Since the 1994-95 lockout, the Flyers have played in 1,404 regular season hockey games. They were in mathematical contention for the postseason in all but 26 of those games. Today in North Carolina, that number becomes 27.
Philadelphia Flyers (19-22-3, 41) at Carolina Hurricanes (17-23-3, 37)
7:00 p.m. | PNC Arena | Raleigh, N.C.
TV: CSN Philly, FS Carolinas | Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Get the Carolina perspective at Canes Country
With the Rangers win last night, the Flyers now have no shot of being a playoff team. They’re eliminated, but there’s still hockey to be played tonight in Carolina, and that’s just super awkward. What do you do? Do you even care about the game at all? Do you hope for a loss and a better draft position? Do you just watch, for the first time in years, without a single care regarding the outcome?
Peter Laviolette has gotten better in recent games at giving ice time to younger players, and there’s no reason to think that won’t continue tonight. Let’s hope it does and that he doesn’t get conservative with how he uses his personnel. That’s literally the only desire I have for tonight’s game and the remaining three games after tonight. Be bold. Make Luke Schenn the top line center or something. Put Oliver Lauridsen in goal.
And win the game. Or maybe lose. Whatever ya wanna do. Go Flyers.
