Co-Division Champions!

Despite topping the Atlantic Division with 101 points, the Flyers lost the Division title to New Jersey last night- undoubtedly due to some esoteric and unfair tie-breaker. Nevertheless, despite a bizarre up-and-down season with never ending anxiety- coupled with a very gratifying total Ranger collapse- the Flyers largely got the job done. (Confidential to Ranger fans: Donald Brashear is laughing at you.)

Frankly, it is probably better this way. One fewer New Jersey point, and Flyers would have been hosting those same Devils- a nasty medicine every Philadelphian wants no part of. Granted, they get the Sabres instead, an outfit absolutely designed to torture their immobile defensive corps. The Flyers will get utterly embarrassed at least once in this series. But with a little reversion back to the old NHL rules- and a chance to beat on those hopefully a bit soft finks every other night for two weeks- Philadelphia has a decent chance. Do you have a feeling Buffalo will miss Satan more than a little?

Play-off pick later in the week.

Now, I have no clue how the Flyers managed to have the most points in the division. None.

Look at the Devils- my pre-season pick to win the Cup- and I have no reason to change that opinion. New Jersey’s top-notch front office and coaching staff adopted beautifully to the “new” NHL. Their line-up includes a one time truly world class goalie rounding into very good form. Solid depth on defense. A wonderfully gifted skating and scoring top line- and a bunch of competent role-players following up.

The Flyers are horrid and disorganized in their own end. They allowed 44 more goals than the Rangers- and as a team have only scored eight more goals than they’ve allowed. I have no idea how those numbers translate into 101 points. They were/are riddled with injuries to people like Johnnson, Primeau and Forsberg. No one had any clue what they are going to get between the pipes any given night (although both guys have admittedly been very good for streches). And yet, there the Flyers are- same number of points. Why?

1. The Flyers got some help. They grinded wins out from week one until the end- while the Rangers were great early and bad late, and the Devils the reverse.

2. They played a lot of young players early- which gave them some energy and heady play during the doldrums.

3. The goalies, for decently long periods, played pretty well.

4. They traveled not only well, but super well: 51 points on the road! Buffalo had 53- best in the East.

Now, sshhh... I kinda like Tampa Bay in the first round.

They're winners who can skate and Grahme is a pretty underrated player.

The rulebook is going to get a little loser- not like the old days perhaps, but some of this moronic off the puck stuff- and I know the Lightning can play their game in that environment. For one thing, they have a big shiny trophy in their lobby to prove it.