Why History Says the Flyers Might Be Headed to the Stanley Cup; Plus Ilya Bryzgalov Returns

Published: 3^rd Apr 12 12:54 pm

Johnny Machurek
NHL Featured Writer & Philadelphia Flyers Featured Columnist

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Photo Courtesy of JOHNNY MACHUREK

History says the Philadelphia Flyers might be headed to the Stanley Cup Finals, if you look at the teams March and April records.

The Flyers finished March with a record of 11-3-2, which is their best March record since the 1984-1985 campaign. In fact, this is just the fifth time Philadelphia has finished March with 11 or more wins. If you then look at the April results that followed when they have a winning in April, history says the Flyers will make the Cup Finals.

1973-74: 12-1-2 (April: 3-1-0) (Won Stanley Cup)
1974-75: 13-1-1 (April: 2-0-1) (Won Stanley Cup)
1978-79: 11-4-2 (April: 2-2-0) (Lost QF)
1984-85: 13-3-0 (April: 3-0-0) (Lost SCF)

Philly has already started April 1-0-0 and can secure at least a .500 April with a win over division rivals the New York Rangers. That will be no easy feat though as the Flyers have lost all five meetings with the Rangers this season.

Ilya Bryzgalov will suit up tonight against the Rangers, to try to help the Flyers beat them for the first time this season. Bryz this season against the Blueshirts is 0-2-0, with a 4.11 GAA, and a .869 save percentage and lifetime he is just 1-4-0.

Bryzgalov has been a new man though setting a team shutout record, winning back-to-back player of the week awards, and a player of the month award since last seeing New York. The Flyers staff would love to see Bryz play a strong game tonight, to show there is no rust and he is playoff ready.

If Philly is able to win tonight and the Pittsburgh Penguins lose tonight in regulation against the Boston Bruins, the Flyers would overtake the Pens for the fourth-seed in the Eastern Conference. The Flyers would also tie the Penguins with an overtime or shootout loss paired with a Pens regulation loss, or a Philly win and a Pittsburgh overtime or shootout loss.

The Rangers can clinch the first-seed with a single point tonight and if the Pens and Flyers both get a point they will clinch a first round match-up against each other.

Follow Johnny on Twitter @JohnnyMacNHL.

Also, please donate to my playoff beard which benefits Philadelphia Flyers Charities. You can donate here, and contributions will be greatly appreciated.

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