Top 5 Flyers Playoffs Contributions

The Flyers saw an unexpected playoff run anchored by the unlikely, here are the Top 5 playoffs contributions from the 2010 Eastern Conference Champions. From shootout to Stanley Cup finals.

5. Brian Boucher
When Michael Leighton went down break dancing versus Nashville the Flyers were still among the Playoff bubble. So all hope fell into the hands of one time Flyers 1st round pick and now long time backup. Boucher started terribly and it looked as though the Flyers would end on the outside. However Bouch got settled in and got his game together for a 2-1 shootout win versus the Rangers for the 82nd game of the Regular Season.
From there on Boucher won 4 of 5 games versus the Devils in the First round and was outplaying Martin Brodeur. His run came to an end when Ryan Parent fell back on him and Bouch went down with a knee injury. He would return for the cup finals but back-up Leighton.

4. Blair Betts, Darroll Powe and Ian Laperriere
The Flyers 4th line was maybe the most dominant in the Playoffs, but it was their special teams ability that showed their true colors. The Flyers Pk was solid versus the Devils with Blair Betts and Ian Lapperriere leading the way. But then when Lappy went down his PK duties fell into Darroll Powe's hands. Powe responded well and him and Betts went a solid 21/22 against Montreal. Betts was the Flyers most dominate Faceoff man through out the playoffs most of his draws coming on the PK.
The Line of Powe Betts and Lappy were often used against the Hawks top line of Kane Toews and Bluff during the finals, where they provided a boost of energy and solid defensive play.

3. Chris Pronger and Kimmo Timonen
Not many people had more pressure on them once the Regular season turned Post season, and Chris Pronger responded playing a near 30 minutes a game. Agonizing offensemen and tourching them in the press. Kimmo's the quiet type who's play speaks for itself and it sure did during these playoffs. Kimmo finished with 1 goal and 10 assists and a team Defense high +6, also playing nearly 30 minutes a game.
Pronger knew he was doing his job when even after the Hawks won the cup he was still a hot topic. Chris finished a +5 with 4 goals and 14 assists. But his biggest contribution was his leadership, he never let the Flyers team get discouraged.

2. Ville Leino
The Finnish star turned Healthy Scratch turn Philadelphia Hero. Ville came into the playoffs a healthy scratch in the doghouse of Coach Laviolette. But after a huge break out against Boston Leino turned into a house hold name. Finishing the Playoffs with the Flyers single playoffs rookie points record, with 21 points in 19 games. Combine that with his team leading +10. Leino was a force and at many times the only light on a dim future seen often versus the Hawks.

1. Peter Laviolette
The 14th seed in the Eastern Conference wasn't the ideal place to start for newly hired coach Peter Laviolette. Add in the fact your two biggest player, top scorer Mike Richards and tough-guy Chris Pronger, weren't exactly at eye level. And Peter Laviolette didn't have a cake walk to the playoffs. However after a few weeks of cohession between the Flyers players and Lavi's system the Flyers found themselves right outside of a playoff spot.
That playoff spot didn't come easy, as it was won in the last second possible. Laviolette never stopped believing his team was good enough to win the cup and his sense of what it takes to win was unquestioned in the Flyers locker room.