It is hard to say the term "must win" in the NHL because of how hard it is to win every game. Every team in the league is loaded with top talent that can make a difference on any given night.
The Philadelphia Flyers, however, have a different meaning for it at this point in the season. They must win because if they don't, they will waste what was an otherwise incredible season but barely missing the playoffs.
Nobody expected this team to compete this year so completing what they started would be great for the organization moving forward. They have earned the opportunity to be in this position but they need to close the door.
It starts on Friday night with their first of three straight must-win games against lesser teams. They have the Buffalo Sabres who are below them in the standings.
The Philadelphia Flyers need to beat the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night
If the Flyers play their game, they should be able to beat this Sabres team on the road. The same goes for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Montreal Canadiens who loom after this game in Buffalo. It is a nice little three-game roadie against teams that Philly should beat.
After those three games, they have the NHL points leading New York Rangers who are always tough to beat. Then, they end the season at home against the New Jersey Devils and Washington Capitals. Neither of those teams is very good but the Flyers have had their problems with them at times.
John Tortorella is going to be in the mix for Coach of the Year if they get in but he has his toughest test coming up over the next two weeks. It will be fun to watch and see if they can hang on.
It isn't fair to think that they should beat every team well below them in the standings but they absolutely have to in this situation.