PLAYOFFS! Flyers Chase Brodeur From Net, Clinch Postseason Berth

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Needing either two wins to close out the season, or a win and a Carolina loss tonight, the Flyers did their part to start the weekend, pummeling the Devils 3-0 in front of a raucous crowd at home. The Hurricanes did theirs as well, losing to the Panthers.

Sitting on a 1-0 lead nearing the midway point of the third period, the Flyers looked to be having a little trouble gaining the zone, but did a good job protecting Marty Biron. Then they flipped a switch, with Scottie Upshall scoring a 4 on 4 goal, and Joffrey Lupul netting his 20th less than a minute later. Martin Brodeur, arguably the greatest goalie in the history of the game and a long-time owner of the Flyers, was lifted for Kevin Weekes, who sees so little time he may not have even brought his own stick to the game.

Lupul became the sixth Flyer to score 20 or more goals with the team
this year (Vinny Prospal has 33, but most of them came when he played
for the Lightning). That kind of balance and depth got them this far, and can pay dividends
in the playoffs, but it also helps when your goalie turns away every
shot that comes his way.

The playoff seedings won't be set until after Sunday's games, but the Flyers currently sit in the 7th spot. There have clearly been some ups and downs this season, but it's
hard to ask for much more than going from dead last with
the franchise's worst-ever record to making the playoffs in just one
season.

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