Selected by The Hockey News as the preseason favorite to win the Stanley Cup, the 2009-10 Philadelphia Flyers had a topsy turvy season filled with injuries, streaky play and an in-season coaching change from John Stevens to Peter Laviolette. After winning a final-day shootout win over the New York Rangers to get into the playoffs, however, the Flyers caught fire in the postseason.
On May 24, 2010, the Flyers closed out the Eastern Conference Final with a 4-2 win at the Wells Fargo Center in Game 5 against the Montreal Canadiens. With the victory, the Flyers advanced to the Stanley Cup Final for the eighth time in franchise history.
After spotting the Habs a 1-0 lead in the opening minute of the first period, the Flyers settled down. A shorthanded goal by Mike Richards at the 4:25 mark tied the game. On the play, Richards raced over the middle for a loose puck. Challenged by a defender and met by desperately sliding Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jaroslav Halak venturing far out of his net, Richards dived headfirst and poked the puck past Halak toward the net. Popping quickly back up to his feet, the Flyers' captain claimed the puck near the left side of the crease and slid a backhander into the now-vacant cage.
The usually stoic Richards whooped in glee as he was mobbed by teammates and the crowd went berserk.
The 1-1 tie held until early in the second period, when Arron Asham and Jeff Carter scored goals spaced 84 seconds apart and the Flyers grabbed a 3-1 advantage.
In the third period, the Habs threw everything they had at the Flyers. Scott Gomez cut the gap to 3-2 with 13:07 remaining. Finally, with 23 ticks remaining on the clock, Carter iced the game and series with an empty netter to restore a two-goal lead at 4-2. Michael Leighton, who recorded three shutouts earlier in the series, finished with 25 saves on 27 shots.