The Los Angeles Kings and Phoenix Coyotes have to hang tight until the Eastern Conference semifinals end, but that waiting period got cut way down Tuesday night. Avoiding a huge rally by the Philadelphia Flyers, the New Jersey Devils hung on two win their series 4-1 and became the first team to punch their ticket to the eastern finals.

It wouldn’t have been a shocker to see the series end in five, but for New Jersey to be the one advancing is just another curious twist to one of the craziest postseasons we’ve seen. The Flyers were heavy favorites to win the east after torturing the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round, but seemed way out of sync this series. Continue reading →