For Playoff Reasons, Is It A Better Option For The Flyers NOT To Win The Division?
With the Flyers recent surge, they have almost assured themselves a playoffs spot. Therefore, instead of talking about making the playoffs, the Flyers have us talking about a division title?
You’re damn right. A division title is in the sights of this Flyers team. Lets look at the playoff picture as we stand today February 28th:
At the moment, the Flyers would be the #2 seed out of the Metro division, hosting the Penguins in round 1. It would be a tough, physical match-up that I think the Flyers could possibly win. Given hosting the Penguins, Game 7 would be in Philadelphia and give them an advantage over the away Penguins.
However, with just being one point out of the division lead, the Flyers have their eyes set on winning the division. But, is that the right decision?
It is always good to win your division. You get to call yourself a champion. A banner is put in the rafters for it. But, in terms of matchup and team, is it really the best thing for the Flyers in terms of advancing out of the 1st round?
If the Flyers win the division, they will host the 1st wildcard team. The 1st wildcard team could be a ton of different teams. Today, it is the Devils. But, close behind are the Blue Jackets and a streaking Florida Panther team that could be there by the end of the season.
So, could winning the division be actually bad?
Well, it all has to do with the matchup. If it is the Devils, I am perfectly fine with them. That would be a great matchup for both teams, being both are led by younger talent. However, if it is the Blue Jackets or Panthers, that could be an issue.
I think everybody can understand the Blue Jackets being a problem for one reason and one reason only. Sergei, ex-Flyer & Flyers killer, Bobrovsky. Bobrovsky, who spots a 9-3-1 record with a 1.82 GAA & a .932 % against his former squad, could shut down the Flyers just like he has done in over his career. This could lead to an extremely quick exit for the Flyers out of the playoffs.
Florida, on the other hand, would be an issue because of the entirety of its roster. When you look at years past, teams that get hot and make a run to get into the playoffs, fair pretty well.
In recent history, the Senators used an almost undefeated month of March to surge into the playoffs. Who could forget the great streak from Andrew Hammond, aka the Hamburglar. You can even point to the Flyers team of 2009-2010, where they got all the way to the cup final.
This is why Florida would be an issue. When a team gets hot, like those two examples, they are a hard team to beat. Florida right now is headed for that exact situation. A team that has to win a lot of games over the final month to get into the playoffs.
Therefore, to avoid any of those situations, it is best for the Flyers to get the #2 or #3 seed in the Metro to play a divisional team.
With the injury to Matt Murray in Pittsburgh, the recent slump of Bradyen Holtby, and a young inexperienced Devils team, the Flyers could take advantage of any of those situations in a long divisional playoff series.
Which is why, even though it would be a great story for the Flyers to go from 10-straight losses and last place to first, they allow another team to win the Metro Division to set up an easier and possibly 1st round win against another Metro team.
Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports