To make the playoffs, Flyers must remain steadfast as trade deadline approaches

The Philadelphia Flyers are 3-1-0 coming out of the three-week break for the 2026 Winter Olympics. That hasn't been good enough to put them back in a playoff spot, and their odds remain bleak. Money Puck has the Flyers' odds of making the postseason at 11.1 percent. Still, the Flyers themselves believing they can get the job done in the 22 games that remain and end Philadelphia's five-year playoff drought.

With 67 points in the standings and a 28-21-11 record, the Flyers are six points back from the Boston Bruins, who hold the Eastern Conference's second wildcard spot. In the Metropolitan Division, the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins are tied with 75 points, leaving the Flyers eight points away from a Metro berth. The Penguins, for what it's worth, are without Sidney Crosby, which could be enough for them to stumble in the standings and open the door a crack for the Flyers to take advantage of.

Wins in three straight don't absolve the Flyers of their lousy January, nor should they change their deadline plans. If the Flyers are going to make a playoff push after the trade deadline, perhaps without Rasmus Ristolainen in the lineup due to a trade or injury, they're likely going to have to do it with the players already in the room. There is no reason to buy at the expense of future assets.

Going on their first four-game win streak in two years by beating the Utah Mammoth would be a good start. From there, they've got three in a row against Metro division rivals. And two of those teams, the Penguins and Washington Capitals, are ahead of them in the standings. Every game's going to feel like a must-win to claw back up the standings, but four-point swing games against division rivals ahead of you this late in the season are truly must-win games.

The Flyers' playoff chances may be slim, but there is a path to the postseason. Regardless of what happens at the deadline, they can't let it affect their play if they want make one last push. They have to ignore the noise and possible departures, and go out and get it done.