Unless everything breaks in their favor on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Philadelphia Flyers can consider their playoff hopes and dreams to be over.
With Detroit and Pittsburgh each winning their games on Monday night, the Flyers are up against the wall. Here’s how things will have to shake out in order for the Orange and Black to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
First and foremost, the Flyers must win Tuesday’s game against the Capitals in regulation. No ifs, ands, or buts. Then, Pittsburgh will have to lose to the Islanders in regulation, and the Islanders have nothing to play for, having already been locked into their playoff spot.
Lastly, Detroit will have to lose the last leg of their home-and-home against Montreal in regulation.
If Washington, Pittsburgh, or Detroit are to earn a single point on Tuesday or Wednesday, the Flyers are done. Their season will be over.
With the results of Monday night’s games in, Moneypuck gives the Flyers a 5.7% chance of making the playoffs, while Washington has the inside track at 42.4%. Detroit sits at 15.1%, while Pittsburgh is hanging in there at 15.1%.
Furthermore, Washington is the only team in control of its own destiny. If they defeat the Flyers on Tuesday night, they take the last wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference. From there, they would face the New York Rangers in the first round.
At the time of this writing, the only confirmed playoff matchup in the Eastern Conference is the Hurricanes and the Islanders since those teams are locked into second and third place in the Metropolitan Division.
The Flyers will have plenty of opportunity to play spoiler, but both John Tortorella and the players have stressed the importance of worrying about their own business.
Tuesday’s game against the Capitals will be a true test of maturity.
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