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8 Reasons To Be Excited For Tonight's Flyers-Red Wings Game

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- When you have two teams among the worst in their respective leagues, and a third hitting the re-set button with a new coach and retread general manager, a playoff race is like finding water in a desert.

We need it. And that's what the Philadelphia Flyers are providing sports fans across the Delaware.

On Tuesday night, the Flyers will host the Red Wings at 7:30 p.m in the team's most critical game of the year. Here are eight reasons why we should be Flyer'd up for tonight's game.

  • It's a potentially post-season relevant sporting event in Philadelphia.
  • It's the Red Wings. And they're annoying.
    • They have made the playoffs for 24 straight years, the longest current streak of post-season appearances in North American pro sports.
Red Wings V Flyers
7 Jun 1997: The Detroit Red Wings celebrate during a playoff game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Red Wings won the game, 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport
  • The standings:
    • No. 7 - Penguins: 68 games, 80 points
    • No. 8 - Red Wings: 69 games, 79 points
    • No. 9 - Flyers: 67 games, 76 points
  • Shayne Gostisbehere, the No. 1 current attraction in Philadelphia sports.
  • The Red Wings have an outstanding rookie, as well. His name? Dylan Larkin. Larkin, a 19-year-old center, has 20 goals and 20 assists in 67 games.
Dylan Larkin
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 13: Dylan Larkin #71 of the Detroit Red Wings tries to get around the stick of P.A. Parenteau #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at Joe Louis Arena on March 13, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
  • Flyers' first-year coach Dave Hakstol continues an impressive season.
  • Claude Giroux, impressive and quietly, continues to be an under-appreciated sport star in Philly. He now has 57 points (18 G, 39 A) in 64 games, t-19th in the NHL. That's just 12 points behind Penguins center Sidney Crosby, who has played three more games and is 5th in the NHL in scoring.
Claude Giroux
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 02: Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers shoots against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at Wells Fargo Center on February 2, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
  • What the heck else do we have to get excited about?
    • The Phillies are at the forefront of a rebuild amid Spring Training
    • The 76ers aren't relevant until the draft lottery
    • And the Eagles are in the middle of another tumultuous offseason

 

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