53rd Season
First Game Played October 11, 1967
3601 S. Broad St.Philadelphia, PA 19148
Tel. (215) 465-4500
Historical Moments
1967/68:Nearly 40 years after the Quakers were forced to fold after just one season in Philadelphia, the NHL returned to the “City of Brotherly Love” as the Flyers are one of six expansion teams the NHL adds to double the league to 12 teams. The Flyers would make their debut on October 11th, losing to the California Seals on the road 5-1. A week later, they would get their first win beating the St. Louis Blues on the road 2-1. On October 19th, the Flyers would finally make their home debut as they shutout the Pittsburgh Penguins 1-0 at The Spectrum. The Flyers would go on to complete their inaugural season by finishing atop the all-expansion Western Division with a 31-32-11 record. Down the stretch of the season, the Flyers were forced to play on the road after a winter storm blew off part of the roof at The Spectrum. Playing their home playoff games in Quebec City, the Flyers would miss their home-ice advantage as they are beaten by the St. Louis Blues in seven games.
1968/69:In their second season, the Flyers would struggle throughout the season as they return to The Spectrum, after being forced to finish their first season on the road. Led by Andre Lacroix, who leads the team with 24 goals, the Flyers would make the playoffs again despite an awful 20-35-21 record. In the playoffs, the Flyers would fizzle right away as they are swept in four straight games by the St. Louis Blues.
1969/70:Bobby Clarke has an impressive first season scoring 15 goals with 31 assists while making it to the All-Star Game. However, the Flyers would struggle all season missing the playoffs by finishing in fifth place with a terrible record of 17-35-24.
1970/71:Bobby Clarke continues to establish himself as one of the emerging stars in the NHL as he leads the Flyers in scoring with 63 points. The Flyers would make it back into the playoffs by finishing in third place with a record of 28-33-17. However, the Flyers would be swept out of the first round again, losing four straight games to the Chicago Black Hawks.
1971/72:Under new coach Fred Shero, the Flyers would take a step backward as they missed the playoffs for the second time in three years by finishing in fifth place with a 26-38-14 record that had them lose out on the last playoff spot via tiebreaker against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
1972/73:Bobby Clarke captures the Hart Trophy by finishing second in the league in scoring with 104 points as the Flyers post their first winning season by finishing in second place with a record of 37-30-11. After splitting the first four games in the playoffs against the Minnesota North Stars, the Flyers took a big step toward winning their first playoff series by taking Game 5 in overtime 3-2 on a goal by Gary Dornhoefer. The Flyers would go on to take the series in six games with a 4-1 win in Minnesota to close out the series. However, in the semifinals, the Flyers would be overmatched by the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Montreal Canadiens losing in five games.
1973/74:Led by Dave Schultz’s 348 penalty minutes, the Flyers earn the reputation as a brawling team known as “The Broad Street Bullies” as they fight and claw their way to the top of the Western Division with a solid record of 50-16-12. Along the Bernie Parent establishes himself the top goalie in the NHL, taking home the Vezina with an impressive 1.89 GAA. In the playoffs, the Flyers got off to a fast start as they swept the Atlanta Flames in four straight games to reach the semifinals for the second straight season. In the semifinals, the Flyers would knock off the New York Rangers in a hard-fought seven-game series in which the home team won all seven games. The Flyers’ secret weapon at the Spectrum may have been Kate Smith. Her version of “God Bless America” occasionally played instead of “The Starr Spangled Banner” usually meant a Flyers win. After splitting the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Boston Bruins on the road, the Flyers returned home to a rousing ovation at the Spectrum and continued their home ice magic beating the Bruins in Game 3 and Game 4 to take a 3-1 series lead. However, the Bruins would get back into the series by winning 5-1 in Boston. Needing a little more magic to close out the series, the Flyers brought Kate Smith to sing “God Bless America” live. Fans roared throughout as the incredible unbeaten streak of home wins when Kate Smith sings continues as the Flyers edge out a 1-0 victory to claim their first-ever Stanley Cup Championship. Bernie Parent, who blanked the Bruins in Game 6, would go on to win the Conn Smythe award for playoff MVP.
1974/75:The Flyers continue to bully their way through the NHL as they win the newly established Patrick Division with an NHL best record of 51-18-11, as Dave Schultz spends 472 minutes in the penalty box leaving a bunch of broken and bruised bodies in his wake. After a first-round bye, the Flyers would make it to the semifinals for the third straight season by sweeping the Toronto Maple Leafs in four consecutive games. The Flyers appeared to be heading for another easy sweep as they took the first three games against the New York Islanders, with Bernie Parent shutting out the Isles in Game 2 and Game 3. However, the Islanders would keep their hopes alive with an overtime win in Game 4, and then they proceeded to take the next two games to force a seventh game. With the Stanley Cup slipping away, the Flyers called on Kate Smith again, and she came through singing her heart out as the Flyers advanced to the Finals with a 4-1 win. In the Finals, the Flyers would get off to a quick start taking the first two games against the Buffalo Sabres at the Spectrum. However, the Sabres would battle back to even the series at two games apiece with two straight wins in Buffalo. Back at the Spectrum, the Flyers ceased control of the series with a dominating 5-1 victory. In Game 6 in Buffalo, it would be Bernie Parent who would close the deal by setting a record with his fifth playoff shutout to earn his second straight Conn Smythe as the Flyers won their second consecutive Stanley Cup Championship 2-0.
1975/76:The Flyers continue to fight and crawl their way through the NHL as they won their third straight division title with a solid 51-13-16 record, as Bobby Clarke captured the Hart Trophy for the third time in four years with an NHL best 89 assists. However, the highlight of the season came in an exhibition game against the Soviet Red Army Team on January 11th. The Red Army team was one of two Russian teams barnstorming the NHL were unbeaten going into Philadelphia, as the two Russian teams had a combined record of 5-1-1 record against the NHL. Early on, it was apparent it was not going to be the Soviet’s day as The Spectrum fired up by another rousing rendition of “God Bless America” by Kate Smith that had fans chanting “USA.” The Flyers’ bruising style had the Russians whining form the start after just 11 minutes. Russia’s Coach Konstantin Loktev pulled his team off the ice reacting to an elbowing penalty by Flyers Ed Van Impe to Central Red Army Star Valeri Kharlamov. After 16 minutes, the Russian would return to the ice for more abuse as the Flyers won 4-1. Following the game, the Soviet state paper “Pravda” would run a cartoon showing the Flyers bearing clubs like cavemen. Seeking their third straight Stanley Cup, the Flyers need seven games to get past the Toronto Maple Leafs to advance to their fourth consecutive semifinal. With Reggie Leach becoming a goal-scoring machine, the Flyers would make it back to the Stanley Cup Finals by beating the Boston Bruins in five games, as Leach scored five goals in the series-clinching game. However, not even the scoring of Leach, who set an NHL record with 19 goals to capture the Conn Smythe would help the Flyers who were swept in four straight games by the Montreal Canadiens.
1976/77:The Flyers would continue to dominate the Patrick Division, winning their fifth straight division title with a solid record of 48-16-16. In the playoffs, the Flyers would land in the semifinals again as they buried the Toronto Maple Leafs in six games. However, in the semis, the Flyers would be swept in four straight games by the Boston Bruins as they dropped the first two games at The Spectrum in overtime.
1977/78:On December 11th Tom Bladon sets an NHL record for a defenseman with eight points notching four goals and four assists against the Cleveland Barons. However, the Flyers would lose their grip on the Patrick Division after they have to settle for second place despite another stellar record of 45-20-15. Forced to play in the preliminary round, the Flyers would knock of the Colorado Rockies in two straight games. Moving on to the second round, the Flyers would knock off the Buffalo Sabres in five games to make it back into the semifinals for the sixth straight year. Once again, the Flyers would be clipped by the Boston Bruins as they fall in five games. Following the season, coach Fred Shero would stun the Flyers by taking the coaching job with the New York Rangers. However, the Flyers would receive the Rangers’ first-round draft pick as compensation.
1978/79:After starting the season slowly under new Coach Bob McCammon the Flyers decide to change coaches in the middle of the season hiring Pat Quinn. Under Quinn, the Flyers would finish the season on a strong note finishing in second place with a record of 40-42-15. In the playoffs, the Flyers would survive a first-round scare as they dropped Game 1 of their preliminary round series against the Vancouver Canucks at home 3-2. However, the Flyers would rally to win the next two games, scoring 13 goals as they advanced to the second record. However, in the second round, the Flyers would be knocked off by the New York Rangers led by Coach Fred Shero in five games.
1979/80:Powered by an NHL record 35-game unbeaten streak the Flyers climb back to the top of the Patrick Division posting an NHL best 48-12-20 record, as Reggie Leach leads the team with 50 goals. Ken Linesman, the player drafted with the compensation pick obtained for Fred Shero, adds a team-high 57 assists. In the playoffs, the Flyers would slip past the Edmonton Oilers in three straight games, although they needed overtime in two of the three games. In the second round, the Flyers would jump out to a 3-0 lead before beating the Shero coached New York Rangers in five games. The Flyers’ resurgence would continue in the semifinals as they beat the Minnesota North Stars in five games. In the Stanley Cup Finals against the New York Islanders, the Flyers would get off to a rough start as they dropped Game 1 at The Spectrum in overtime 4-3, as the Islanders raced out to a 3-1 series lead. However, the Flyers would bounce back to take Game 5 at home 6-3. Trailing 4-2 in the 3rd period of Game 6, the Flyers would rally again to force overtime. However, the Flyers would fall in overtime on a goal by Bob Nystrom, as the Islanders won their first Stanley Cup.
1980/81:After their heartbreaking loss in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Flyers responded with another strong season finishing second in the Patrick Division with a solid record of 41-24-15. In the playoffs, the Flyers would get off to a strong start taking the first two games at home against the Quebec Nordiques. However, they would need a 5-2 win at the Spectrum in Game 5 to advance to the second round. In the second round, the Flyers would struggle as they fell behind the Calgary Flames 3 games to 1. However, the Flyers would respond with a rousing 9-4 in Game 5 to keep their hopes alive. The Flyers would continue their comeback by winning Game 6 in Calgary 3-2. However, back in Philly for Game 7, the Flyers ran out of gas and were scorched by the Flames 4-1.
1981/82:Despite strong seasons from Ken Linesman, Brian Propp and Bill Barber the Flyers would struggle as Coach Dan Quinn is fired and replaced by Bob McCammon. Under McCammon, the Flyers would finish in third place with a 38-31-11 record. In the playoffs, the Flyers would be upended by the New York Rangers in four games, failing to make at least the second round of the playoffs for the first time in nine years.
1982/83:Led by aging veterans Bobby Clarke and Darryl Sittler, the Flyers would reclaim the top spot in the Patrick Division beating out the New York Islanders by ten points with an impressive record of 49-23-8. However, in the playoffs the Flyers would experience a significant let down as they are swept by the New York Rangers in three straight games, allowing a total of 18 goals.
1983/84:The Flyers continued to be one of the strongest teams in the NHL as new blood began to take over with Tim Kerr leading the way with a team-high 93 points as the Flyers finished in third place with a record of 44-26-10. Once again, the Flyers would experience a playoff let down as they are swept in three straight games by the Washington Capitals. Following the season, both Flyers legends Bobby Clarke and Bill Barber would announce their retirements.
1984/85:Legendary Flyers player Bobby Clarke takes over the duties of General Manager as Mike Keenan takes over the coaching reigns. The new moves would provide new life to the Flyers who posted the best regular-season record in the NHL at 53-20-7 as Goalie Pelle Lindbergh wins the Vezina Trophy. In the playoffs, the Flyers would get off to a roaring start sweeping the New York Rangers in three straight games before ending the New York Islanders run of five consecutive Finals appearances in five games. The Flyers would continue to roll in the Wales Conference Finals as they beat the Quebec Nordiques to reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in five years. In the finals, the Flyers would get off to a fast start beating the Edmonton Oilers 4-1 at The Spectrum in Game 1. However, the Oilers would go on to take the next four games and claim the Stanley Cup for the second straight year in five games.
1985/86:The Philadelphia Flyers appeared to be flying high again as they got off to a fast start and had a ten-game winning streak into mid-November. Out of nowhere tragedy struck, in the early morning hours of November 10th when Flyers star goalie Pelle Lindbergh crashed his Porsche into a brick wall in the Philadelphia suburb of Somerdale, NJ. Lindbergh would be declared brain dead as his organs were taken for transplants, as the young rising star from Sweden passed away at the age of 26. Playing with heavy hearts, the Flyers continued their winning streak on November 15th, beating the Edmonton Oilers 5-3 on November 15th. The Flyers would go on to win the Patrick Division with a record of 50-23-4. However, in the playoff, they would be tripped up by the New York Rangers in a five-game series.
1986/87:A year after the tragic death of Pelle Lindbergh, Ron Hextall establishes himself as the Flyers new star in between the pipes winning the Vezina Trophy as the Flyers won their third straight division title with a record of 46-26-8. In the playoffs, Hextall would rise to the occasion getting two shutouts in the first round as the Flyers dispatched the New York Rangers in six games. The Flyers would go on to advance to the Wales Conference Finals for the second time in three years by beating the New York Islanders in a hard-fought seven-game series that saw the two teams alternated wins. In the Wales Finals, the Flyers would knock off the defending champion Montreal Canadiens in six games to set up a Stanley Cup Finals rematch with the Edmonton Oilers. In the Finals, the Flyers appeared to be heading for a quick defeat as they fell behind three games to one. However, the Flyers behind the stellar play of Ron Hextall would go on to force a seventh game. However, the Oilers would go on to win the Cup with a 3-1 win in Game 7 in Edmonton. Despite the loss, Ron Hextall would still win the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP.
1987/88:Playing in competitive Patrick Division, the Flyers finish in third place with a mediocre record of 38-33-9, as seven points separate first from last place. One highlight came on December 8th as Goalie Ron Hextall scored a goal against the Boston Bruins. In the playoffs, the Flyers would get off to a quick start as they established a 3-1 series lead against the Washington Capitals. However, the Capitals would rally to force a seventh game, which they won in overtime 5-4, as the Flyers blew a 3-0 lead in Game 7. After the playoff collapse, coach Mike Keenan would be seen as the scapegoat as he is fired.
1988/89:Despite playing mediocre hockey all season under new Coach Paul Holmgren, the Flyers would make the playoffs for the 17th straight season by finishing in fourth place with a record of 36-36-8. In the playoffs, the Flyers would get a measure of revenge stunning the first-place Washington Capitals in 6 games, as Ron Hextall became the first goalie to score a goal the playoffs hitting an empty net late in the crucial 5th game won by the Flyers 8-5 on the road. In the Patrick Division Finals, the Flyers would survive a seven-game shoot out with Pittsburgh Penguins winning the last two games by a combined score of 10-3 after losing Game 5 by a score of 10-7. In the Wales Conference Finals, the Flyers would be knocked off by the Montreal Canadiens in six games.
1989/90:With Ron Hextall missing all but eight games due to injuries, the Flyers run of 17-straight playoff appearances would come to a crashing end as the Flyers finished in last place with a disappointing record of 30-39-11. However, despite the struggles, Rick Tocchet would have a solid season, with a team-high 96 points.
1990/91:Ron Hextall would continue to struggle with injuries as he plays just 36 games. As a result, the Philadelphia Flyers miss the playoffs for the second straight season by finishing in fifth place with a record of 33-37-10, falling only three points shy of the final playoff spot held by the New Jersey Devils.
1991/92:Rod Brind’Amour provides the only bright spot with 77 points in an otherwise dreadful season as the Flyers miss the playoff for the third straight season by finishing in last place with a dreadful record of 32-37-11. Desperate to turn their fortunes around, the Flyers would acquire mega prospect Eric Lindros who refused to play for the Quebec Nordiques after they drafted him a year earlier. The Flyers sent Mike Ricci, Peter Forsberg, Steve Duchesne, Kerry Huffman, Ron Hextall, Chris Simon, two draft picks and $15 million to Quebec in return. There would be some controversy with the draft-day deal as the Nordiques also agreed on a trade with the New York Rangers. However, an arbitrator would rule that the deal with the Flyers had happened earlier and voided the Rangers deal.
1992/93:Eric Lindros would have a solid rookie season scoring 41 goals in 61 games as the Flyers who struggled early made a late run for the playoffs as they fell four points shy of the last spot in the Patrick Division with a 36-37-11 record.
1993/94:Eric Lindros continues to establish himself as one of the up and coming stars in the NHL scoring 44 goals and 53 assists. However, Lindros would miss 19 games due to injuries as the Flyers fell four points shy of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference while posting a record of 35-39-10.
1994/95:A four-month lockout would delay the start of the season until late January. However, when the season started, the Flyers were ready to challenge for the cup as the reacquisition of Ron Hextall gave the young team a solid veteran goaltender. Shortly after the season started, the Flyers would make another crucial deal landing Eric Desjardins, Gilbert Dionne, and John LeClair from the Montreal Canadiens for Mark Recchi and a third-round draft pick. LeClair would immediately fit in joining Mikael Renberg and Eric Lindros to form the Flyers top scoring line known as the “Legion of Doom.” Led by Lindros would post 70 points in 48 games on the way to winning the Hart Trophy the Flyers would win the Atlantic Division with a solid record of 28-16-4. In the playoffs, for the first time in five years, the Flyers would dominate eliminating the Buffalo Sabres in five games before sweeping the defending Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers on the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. However, in the Conference Finals, the Flyers would hit a bump in the road as they dropped the first two games at The Spectrum to the New Jersey Devils. The Flyers would rebound to win the next two games in New Jersey, sending the series back to The Spectrum, with momentum tied at two games apiece. However, the Devils would frustrate the Flyers in Philly again, scoring late to take the Game 3-2. This time the Flyers would be unable to win in the Meadowlands as the Flyers lost Game 6 to the eventual Stanley Cup Champions 4-2.
1995/96:Led by Eric Lindros and John LeClair, the Flyers continue to be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, winning the Atlantic Division with a solid record of 45-24-13. In the playoffs, the Flyers appeared shaky early as they dropped two games in overtime and trailed the eighth-seeded Tampa Bay Lightning. However, the Flyers would rally and win the final three games to take the series in six games. In the second round, the Flyers would battle the Sunshine State’s other team, the Florida Panthers. The Flyers appeared to be in control, taking two of the first three games. The Panthers would even the series with an overtime win in Game 4 then steal another in overtime at the Spectrum to take control of the series. The overtime loss would end up being the final Flyers game at the Spectrum as the Panthers won the series in six games.
1996/97:“With the spectrum gone, Wells Fargo center tickets were quickly being purchased due to the strength of these Flyers. Despite losing Eric Lindros for 30 games due to injuries, the Flyers would continue to play solid hockey as John LeClair took up the slack scoring 50 goals as the Flyers fell one point short of their third straight division title with a record of 45-24-13. Garth Snow and Ron Hextall both played solid hockey as they alternated in goal. In the playoffs, the Flyers would get off to a strong taking the first three games against the Pittsburgh Penguins before winning the series in five games. The Flyers repeated the pattern in the second round against the Buffalo Sabres to set up a matchup in the Eastern Conference Finals with the New York Rangers led by Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky. After splitting the first two games at the Corestates Center, the Flyers would take control of the series in New York behind Eric Lindros who got a hat trick in a 6-3 win in Game 3 and scored the game-winner with eight seconds left in Game 4 to give the Flyers a 3-1 series lead. The Flyers would go on to close the series in five games to reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in ten years. However, in the Finals, the Flyers would run out of gas as the Detroit Red Wings dominate them in four straight games.
1997/98:Eric Lindros would miss 19 games as head injuries began to become a significant concern for the Flyers marquee superstar. However, the Flyers would not miss a beat again as they finished in second place with a solid 42-29-11 record. Down the stretch, the Flyers would make a change in the nets as Garth Snow is traded to the Vancouver Canucks for Sean Burke. Burke would be the starter in the playoffs as the Flyers are stunned by the Buffalo Sabres in five games.
1998/99:The Flyers would continue to play solid hockey as Eric Lindros stay relatively as the Flyers finished in 2nd place with a record of 37-26-19. However, Lindros would suffer a collapsed lung late in the season, missing the playoffs as the Toronto Maple Leafs bury the Flyers in six games.
1999/00:It would be a turbulent year for the Flyers as Eric Lindros continued to be injury-prone suffering another concussion as General Manager Bobby Clarke questions Lindros’ toughness and desire while taking away his captaincy. In addition, Flyers coach Roger Neilson would have to take an extended medical leave for chemotherapy treatments after being diagnosed with cancer. However, the Flyers would finish the season strongly under interim Coach Craig Ramsay winning the Atlantic Division with a record of 45-25-12-3. Playing without Eric Lindros and with an unproven goalie Bill Boucher the Flyers got ready for the playoffs, as Coach Neilson was ready to return. However, General Manager Bobby Clarke liking the team’s play under Ramsay decided to fire Neilson, buying out the remainder of his contract. Despite the turbulence, the Flyers would easily knock off the Buffalo Sabres in five games to advance to the second round. However, after dropping the first two games of the second round against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the First Union Center, fans began to call for the return of Eric Lindros. He appeared to be ready to play but was kept on the sidelines by General Manager Clarke. Facing a 3-0 deficit in Pittsburgh, the Flyers won Game 3 in overtime on a goal by Andy Delmore. Game 4 would also go to overtime; in fact, it would not be decided until the fifth overtime when Keith Primeau scored in 12 minutes into the eighth period ending the third-longest game in NHL history and evening the series at two games apiece. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Flyers would jump out to a 3-1 series lead against the New Jersey Devils. However, after losing Game 5 at home, the Flyers may have started to panic by activating Eric Lindros. Lindros would score late in Game 6 as the Flyers tried to rally from a 2-0 deficit, by pulling the goalie. However, the Flyers would not tie the game as the series went to a seventh game. In Game 7 at the First Union Center, the Flyers would lose 2-1 and lose Lindros again as he was knocked unconscious by a devastating hit by Devils defenseman Scott Stevens.
2000/01:With Eric Lindros sitting out the entire season due to lingering effects of his many concussions, while on the trading block as it became clear his Flyers career was over. The Flyers continue to play solid hockey as Bill Barber took over the coaching reigns in the middle of the season, leading the Flyers to a solid 43-25-11-3 record. Roman Cechmanek established himself as the new goalie being named as a second-team All-Star while getting ten shutouts. However, in the playoffs, the Flyers would experience a let down as the Buffalo Sabres beat them in six games. Following the season, Eric Lindros would finally be traded to the New York Rangers for Jan Hlavac, Kim Johnsson, Pavel Brendl, and a draft pick.
2001/02:During the preseason the First Union Center is the scene of one of the most poignant moments following the September 11th terrorist attacks, as a September 20trh exhibition game against the New York Rangers is stopped tied 2-2 so fans attending the game can watch a speech by President George W. Bush in front of Congress. With Eric Lindros gone, the Flyers signed free agent Jeremy Roenick, who would have an immediate impact on the team leading the Flyers in scoring as they won the Atlantic Division with a solid record of 42-27-10-3, as Roman Cechmanek had another solid season with a 2.05 GAA. Checkmanek would come up big as the playoffs started getting a shutout in Game 1 against the Ottawa Senators as the Flyers won in overtime on a goal by Ruslan Fedotenko. However, the Flyers would find themselves in a goal scoring-drought as they were held off the scoreboard in the next three games as the Senators grabbed a 3-1 series lead. Dan McGillis would break the scoring drought in Game 5, but the Senators would end up eliminating the Flyers 2-1 with a goal by Martin Havlat in overtime. Following the playoffs, the Flyers would fire Coach Bill Barber, replacing him with Ken Hitchcock.
2002/03:Under new coach Ken Hitchcock, the Flyers continued to play strong hockey battling the New Jersey Devils all season for first place in the Atlantic Division. With goalie Roman Chechmanek having another solid season with an impressive 1.83 GAA, the Flyers would make several big trades, including the acquisition of Tony Amonte to avoid another playoff scoring drought. The Flyers would end up falling one point short of first place as they entered the playoffs with a record of 45-20-13-4. In the playoffs, the Flyers would find themselves in a tough first-round battle against the Toronto Maple Leafs as both teams battle back and forth without giving an inch. The series would end up going seven games as all three games played in Toronto went into multiple overtimes. However, Game 7 would not be close as the Flyers erupted for a 6-1 win to set up a rematch with the Ottawa Senators. Through the first four games, the Flyers battled the Senator evenly as Roman Chechmanek earned two shutouts. However, Chechmanek would unravel, allowing ten goals in the last two games as the Flyers fell in six games. General Manager Bobby Clarke would criticize his Chechmanek openly, trading him to the Los Angeles Kings for a draft pick less than a month after being eliminated.
2003/04:The Flyers came out of the gate flying as they held a 14-2-5-1 record after the first two months, which included an unbeaten November. Over the next few months, the Flyers would come back to the pack and would find themselves in a season-long battle with the New Jersey Devils for first place in the Atlantic Division. Despite losing Jeremy Roenick for a month in February to a broken jaw, the Flyers would end up getting the edge by one point with a 40-21-15-6 record. In the playoffs, the Flyers would meet the same Devils and would take advantage of the home edge earned by winning the division by taking each of the first two games with 3-2 scores. After losing Game 3 in the Meadowlands 4-2, the Flyers took a commanding 3-1 series lead as Robert Esche stopped 35 shots in a 3-0 shutout win. The Flyers would return home in Game 5 to close the series with a 3-1 win. In the second round, the Flyers found another familiar foe in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Once again, the Flyers got the early edge by winning the first two games at home. They would struggle in Toronto, losing both games setting up a critical fifth game in Philadelphia. The Flyers would jump out fast, scoring three goals in the first seven minutes on the way to cruising to a 7-2 win. Looking to close out the series in Toronto, the Flyer took an early 2-0 lead only to see the Leafs rally to force overtime. In Overtime, Jeremy Roenick, still recovering from a broken jaw, would score the winning goal to send the Flyers on to the Conference Finals. In the Eastern Finals, the Flyers were matched up against the Tampa Bay Lightning. After dropping Game 1, the Flyers recovered with a six-goal outburst to even the series. However, they were unable to take advantage as they lost Game 3 at home 4-1. After recovering to win Game 4, the Flyers were beaten again in Game 5 as the series continues to yo-yo back and forth. Needing a win in Game 6, they rallied to tie the game 4-4 with less than two minutes left on a goal by Keith Primeau to force overtime where Simon Gagne forced Game 7 with a goal in the final 2 minutes of the 1st Overtime. However, in Game 7, the Flyers were unable to come back as they fell behind 2-0 only to battle back with a goal midway through the second period. However, they would be unable to tie the game as the Lightning went on to the Stanley Cup Finals.
2004/05:Season Cancelled Due to Lockout
2005/06:Coming out of the Lockout, the Philadelphia Flyers were a popular pick to win the Stanley Cup, as the team that fell one game short of the Stanley Cup Finals in 2004. The Flyers added Free Agent Peter Forsberg, who once upon a time had been Flyer property but was dealt in the Eric Lindros trade, before coming to the NHL from Sweden and becoming one of the top players in the league. However, Forsberg spent most of the season battling a groin injury, as the Flyers spent the entire season dealing with players on the sidelines, including Captain Keith Primeau. The latter played in just nine games after sustaining a severe concussion that would eventually force him to retire. In total, with players like Kim Johnsson and Eric Desjardins each missing almost half the season, the Flyers ended up leading the league in manpower lost to injury at 388 games. Despite the injuries, the Flyers still managed to battle all season for the division title finishing a close second with a solid 45-26-11 record. In the playoffs, the Flyers would face the Sabres and found themselves in a quick hole, losing the first two games on the road. After rebounding to win the next two games at the Wachovia Center, the Flyers once again slipped up on the road losing 3-0. With a chance to force a seventh game at home, the Flyers quickly unraveled, allowing three goals in the first period as they were beaten 7-1 and were eliminated in six games. Following the season, the Flyers would see the Salary Cap catch up to them as they were unable to resign Johnsson, while Eric Desjardins retired.
2006/07:The Flyers stumbled out of the gate as they won just one of their first eight games, including an embarrassing 9-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, leading to the sudden resignation of GM Bobby Clarke, who was replaced by Paul Holmgren and the firing of Coach Ken Hitchcock who was replaced by John Stevens. The changes, would had little effect on improving the Flyers fortunes as they continued to play awful hockey, with several multiple game losing streaks including a franchise worst ten game losing streak that was part of a 12-game home losing streak. With the playoffs far out of reach the Flyers focused on the future, trading Peter Forsberg to the Nashville Predators for Scottie Upshall, Ryan Parent, and 2007 first and third-round draft picks. They then focused on their needs in goal and were able to land Martin Biron from the Buffalo Sabres. The Flyers would go on to finish the season with a franchise worst record of 22-60-12. Following the season the Flyers would continue to work hard to improve, trading the Predators back their 1st Round draft for the rights to negotiate with impending unrestricted free agents Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell. Both were signed to six-year contracts. After the draft the Flyers were even busier signing Free Agent Daniel Briere to an eight year, $52 million contract, while trading Joni Pitkanen and Geoff Sanderson to the Edmonton Oilers for Jason Smith and Joffrey Lupul.
2007/08:Coming off one of the worst seasons in Flyers history the team decided to return to its roots of physical defensive hockey. This led to some ugly incidents as several players served multiple game suspensions including Steve Downie who was suspended 25 games for hitting a vulnerable Dean McAmmond of the Ottawa Senators from behind during a pre-season game on September 25th. Jesse Boulerice would also receive a 25-game ban when he landed a cross check to Ryan Kesler of the Vancouver Canucks on October 10th with the Flyers leading 7-2. The psychical approach worked from the start as the Flyers won seven of their first ten games. After playing mediocre hockey in November and December the Flyers again had a solid month posting a 9-3-1 record putting them in contention for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. However, a ten game losing streak in February almost sank their entire season, as they ended up on the playoff bubble. Thanks to a strong finish that bubble would not burst as the Flyers won seven of their last nine games to qualify for the playoffs as the sixth seed with a record of 42-29-11. In the playoffs against the Washington Capitals the Flyers got off to a rocky start blowing a 4-2 lead in the third period of Game 1, as the Caps scored three unanswered goals to win 5-4. However, the Flyers would bounce back to win Game 2, as Martin Biron stopped all 24 shots in a 2-0 win. As the series shifted to Philadelphia the Flyers goal scoring took over winning the next two games with a combined ten goals to take a 3-1 series lead. However, the Caps would rebound to win the next two games to force a seventh game in Washington. As was the rest of the series, Game 7 went back and forth as the game went into overtime tied 2-2. There Joffrey Lupul would win it for the Flyers with a power play goal to send the Flyers to the second round. In the second round the Flyers faced the number one seeded Montreal Canadiens, and again lost the opener in heartbreaking fashion as the Habs tied the game with 29 seconds left and won it in overtime 4-3 on a Tom Kostopoulos just 48 seconds into the extra session. However, led by the strong goaltending by Martin Biron who stopped 34 of 36 shots in Game 2, the Flyers again quickly rebounded to even the series with a 4-2 win. Biron was just as strong as the series shifted to Philly, stopping 32 shots, as the Flyers were out shot 34-14, but won 3-2 in Game 3. Biron, again took control in Game 4 stopping 36 of 38 shots as the Flyers won 4-2 to take a 3-1 series lead. Even as the series returned to Montreal, Biron was the story with standing a barrage in Game 5, as the Flyers won the series with a 6-4 win. In the Eastern Conference Finals the Flyers, would face their rivals from Western Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, before the series even started the Flyers suffered a setback as Kimmo Timonen was lost with a blood clot in his ankle. The Flyers would suffer another key injury as Braydon Coburn suffered a gruesome facial injury in Game 2, as the Penguins won the first three games. The Flyers would take Game 4, as Martin Biron stopped 36 of 38 shots in a 4-2 win. However, it only delayed the inevitable as the Penguins closed out the series with a 6-0 win in Game 5.
2008/09:After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals the Flyers got off to a shaky start, as they failed to win the first six games. However, they would recover to win their final four games in October. After a slow start in November, the Flyers began to finally play the type of hockey that had them in the conference finals a year earlier by winning seven of eight games, as they went rolling into the New Year with a solid record of 20-10-7. Following a mediocre January, management felt it was necessary to add toughness for the stretch drive as they acquired Daniel Carcillo from the Phoenix Coyotes for Scottie Upshall a at the trade deadline. The Flyers would go on to make the playoffs as the fifth seed with a record of 44-27-11. In the playoffs the Flyers found themselves in a tough battle right away as they faced the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round. After losing the first two games on the road, the Flyers turned to Simon Gagne to keep their playoff hopes alive by winning 6-3 in Game 3. However, the Flyers would suffer a setback in Game 4, and went to Pittsburgh down three games to one, losing 3-1 in a game in which the Flyers were 0-for-8 on the powerplay. The Flyers would get a strong effort from Goalie Martin Biron who stopped all 28 shots in a 3-0 road win in Game 5. However, the Penguins would prove too strong as they closed the Flyers out with 5-3 win in Game 6.
2009/10:The Flyers began the season with a renewed commitment to defense as they signed former Ottawa Senators Goalie Ray Emery, while acquiring star Defenseman Chris Pronger from the Anaheim Ducks for Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa and the Flyers’ 1st-round draft picks in 2009 and 2010. Early on the moves appeared to pay off as the Flyers got off to a terrific start, posting a 12-5-1 record in their first 18 games. However, in November the Flyers began to suffer a rash of injuries as Blair Betts, Daniel Briere, Jeff Carter, Simon Gagne and Kimmo Timonen all missed significant amounts of games. The Flyers would lose six of their next seven games leading to the dismissal of Coach John Stevens. Things did not improve much under new Coach Peter Laviolette as the Flyers continued to struggle, posting a 2-7-1 record in their first ten games with their new coach. Injuries continued to take their toll, as Ray Emery suffered a season ending hip injury. They would also lose backup Goalie Brian Boucher to a hand injury. However, journey man Michael Leighton stepped in and played well, posting an 8-0-1 record which included a solid effort in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins in the Winter Classic at Fenway Park on New Year’s Day, as the Flyers used seven different goalies during the season. After an up and down season, the Flyers hopes came down to the final game of the regular season as they faced the New York Rangers at Wachovia Center, with the winner getting in the playoffs and the loser going home. The Flyers fell behind early as Jody Shelly tallied an early goal for the Rangers. After a scoreless second period, the Flyers got the equalizer on a goal by Matt Carle, as the Flyers had trouble solving Rangers Goalie Henrik Lundqvist. The game was still tied 1-1 after a five minute overtime period sending they last spot in the NHL postseason to be decided by a shootout. With Claude Giroux beating Lundqvist on a 23 foot wristshot the Flyers were able to win the shoot out 2-1, as they got the seventh playoff spot with a record of 41-35-6.
2010 Playoffs:In the first round of the playoffs the Flyers faced the New Jersey Devils, and got off to a quick start winning the opener 2-1 in Newark as Brian Boucher and a tough Flyers defense stymied the Devils. After the Devils rebounded for a 5-3 win in Game 2 the series shifted to Philadelphia where fighter Daniel Carcillo landed a knockdown to the Devils with an overtime goal to give the Flyers a 3-2 win in Game 3. The Flyers would go on to win the series in five games as they easily won the next two games. Things would not go as smoothly in the second round as the Boston Bruins won the opener in overtime 5-4 and seemingly had the series in a stranglehold up 3-0 after a 4-1 win at the Wachovia Center in Game 3. Needing a miracle the Flyers got four assists from Matt Carle in Game 4, including feeding Simon Gagne in overtime for a 5-4 in Game 4. Back in Boston in Game 5, the Flyers lost Goalie Brian Boucher to a knee injury, but Michael Leighton stepped in an made 14 saves as the Flyers won 4-0 to keep their hopes alive. Leighton would play outstanding in Game 6, stopping 30 of 31 shots as the Flyers won 2-1 to force a seventh game. Things did not start well for the Flyers in Game 7, as the Bruins jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the 1st Period at TD Garden. Before intermission the Flyers began another comeback as James van Riemsdyk put them on the scoreboard. In the 2nd Period the Flyers continued their improbable comeback scoring twice to even the game 3-3. In the 3rd Period it was Simon Gagne playing the role of hero scoring, with 7:08 remaining as the Flyers became just the third team in NHL history to rally from an 0-3 deficit to win a seven game series with a 4-3 win in Game 7 that was a microcosm of the whole series. In the Eastern Conference Finals the Flyers faced the Montreal Canadiens who were the 8th seed and scored improbable upsets of the President Trophy winning Washington Capitals and defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins. The Flyers would get off to a fast start winning 6-0 and 3-0 in the first two games at home. After losing 5-1 in Game 3, Michael Leighton delivered his third shutout of the Conference Finals, as the Flyers took a 3-1 series lead with a 3-0 win in Montreal. In Game 5 at Wachovia Center it was Captain Mike Richards who played the hero scoring a shorthanded goal and getting two assists as the Flyers made their way to the Stanley Cup Finals with a 4-2 win in Game 5. Facing the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Finals, the opener turned into a classic shootout, as the two teams traded the lead back and forth with Chicago earning a hard fought 6-5 win. Game 2 would be a complete opposite as the defenses made their presence felt. However, once again the Flyers lost 2-1. Down 2-0 in the series the Flyers hoped the home ice would give them a spark in Game 3. After the Blackhawks took a 3-2 lead early in the 3rd Period on a goal by Patrick Kane, the Flyers quickly got it back even as Ville Leino scored twenty second later. The game would remain tied until overtime, when Claude Giroux gave the Flyers a 4-3 win on a goal at 5:59. The Flyers would even the series with a 5-3 win in Game 4. However, back in Chicago for Game 5, the Blackhawks offense erupted for seven goals and regained control of the series with a 7-4 win. Game 6 would be back at Wachovia Center, and the Flyers faced another must win. Trailing 3-2 in the 3rd Period, the Flyers would tie the game with 4:01 left on a goal by Scott Hartnell. From there the game would go to overtime. However, there would be no more heroics for the Flyers, as Patrick Kane beat Michael Leighton 4:06 into sudden death. Almost as if they were in denial there was no goal light, but the Blackhawks celebrated and a short review would reveal the truth as the Blackhawks would skate around the Philadelphia ice with Lord Stanley.
2010/11:After losing to the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Philadelphia Flyers looked to make improvements on defense, as Simon Gagne was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning to clear up cap space, as they landed Andrej Meszaros in a separate deal from Tampa. The Flyers would also sign free agent Sean O’Donnell from the Los Angeles Kings. The Flyers would get some bad news at the start of the season, as Ian Laperriere was lost for the season due to lingering concussion symptoms. Laperriere would provide veteran leadership while sitting out the season as he became one of the faces of head injuries in the NHL, earning the Masterton Trophy for perseverance. Despite the unexpected strong play from Goalies Brian Boucher and Michael Leighton in the playoffs, the Flyers started the season with Rookie Sergei Bobrovsky in goal. Bobrovsky would record a win in his first start, as the Flyers edged the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 on Opening Night. After a 2-1 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues, the Flyers had a successful home opener with a 4-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche. The rookie Sergei Bobrovsky played well as the Flyers posted a 6-4-1 record in October. In November, the Flyers would climb to the top of the Eastern Conference, as they posted a record of 9-2-3. After entering the New Year with a 23-10-5 record, the Flyers again got red hot in January, winning 10 of their 12 games, as they held the best record in hockey. However, the rest of the season the Flyers played only above average hockey as Bobrovsky began to struggle, leading the Flyers to again go to a goalie rotation with Brian Boucher seeing action. The Flyers would end up with the second best record in the East, as they won the Atlantic Division with a record of 47-23-12. In the playoffs the Flyers would face the Buffalo Sabres in the first round. Game 1 would bring nothing but frustration for the Flyers, as Ryan Miller stopped all 35 of their shots in a 1-0 win. The Flyers would bounce back with a 5-4 win in Game 2. As the series shifted to Buffalo, the Flyers got a 35 save game from Brian Boucher as they took control of the series with a 4-2 win. In Game 4, the Flyers would suffer another 1-0 loss, as the Sabres evened the series at two games apiece. The Sabres would stun the Flyers again in Game 5, winning in overtime 4-3 on a goal by Tyler Ennis. With their season on the brink the Flyers rallied from a 3-1 deficit, to win in overtime 5-4 on a goal by Ville Leino to send the series back to Philadelphia for Game 7. The Flyers would get a big goal from Braydon Coburn with 19 seconds left in the first period to take a 1-0 lead. Adding two Power Play goals in the second period, the Flyers would go on to win the game 5-2. In the second round the Flyers would get off to a rough start as they lost Game 1 to the Boston Bruins 7-3. The Flyers would grab a 2-0 quick lead in Game 2, only to see the Bruins answer back just as quickly. The game would stay tied 2-2 until overtime when David Krejci gave the Bruins a 3-2 win. As the series shifted to Boston, the Bruins took a 3-0 series lead with a 5-1 win in Game 3. This time there would be no miracle comeback for the Flyers, as the Bruins, who went on to win the Stanley Cup, completed the sweep with another 5-1 win in Game 4.
2011/12:After falling in the second round, the Flyers spent the entire off-season loading up for what they hoped to be a Stanley Cup run. The moves started with the trading of Captain Mike Richards to the Los Angeles Kings for Brayden Schenn, Wayne Simmonds. They would later send Jeff Carter to the Columbus Blue Jackets for their 2011 1st-round pick (Sean Couturier) and Jakub Voracek. The Flyers would also pick up Ilya Bryzgalov from the Phoenix Coyotes in an attempt to solve their goaltending issues. In addition they signed veterans Jaromir Jagr, Andreas Lilja, and Maxim Talbot. The new look Flyers would get off to a fast start, beating the Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins 2-1 and blanking the New Jersey Devils 3-0, before winning a 5-4 thriller against the Vancouver Canucks in their home opener. However, just 13 games into the season, the Flyers would lose one of their big off-season pickups as Defenseman Chris Pronger suffered a season ending concussion. Despite the loss of Pronger, the Flyers would play strong hockey through the early part of the season, as they led the Eastern Conference Standings early, posting a record of 7-3-2 on November. Winning their first seven games in December, the Flyers continued to lead the East. However, early struggles against the New York Rangers would become a concern as the Rangers emerged as the early challenger. The Flyers would finish December with a record of 22-10-4, as they were set to host the Rangers in the Winter Classic at Citizen’s Bank Park, home of the MLB’s Phillies. The Flyers would grab a 2-0 lead in the Winter Classic on goals by Brayden Schenn and Claude Giroux in the second period. However, the Rangers would rally to win the game 3-2, and take over first place in the East. Following the Winter Classic, Goalie Ilya Bryzgalov, who was benched during the game for Sergei Bobrovsky would begin to struggle, as the Flyers posted a mediocre 7-4-2 January. Things would get worse in February, as they won just five games. Though strongly in playoff position, the Flyers hopes for home ice, would take a hit during their two month, post classic slump. The Flyers would make two deals near the trade deadline, picking up Nicklas Grossmann from the Dallas Stars and Pavel Kubina from the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Flyers would finally get back on track in March, starting the month with five straight wins. The Flyers would post an 11-3-2 record in March as they finished the season strong. However, despite having the third best overall record in the East, at 47-26-9 the Flyers would only get the fifth seed as the top three teams were all in the Atlantic Division. With 65 assists, Claude Giroux led the team with 93 points, while Scott Hartnell was the leading goal scorer with 37. Jaromir Jagr who had spent three seasons in the KHL, was solid in his return to the NHL, with 19 goals and 35 assists, while Wayne Simmonds performed the best of their off-season acquisitions, with 28 goals and 21 assists while playing bruising two way hockey and becoming one of the Flyers toughest players on the ice.
2012 Playoffs:The Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins came into the league together, and became immediate rivals battling for hockey loyalty in the State of Pennsylvania. The two battled down the stretch for second place in the Atlantic Division, which would equal home ice for their first round show down. The Penguins finished with 108 points, while the Flyers had 103. Having home ice, helped the Penguins get the early led, as they scored three goals in the first period. However, two goals by Danny Briere would get the Flyers back into the game. The Flyers would tie the game in the third period on a power play goal by Brayden Schenn. In overtime the Flyers would not take long to get the win as Jakub Voracek scored at 2:23 to deliver a dramatic 4-3 win. Game 2 would be an exhibition of goal scoring, as the Penguins again jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the first period. After the second period the game would be tied at four as Sean Couturier scored three seconds before the start of intermission, after the Penguins had moments earlier took a 4-3 lead. In the third period the Penguins again took the lead 5-4 on a goal by Tyler Kennedy. Just 17 second later Couturier scored again to tie the game at 5-5. From there it would be all Flyers as they went on to win the game 8-5. Sean Couturier would get a hat trick, and so would Claude Grioux who also had three assists, for a franchise record six points in a playoff game. As the series shifted to the Wells Fargo Center for Game 3, the hatred the two teams have for each other boiled over, as the two teams combined for 38 penalties for 158 Penalty Minutes. The Flyers would win the fight filled game 8-4 as Danny Briere, Matt Read and Maxime Talbot each scored two goals. With a chance to sweep the series, the Flyers suffered a letdown in Game 4, losing 10-3. The Penguins would continue to fight off elimination in Game 5, as they won 3-2. However, the Flyers would win the series in six games, with a 5-1 win as Claude Giroux led the way with a goal and two assists. In the second round the Flyers would take on the New Jersey Devils. In Game 1, the Flyers were in control most of the game, despite having a week between series. The game would go to overtime as the Flyers won 4-3, with Danny Briere continuing his outstanding play with two goals, including the game winner in overtime. However, the Devils would use a four goal outburst in the third period to even the series with a 4-1 win. As the series shifted to Newark, Ilya Bryzglov continued to struggle, as the Devils won 4-3 in overtime. In Game 4, the Flyers jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead, but the Devils clearly controlled the pace and would tie the game before the end of the first period. The Devils would go on to win the game 4-2 to take a 3-1 series lead. As the game came to an end, the Flyers unraveled, as leading scorer Claude Giroux was suspended for Game 5 after a hit to the head of Dainius Zubrus. The Devils would go on to close the series with a 3-1 win in Philadelphia in Game 5.
2012/13:After another disappointing playoff exit the Flyers looked to make a big splash in the Free Agent market. However, there attempts to bring a new star to Philadelphia failed, as the Nashville Predators matched the off sheet they made to Defenseman Shea Weber, a restricted free agent. The Flyers were forced to part with James van Reisemsdyk who was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Luke Schenn as the Flyers felt they would be unable to work out a long term deal. The season would be delayed by a lockout for more than three months. Landing Weber would have been a key pick up for the Flyers, as Chris Pronger was declared unlikely to ever play again due to lingering concussion symptoms. This would lead to Claude Giroux taking over as the Flyers Captain. When the season finally began on January 19th the Flyers did not appear to be ready as they dropped their first three games. The Flyers never ending search for a goalie continued as Ilya Bryzgalov continued to disappoint, while Brian Boucher and Michael Leighton also failed when given the opportunity. Making matters worse Sergei Bobrovosky was in the midst of a breakout season with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Flyers had chosen to let Bobrovosky go, without even offering him a contract. Bobrovosky would go on to win the Vezina Trophy in Columbus, though it would lead the Flyers landing another netminder as the Jackets dealt Steve Mason to the Flyers for Michael Leighton at the trade deadline. By the time the April 3rd trade was made the Flyers playoff hopes were all but buried as they spent most of the season in last place. Mason would play well after the deal as the Flyers finished strong, posting a record of 8-5-0 in April as they missed the playoffs with a record of 23-22-3.
2013/14:The Flyers continued searching for a reliable goalie, as Ray Emery, who had spent the previous season with the Chicago Blackhawks, returned to Flyers by signing a one-year, $1.65 million contract on July 5th. The Flyers also looked for more offensive with the addition of Vincent Lecavalier, who signed a five year deal worth $22.5 million. The Flyers struggled early, losing their first three games. Concerned about the slow start, management acted quickly and fired Coach Peter Laviolette and assistant coach Kevin McCarthy on October 7th. The Flyers would name former AHL Coach Craig Berube as their lead man behind the bench for the remainder of the season. The Flyers would win Berube’s first game as coach, beating the Florida Panthers 2-1. The Flyers would continue to struggle through the rest of October, ending the month with an awful record of 3-8-0. In November the Flyers began to turn things around, winning nine games. They continued to improve in December with eight more wins, as they ended the month with six wins in their last seven games as they entered the New Year with a record of 20-16-4. Despite a mediocre January the Flyers would enter the Olympic break playing solid hockey as they won four of their last five games before Sochi. At the break the Flyers held a record of 30-24-6, when the season resumed the Flyers made their big move towards the playoffs, posting a record of 8-1-1 in their first ten games after the Olympics. The Flyers would end up qualifying for the playoffs by finishing third in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 42-30-10. Claude Giroux by far was the Flyers leading scorer with 28 goals and 58 assists, while Wayne Simmonds had a team high 29 goals. Steve Mason proved to be a solid goalie, with 33 wins as he had a 2.50 GAA and a .916 save percentage.
2014 Playoffs:Facing the New York Rangers, the Flyers playoffs got off to a poor start, as they suffered a 4-1 loss in the opener at Madison Square Garden. Game 2 also started poorly as the Rangers led early 2-0. However, the Flyers scratched and clawed their way back in the game, with four answered to even the series with a 4-2 win. The series shifted to Philadelphia for Game 3, but the Flyers came out flat, losing 4-1 as Ray Emery who started the first three games in goal was benched in the third period. Steve Mason got the start in Game 4 and was rock solid, stopping 37 of 38 shots as the Flyers evened the series with a 2-1 win. The series would continue to tick back and forth, with the Rangers scoring a 4-2 win in Game 5 in New York, while the Flyers responded with a 5-2 win in Game 6 at the Wells Fargo Center, as Wayne Simmonds had his first career playoff hat trick. In Game 7 at the Garden, the Rangers broke open a scoreless game with two goals in the second period. The Flyers would answer back with a goal by Jason Akeson in the third period, but would get no closer as the Rangers held on to a 2-1 win to advance to the Metropolitan Division Finals.
2014/15:After a first round playoff exit, the Philadelphia Flyers had a quiet off-season, with the biggest acquisition being the trade that saw them land R.J. Umburger from the Columbus Blue Jackets for Scott Hartnell, as new General Manager Ron Hextall focused on clearing up cap space. The Flyers started slowly, losing their first four games, posting a record of 4-4-2 record during October. November would not be much better for the Flyers as they ended the month in a 13 game stretch where they posted a record of 1-8-4. Finishing December with a record of 14-16-7 the Flyers had their best their best month in January, winning seven of nine at home. However, it was not enough to get the Flyers into playoff contention as they were muddled near .500 most of the season. The Flyers would go on to finish with in sixth place with a record of 33-31-18, finishing 14 points out of the last playoff spot. The poor season would lead to another coaching change as Craig Berube was dismissed following the season. Despite the Flyers struggles the Flyers got a strong season from Jakub Voracek who led the team in scoring with 81 points, highlighted by 59 assists. Claude Giroux also had a terrific season with 73 points including 48 assists, while Wayne Simmonds had a team high 28 goals. Another bright spot was Michael Raffl who had a breakout season, scoring 21 goals. However, the Flyers struggled defensively all season as Steve Mason and Ray Emery had disappointing seasons in goal.
2015/16:After a season in which they missed the playoffs, the Philadelphia Flyers had low expectations under new coach Dave Hakstol who had success at the college level at the University of North Dakota. Through much of the first half the Flyers met those expectations as the muddled around .500, holding a record of 15-14-7 at the end of December. As January began the Flyers looked toward the future and traded Vincent Lecavalier and Luke Schenn to the Los Angeles Kings, receiving Jordan Weal and a draft pick in return. Letting go Lecavalier and Schenn was more about clearing cap space and allowing more ice time for the Flyers youth. At the time of the trade the Flyers began to play better, as they won five of six. This strong play carried into February as they posted an 8-4-3 record and began to get back into playoff contention. Players like Shayne Gostisbehere played a big role in the Flyers turnaround. The defensemen set a record with a point in 15 straight games, best among first year blueliners, four better than the previous mark set by Barry Beck in 1978 with the Colorado Rockies. Shayne Gostisbehere also was big in the clutch becoming the first rookie to ever score four overtime goals as he finished the season with 46 points and 17 goals. Veterans like Claude Giroux also benefited from the influx of youth, as Giroux had a solid season, leading the Flyers with 67 points, while Wayne Simmonds had a team best 32 goals. The Flyers continued their playoff push in March as they won nine games. Over February and March, the Flyers were a combined 17-7-5. With wins in their last two games, the Flyers would finish at 41-27-14 grabbing the second and last Wild Card in the Eastern Conference. A day after the regular season came to an end, the Flyers would lose their patriarch as founder and longtime owner Ed Snider succumbed after a two-year battle with cancer, he was 83.
2016 Playoffs:As the playoffs began the Philadelphia Flyers had heavy hearts as they took on the team with the number one seed, the Washington Capitals. Steve Mason did all he could to keep the Flyers in the game, but a power play goal by John Carlson broke a scoreless tie, late in the second period. The Capitals would goal from Jay Beagle as the Flyers never got their offense going, suffering a 2-0 loss in the opener. The Flyers had a stronger effort in Game 2, but could not solve Braden Holtby who made 41 saves as the Capitals won the game 4-1. As the series shifted to Philadelphia, the Flyers after a tribute to Ed Snider jumped in front early, scoring 53 seconds into the game on a goal by Michael Raffi. However, poor special teams would spell doom for the Flyers, as the Capitals had five power play goals and won the game 6-1 to take a commanding 3-0 series lead. Looking to change their fortunes, the Flyers made a change in goal for Game 4, starting Michal Neuvirth who once played for the Capitals. The change was good for Philly, as the Flyers won 2-1 to prevent a four game sweep. Neuvirth was even better in Game 5, as he stoned his former team 44 times, as the Flyers got goals from Ryan White and Chris VandeVelde, who scored into the empty net to win the game 2-0. With momentum on their side Neuvirth continued to frustrate the Capitals before Nicklas Backstrom scored in the middle of the second period. It would be the only goal he would allow in Game 6, but it was enough as the Capitals clinched the series with a 1-0 win.
2016/17:After their quick exit in the playoffs, the Philadelphia Flyers looked to make a step forward, as they took the ice with largely the same team. The Flyers got off to a slow start at 9-10-3, but got hot after Thanksgiving, winning ten straight games. The winning streak was the lone bright spot in an otherwise bleak season, as the Flyers posted a record of 3-9-3 in their next 15 games. Wayne Simmonds, representing the Flyers at the All-Star Game would win the game’s MVP. While they were barely hanging on to playoff contention, the Flyers participated in the Stadium Series, losing 4-2 to the Pittsburgh Penguins at Heinz Field. There would be no other spotlight games for Philadelphia as they missed the playoffs with a record of 39-33-10.
2017/18:Coming off the disappointing season, the Philadelphia Flyers were at a crossroads. Ron Hextall and Dave Hakstol were heading into their fourth and third seasons as General Manager and Head Coach, respectively. The Flyers had the great fortune of jumping up to the second pick in the NHL Draft, with only the rival New Jersey Devils ahead of them. Mystery surrounded who would be the first two picks, as both Nico Hischier and Nolan Patrick were both deemed worthy of the top pick. Once the Devils selected Hischier, selecting Patrick for the Flyers was a no brainer. With the second overall pick expected to add depth to a team with a reasonably good top six but little depth, anything less than the playoffs, as is the case always in Philadelphia, would be unacceptable. The roster remained largely the same from the previous season, with the notable difference being Brian Elliott replacing Steve Mason as the default number one goalie. A respectable 6-5-1 start in October turned disastrous in November, a month that saw them lose ten straight games. The Flyers quickly rebounded though, winning seven out of their next eight games to finish the calendar year strong at 16-14-8. The Flyers would continue to play well through the next two months, posting an 8-4 January record and going a stellar 10-1-2 February. Captain Claude Giroux recorded his first 100 point season in the NHL by scoring a hat trick in the final game of the season against the New York Rangers. Giroux would finish the season with 102 points with a team-best 34 goals and 68 assists. Sean Couturier also had a strong season with 31 goals, while Jakub Voracek had 65 assists. The Flyer would finish the season in third place in the Metropolitan Division at 42-26-14.
Written by Joe Espo
2018 Playoffs:No strangers to each other, the Philadelphia Flyers faced off with their bitter rivals the Pittsburgh Penguins in the playoffs for the fourth time since the 2005 Lockout. Although the NHL is the sport where truly every team that makes the playoffs has some chance of winning the Cup, there was no doubting the apparent talent disparity between the Flyers and the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champions. The mismatch was evident in the opener as the Penguins won 7-0. The Flyers were showing the spirit they had all season stunned Pittsburgh with a 5-1 win in Game 2. The Penguins dominance continued as they waltzed into the Wells Fargo Center and won 5-1 in Game 3 and 5-0 in Game 4. The Flyers would not roll over as they beat Pittsburgh 4-2 in Game 5. The Flyers also had a 4-2 lead in Game 6 at home in the middle of the second period but fell apart as Jake Guentzel netted four goals as the Penguins eliminated the Flyers with an 8-5 win. Their first-round elimination marks six years since the Flyers have won a playoff series, ironically also against the Penguins, the longest drought in franchise history.
Written by Joe Espo
2018/19:Coming off another first-round playoff exit, the pressure remained high for General Manager Ron Hextall and coach Dave Hakstol. As the season began, the Philadelphia Flyers, an orange mascot named Gritty that quickly became an internet sensation. When the season started, the Flyers were hardly a sensation as they struggled early, going 5-7-0 in October. The Flyers continued to scuffle in November, ending the month with one win in their last seven games. This slump would spell the end of Ron Hextall’s tenure as GM. As Chuck Fletcher became the new General Manager, it was clear that Dave Hakstrol was likely next on the chopping block. The ax would fall for the Flyers’ coach on December 17th, with the team holding a record of 12-15-4. Scott Gordon would be the interim coach for the remainder of the season. A significant reason behind the Flyers’ terrible start was the lack of consistency in goal. The Flyers would use seven goalies during the season, tying an NHL record. Out of the jumble in goal emerged, Carter Hart, who was named Rookie of the Month in January. As Hart played more, the Flyers’ fortunes improved as they went 18-5-2 over a 25-game stretch. This included a 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on February 23rd at Lincoln Financial Field in the Stadium Series. Just as they were getting back into playoff contention, the Flyers ran out of gas as they won only three of their final 13 games, finishing the season with a record of 37-37-8 and missing the playoffs. Carter Hart would be the bright spot of the season, as he finished the year with a record of 16-13-1, with a 2.83 GAA and a .917 save percentage. Claude Giroux led the Flyers in scoring with 85 points, including 63 assists, while Sean Couturier had a team-best 33 goals.
Championship Teams
Flyers Arenas
Famous Flyers
Ed Snider Owner 1967-2016 | Keith Allen GM 1969-1983 | Lou Angotti 1967/68 | Ed Hoekstra 1967/68 | Leon Rochefort 1967-1969 | Andre Lacroix 1967-1971 |
Bill Sutherland 1967/68, 1968-1971 | Larry Hillman 1969-1971 | Jean-Guy Gendron 1967-1972 | Jim Johnson222 1967-1972 | Serge Bernier 1968-1972 | Dick Sarrazin 1968-1972 |
Bruce Gamble 1970-1972 | Rick Foley 1971/72 | Doug Favell 1968-1973 | Brent Hughes 1970-1973 | Simon Nolet 1967-1974 | Barry Ashbee 1970-1974 |
Bill Flett 1971-1974 | Bill Clement 1971-1975 | Ed Van Impe 1967-1976 | Dave Schultz 1971-1976 | Bobby Taylor 1971-1976 | Bobby Clarke 1973, 1975, & 1976 Hart Trophy |
Bernie Parent 1974 & 1975 Vezina 1974 & 1975 Conn Smythe | Larry Goodenough 1974-1977 | Gary Dornhoefer 1967-1978 | Joe Watson 1967-1978 | Fred Shero Coach 1971-1978 | Ross Lonsberry 1971-1978 |
Tom Bladon 1972-1978 | Orest Kindrachuk 1972-1978 | Bernie Parent 1967-1971, 1973-1979 | Don Saleski 1971-1979 | Wayne Stephenson 1974-1979 | Blake Dunlop 1977-1979 |
Bob Kelly 1970-1980 | Andre Dupont 1972-1980 | Phil Myre 1979-1981 | Jim Watson 1972-1982 | Reggie Leach 1974-1982 1976 Conn Smythe | Mel Bridgman 1975-1982 |
Bob Dailey 1976-1982 | Ken Linesman 1978-1982, 1989/90 | Pete Peeters 1978-1982, 1989-1991 | Rick St. Croix 1977-1983 | Behn Wilson 1978-1983 | Bobby Clarke 1969-1984 1983 Selke Trophy |
Rick MacLeish 1971-1981, 1983/84 | Bill Barber 1972-1984 | Paul Holmgren 1975-1984 | Ron Flockhart 1980-1984 | Darryl Sittler 1981-1984 | Thomas Eriksson 1980-1986 |
Pelle Lindbergh 1981-1986 1985 Vezina Trophy | Darren Jensen 1984-1986 | Ray Allison 1981-1987 | Bob Froese 1982-1987 | Brad McCrimmon 1982-1987 | Ron Hextall 1987 Vezina Trophy & Conn Smythe |
Lindsay Carson 1981-1988 | Doug Crossman 1983-1988 | Peter Zezel 1984-1989 | Mark LaForest 1987-1989 | Brian Propp 1979-1990 | Ilkka Sinisalo 1981-1990 |
Dave Poulin 1982-1990 1987 Selke Trophy | Mike Bullard 1988-1990 | Tim Kerr 1980-1991 | Ron Sutter 1983-1991 | Derrick Smith 1984-1991 | Scott Mellanby 1985-1991 |
Mark Howe 1982-1992 | Murray Craven 1984-1992 | Rick Tocchet 1984-1992, 1999-2002 | Gord Murphy 1988-1992 | Mike Ricci 1990-1992 | Steve Duchesne 1991/92, 1998/99 |
Dan Quinn 1991/92, 1995/96 | Keith Acton 1988-1993 | Terry Carkner 1988-1993 | Mark Pederson 1990-1993 | Pelle Eklund 1985-1994 | Tommy Soderstrom 1992-1994 |
Yves Racine 1993/94 | Garry Galley 1991-1995 | Josef Beranek 1992-1995 | Dimitri Yushkevich 1992-1995, 2002/03 | Kevin Dineen 1991-1996 | Dominic Roussel 1991-1996 |
Brent Fedyk 1992-1996 | Dale Hawerchuk 1995-1997 | Kjell Samuelsson 1986-1992, 1995-1998 | Pat Falloon 1995-1998 | Joel Otto 1995-1998 | Garth Snow 1995-1998 |
Paul Coffey 1996-1998 | Janne Niinimaa 1996-1998 | Ron Hextall 1986-1992, 1994-1999 | Shjon Podein 1994-1999 | Mikael Rinberg 1994-1997, 1998/99 | Petr Svoboda 1994-1999 |
Trent Klatt 1995-1999 | Dainius Zubrus 1996-1999 | Chris Gratton 1997-1999 | Rod Brind’Amour 1991-2000 | Eric Lindros 1992-2000 1995 Hart Trophy | John Vanbiesbrouck 1998-2000 |
Daymond Langkow 1998-2001 | Dan McGillis 1997-2002 | Roman Chechmanek 2000-2003 | Mark Recchi 1991-1995, 1998-2004 | John LeClair 1994-2004 | Jeremy Roenick 2001-2004 |
Tony Amonte 2002-2004 | Eric Desjardins 1994-2006 | Keith Primeau 2000-2006 | Donald Brashear 2001-2006 | Kim Johnsson 2001-2006 | Michal Handzus 2002-2006 |
Robert Esche 2002-2007 | Joni Pitkanen 2003-2007 | Peter Forsberg 2005-2007 | Sami Kapanen 2002-2008 | Derian Hatcher 2005-2008 | Jason Smith 2007/08 |
Antero Niittymaki 2003-2009 | Mike Knuble 2005-2009 | Martin Biron 2006-2009 | Joffrey Lupul 2007-2009 | Steve Downie 2007-2009, 2013/14 | Simon Gagne 1999-2010, 2012/13 |
Ian Laperriere 2009/10 | Jeff Carter 2005-2011 | Mike Richards 2005-2011 | Daniel Carcillo 2008-2011 | Ville Leino 2009-2011 | Matt Carle 2008-2012 |
Chris Pronger 2009-2012 | Sergei Bobrovsky 2010-2012 | Jaromir Jagr 2011/12 | Brian Boucher 1999-2002, 2009-2011, 2012/13 | Daniel Briere 2007-2013 | Michael Leighton 2006/07, 2009-2013 |
Ilya Bryzgalov 2011-2013 | Scott Hartnell 2007-2014 | Kimmo Timonen 2007-2014 | Andrej Meszaros 2010-2014 | Maxime Talbot 2011-2014 | Braydon Coburn 2006-2015 |
Ray Emery 2009/10, 2013-2015 | R.J. Umberger 2005-2008, 2014-2016 | Luke Schenn 2012-2016 | Vincent Lecavalier 2013-2016 | Brayden Schenn 2011-2017 | Steve Mason 2012-2017 |
Mark Streit 2013-2017 | Michael Del Zotto 2014-2017 | Matt Read 2011-2018 | Wayne Simmonds 2011-2019 | Andy MacDonald 2013-2019 | Claude Giroux 2007-Present |
James Van Riemsdyk 2009-2012, 2018-Present | Sean Couturier 2011-Present | Jakub Voracek 2011-Present | Michael Raffl 2013-Present | Shayne Gostisbehere 2014-Present | Michal Neuvirth 2015-2019 |
Travis Konecny 2016-Present | Ian Provorov 2016-Present | Brian Elliott 2017-Present | Nolan Patrick 2017-Present | Carter Hart 2018-Present | Kevin Hayes 2019-Present |