"Obviously pretty scary when everything's unraveling. Just didn't feel kind of right toward the end of that series. Got tests and stuff and worked with our trainers. Feeling better now."
Philadelphia was swept by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round. Not having Tippett, their fastest forward, certainly hampered their effort.
"You take one of our speedsters, 'Tipp' is a guy that gets a breakaway almost every game," coach Rick Tocchet said after a 3-2 overtime loss in Game 4 on Saturday. "Is there a difference? Yeah, I think he could have made a difference. For us to win the series? I don't know, but he would have definitely made a difference in our lineup."
Tippett had two points (one goal, one assist) in the first round after he led the Flyers with 28 goals during the regular season. He was able to skate each day during the second round but was unable to return.
"Ultimately, you guys (the media) saw that I was skating, and it truly was just a day-to-day thing," he said. "It just never got to the point of being able to get cleared from our trainers and doctors.
"I was doing everything I possibly could to get back out there. There wasn't anything else I really could have done, other than just wait until all the tests and scans came back the way they needed to come back. Who's to say if we push this out a little bit longer, I'm back on the ice now and back in full contact? I truly don't know how else to put it, other than it was just day to day, and I needed to wait until all the tests and stuff came back."
Tippett also sustained a sports hernia late in the regular season that he was able to play through. He said that injury was separate from the internal bleeding issue.
Management of the sports hernia meant staying off the ice for most morning skates and practices leading up to the Stanley Cup Playoffs to keep him as strong as possible for games.
Tippett said he's hoping to avoid surgery to repair the injury.
"We're still trying to figure that out," he said. "I hope not."
His willingness to play through pain left an impression on Tippett’s teammates.
"He was a horse for us," defenseman Jamie Drysdale said. "How he took his game to another level this year -- on the ice, off the ice, in the locker room -- really, really impressive. I think everyone realized it. He was a huge piece for us, so obviously having him not play, it's obviously a big hit.
“I think (it) shows us how valuable he is. He had a heck of a year. And yeah, a warrior. Battled through a lot."
