Flyers Battle for Final Playoff Spot as Trade Deadline Passes

On the day of the trade deadline, the Philadelphia Flyers continued to remain in the playoff hunt with a huge win against the Montreal Canadiens 5-3 last night and an even bigger home stand, going 3-1-1, including 3 straight victories for the first time all season.

Character is finally showing on the ice for Philadelphia. The drive to win and the motivation to make the playoffs has finally set in and the Flyers are playing some of their best hockey. The list of injuries continues to pile up for the team as they are still without Danny Briere, Max Talbot, Nicklas Grossmann, Braydon Coburn, and Andrej Meszaros, yet they're stepping up as a team when it matters the most. 

During the Flyers current 4-game point streak in which they are 3-0-1, they have scored 7, 3rd period goals, compared to the 21 goals in 32 games prior. Also during this point streak they have mounted 3, 3rd period comebacks while beaten two of the top three teams (Boston and Montreal) in the Eastern Conference. 

Thursday after surrendering a 2 goal lead to the Islanders and fell behind 3-2. However, they fought back and scored in the final minute with their goalie pulled, gaining a much needed point. They lost in the skills competition, or shootout 4-3, but the excitement and confidence starting building. They carried that confidence into their next game, against the Bruins. In dominating fashion, they controlled the pace of the game and came out on top 3-1. Next up was the Washington Capitals.  Philadelphia played a strong game but got into penalty trouble in the 3rd surrendering 2 PowerPlay goals finding themselves down 4-2. More 3rd period magic was needed. And the Flyers delivered. Giroux scored cutting the lead to 1, then set up Kimmo Timonen, who lit the lamp with the goalie pulled once again this time with just 9 seconds remaining in the game. Ruslan Fedotenko neatly wrapped the game up with his overtime winner. Finally tonight the Flyers were tested once again. Heading into the final period, the Flyers found themselves down 3-2 in a game they should have been ahead. On top of that, the Canadiens came into tonight's contest with a 12-1-2 record when leading after 2, while the Flyers were 1-16-3 when trailing after 2. But again the Flyers looked into the face of adversity and came out even stronger, emerging with a 3-goal 3rd period effort, winning 5-3.

Two weeks ago, the Flyers would have packed up and walked away with the 3-2 loss but not now. Not anymore. This team wants to win. And they know they can win.

So it's safe to say their confidence is back. And confidence will be very important down the stretch as they have only 12 games remaining and 5 of those are against teams they are fighting against for that final spot. Philadelphia is currently in 11th place with 35 points, 4 points behind the 8th seeded New Jersey Devils and 7th placed New York Rangers.

Trade Deadline:

The Philadelphia Flyers only made one trade before today's deadline expired:

• The Philadelphia Flyers traded G Michael Leighton and a 3rd round draft pick for G Steve Mason.

Steve Mason was a goalie that had a lot of promise and potential. Mason, 24, had his best season in his rookie campaign. He played 66 games winning 33 of them while posting a 2.29 GAA and a .919 save % for the Blue Jackets. However, since then he has struggled in his last 3 seasons averaging a 3.16 GAA and an .898 save %. Mason carries a $3.2 million cap hit, yet will be a RFA (restricted free agent) next season. 

• The Flyers claimed F Adam Hall off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning yesterday.

The move was meant to replace the recently injured Max Talbot. Hall is a great penalty killer and decent faceoff winner.

Major Deals Around the NHL:

• The New York Rangers traded F Marion Gaborik to the Columbus Blue Jackets for F Derek Dorsett, D John Moore, F Derick Brassard, and a 6th-Round Pick (2013).

The Blue Jackets desperately need scoring as they rank dead last in the NHL in goals scored. So they addressed this issue by picking up a 3 time 40 goal scorer. 

The Rangers, who are the 3rd lowest scoring team in the NHL lost a huge scoring presence. Derick Brassard has the most upside as he has a nice scoring touch (yet he is no Gaborik); Dorsett will help them gain depth (though he is currently injured and likely out for the season), while Moore will likely play in the AHL.  

Great trade for the Jackets.

• The Washington Capitals traded elite prospect F Filip Forsberg to Nashville for long time Predator F Martin Erat and F Michael Latta.

This trade confused many people, including myself. The Capitals just drafted the young and talented Forsberg 11th overall in last year's draft. Touted as a top 6 forward, with the potential to be a 3 player, Washington's future was very bright. However, they decided to trade him away just 10 months later (without 1 NHL game under his belt) for 31 year old Martin Erat, who has 4 goals this seasons in 36 games. The Capitals want talent for right now as opposed to waiting, so they will hope that Erat can return to his 50 point a season self.  

Great trade for Nashville.

• The Buffalo Sabres traded their captain F Jason Pominville (and a 4th) to the Minnesota Wild for prospects G Matt Hackett, F Johan Larsson, 1st-Round Pick (2013), 2nd-Round Pick (2014).

Buffalo will get a ton of talent in the near future from super prospect Johan Larsson, who comes very highly touted while the Wild instantly address their want to become a super power like Chicago or Pittsburgh. Pominville will add to their already potent offense, while bringing leadership and experience. He will join Ryan Suter, Zach Parise and Dany Heatley as the Wild will become one of the teams to beat not only for this season but for several to come.

Great trade for both teams. 

• The Ottawa Senators traded G Ben Bishop to the Tampa Bay Lightning for F Cory Conacher and a 4th round pick. 

This is a great hockey deal. Both teams address what they think they need. Tampa Bay obtains a big solid goaltender to compete with Anders Lindback, while the Senators gain a talented young scorer. Conacher instantly becomes the Senators points leader with 24. 

Great trade for both teams.  

Minor Trades:

• The Phoenix Coyotes traded F Matthew Lombardi to the Anaheim Ducks for F Brandon McMillan.
• New Jersey Devils acquired F Steve Sullivan from the Phoenix Coyotes for a 7th round pick.
• The St. Louis Blues traded D Wade Redden to the Boston Bruins for a 7th round pick.
• Toronto Maple Leafs acquired D Ryan O'Byrne from the Colorado Avalanche for a 4th round pick. 
• San Jose Sharks acquired F Raffe Torres from the Phoenix Coyotes for a 3rd round pick.
• Columbus Blue Jackets acquires F Blake Comeau from the Calgary Flames for a 5th round pick.
• Carolina Hurricanes traded F Jussi Jokinen to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 7th round pick.
• San Jose Sharks acquires D Scott Hannan from the Nashville Predators for a 7th round pick.