Who Should Philadelphia Flyers Fans Root For In Playoffs?

Who Should Philadelphia Flyers Fans Root For in The Playoffs?

Since the Philadelphia Flyers have been officially eliminated from the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, some fans will turn to the mediocre Philadelphia Phillies or gear up for the NFL draft to prepare for Chip Kelly’s inaugural season with the Philadelphia Eagles. For die hard hockey fans like myself, we will still watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The problem is that since the Flyers are out, who do we pick to win?

It’s a tough call, especially when you consider all the elite Eastern Conference teams. Due to the rivalries, the Flyers have with a lot of the East teams, there are just some teams that Flyers fans would rather die than root for. (See also Pittsburgh Penguins). But sometimes in hockey you have to choose the lesser of two evils.

What I usually do is pick a team from each series. Once they are defeated I pick a different team or continue to root for that team if they make it. It’s kind of painful because sometimes I just really don’t like either team, but I have to choose. I really rather be breaking down how the Flyers should go up against their first opponent, but they had the worst season this year, so unfortunately my team will not be in the playoffs this year.

It was really difficult to make some of these choices but here are the eight teams that Flyers fans should root for going into the quarter-finals of the playoffs, in no particular order from the Eastern to the Western Conference. Because it’s the cup … I guess.

Deanna Vasso is a Flyers writer for www.rantsports.com, you can follow her on Twitter, like her on Facebook and join her Google network.

Toronto Maple Leafs

So perhaps the Toronto Maple Leafs did get the better deal in the James Van Riemsdyk-Luke Schenn trade. JVR and Joffrey Lupul are both ex-Flyers, so our loyalty as fans makes us want to root for them. The team also has this whole underdog thing going for them, which is always appealing to hockey fans.

New York Islanders

The New York Islanders also have an underdog thing going for them. The team has been bad for a really long time. But somehow this year, Matty Moulson and John Tavares were unstoppable. Just for that alone, you want to root for this team just to watch these two talented players.

Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators have struggled lately, and they technically haven't clinched a playoff berth yet, but they are close. They have been pretty consistent all season long, so Flyers fans should just root for them out of respect.

New York Rangers

I know, I know, why would you ever root for the New York Rangers? Only if you have to, Flyers fans, only if you have! The Rangers are tentatively the No. 8 seed, but have yet to clinch. If they do they will play the Pittsburgh Penguins. So yeah, root for the Rangers if they get in.

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets haven't clinched yet either, but they have former Flyers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, so you kind of want to just root for him to do well. And then return to Philadelphia and be awesome. I'm aware this isn't going to happen, but let me dream.

Los Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles Kings are defending champs so we want them to repeat due to that. They are also sometimes referred to as the "Flyers of the West" for a reason. Those reasons are named Jeff Carter, Justin Williams and Mike Richards. It might pain some fans but if the Flyers are out, I'd rather see former Flyers do well.

St. Louis Blues

Firstly, bravo to the St. Louis Blues for successful goaltending from Brian Elliot and AHL callup Jake Allen in Jaroslav Halak's absence. Flyers fans should be especially interested in rooting for the Blues since they are coached by former Flyers head coach Ken Hitchcock.

Anaheim Ducks

Flyers fans are a bit salty over the Chicago Blackhawks doing so well, so that alone should be a reason to root for the Anaheim Ducks. If anyone will knock the 'Hawks out it will be the Ducks. They also have tough guy Andrew Cogliano, who took a stick to the mouth that knocked out a few teeth and didn't even miss a shift. The Ducks also quite literally used to be called the 'Mighty Ducks' so at least you can be entertained by that thought.