Captain Giroux, proud Flyers look for a long postseason run after short regular season

Philadelphia Flyers' head coach Peter Laviolette answers questions during a press conference after the first practice session at the team's training camp Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013, in Voorhees, NJ. The Flyers, and other NHL hockey teams, returned after a 113-day lockout ended with an settlement on a new collective bargaining agreement. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek) (The Associated Press)

Philadelphia Flyers' Matt Read picks up the puck and heads downice during the first hockey practice session at the team's training camp on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013, in Voorhees, N.J. The Flyers and other NHL teams returned after a nearly four-month-old lockout ended with a settlement on a new collective bargaining agreement. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek) (The Associated Press)

PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Flyers hope a strong returning nucleus can lead them to their first Stanley Cup championship since 1975.

The Flyers won 47 games and had 103 points last season. They beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round, then lost to the New Jersey Devils in five games.

Claude Giroux was named team captain this week. He had 28 goals and 93 points last season, the most points by a Flyer since Eric Lindros had 93 in 1998-99.

He not only expects to lead the locker room, he expects to lead them deep in the postseason. The Flyers are ready to open the season Saturday against Pittsburgh. The Penguins-Flyers is a rivalry so big, it's kicking off NBC's season coverage.