A big showdown in South Philly on a Tuesday night sets the stage for some intense playoff jockeying in the East. The Philadelphia Flyers, sitting at 80 points, face off against the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have 85 points.
With a game in hand, the Flyers are looking to make a significant move in the standings. Just ten days ago, the Blue Jackets edged out a 2-1 shootout win in Philly, seemingly putting a damper on the Flyers' playoff hopes.
But a successful West Coast sweep against the Ducks, Kings, and Sharks has reignited their chances as we approach the season's final stretch.
This matchup is arguably the most crucial for the Flyers since March 14th, but the stakes are higher now. A win tonight means they can claw back two crucial points from Columbus while still holding that valuable game in hand.
According to Moneypuck, the Flyers' playoff odds sit at 12%. While it might seem like a long shot, there's a glimmer of hope.
They've won five of their last six games, picking up a valuable point in the one they lost. With games in hand and matchups against the Islanders and three games against the 84-point Detroit Red Wings, the Flyers have a path, albeit a challenging one.
The standings are tight, with several teams in the mix. Whether the Flyers can pull off a late-season miracle remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: they're making late March hockey exciting in Philly. It's been a while since we've seen this kind of buzz around the Flyers at this time of year.
Here's a look at the Flyers' remaining schedule:
- vs. Blue Jackets
- vs. Blackhawks
- at Red Wings
- vs.
Dallas (back-to-back)
- at Capitals
- vs. Red Wings
- at Islanders (back-to-back)
- vs.
Bruins
- at Devils
- at Red Wings
- at Jets
- vs. Canes
- vs. Canadiens (back-to-back)
The Flyers are in the hunt, and every game counts. Fans, buckle up-it's going to be an intriguing ride to the finish line.