Hoping to end playoff drought, Flyers visit desperate Caps

After missing the postseason each of the past five years, the Philadelphia Flyers are making a bid to sneak into the playoffs in 2026.

They're also making franchise history in the process.

The Flyers, who have gone 8-1-1 in their last 10 games, travel to Washington to face the Capitals on Tuesday evening.

The road is where Philadelphia (37-24-12, 86 points) has gotten back into postseason contention. The Flyers recently equaled the single-season franchise record for consecutive road wins with eight and can break it with a victory in the nation's capital.

The Flyers, who have won two of three meetings with Washington (37-28-8, 83 points) this season, also can clinch the season series.

Philadelphia finds itself in a clump of six teams fighting for three postseason berths. The Flyers, Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings each own 86 points in 73 games, which places them two points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets (88 points in 74 games) for the Eastern Conference's second wild card.

However, they also started Monday three points behind the New York Islanders and two points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for second and third place, respectively, in the Metropolitan Division. The Penguins and Islanders meet Monday night in New York.

"The belief and confidence (are) pretty high right now," Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen said after the team defeated Dallas in overtime Sunday at home.

"It's really fun playing extremely meaningful games at this time of year. Obviously, every night is a big one. So very, very exciting."

Trevor Zegras scored the game-winner against the Stars, his 23rd goal of the year, as the Flyers won their third straight. Travis Konecny also scored while Samuel Ersson made 17 saves.

Ersson has gone 5-0-0 with a 1.46 goals-against-average and .933 save percentage in six games since play resumed following the Olympics.

"He's the difference in the game," Flyers captain Sean Couturier said after the Dallas win. "He's a gamer. He's there when you need him. He can make those big saves."

Ersson made 22 saves and allowed just one goal in a win over the Capitals on March 11. Like the Flyers, Washington is trying to play itself into a playoff spot with just two weeks left in the regular season.

The Caps, 3-0-2 in their last five home games, and 4-1-1 in their last six overall, sit three points behind Philadelphia with eight games remaining after a critical 5-4 shootout victory over Vegas on Saturday.

"I'd say it's a huge win for us. We're staying in this fight. We're not going to roll over big two points now," Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said. "Now we'll go back home and get ready at home."

Logan Thompson made 25 saves for the Capitals, who have won two straight. Dylan Strome scored a goal in regulation and had the lone score in the shootout for Washington, which blew a 3-0 lead.

"There wasn't a panic; we stayed calm through that," Carbery said.