Photo Credits: FNG’s Rob Windfelder
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.
So here they are in the 2nd round series of the Stanley Cup Playoffs 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 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.
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