Do the Flyers still have a chance at the playoffs?

Well, Flyers fans, it’s time to get serious and dig deep into the Flyers chances of making the playoffs. I do not doubt that many of you just said, “What chance?” and I understand. Coming into this season, I expected another year of missing the playoffs and hoped that they improved in areas they struggled in in years past. While they have improved in a few areas, some continue to haunt them and hurt their chances.

In this piece, I’m going to dig into the areas that continue to hinder playoff chances and what needs to happen for the orange and black to continue playing past April 14th (last regular season game). Let’s get into it, shall we?

Power Play

I have said this in so many opinion pieces it’s getting tiring, but the Flyers power play continues to be a monstrosity. As of right now (Mar. 20), the Flyers have a power play percentage of 14.7%, which ranks 32nd in the NHL.

We, as fans, want to see the power play improve, but it doesn’t even look remotely close to that. Now, I will say that the puck movement in recent games on the man advantage has been getting slightly better, but the “looking for the perfect pass” is what’s getting me frustrated. The puck has no chance of going in if you don’t shoot it. I’m stating the obvious here, but it needs to be said.

I may be the only one who felt this, but when Rocky Thompson was relieved of his duties as power play coach last offseason, I was thankful. “We actually have a chance to get better at this part of the game now!” Boy, was I wrong.

The Flyers front office brought in Jaroslav Svejkovsky to run the power play in June of 2025. Svejkovsky worked with new head coach Rick Tocchet just last season as an assistant coach up in Vancouver with the Canucks.

With only 14 games remaining in the 2025-26 season, the power play is going to need to heat up and fast. Should the Flyers sneak into the playoffs somehow, the power play will definitely be needed there as well.

Injuries

No team in the league is going to stay healthy for an entire 82-game season. However, injuries, especially to top players, can play a factor in missing the playoffs.

Let’s get the biggest one out of the way. The loss of Tyson Foerster, in my opinion, has hurt this team tremendously. The Flyers lost Foerster for the season after undergoing surgery back in December after sustaining an arm injury in their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He went to take a slapshot on a power play, and his arm just gave out.

How does an injury like this hurt a team? Well, for one, it messes with chemistry and causes tons of line shuffling. Foerster spent a good chunk of the season playing with Bobby Brink and Noah Cates. Now, with the skilled forward being out for the season, Tocchet has had to put new lines together. Brink, for those who don’t know, was traded to the Minnesota Wild at the trade deadline.

As just stated, chemistry is challenged with injury. It takes time for players to form chemistry with new linemates. It may not always form, either. While the Flyers are still in relatively good shape, it is clear as day that the team misses his shot and grittiness.

Other players such as Travis Konecny, Rasmus Ristolainen, Sam Ersson, and Rodrigo Abols (hasn’t returned) have missed their fair share of games due to injury as well. For the orange and black to make it to the playoffs, the team will have to stay as healthy as possible.

Important Games

Every single game for the rest of the regular season will hold importance for the Flyers. They are currently on a three-game West Coast trip that concludes Saturday afternoon against the San Jose Sharks. The orange and black have a chance to go perfect with a victory in that game, as they took down the Anaheim Ducks in overtime back on the 18th and the Los Angeles Kings in a shootout on the 19th.

The Flyers currently sit fifth in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 33-23-12 and 78 total points. On the wildcard race side of things, they’d have to leapfrog the Ottawa Senators (79), New York Islanders (83), and Detroit Red Wings (84) to get in. The Boston Bruins and Columbus Blue Jackets should be noted here as they’re in close range. While it can be done, they’re going to need help.

Fortunately, the Flyers have games against the teams they’re chasing. They have three against the Red Wings and one against the Islanders, Blue Jackets, and Bruins. Winning all of these games in regulation will be a must.

Readers Question

What do you think? Will the Flyers sneak into the playoffs or miss for a sixth consecutive season?

Flyers Next Game

Flyers next game is Saturday, Mar. 21, in San Jose against the Sharks.

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