Flyers' Playoff Hopes Are Greater Than Some Think

Playoffs? A quote, now a well known meme, said by NFL great head coach Jim Mora Sr.

With wins in seven of their last nine games, the Flyers have now entered the playoff conversation. Something that has brought a new level of excitement in Philadelphia.

As they currently sit, the Flyers are a mere three points out of a playoff spot with 10 games to play. The closest they have been to a playoff spot since early January.

Since returning from the Olympic break, the Flyers have the third best record in the NHL. Their 11-4-1 record has put them in a position to make things real interesting in the final two weeks of the season.

But, how interesting you ask? Lets look at the numbers to see how close the Flyers really are to making a real playoff push, let alone, the playoffs.

Before we get into numbers, lets look at games left. This is where the Flyers have an advantage on the rest of the teams they are chasing.

The other six teams in the heated race for Eastern Conference playoff spots all have played one more game than the Flyers. The Islanders have played two more games, which is important later.

That game is hand is pivotal in the Flyers push for the playoffs as they sit three points back. A win in that game would leave them just one point back.

You can’t pinpoint a definite “this is the game in hand” on the schedule. But, it will come in the next week and a half. All seven teams will be equal on games after April 8th with each having four games remaining.

So, where do the Flyers have to be on April 8th?

That question has a simple answer and one that could be the downfall for the Flyers.

If the Flyers want a definite chance at the playoffs, they most have more points than four of the other teams. A tie does them no help as they do not hold the tiebreaker on any of the six other teams.

The first tiebreaker for the playoffs is regulation wins, which the Flyers only have 23. The next closest is Columbus at 27.

It is very unlikely, barring a dramatic scenario, that the Flyers will close that gap with only 10 games remaining. Due to that, the Flyers will need to have one point more than the first team out.

What could that number be?

The most points a non-playoff team has finished with is 96 points. Getting as close to that number would have the Flyers in serious contention.

97 points seems like a good number to aim. That would be at least six wins over their remaining ten games.

The Flyers can control only as much as they can over the next two weeks. Winning as many games as possible is a great start.

But, winning the games against the other teams in the race is even bigger.

During their final 10 games, the Flyers will play five games against the other teams in the race. The most of any team fighting for a playoff spot.

These games are more important because if you win the game in regulation, you create a “four point game”. Two points for yourself, while taking two points away from the other team in the race.

So, ready for the math now?

Here is a look at the remaining schedules of the seven teams. Yellow is “four point game”. Blue is playoff team. White is non-playoff team.