History Will Be Made, Huh?

When the 2010 Philadelphia Flyers campaign looked like it was unwrapping into an utterly miserable disappointment due to injuries of starting goaltender Ray Emery and back-up Brian Boucher, one man was there to save it – goaltender Michael Leighton.

The waiver-wire pick-up, compiled a 16-5-2 record with a 2.48 goals against average and .918 save percentage in 27 regular season games for the Orange-and-Black. He carried the Flyers on his back through the toughest of times and simply saved the Flyers’ season.

So it’s only fitting that when Philadelphia Flyers starting goaltender Brian Boucher went down with a knee injury in Game Five of the Flyers Eastern Conference semifinals against Boston, with the season on the line, facing elimination; one man was there to save it – again – goaltender Michael Leighton.

It’s a story line that even Hollywood producers wouldn’t believe; a true story of disbelief, irony and faith.

Hang on for the ride.

Starting goaltender Emery suffers injuries and goes down early in the season, panic and thoughts of giving up surround Philadelphia. Enter back-up Boucher, who comes in and plays terrible. Can’t win a game and all hope is lost. With the season in shambles and a new head coach, enter waiver-wire tender, Leighton, who simply carries the Flyers on his back, faith is restored in Philadelphia.

March 16th, Leighton suffers a severe ankle sprain and all hope is lost – again. Enter rookie free-agent signing Johan Backlund, who doesn’t last long, can’t even make it out of his first career NHL start, following a short stint by ECHL’r Jeremy Duchesne, back comes Boucher. No Flyers’ fans believe in him but he does it. He believes in himself, puts up winning-type numbers and makes the season-saving stop in a must-win shootout and carries the Flyers to a playoff berth.

Boucher stands on his head in the first round of the Playoffs and his Philadelphia Flyers upset the No. 2 seeded New Jersey Devils. There, Flyers fans long forgot about the man who first saved the season– goaltender Michael Leighton.

So with the Flyers facing elimination, down 3-0 to the Boston Bruins, and with their backs against the wall – the Flyers somehow pull out an overtime victory; Philly avoids the sweep, Simon Gagne plays hero.

No NHL team has come back from a 0-3 deficit in 35 years, and in the long, rich history of the Philadelphia Flyers, the Flyers have never won a game four when down 0-3. Needless to say, they’ve never come back to win a series after trailing 0-3.

Flyers trail three games to one.

Move forward to last evening. Facing elimination again, down 3-1 to the Boston Bruins, with their backs against the wall – the Flyers completely dominate, get contributions from the most unlikely of players, Boucher exits with the aforementioned injury and the Flyers control play, combine for a 4-0 shutout of the Bruins.

No NHL team has come back from a 0-3 deficit in 35 years, to go on and make it 1-3, then 2-3, and in the long, rich history of the Philadelphia Flyers, the Flyers have never won a game five when down 1-3. Needless to say, they’ve never come back to win a series after trailing 1-3.

Flyers trail three games to two.

It has been 35 years since a team has come back, that same year, 1975, the Philadelphia Flyers were your Stanley Cup Champions.

The Philadelphia Flyers are two wins away from becoming the first team in 35 years to erase an 0-3 deficit and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

If History is going to be made, it falls on one man’s shoulders – goaltender Michael Leighton.

It’s only fitting the man is back again to save the season for the Orange-and-Black, no matter how the season ends for Leighton, Boucher and the rest of the Philadelphia Flyers, it’s obvious that this season is out of their hands. They haven’t chosen the easiest path to get where they are, but it’s been one hell of a roller-coaster ride and it’s safe to say – the Hockey Gods have, at least, a hand in what’s going on in Philadelphia.