Apparently there's going to be hockey this year

I'm sure I wasn't the only one to completely write off any hope of salvaging the NHL season this year, but as it turns out the league was able to come to an agreement with the NHLPA on a new CBA. There's either going to be a 48 or 50 game season. And, that's basically it for the story,

Flyers Playoff Scenarios UPDATED

Just for shits and giggles, here are all the possible outcomes of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs (Eastern Conference) and who the Flyers could potentially face in the second round. With one game being played tonight, we could know by tomorrow.  Let's take a look:

(1)New York Rangers vs. (8)Ottawa Senators - Senators are currently up 3-2 in the series, with game 6 being played as I type (Senators up 1-0 after the 1st period) Series is tied 3-3, game 7 will be played 4/26 @7PM

• If the Rangers win, they will face the lowest remaining seed.  They can't play the (2)Bruins or (3)Panthers, no matter what since the (5)Flyers already advanced.
• If the Senators win, they will face the highest remaining seed.  They won't be playing the (7)Capitals or the (6)Devils since the (5) Flyers already advanced.
• The Flyers will play the (1)Rangers if they win over the (8)Senators and if the (3)Panthers and (2)Bruins win.
• The Flyers will have home ice and play the (8)Senators if they win over the (1)Rangers and if the (6)Devils and (7)Capitals win.

(2)Boston Bruins vs. (7)Washington Capitals - Series is tied 3-3, with game 7 TBD Capitals advance on 4/25

• If the Bruins win, they can play the (8)Senators, (6)Devils, or (5)Flyers.  They won't play the (3)Panthers or (1)Rangers due to the (5)Flyers advancing with a lower seed.
• If the Capitals win, they can play the (1)Rangers, (3)Panthers, or (5)Flyers.  They won't play the (6)Devils or (8)Senators due to seeding.
• The Flyers will play the (2)Bruins if they win over the (7)Capitals and if the (1)Rangers and (6)Devils win.
• The Flyers will have home ice and play the (7)Capitals if they win over the (2)Bruins and if the (8)Senators and (3)Panthers win.

(3)Florida Panthers vs. (6)New Jersey Devils - Panthers are currently up 3-2 in the series, with game 6 scheduled for Tuesday the 24th Series is tied 3-3, game 7 will be played 4/26 @8:30PM

• If the Panthers win, they can play the (8)Senators, (7)Capitals, or (5)Flyers.  They won't play the (1)Rangers or (2)Bruins due to the (5)Flyers advancing with a lower seed.
• If the Devils win, they can play the (1)Rangers, (5)Flyers, or (7)Capitals.  They won't play the (2)Bruins or (8)Senators due to seeding.
• The Flyers will play the (3)Panthers if they win over the (6)Devils and if either both the (1)Rangers and (7)Capitals win OR both the (2)Bruins and (8)Senators win. 
• The Flyers will have home ice and play the (6)Devils if they win over the (3)Panthers and if either both the (8)Senators and (2)Bruins win OR both the (7)Capitals and (1)Rangers win.

So there you have it.  All the different scenarios for the second round of the playoffs.  Have fun and let's go Flyers!

UPDATE!

All of the other series went to 7 games!  As of tonight (Wednesday) the Capitals just pulled out the upset over the Bruins, winning game 7 in overtime 2-1.  The Rangers/Senators and Panthers/Devils games will both be played Thursday night, after which the Flyers opponent for round 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs will definitely be determined.

With the Capitals win tonight, here's what's changed:

• The Flyers will NOT play the (1)Rangers, since the (7)Capitals advanced with a lower seed.  If you're a Flyers fan, this is great news.  Time to let out that sigh of relief!
• The Flyers can still play the (8)Senators if they advance along with the (6)Devils.  This would also give the Fly Guys home ice through the rest of the playoffs.
• They won't face the (2)Bruins, obviously.
• They'll face the (7)Capitals if both the (8)Senators and (3)Panthers win, and have home ice, too.
• The (3)Panthers will only face the (5)Flyers with a (1)Rangers win.
• The (6)Devils will only face the (5)Flyers with a (1)Rangers win as well.  The Flyers would have home ice.

Basically, if the Rangers win, the Flyers will play the winner of the Panthers/Devils game.  If the Rangers lose, the Flyers will play the Senators with a Devils win, or the Capitals with a Panthers win.

At least the Flyers are winning

The Philadelphia Flyers are off to a 3-0 start this season, after tonight's 5-4 win over the Vancouver Canucks.  Along with the Canucks, the Flyers have also defeated the Stanley Cup Champion Bruins and the rival NJ Devils, which is no small task.  They even recorded their first shutout in over a year, after only the second game of the season.  Impressive indeed; let's hope they keep it up.