Flyers Facing Elimination in Game 6

The Flyers find themselves in a must win situation tonight at the Wells Fargo Center in Game 6 against the New York Rangers. Over the weekend the Flyers were able to win Game 4 on Friday night to tie the series at 2 a piece. Goaltender Steve Mason looked fantastic in Game 4. After giving up an early goal on a sick wrap around by Rangers' forward Dominic Moore 4 minutes in to the first period, Mason did not allow another goal. He finished the evening saving 31 of the 32 shots he faced.

Then, Sunday rolled around, and the Flyers that played on Friday night were nowhere to be found in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers jumped out to a 3-0 lead early in the 2nd period. Flyers' forward Vincent Lecavalier scored a late 2nd period goal to put the game within reach, just a 2 goal deficit heading in to the final period. Late in the 3rd, with just a minute thirty left in the game, Flyers star Claude Giroux found the back of the net for the first time in the playoffs. The Comeback Kids' effort however was not enough, and Brian Boyle was able to notch an empty netter to seal the game for the Rangers with 15 seconds left to go and subsequently giving the Rangers the 3-2 series lead.

So, the Flyers are facing elimination tonight at home, and if they win, they take that trip up 95 to MSG for Game 7 tomorrow. No team has won two games in a row in this series, so hopefully that trend continues tonight, then the Flyers are able to break that trend tomorrow and move on to the second round.

Even though the Flyers have managed to win 2 games against the Rangers in this series, you get the feeling that the Flyers are simply out matched in this one. The matchup wasn't ideal on paper, and it is showing on the ice in this series. Giroux absolutely, 100%, has to come out of the gates like he did in the 2012 playoffs against the Penguins.....

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Giroux has to set the tone for the Flyers. The only chance for the Flyers to force a Game 7 is if their star plays like his head is on fire. The Flyers need a spark. Maybe Giroux's late goal in Game 5 will provide the Flyers captain with what he needs to spark a Game 6 win.

This series has been very frustrating to watch, but the Flyers are still just 2 wins away from moving on and facing the Penguins. Plus, the fact that there is no break between Games 6 and 7 aides the Flyers tremendously. If the Flyers pull off a win tonight at home and stave off elimination for 1 more game, they go right back to MSG and play tomorrow. The momentum will be in their favor. The Flyers will be riding high, and the Rangers will be down on themselves for not closing the deal in Game 6.

Time to get FLYERED UP!!!!!



Game 6 starts at 7:30 EST on Comcast Sportsnet, or TSN, or NBC Sports depending on your provider.