One and done... the futility continues

By Steven Lienert

People that make a living working at the Wachovia Center should start looking for seasonal work now. The Flyers and Sixers (if they make it all) will most certainly be first-round fodder in the postseason.

Let's tackle the 10, 9, 8, 76ers first. They stink. They don't play defense. When things break down, the resort to individual play. They'll have to face the Detroit Pistons, who epitomize the team concept, in the first round; that is if the Sixers can beat out the Bulls for the eighth spot in the East.

I feel bad for Sixers fans (both of you) that will shell out money for postseason tickets. You'll have to watch this dreg of a team for two extra home games. But if you keep your eyes on Hip-Hop and down enough adult beverages, perhaps this season will just fade away into memory.....

Which brings us to the Flyers. One night they're up, next night they're down. Robert Esche whined that he thought the coach had named Antero Niittymaki the starting goalie for the playoffs, but now it seems he'll win the job by default. Keith Primeau keeps teasing us with a possible comeback, but I would ask him to recall the last time a Flyers' center came back early from a concussion to play in the playoffs.

Eric Lindros played his last game as a Flyer and was left in a crumpled heap at the blue line after Scott Stevens killed him in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Peter Forsberg has come as advertised: a superstar talent when healthy. I know a little too much about Forsberg's groin, however, mostly because it's been a topic of conversation on a weekly basis. It heals, he plays, it gets aggravated and he sits. Then we get aggravated because he's sitting because without him on the ice, the Flyers seem lost.

Right now, the Flyers will face either the Buffalo Sabres or New York Rangers in the first round. Philadelphia is 3-3-1 with one game left versus the NY Rangers and the team went 1-2-1 against Buffalo. Not exactly the type of statistics that gives a fan confidence.

If Forsberg and Gagne are healthy, if they get Primeau back, if Esche gets hot and if the hockey gods smile favorably on us, the Flyers have a shot at the second round.

Philadelphia fans are starved for a winner. The second round doesn't cut it anymore.

You can reach Steve Lienert at stevelienert@hotmail.com