Flyers Get Exactly What They Needed on Saturday — Now Must Take Advantage on Sunday

After the Philadelphia Flyers’ 4-1 win over the New York Islanders on Friday night, the mood shifted fast. Just one night removed from a frustrating loss to the Detroit Red Wings, the Flyers suddenly found themselves right back in the playoff race.

With the Flyers, Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, and Columbus Blue Jackets all even, Saturday became a pivotal day across the Eastern Conference.

The Flyers got exactly what they needed, as all four teams ahead of them lost in regulation.

Flyers fans don’t often root for the New York Rangers — but Saturday afternoon was an exception, as the Red Wings needed to lose in regulation to those Rangers. Rookie Gabe Perreault’s hat trick, combined with a vintage performance from Jonathan Quick, powered the Rangers to a 4-1 win, with Detroit’s lone goal coming late. The same script played out in Ottawa, where the Minnesota Wild, fresh off clinching a playoff berth, jumped out early and never looked back.

The night games, however, took a little more hope than the first two did. The Blue Jackets, who jumped out to a 1-0 lead just over a minute into the game, held the Jets scoreless for over 38 minutes before their star, Kyle Connor, got on the board and tied the game. Connor later became a Flyers hero, as he scored his second of the game halfway through the third period, which ended up winning the game. The Jets not only kept their playoff hopes alive, but they also kept the Flyers alive as well.

The final game brought the most tension. The Islanders, fresh off Friday’s loss, pushed the first-place Hurricanes and held a 2-1 lead in the second period. But Carolina responded, with Flyers killer Seth Jarvis scoring twice to instead help them out, and lift the Hurricanes to a 4-3 win.

To summarize:

• Detroit Red Wings lose 4-1 to the New York Rangers
• Ottawa Senators lose 4-1 to the Minnesota Wild
• Columbus Blue Jackets lose 2-1 to the Winnipeg Jets
• New York Islanders lose 4-3 to the Carolina Hurricanes

The probability of all four teams losing, two against non-playoff opponents, was extremely slim. But here we are. The results created a four-way tie for the second wild card spot, though the Flyers remain on the outside due to tiebreakers. They also trail the Islanders by one point for third in the Metropolitan Division.

The Flyers absolutely need to take advantage of this rare situation. With a chance to jump into third place with just one point, the Flyers now turn to a crucial matchup against the Boston Bruins Sunday afternoon, who currently hold the first wild-card spot.

A game like January 6, against the Anaheim Ducks, is the energy the Flyers need to play with. The fans will, without a doubt, bring the energy to the Xfinity Mobile Arena, but the Flyers need to have the motivation and spark they’ve had at their highest points. It’s absolutely possible, but with many blown opportunities to gain ground this year, the Flyers need to be at their best. The fate of the Eastern Conference momentum is in the hands of the Flyers. They need to finally grab it.

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