Flyers clinch postseason berth for the first time in five years

For the first time since 2020, the Flyers are heading back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They did that with a 3-2 victory against the Hurricanes on Monday night.

In shades of 2010, the Flyers used a shootout victory to clinch their postseason berth. And they needed an extra round to do it. This one came in their 81st game, so there was a little less drama, but the excitement was just the same. For most of these players, this will be their first time experiencing playoff hockey in Philadelphia. There is no doubt they can tell how much this means.

The Flyers were all over the Hurricanes to start the game, but a 2-0 deficit a little less than eight minutes in had this feeling like one they couldn't make another mistake in. Even without their top players, the Hurricanes are a tough team to face. Their stars showed up when they were needed most, though. Matvei Michkov, who has been criticized by many throughout the year, scored Philadelphia's first goal in the second period.

And after drawing a penalty, Trevor Zegras equalized the game moments later. It was a brand new game. And while it felt like the other shoe was waiting to drop, the game made its way to overtime. Dan Vladar, easily the team's MVP this season, made huge saves time and time again. He did the same in overtime as well. After allowing two goals in the first, he stopped all 22 shots he faced, plus the four in the shootout.

Flyers end playoff drought in dramatic fashion

It’s been an incredible run for the Flyers, who looked like they were left for dead after a six-game losing streak and seeing themselves drop 11 of 15 games in January. But since then, they’ve been one of the best teams in the NHL. Since the Olympic break ended, the Flyers have gone 17-7-1, second in the league behind only Buffalo.

Multiple players have had career years or posted numbers close to it. Zegras changed the narrative surrounding him after some tough seasons in Anaheim, posting better numbers than his best seasons with the Ducks. Christian Dvorak proved the critics wrong as well, tying his season-high in goals and blowing past his best point total. The two formed a strong chemistry together.

The Flyers got their first looks at Alex Bump, Denver Barkey, and Porter Martone. All played important parts at certain times and will be a key piece of the future.

Not only will this be their first playoff appearance since 2020, but they will be hosting a playoff game for the first time since 2018. And coincidentally enough, they also did that against the Penguins. They lost that series in six games. Only three players remain from the last time the Flyers made the playoffs: Sean Couturier, Travis Konecny, and Travis Sanheim.

There have been plenty of battles between the two teams over the years, with this being the eighth time the two have faced each other in the postseason. And with the chance that this is the last run for the trio of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang, there is no better way to go at it than with a series between the Flyers and Penguins.

Now that the Flyers are in, anything can happen. This should be an exciting series to watch.

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