Flyers Fighting Back Into Playoff Picture Ahead of Crucial Week
Don’t look now, but the Philadelphia Flyers are clawing their way back into the postseason conversation.
After a midseason stumble that saw them lose six straight-five of those in regulation-the Flyers dropped as low as 12th in the Eastern Conference standings. It was a tough stretch for a team that had spent much of the season in playoff position. But credit to them: they’ve steadied the ship with a resilient 2-0-1 run against some tough Western Conference opponents-Vegas, Utah, and Colorado-and now find themselves just two points out of third place in the Metropolitan Division.
And here’s where things get interesting.
Philadelphia enters a pivotal four-game stretch this week, with three of those matchups coming against Eastern Conference foes. The stakes?
A shot at reclaiming a playoff spot. A regulation win over the New York Islanders on Monday night would pull the Flyers even in points for third in the Metro-and thanks to a games-played tiebreaker, they’d actually hold that spot.
It’s only January on the calendar, but make no mistake: these are the kind of games that can define a season.
Injury Updates: Key Pieces Still Out, But Progress Noted
The Flyers are managing their current playoff push while dealing with a few key injuries-some short-term, some potentially season-ending.
Rodrigo Ābols is out with a fractured right ankle, a tough break that not only removed him from the Flyers' lineup but also cost him a spot on Team Latvia for the upcoming Winter Olympics. In his absence, Lane Pederson has stepped into a fourth-line center role. Through three games, he’s averaged just under nine minutes of ice time (8:56), giving the Flyers some temporary depth down the middle.
Rasmus Ristolainen is trending in the right direction. The veteran defenseman was on the ice for Monday’s morning skate, and while he hasn’t returned to game action just yet, his presence is a positive sign that a return could be imminent.
Meanwhile, Dan Vladař remains out after leaving the Jan. 14 game against Buffalo early-before the second period-in what became a 5-2 loss. He was initially labeled “day-to-day,” but it’s been nearly two weeks since then. Like Ristolainen, Vladař was also seen skating Monday, which suggests he’s nearing a return, even if it’s taken longer than expected.
What’s Ahead: Flyers’ Schedule (Jan. 26 - Feb. 1)
The Flyers’ upcoming slate offers a mix of opportunity and challenge-and every point is going to matter.
- Monday, Jan. 26 - vs. New York Islanders (27-19-5) Xfinity Mobile Arena, 7 p.m. EST This one’s huge. A regulation win against a division rival could catapult the Flyers into third place in the Metro.
Expect a playoff-like atmosphere.
- Wednesday, Jan. 28 - @ Columbus Blue Jackets (24-20-7) Nationwide Arena, 7:30 p.m. EST The Blue Jackets are right in the thick of the wildcard race themselves. Another critical Eastern Conference battle.
- Thursday, Jan. 29 - @ Boston Bruins (30-20-2) TD Garden, 7 p.m. EST One of the league’s most consistent teams over the past few seasons. No easy points in Boston, but a great test of where the Flyers stand.
- Saturday, Jan. 31 - vs. Los Angeles Kings (21-16-13) Xfinity Mobile Arena, 12:30 p.m. EST A matinee matchup against a Kings team that’s been unpredictable. Back on home ice, the Flyers will want to close the week strong.
The Flyers are far from a finished product, but this week offers a chance to make a real statement. With playoff implications already hanging in the balance, the urgency is real-and so is the opportunity.