5) The Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs and Flyers have had some great series in the past decade, but due to the Leafs' lack of relevance they haven't met in years. Their last post season meeting was in 2004 but Flyers fans better remember their 2002 meeting. The series went a grueling 7 games where Flyers fans fell in love with Darcy Tucker and Tie Domi. It was Jeremy Roenick who clinched the game winner late in game seven at ACC.
Both teams have rebuilt since then and are on the upswing. Toronto currently sits 4 points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the East.
4) The Los Angeles Kings
Those Flyers fans who haven't recently jumped on the bandwagon may get a warm feeling when hearing names like John Stevens, Micheal Handzus, and Justin Williams. From their GM to their 4th line the LA Kings are 'Flyers West'.
Disregard old friendship, these two have been nasty towards each other this season. The Kings bolster a squad led by hard-hitting Dustin Brown that features some of the hardest working, blue collar players in the league.
3) The Buffalo Sabres
To return the the history theme, the Buffalo Sabres have been a thorn in the Flyers side for what seems like an eternity. The Sabres have seemed to have the Flyers number for the past decade. Three times the Flyers have been crossed out of the bracket in the conference quarterfinals by the Sabres.
The Flyers have had success however, remember 1975? Anywho. No matter what happens to the Sabres they always find a way to squeeze into the playoffs and this year is no different they sit in the eighth seed with only a few weeks left in the season.
2) The Pittsburgh Penguins
Without Sid the Kid or Evgeni Malkin one would think the Pens don't stand a chance to make a run, wrong. They are loaded with young talent and are backstopped by one of the best in the league in Marc-Andre 3000. Regardless, if you're a Flyers fan you want to meet these Penguins in the playoffs and sent them packing with a postcard Philly.
Oh how sweet it would be. The Penguins have outed the Flyers in two of the last three years and believe me, that doesn't sit well with Flyers fans.
1) The Chicago Blackhawks
With a reasonable better line-up, head to toe, than last year's runner up the Flyers want to dish out some revenge. The Blackhawks shocked everyone even their own players when they clinched game six of last year's Stanley Cup Final's when Patrick Kane accidentally scored in overtime.
This past summer the Flyers went out shopping for exactly what they felt was necessary to get to the same position and change the outcome. The Blackhawks, on the other hand, had a recession special sending many of their playoff heroes packing shortly after they passed the cup. One of those cup winners is now a Flyer, Kris Versteeg.
If a Flyers fan could ask for anything it would be a rematch against their latest rival, the Chicago Blackhawks.
Sorry for the blog being down this season. Between my first semester in college and playing hockey i've been all tied up. I will be blogging for the rest of this season and for the post season as well. Thanks for your patience and i hope you enjoyed and look forward to checking back often.
-Cody Gray
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