The Forgotten Hockey Players Of Broadway Podcast- The Rangers vs Flyers 1973-1974 Playoffs- Episode # 39

A nostalgic look back at our favorite hockey hero's who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 1960's,70's and 80's.

In episode number 39 we discuss the Rangers quick "play in " exit losing to the Hurricanes as well as the excitement surrounding "winning" the draft lottery and the impact that presumptive first overall pick Alexis La freniere will make on the club. We then segway to our main topic and revisit the epic 1973-74 Stanley Cup semi-finals between the Rangers and the Flyers.

* What do Rangers fans and management take away from the rangers disappointing "play in" exit vs Carolina ? Is this team built physically and mentally for the rigors of the NHL Playoffs ?

* Why did Quinn deviate from his regular season rotation and play Lundqvist over Georgiev after Shesterkin was deemed unfit to play ?

*Will Lafreniere leap ahead of Brad Park and turn out to be the greatest Rangers player drafted when his career is all said and done? Will Lafreniere provide the grit, muscle, leadership and elite offensive talent so lacking amongst Rangers forwards.

* The 1973-74 Flyers nicknamed the " Broad Street Bullies" were   a young , hungry,  intimidating and skilled team committed to initiating withering and relentless physical punishment on the opposition.

*The Rangers were an established and veteran club anxious to rebound from a subpar regular season yet confident after beating the defending Stanley Cup Champion Canadiens in the previous round.

* Dave Schultz mentioned before the clubs met that he preferred to play the Rangers because of their history of choking in the playoffs.

* The Flyers physically dominated the first two games in Philadelphia  with Rick MacLeish, Ross Lonsberry and Bernie Parent the stars.

* The Rangers rebounded in games 3 and 4 despite the Flyers taking an early 2-0 lead in Game 3. Brad Park and Rod Gilbert were the stars for the Rangers with Gilbert scoring one of the greatest OT goals in Rangers history in Game 4 evening up the series at 2. 

* MacLeish dominated for the Flyers in their game 5 win at home while Park, Vickers and Gilbert did the same for the Rangers in their game 6 win at home forcing a deciding game 7 in Philadelphia.

*In the most humiliating game 7 loss in franchise history and possibly in all of NY Sports history the Rangers lost 4-3 and earned the distinction of being the first original six franchise to lose to an expansion team during the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Rangers were physically punished ( with Dale Rolfe pummeled by Dave Shultz and the Rangers defenseman unable to protect Eddie Giacomin and keep the physical Flyers forwards from crashing the net down low leading to two goals by Dornhoefer, Kindrachuck and MacLeish) played sloppy defense in front of Giacomin and most egregiously of all  captain Vic Hadfield caught laughing in the penalty box to end the game and the season for the Rangers due to a too many men on the ice penalty. 

* The Flyers went on to beat the Boston Bruins in the finals to capture the franchises first of two consecutive Stanley Cups.