*FOLKS. The Flyers are in the playoffs. It feels like a million years since we’ve felt this feeling. The Flyers needed a single point against the Rangers on Saturday to clinch themselves a spot in the postseason and instead of going out there and playing a safe game, they went out there and whooped ass. And it was a joy to watch. Here’s what we learned. [BSH]
*And we can’t talk about Saturday’s game without talking about Claude Giroux, who is on another level right now. He scored his 100th (and then some) point, had his first regular season hat trick, and has secured his place as a legend in the Flyers’ organization. [NBC Sports Philly]
*And it looks like our Captain is having fun out there. Which is fun for all of us, too. [Philly.com]
*And, just to make sure none of us has a single moment of relaxation for the next couple of weeks, the Flyers have drawn the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round. Let’s go. [BSH]
*One thing is for sure: if the Flyers are going to have any shot here, they’ll need BAMF Brian Elliott to be on his game. Good news is he’s feeling good. [NBC Sports Philly]
*So, what do we here at BSH think of this first round matchup? We talked it out around the virtual table for your enjoyment. [BSH]
*If nothing else, we can remember this hockey season as one in which the Flyers showed a lot of resilience. Think back to that ten game losing streak. What a mess it all was. And now, playoffs. [Philly.com]
*It seems like ages ago, but the Flyers made the playoffs in Hakstol’s first year, too. What makes this time different? [NBC Sports Philly]
*If you had to pick one player from the Flyers’ roster to designate as this season’s “unsung hero” who would it be? Solid pick from the folks at THN. [The Hockey News]
*And finally, you may have heard, over the weekend, about the horrific bus crash involving a junior hockey team from Saskatchewan, the Humboldt Broncos. A fund has been set up to support the families and survivors, and if you’d like to contribute you can find details here. Our thoughts are with the Broncos.
