This has been a great weekend for the Flyers. After a classic 4-1 beatdown of the Islanders on Friday, Saturday has been more than kind. For a team trying to claw its way back into the playoffs, this was the kind of day you wanted. The Isles, Red Wings, and Blue Jackets, all teams that are momentarily ahead of the Flyers, lost on Saturday.
This is big. This gives the Flyers a vital chance to jump ahead in the playoff hunt. While there are six games for the Flyers, the Islanders only have four games left. The Flyers need to take advantage of this and make their push now. And while each game is important, it is these next three games that are the most vital to win.
The Next Three Games
First up is the Boston Bruins. The Flyers are 1-1 against Boston. The Bruins gave them a 6-3 beatdown back in January before the Olympic break. Philadelphia won the rematch 2-1 as part of the post-Milan breakout. Boston is always tough. A win will help boost morale. More than that, a victory will leapfrog the Flyers over the Islanders into the third spot in the Metropolitan Division. This is because Atlantic Division teams currently hold the two wild-card spots: Boston and Ottawa.
The Bruins will throw everything they have at the Flyers to keep that spot. Unless there is a huge collapse, Boston is probably safe in making the playoffs. Still, a win today will put the Flyers back in and give them a leg up.
Following the Bruins are the Devils on Tuesday and the Red Wings on Thursday. Both of these teams are on the outside looking in. A loss on Tuesday likely knocks New Jersey out of the playoff race for good. Detroit is currently tied with the Flyers with 88 points. A loss on Thursday would seriously dampen their playoff hopes. It also helps Philly that Detroit is playing Montreal today (a playoff-bound team looking to get one of the top four seeds) and Columbus on Tuesday. CBJ is also fighting for a playoff spot. Having those teams fight each other helps the Flyers big time.
The Devils would love to play spoiler if they can't get in. If the Flyers top Boston and the Devils lose to the Canadiens today, watch for New Jersey to do everything it can to stymie the Flyers. This could be a tough trap game since most would look to Detroit's matchup as more important.
The Final Three Games
If the Flyers can sweep these three games, that will help out a great deal. Even two out of three is beneficial. What the Flyers don't want is to have to be forced to win out with the last three games. Winnipeg is the only team on the schedule that is currently not playoff-bound. However, a last-minute run could change their fortunes.
After that, the Flyers will have to face off against the Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens. Both teams will be vying for one of the top spots in the Eastern Conference, with the Canes looking to claim the number one seed. Montreal has a shot at the top seed as well as a legit chance at taking the Atlantic Division title from Tampa, depending on how this last week goes. Do not look for them to lighten up on Philly or go easy.
Again, while every game is critical, the Flyers need to win these first three games in order to secure a spot in the playoffs. The last three games will still be important as the Flyers will have to fight to maintain that spot, but it is equally likely that the Islanders and Red Wings could find themselves knocked out by other games during this week as well.
First things first. Let's take down the Bruins and push the Isles out of that spot. We can worry about the rest of this week after that.