).

Questions to Answer

Only one question today: is this the last game of the season? Hell no.

Comment of the day:

I STILL don’t fucking believe it. --StarbladeMKIII

See you in the playoffs, errebody.

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Comments

The Flyers’ next game will be some time this week. The Rangers’ next game will be in October.

by Ivan Monteiro Prado on Apr 11, 2010 7:03 PM EDT reply actions

Jody Shelley, still disagreeable over having to be called by not one but two girls names all his life

I would of killed my parents if they gave me this name, I kind of feel sorry for the dude. Actually no I don’t since he could of cost us the playoffs.

Was it the 2nd or 3rd period when Pronger laid that sweet hit on him.

by The Legend on Apr 11, 2010 7:10 PM EDT reply actions

He could have changed his name, he decided not too, that is the real crime here.

2nd period I think.

Pronger better win the Norris.

by EREX21 on Apr 11, 2010 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Last minute of the 2nd.

Proudly supporting a Flyers team with "no honor".

by Justin F. on Apr 11, 2010 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Best game I have ever been to by far.

P.S. If anyone was there you might have seen me and my friends, we were the six kids with our shirts off with tape that said “Booosh” on the screen a bunch of times.

by Wilkey on Apr 11, 2010 7:11 PM EDT reply actions

I saw you, I was right near the giant dancing Orange dude. Building was electric today, playoff atmosphere.

by You don't have to be sweet, to be good on Apr 11, 2010 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Still kinda in shock here. We won? On a SHOOTOUT? No way that actually happened.

by StarbladeMKIII on Apr 11, 2010 7:11 PM EDT reply actions

I’m a flying red panda!

Wait a minute…….holy crap I’m not. We really did just beat Lundqvist in a shootout, didn’t we?

Proudly supporting a Flyers team with "no honor".

by Justin F. on Apr 11, 2010 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Watching the game at PJ’s after the pick up game, I know I thought we were sunk, too. I’m still having trouble believing that we pulled it off.

by DragonGirl0583 on Apr 11, 2010 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m pretty sure most people in the game thread thought we were sunk as well. By the time the start of the 3rd period rolled around up until Carle’s goal, I’m know most of my comments read like eulogies.

Proudly supporting a Flyers team with "no honor".

by Justin F. on Apr 11, 2010 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh, mine too. I didn’t see any possible other outcome than a 1-0 loss or maybe a 2-1 loss (with the Rangers first going up by two and the Flyers scoring a meaningless goal really late).

by Ben Feldman on Apr 11, 2010 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I read the game thread when I got home from the bar, so I saw how you all felt. (Took a long time though, there were a lot of comments! Especially since so many people weren’t home. ) Once we got to OT, I was starting to feel like my “we’ll be together for moral support” comment from last week was coming true. Thankfully it all turned out okay, for now at least.

by DragonGirl0583 on Apr 11, 2010 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions

....

For a split second I almost felt bad for Henrik Lunqvist…………………..considering he was the only reason that the game was close………………….but then I came back to reality and realized what I always knew, that i hate the Ranger more than any team in the NHL.

by upstateNYflyersFan on Apr 11, 2010 7:19 PM EDT reply actions

Intense game. I had a weird feeling it would come down to a shootout. See ya guys in the postseason…maybe

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Apr 11, 2010 7:20 PM EDT reply actions

Happy Happy Joy Joy

by stubborne on Apr 11, 2010 7:22 PM EDT reply actions

Devils clinch second!

by Snevik on Apr 11, 2010 7:23 PM EDT reply actions

Schedule will be released later tonight.

by Ben Feldman on Apr 11, 2010 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Langenbrunner scored an empty net power play goal to ice the cake and win the game for New Jersey, 2-1.

For Buffalo, overtime was as bad as a loss.

Proudly supporting a Flyers team with "no honor".

by Justin F. on Apr 11, 2010 7:26 PM EDT reply actions

Does anyone have any stats on how frequently a team has won a game on a empty net power play goal in the final minute of a game? Does such a stat exist?

Proudly supporting a Flyers team with "no honor".

by Justin F. on Apr 11, 2010 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions

The day of the Bettman point intervention.

by Snevik on Apr 11, 2010 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I kind of loved how Caron joined in the playoff celebration.

by Snevik on Apr 11, 2010 7:30 PM EDT reply actions

what, just cause you’re the 7th goalie, you can’t join in ;)

by JerseyDriver on Apr 11, 2010 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m sure Carter Hutton scared the shit out of everyone in some classroom.

Proudly supporting a Flyers team with "no honor".

by Justin F. on Apr 11, 2010 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Man that was awsome said what I had on game thread. That puck daddy guy did have one thing funny to say. Quote: The Flyers are headed to the playoffs because of goaltending still trying to get my mind around it. Me too!!!

I wasn't even a year old but I stayed up to be outside the Vet with my Dad and Mom when the Phillies won the World Series 1980.

by Christopher A on Apr 11, 2010 7:41 PM EDT reply actions

BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

BRING ON JERSEY!!!!

by SkookFlyerfan on Apr 11, 2010 7:49 PM EDT reply actions

From the caption on the picture above:

Three of today’s four heroes. Philadelphia Flyers’ Matt Carle, from left, Danny Briere and Brian Boucher celebrates after Boucher blocked a shot by New York Rangers’ Olli Jokinen, of Finland, to end a shoot out in their NHL hockey game, Sunday, April 11, 2010, in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Flyers are in the playoffs while eliminating the New York Rangers with a 2-1 victory. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

OK Matt, I give up. Who’s the fourth hero?

by Eric T. on Apr 11, 2010 8:02 PM EDT reply actions

Giroux?

New Zealand's 4th best Philadelphia Flyers fan

by ToddtheFox on Apr 11, 2010 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Yah, I know. Just mocking the guy for leaving the reader to try to figure it out. Like that’s of any use to someone who didn’t see the game.

by Eric T. on Apr 11, 2010 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Lundqvist

I wasn't even a year old but I stayed up to be outside the Vet with my Dad and Mom when the Phillies won the World Series 1980.

by Christopher A on Apr 11, 2010 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions

or Torts for thinking they got us in the shootout HAHA.

I wasn't even a year old but I stayed up to be outside the Vet with my Dad and Mom when the Phillies won the World Series 1980.

by Christopher A on Apr 11, 2010 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions

You guys derserved it

The Rangers were half assing it the whole way once they had the lead, and once you tied the Rangers just played for the Shootout.

Mauldin Played for Columbus a few years ago, He has six career games.

by Mark D on Apr 11, 2010 8:37 PM EDT reply actions

PLAYOFFS

by Derek F on Apr 11, 2010 8:41 PM EDT reply actions

This is karma for the douchebag rangers fans that slung more insulting language at me than I’ve ever had as a visiting fan on Friday night. The amount of ridiculous abuse I received nearly pushed the rangers over the devils as my least favorite team.

But all that matters is we won. WE WON. I’m still in shock, and very, very happy.

by Derek F on Apr 11, 2010 8:42 PM EDT reply actions

if we trade giroux i’m gonna take someone down

by Derek F on Apr 11, 2010 9:23 PM EDT reply actions

So I have to add that I do feel sorry for the Rangers, but only to the extent that they lost in a shootout. What a stupid gimmick.

by JerseyDriver on Apr 11, 2010 10:38 PM EDT reply actions

Totally agree. But I think it would be easier to feel sorry for them if they didn’t try to force the shootout. In some ways, they sorta chose their fate.

by DragonGirl0583 on Apr 12, 2010 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Triple Crown Weekend

Flyers are playoff bound after unexpected shoot out victory, Phillies handily avenge themselves for the ‘09 Astro sweep of us at Minutemaid Field, and the UNION won it’s first game with Le Toux’s hat trick. Quite a weekend. And the Mets as well as Jesus Heyward and his Apostles lose

by j reed on Apr 12, 2010 12:10 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Just watched the highlights. Despite knowing the result I found myself with exactly the same heart-stopping shaky feeling that I had this morning while I was watching it live.

I think something that was missed during the recap is that the entire team played really well. From Boosh to the forwards and the defense it was a success. Sure they should have beaten the Rangers by more but Lundqvist played amazingly and he was helped by four crossbars. If this team can play with that kind of intensity in the playoffs then who knows what could happen. The biggest question is of course whether they can do it.

New Zealand's 4th best Philadelphia Flyers fan

by ToddtheFox on Apr 12, 2010 4:18 AM EDT reply actions

i respectfully disagree. hartnell, while not sucking the entire game, was very bipolar. as in either he made a nice play or made a horrific one.

but the rest of the team was there. none more than laperrier(new mancrush), bouch, and pronger.

Eat what the monkey eats, then eat the monkey. -U.S. Navy survival guidance

by psudrozz on Apr 12, 2010 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions

You disagree with my assessment for the entire team, or just Hartnell? I didn’t think his bad plays were as bad as he’s done for most of the season, and his good plays more than made up for it.

New Zealand's 4th best Philadelphia Flyers fan

by ToddtheFox on Apr 12, 2010 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

oh i was sharpshooting. the entire team didn’t play well in that hartnell had some suck in his game.

forget about it. i withdraw my needless comments.

Eat what the monkey eats, then eat the monkey. -U.S. Navy survival guidance

by psudrozz on Apr 12, 2010 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought they could’ve done a better job of getting traffic in front of Lundqvist, but yeah, for the most part they did play really well. The defense showed up in front of Boosh, which was awesome to see.

Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. Got goaltending? Searching since 1987.

by Travis Hughes on Apr 12, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions