Well they had three games to eliminate the Washington Capitals, and it went to overtime, but the Philadelphia Flyers continued their quest to bring Lord Stanley’s cup to the City of Brotherly Love, as the Flyers beat the Capitals 3-2.

Joffrey Lupul’s first goal of the playoffs couldn’t have come at a better time.  With 6:06 left in the first overtime, he put a Kimmo Timonen rebound past Cristbal Huet, giving the Flyers the victory, advancing them to the second round to the playoffs.

Although the outcome was good, watching the game had to be nerveracking for even the most casual of fans. 

The Capitals opened the scoring in the first, on a power-play goal by Nickolas Backstrom.  With 48 seconds left of a 5-on-3 advantage, Alex Ovechkin fired a shot from the point, that was wide of the net, but bounced off the endboards right on the stick of Backstrom, who put it past a sprawling Martin Brion.

The Flyers bounced back with a power-play goal of their own to tie the game. Scottie Upshall fired a slapshot from the left circle that Huet stopped, but trickled through his pads into the net. 

The Flyers had opportunities to take the lead to end the first period, but were stifled by Huet.  As the first period closed, the score remained tied at one.

Sami Kapanen gave the Flyers an early lead in the second, but the Capitals tied it shortly after on a goal by Ovechkin.

Both teams were held scoreless in the third period, but the Capitals dominated, outshooting the Flyers 16-5.  If not for outstandin play by Biron, the Flyers would have ended another season with disappointment and thoughts of what could have been.

It took most of overtime, but the Flyers finally found a way to get the puck past Huet, advancing them to the next round.

Not bad for a team that finished with the NHL’s worst record in 2007.  Playoff fever has taken Philadelphia by storm.  Up next, the Montreal Canadiens.