The Philadelphia Flyers were never supposed to reach this point. Entering the season, they were given no chance to make the playoffs, with experts and media believing that they were destined for the NHL Draft Lottery. Instead, they made the playoffs for the first time since 2020 and won a playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. They've embraced the role of the underdog, and succeeded so far.
On Monday night, however, the Flyers find themselves down 0-2 in their second round series against the Carolina Hurricanes. In Game 2, the Flyers lost 3-2 in overtime on a game-winning goal from Taylor Hall. This happened after taking an early 2-0 lead over four minutes into regulation. They just couldn't hold back the Hurricanes, who are the favored team in this series.
After Game 2, Tocchet spoke with reporters and was asked about the team being down 0-2 in the series against the Hurricanes. Tocchet defended his team, saying they have been counted out throughout this season, but they keep persevering and proving the critics wrong.
“We’ve been dead before and we’ve climbed out of the grave. We keep hearing that ‘we’re dead’ but the guys won’t give up. That’s why I’m proud of them," said Tocchet, h/t ESPN's Greg Wyshynski.
Rick Tocchet says Flyers 'won't give up' after Game 2 loss to Hurricanes
That is an all-time quote by Tocchet, as he has taken note that the Flyers were never given a chance throughout the season, and they are motivated to continue silencing their critics.
The Flyers weren't given much of a chance to make the playoffs, despite adding the likes of Tocchet, Trevor Zegras, and Dan Vladar. In fact, on March 18, the Flyers were given just a 3.8 percent chance to make the playoffs by Money Puck. As Flyers fans all know, they won 12 of their remaining 16 games as of that point to not only make the playoffs, but avoid the Wild Card altogether, clinching third place in the Metropolitan Division.
The Flyers even flaunted how wrong their critics were. Before the start of the playoffs, according to Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia, the Flyers sported t-shirts that featured the late Bernie Parent's goalie mask, with the word "believe" written underneath it. On the sleeves of the shirt featured "3.8," which was a nod to the percentage chance Money Puck had of them making the playoffs.
Even though the Flyers lost Game 2, they were not outmatched. They brought the fight to the Hurricanes. Vladar was keeping the Flyers in the game. The defense was doing their part. The Flyers offense put up 15 shots on goal in overtime. But it just wasn't enough, as Hall got the game-winner.
If there is one aspect the Flyers can try to improve, it is the power play. They had six power play opportunities, but were only successful on one of them, resulting in an early Jamies Drysdale goal. But in total, the Flyers had just three shots on goal on six opportunities. Game 2 could have gone a lot differently had the power play been more effective.
Either way, Tocchet is proud of the effort the Flyers put forth on Monday night. They are by no means out of it. They can get back into the series with a Game 3 win on Thursday night.
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