It's typically pretty hard to jump back into the playoffs after the Flyers have been eliminated, but this year is a bit different. We might as well still have a team in the race, as the Los Angeles Kings are truly indeed Flyers West. If you're behind the 8-ball on this, let's take a look at just how much Philadelphia flavor there is in L.A. these days:

• Active players who have worn orange and black: Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Simon Gagne, Justin Williams.
• Former Flyers head coach John Stevens is a Kings assistant coach.
• Former Flyers pro scout Dean Lombardi is the general manager of the Kings.
• Kings assistant GM Ron Hextall is ... Ron f'n Hextall.

Logic would say that yes, we should be all in on these Kings. But the thought of Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and Simon Gagne in particular hoisting a Stanley Cup over their heads in a jersey without a Flyers logo on it is enough to make me sick to my stomach. I'm not sure if I can handle it.

And then think of the narratives. The mainstream media will paint an awful picture, the national media will have a field day, and knowing the way things operate with this organization, Ed Snider will put in an executive order that Richards and Carter be reacquired immediately. (That's a joke. Maybe.)

Such mixed emotions on this one. How do you feel?