The Philadelphia Flyers play in the Atlantic Division of the National Hockey League's Eastern Conference. On February 9, 1966 the NHL awarded Philadelphia their franchise. The team played their first game on October 11, 1967, which they lost. They entered the playoffs their first season, but lost to the St. Louis Blues in the first round. In 1969, the Flyers drafted the now Hall of Fame center Bobby Clarke. Clarke led the team over the next few seasons, including to Stanley Cup champions in 1974 and 1975. The Flyers returned to the Stanley Cup finals six times since their 1975 win, in 1976, 1980, 1985, 1987, 1997, and 2010, losing each time.

After the 2008-2009 season, it was decided to totally revamp the Philadelphia Flyers roster. Both of the goalies during the season, Martin Biron and Antero Niittymaki were allowed to depart as free agents, and instead Ray Emery and Brian Boucher were brought in to tend the goal. But Emery suffered a season-ending hip injury in December and Boucher suffered a hand injury, which allowed Michael Leighton to step into the spotlight as the #1 goalie in Philadelphia in late December of 2009.