Oliver Bonk (the 21-year-old right-shot Defenseman (drafted 22nd overall in 2023) made his NHL Debut in the regular-season finale on April 14 vs. Montreal. He scored his first career goal (a nice wrist shot off a Michkov feed) and picked up two points in that game.

The Flyers are down 3-0 to the Hurricanes in the second round, with Game 4 tonight in Philly. With nothing left to lose in a likely elimination game, inserting a young guy like Bonk (or others like David Jiricek/Jett Luchanko) for a look—especially on the power play, where his shot and junior pedigree could help—makes sense to many fans.

Bonk’s been a black ace/call-up option and was discussed earlier in the playoffs. He’s very good on the Power Play, and that’s been the Flyers achilles heel for the past few years. A move like inserting him into the lineup for a pivotal game 4 only makes sense. Look for him to be in the lineup tonight.

Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store

Cool Matvei Michkov merchandise

One game at a time, this is how the Philadelphia Flyers have approached the 2025-26 season since the end of February. After a strong start in early October the Flyers were just two points behind the Carolina Hurricanes over the holidays. The new year was not kind to the Philadelphia hockey club. During a skid that turned into a full on free-fall the Flyers lost 13 of 16 games. By February 25th the Flyers were 17 points behind the 1st place Hurricanes.

By March 18th, that now infamous day, the Flyers were given a 3.8% chance of making it to the post-season. The Flyers were 8 points out of a wildcard spot and still 16 points behind the Hurricanes just to put things in perspective.

Focus

The Flyers as a group and to a man never had a doubt that they were going to contend for a spot in the post season. They were met with tons of disbelief, trash-talk, and negativity. Some will always be under the impression that being a perpetual pessimist offers some sort of credibility, it doesn’t. It offers just as much credibility as being eternally optimistic beyond reason. In actuality the only way to stay realistic is to deal with what is possible and what is not. Let the games play out and see where it takes you.

As much as I had my own personal doubts about the Flyers making it to the playoffs I never said it was impossible. As long as it was still a mathematical possibility they did in fact have a chance. I was amazed by this young rebuilding team’s resilience and fortitude as they battled night after night stringing together points that seemed to never come easy. There were so many games that were won by a single goal. So many games that went to overtime or the shootout. They never stopped believing in each other, kept their heads down, and kept plugging away.

They kept their focus on one game at a time. One period at a time. One shift at a time. Not worrying about the factors that were out of their control they concentrated on themselves as a team and the next game at hand. And it worked, they made it happen.

When the Flyers faced the much more experienced Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1st Round it was uncertain how this group would hold up under the magnified pressure and exposure that comes along with competing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The rebuilding Flyers didn’t crack, in fact they excelled, sending the Penguins packing in six games.

So here they are in the 2nd round down 3 games to 0 against the mighty Carolina Hurricanes. They are facing the possibility of being swept tonight on home ice. They’ve put up a valiant effort against a very formidable opponent and now their backs are up against the wall. Elimination From the 2026 playoffs and the end of their inspiring season is just one loss away.

Game 3

After losing the first two games in Carolina the Flyers brought the series back to Philly for a pivotal Game 3. The implications of this game were as serious as things can get in the sporting world. They Flyers would end the night either right back in this series or one game away from elimination.

For Carolina fans it was a great game, for the Flyers faithful it was tragic. For hockey fans it was a beautiful example of everything the sport can be. It had everything. Flashes of speed and skill on both sides. Fantastic goaltending, physicality, and a constant tension between controlled execution and reckless passion. There were ups and downs, thrills and clashes, it was exciting NHL playoff hockey. Both teams were intense, tenacious, and determined.

Flyers vs Hurricanes Game 4

The Flyers are now in a situation where every game could be their last. You can only imagine they are going into this the same way they went into the entire second half of the season, one game at a time. Tonight they look to avoid being swept and live to fight another day. They’ve won four games in a row before, it can be done. But this is not your standard run of the mill four games. They are up against a very solid Carolina team that finished number one in the East and is considered by most to be a contender for the Cup.

Is it probable that the Flyers will win four games in a row to reverse the sweep? Only four teams in NHL history have pulled that off in the past. One of them was actually the 2010 Philadelphia Flyers. To be totally honest in this scenario it would be a real long shot.

But is it possible? In keeping with the standard of being honest and accurate, and as a hat tip with all due respect to this upstart Philadelphia Flyers squad who have already proven so many wrong there is only one accurate answer. Yes, it’s still possible.

Flyers vs Hurricanes Saturday May 9th 2026, 6PM in Philly.

Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store

Cool Matvei Michkov merchandise

The Flyers’ Power Play went 0-for-5 in that Game 3 loss to Carolina, while the Hurricanes cashed in on theirs, while bringing the Flyers Power Play percentage for the playoffs down to a measly 9.7%. Unfortunately, the Hurricanes also netted a short-handed goal to make matters worse.

Carolina dominated special teams overall — they also had a short-handed goal — and rolled to a 4-1 victory in Philly. The series is now 3-0 in favor of the Hurricanes.

The Flyers just couldn’t generate much sustained pressure on the man advantage, which has been a season-long issue that’s biting them hard in the playoffs. Maybe it’s time to insert David Jiricek or Oliver Bonk into the lineup to help with the struggling Power Play Unit. The team really needs to find a puck moving defenseman, that excels with the man advantage in the offseason.

Obviously, the Flyers are in a tough spot now. They’ve got to find a way to steal one at home or it’s going to be a quick exit. What stood out to you as the biggest problem on the PP last night? Setup? Shots? Turnovers?

Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store

Cool Matvei Michkov merchandise

Flyers Hurricanes Game 3 in Philadelphia. This pivotal game had such huge implications for the young upstart Flyers. As the puck dropped in Philly everything about this 2nd round series was about to change.

Philly vs Carolina

The Flyers came surging out of the gate creating dangerous chances and putting Carolina goaltender Frederik Andersen right to work.

Konecny, Martone, Grundstrom, York, and Foerster all coming within inches of opening the score sheet. Once the Hurricanes finally got a turn with the puck Dan Vladar confidentially turned their chances aside.

The Flyers got their 1st power-play of the game and it immediately turned the faucet off. They did not register a shot on goal, or an attempted shot for that matter.

With 2:33 left in the 1st period and Shayne Gostisbehere quarterbacking the Canes power-play Jordan Staal picked up a fortunate rebound off the backboards and quickly put the puck through Vladar and into the net.

The Flyers bounced back and resumed their attack. Andersen made another huge stop on Martone. Slavin pulled a Rasmus Ristolainen shot off of the goal line.

Just 2:31 into the Second period on a delayed penalty call Trevor Zegras sniped a sharp angle rebound up and over the glove of the Carolina netminder. Martone fired the initial shot that made it all come together. The home town crowd raised the roof.

Porter Martone has returned to the offensive confidence that marked his debut. This needs to be his regular setting. He was consistently dangerous in this game and should never find a reason to hold back.

Bump accidentally rolled the Carolina netminder then seconds later Martone set him up with the puck right on the doorstep. Bump stayed cool and made a crafty attempt. Anderson answered with his most dynamic save of the game.

Falling Apart

What had started out as a beautiful and exciting period of hockey started to unravel in the final five minutes of play.

Taylor Hall crunched a falling Travis Sanheim’s head into the boards, popping his helmet off, and taking him down to the ice. The Flyers showed great restraint.

A five minute major was called and then sent for review. The call was downgraded to a two minute minor. Things continued to degrade.

Eleven seconds into the Flyers power-play Carolina scored shorthanded. Drysdale got poked on a pinch at the blue line leading to a 2-on-1 break in the other direction. A fantastic opportunity for the Flyers turned into a 2-1 Hurricanes lead.

Moments later Seth Jarvis took an intentional swing at Travis Konecny with his stick making full contact. The blade caught Konecny directly in the face. A two minute minor was assessed. Not that the Flyers were producing on the power-plays but the game was getting out of hand and part of that was the leniency being shown by the on ice officials.

A collection of creative calls led to variations of non 5-on-5 hockey throughout the rest of the 2nd period and into the 3rd. The Flyers went 0-for-5 with the man advantage. Luckily the Hurricanes only went 2-for-9.

There was a haunting sequence in this game where the Flyers were having much difficulty entering the Carolina zone with a two man advantage. The Flyers worst in the NHL power-play was eventually going to take it’s toll on the team’s ability to compete at the higher levels.

Carolina scored on the power-play 3:52 into the 3rd period. Then again three minutes later. This game had quickly slipped away from the Flyers. Down 4-1 with just minutes to go in this contest the Flyers who had been restrained in their retaliations all night long eventually began to allow their anger and frustration to vent.

More penalties kept the pace choppy and the game out of reach for the Flyers. They had put forth a valiant effort but now things were pulling apart rapidly. With 25.2 remaining on the clock a stream of orange jerseys were being sent up the tunnel as scrums erupted all over the ice. At one point Shayne Gostisbehere was attempting to fight Rasmus Ristolainen. Again with one eye on the ref the entire time.

The Flyers were losing their discipline to passion and frustration. The Hurricanes continued their bazar soccer-style performative communications with the officials throughout.

Everyone knew this game would have huge implications going in. Either the Flyers would fully enter this series by cutting the Canes lead in half. Or they would go down three games to none digging themselves a hole that not many before them have successfully dug their way out of.

The Flyers stand just one loss away from elimination. With the type of team that they have proved themselves to be this season it should be interesting to see how they handle this challenge.

Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store

Cool Matvei Michkov merchandise

Owen Tippett will not play in Game 3 tonight (Flyers vs. Hurricanes, 8 PM ET at Xfinity Live Arena).

Tippett has missed Games 1 and 2 with an undisclosed (likely lower-body) injury and has been day-to-day. He’s been skating and practicing, but he’s just not able to go, per Flyers’ Head Coach Coach Rick Tocchet.

• Flyers are down 0-2 in the series and they could really use Tippett’s speed and scoring (he led the team with 28 goals in the regular season).

When Tippett returns, he would become a welcome addition to the lineup, as the Flyers need all the help they can get at home.

Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store

Cool Matvei Michkov merchandise

The Flyers are down 0-2 in their Eastern Conference Second Round series against the top-seeded Carolina Hurricanes (after a 3-0 loss in Game 1 and a tough 3-2 OT loss in Game 2). Game 3 is tonight (Thursday, May 7, 8:00 PM ET) at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on TNT/truTV.

Why they can avoid going 0-3:

Home Advantage:

The series shifts to Philly, where the Flyers have playoff momentum from their first-round comeback win over the Penguins (they trailed 2-3 before closing it out). Crowds at Xfinity should be loud and give them a boost.

Goaltending has been solid: Dan Vladar has kept them in games despite Carolina’s strong play. Frederik Andersen has been excellent for CAR, but Philly can generate enough chances (especially at home) to solve him.They’ve shown fight: They pushed Game 2 to OT on the road. This isn’t a sweep-prone team—they upset Pittsburgh and have the resilience (plus history with big comebacks, like the famous 2010 run).

Realistically, Carolina remains the heavy favorite to win the series. The Flyers know they are underdogs, but avoiding 0-3 is very doable tonight—one strong home performance can shift momentum.

The Flyers can (and should) avoid going down 0-3 with a good effort in Game 3. It’s a must-win, and home ice makes it feasible.

Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store

Cool Matvei Michkov merchandise

Game 3 of the Flyers Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Hurricanes comes home to Philly Thursday night. This game has major implications and could easily be considered the Flyers first “must win” of the post-season. The Flyers currently trail 2-0 after losing the first two games of this 2nd Round series in Carolina.

In Game 1 the Philadelphia hockey club looked as if they had been thrown to the wolves. Carolina is the #1 seed in the East. This is their 8th consecutive post-season appearance under head coach Rod Brind’Amour. The Canes swept their 1st Round series against the Ottawa Senators. They were laying in wait for the Flyers who took six games to eliminate the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Flyers looked unsettled in the 3-0 Game 1 loss in Carolina.

Game 2 was a different story. The Flyers took an early 2-0 lead on goals by Jamie Drysdale and Sean Couturier less than five minutes into the 1st period. The Hurricanes scored one in the 1st and another in the 3rd to push this game to overtime.

The Flyers looked like a totally different team in this game as compared to Game 1. They often had Carolina on the ropes especially in the overtime period where they outshot the Canes 15-8. The Hurricanes were back on their heels resorting to dumping and icing pucks to relive the relentless pressure.

The Flyers did everything but close it out. Carolina scored the game winning goal 18:54 into sudden death. The Flyers were just that close to earning a split and stealing the home ice advantage. Instead they bring the series back to Philadelphia where their 1st game on home ice is a must win situation.

Of course it takes 4 wins to close out a 7 game series but only 4 teams in NHL history have come back from a 3-0 deficit. The Flyers were one of those teams. They pulled off the historic comeback against the Boston Bruins in 2010.

Injuries

Philadelphia is dealing with a growing list of injuries. Their hard hitting style which was so successful in Round 1 seems to be catching up with them a bit. Wednesday it was announced that they will be without center Noah Cates for at least the remainder of this series.

Owen Tippett who has yet to appear in the 2nd Round is listed as a game time decision for Game 3. Christian Dvorak, who is still sporting a major league shiner he acquired in the 1st round, is also now listed as a game time decision for Thursday night.

Those are just the injuries that we are aware of. It’s not at all uncommon during the post-season for athletes to play through injuries without disclosing them to the public or, more importantly, the opposition.

The organization has recalled center Jett Luchanko as the OHL Brantford Bulldogs season has come to an end. Luchanko was with the team at practice on Wednesday. It seems unlikely that the 19 year old center would draw into Thursday night’s line-up but that remains to be seen. Jacob Gaucher is also practicing with the squad.

A Pivotal Game 3 in Philly

This series just started on Saturday night and it seems just as the Flyer are getting settled in their backs are already against the wall. Game 3 in Philadelphia will have major implications.

Thursday night’s game is just shy of a do-or-die proposition. The young upstart Philadelphia Flyers have not been in the situation before, it will be interesting to see how they rise to the occasion.

Flyers MVP goaltender Dan Vladar stopped 39 of 42 shots in Monday night’s overtime thriller. On most nights if the Flyers can score three or more goals Vladar will take care of the rest.

The Flyers need to continue to run a tight ship in front of their own net, clear the porch, and cut off passing lanes. Carolina is crafty and crisp, they are sure to sting you if you allow them to move the puck laterally through the slot.

Coots

Flyers captain Sean Couturier has been a powerhouse again in this 2nd Round. He’s playing a great 200″ game. Always a strong defensive center he’s been great in the faceoff circle and has been creating tons of offensive chances.

Goal scoring is going to be key in this all important game 3. Some valuable Flyers sticks have gone a bit quiet and turning that around could make a huge difference in this pivotal challenge. Trevor Zegras, Matvei Michkov, Travis Konecny to name a few. These guys gotta light the lamp to give the Flyers a fighting chance.

The atmosphere on Broad Street tonight is sure to be electric. Everywhere you look Flyers fever is spreading like wild fire throughout the Delaware Valley. Look for that arena to be rockin’ tonight as Flyers Fans show the national audience once again that Philly is not just a great hockey town but it’s also Flyers Country through and through.

No matter which way this game goes tonight one thing is for certain, it’s going to change everything.

Flyers vs Hurricanes in Philadelphia Thursday May 7th 8:00 PM. If you’re lucky enough to be headed out to the game give yourself plenty of time to get there and get settled as the Phillies are at home tonight as well.

Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store

Cool Matvei Michkov merchandise

The Flyers lost a close one in Game 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Flyers were quick to go up 2-0 in the first period courtesy of Jamie Drysdale and Sean Couturier, but unfortunately, it was not enough as they fell 3-2 in overtime.

The Carolina Hurricanes showed once again why they are the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. Although the Flyers were without their leading goal-scorer, Owen Tippett, for Games 1 and 2 due to an undisclosed injury, they did not look out of place against the Hurricanes in Game 2. The Flyers stood right there with them all game long and made them earn every inch of ice. If Owen Tippett returns for Game 3, it would provide a much-needed boost to a Flyers offense that struggled to score in Raleigh.

The Flyers now return home to Xfinity Mobile Arena with a 2-0 series deficit, which makes Game 3 a must-win. Statistically speaking, falling into a 3-0 hole is a graveyard; only four teams in the history of the NHL have been able to come back from such a deficit (one of which was the Flyers in 2010 against the Boston Bruins). To avoid needing a miracle, the Flyers must take care of business on home ice tomorrow night.

The Flyers proved they can skate with the Hurricanes and they proved they can score on Andersen. Now they have to prove they can win, and they have a great opportunity to do so at home.

One of the bright spots in Game 2 for the Flyers was their penalty kill. It continues to be spectacular, allowing only one goal on seven Carolina power plays. On the other hand, the Flyers’ own power play continues to struggle, going only 1-for-7 in their attempts. Luckily for them, the Hurricanes have had power play struggles of their own this postseason, going only 1-for-6, though their penalty kill remains stellar as well.

The atmosphere in Xfinity Mobile Arena during the first round against the Penguins was described by many as “electric.” The Flyers need to bottle that energy up and bring it all out onto the ice for Game 3.

Dan Vladar has been nothing short of spectacular in both the regular season and now the playoffs, stopping 40 of 43 shots in Game 2. If he is in the blue paint, the Flyers have a chance. During these playoffs, he has posted a 1.89 Goals Against Average and a .928 save percentage across eight games played.

Head Coach Rick Tocchet announced today that the Flyers will be without Noah Cates for the remainder of the series against the Hurricanes due to an undisclosed lower-body injury. This is a significant blow, as Cates was a steady presence centering the third line with Tyson Foerster and Matvei Michkov. Following this news, the Flyers recalled Jett Luchanko from the Brantford Bulldogs of the OHL.

Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store

Cool Matvei Michkov merchandise

The Flyers have recalled forward Jett Luchanko.

This happened today (May 6, 2026), right after his OHL season with the London Bulldogs (or Guelph Storm previously) ended. He’s being added as a “black ace” for the end of the NHL season/playoffs push.

Luchanko could honestly be a replacement for Noah Cates, who will more than likely miss Game 3, ayt the very least, with an injury from what I’ve heard.

Quick context:

• Luchanko, the Flyers’ 2024 first-round pick (13th overall), is a highly regarded center prospect.
• He’s split time between the NHL and OHL the past couple seasons, making the opening roster but seeing limited action (often just a handful of games) before being sent back to juniors for more development.
• Recent reports suggest the Flyers are being patient with his development rather than rushing him, but he may play for Cates.

It’s possible he could get into the lineup soon, especially with Noah Cates dealing with an injury.

Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store

Cool Matvei Michkov merchandise

Isaiah, Chef, and Dan are joined by Jason Myrtetus as the Philadelphia Flyers fall behind 2–0 in their series with the Carolina Hurricanes. The panel breaks down the differences in the Flyers’ performance across the first two games and discusses the adjustments Rick Tocchet and his staff made that nearly resulted in an overtime victory.

They also look ahead to the series shifting back to Philadelphia, examining strategies and potential lineup changes as the Flyers try to get back into the series and avoid a quick exit. Additional topics include the anticipated return of Owen Tippett, a possible injury to Noah Cates, and other decisions the team could make to gain an edge.

In the final segment, the panel discusses fan reaction to draft lottery results, Matvei Michkov’s role for the remainder of the series, whether Trevor Zegras can stick at center, and more.

Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store

Cool Matvei Michkov merchandise