What If Series(Flyers 1991) (FHM6)

[Nickflyers]

Lockout Ends, Game On!!


https://www.cbc.ca/archives/entry/1995-nhl-lockout-ends-after-103-days

Flyers Eager to Build on Postseason

The Flyers returned to the Playoffs last year before falling to the Buffalo Sabres in six games. The season was a success to many with the development of youth finally bearing fruit. Peter Forsberg took over as 1C late in the season and a bold trade to get rising star Pavel Bure paid dividends as well. The offseason was successful as well with the Flyers adding backup goalie Garth Snow(1.5/2) and forwards Shjon Podein(1.5/1.5), Craig Conroy(1/3) and Keith Jones(1/1.5). The youth on the team got their feet wet in the playoffs and now are eager to contend with the elite teams in the League. The top line of LeClair-Forsberg-Renberg will be relied on, but the depth up front will provide oppositions with a load of problems. 2nd line is projected to be Zhamnov-Brind'Amour-Bure, Brind'amour's outstanding two-way play will allow Zhamnov and Bure to focus on the offense. The defense is still very young, but has grown together so that chemistry should allow them to hold teams at bay.

[Nickflyers]

FLYERS WIN ATLANTIC DIVISION TITLE

Tough shortened season, but we clinched our first division title in a while. Blueline got banged up a bit with Malakhov and Desjardins missing a few weeks in the middle of the season. We're still a ways away from Pittsburgh, Boston and Quebec in the East, but with a healthy team we can fight our way though the playoffs!

[Nickflyers]

Flyers draw the New York Islanders, who finished with a 22-22-4 record to earn the 7th seed.



OFFENSE: The Islanders are heavily reliant on their top line of Derek King-Ray Ferraro-Ziggy Palffy, as all three scored over 15 goals and had over 35 points. Everyone else was under 20 points. Meanwhile Philadelphia had three 20+ goal scorers(Forsberg, Renberg, and Bure). Pretty easy to determine who has the advantage.
ADVANTAGE: Philadelphia

DEFENSE: The Islanders only allowed 126 goals and play a very stingy game so if they are to have a chance this series they will need to continue the stingy defense. With five players with over 50 hits, they aren't afraid to throw their weight around. The Flyers still have one of the youngest bluelines and they are getting healthy at the right time with Malakhov and Desjardins returning.

ADVANTAGE: Draw

GOALTENDING: Ron Hextall and Garth Snow were 12th and 13th in GAA, but they are Mark Fitzpatrick was in the Top five and held down a 92.0SV%. If Fitzpatrick can keep that pace up he could lead an upset of the Atlantic Division Champs. Hextall has experience in his corner and can turn his game up a notch come playoff time.

ADVANTAGE: Draw

Prediction: Flyers in Six

[Nickflyers]

Flyers Win Series in Five, Onto the Semi Finals


Eastern Conference
#1 Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 #8 Buffalo Sabres
#3 Boston Bruins 4-2 #6 New Jersey Devils
#4 New York Rangers 2-4 #5 Quebec Nordiques

Western Conference
#1 Detroit Red Wings 4-1 #8 St. Louis Blues
#2 Calgary Flames 4-2 #7 Dallas Stars
#3 Chicago Blackhawks 4-2 Vancouver Canucks
#4 Winnipeg Jets 0-4 #5 Los Angeles Kings

[Nickflyers]

#2 Philadelphia Flyers vs #3 Boston Bruins

OFFENSE: John LeClair is leading the playoffs with six goals in five games, while Peter Forsberg leads the team with nine points. So look for the top line of the Flyers to continue. Meanwhile in Boston Craig Janney and Ted Donato are supplying the offense. Cam Neely is recovering from an injury and should be available for Game 1. He could provide some much needed offense for Boston in this series.
Advantage: Philadelphia

DEFENSE: Bruins are led by All-Star defenseman Ray Bourque and it'll be his and Garry Galley's task to control the Legion of Doom in Philadelphia. Glen Wesley and Don Sweeney will also be called upon to deal with the lethal Philadelphia offense. In Philadelphia, the Flyers will be without Malakhov as he suffered a bruised foot in Game 4, but the top line of Sandis Ozolinsh and Sergei Gonchar should be able to handle the Bruins top line. Terry Carkner will provide some experience in Malakhov's place until he returns. The young defense held the Isles top line in check and the Islanders could only get six goals in the five games.

Advantage: Draw

GOALTENDING: Ron Hextall has been lights out for the playoffs allowing just six goals while posting a 95.5SV% and a 1.20GAA. Jim Carey handled the New Jersey offense enough to lead his team to victory allowing 15 goals and a 91.7SV%.
Advantage: Philadelphia

Series Prediction: Flyers in Seven

[Nickflyers]

Sergei Gonchar's Game 7 OT Winner Sends Flyers to Conf. Finals!

[Nickflyers]

OFFENSE: The Penguins will be without Jaromir Jagr (Torn Hamstring), but that doesn't appear to slow the Pens down as they handled Quebec quite easily in a four game sweep. Lemieux leads the Pens with 17 points in 10 games with Recchi and Francis providing secondary scoring. Igor Kravchuk has five goals from the blueline as well. Philadelphia is scoring a lot as well with Peter Forsberg leading the way with 17 points in 12 games. The Flyers will need more scoring from their secondary lines if they want to keep up with the Penguins.
ADVANTAGE: Pittsburgh

DEFENSE: The Penguins handled the Nordiques and their high powered offense pretty easily and with Larry Murphy and Paul Coffey leading the way it'll be a tall task for the Flyers to break through. Philadelphia's young blueline will have to be on point to shut down Super Mario and Mark Recchi. If they can do that, they have a chance to return to the Stanley Cup Finals
ADVANTAGE: Pittsburgh

GOALIE: Ron Hextall is still holding his ground with a 93.1SV% but he will need to return to his 1987 Playoff level to give the Flyers a chance to take down the dynasty. Tom Barrasso is playing at his usual level with a 91.4SV% and a 2.06GAA.
Advantage: Draw

PREDICTION: Penguins in Six

[Nickflyers]

Flyers Bounced in Five
They were too good.....Super Mario took over a few games and we had that crushing Game four loss.