How did the Flyers do the improbable and make it to the NHL Playoffs?  Can they beat the team with the best record in the NHL, the Washington Capitals?  ESPN NHL Analyst Barry Melrose says the Flyers are the real deal and points to Rookie Shayne Gostisbehere that changed everything for this team:

Ottawa Senators v Philadelphia Flyers
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"I think when Gostisbehere got here that changed the game. I think the moving of (Luke) Schenn and Lecavalier opened up a lot of doors for younger players, faster players made Philadelphia a quicker team. You know Giroux's been great, I thought Voracek played better at the end of the year got going a little bit. Simmonds has been fantastic, 31 goals this year he's just a scoring machine, great on the power play. Defensively their much quicker now; Flyers always had a big, slow defense and that's just not made for today's NHL. Now that defense led by Gostisbehere is very quick and can make that first pass and can join the rush, their much tougher to play against than they use to be. I think the Flyers are a good team, I think this is a team that is made for the long haul. Most of their players are young, in their prime. Dave Hakstol has done a great job; I gotta think he's one of the finalists for Coach of the Year. So I think the Flyers are for real."

Hear what Melrose had to say about the importance of Steve Mason and Goaltending in the NHL Playoffs, his analysis of the Capitals, and Barry gives his memories of Ed Snider:

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