The Philadelphia Flyers (30-23-11) return home after a gutsy 3-2 shootout win against the Minnesota Wild. Tonight, they will faceoff against the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are also clawing for the final Wild Card spot in the East.
There’s a lot to debate about with this season. One thing that is clear is that this version of the Flyers is way better than last year’s version. The Flyers finished as the 4th-worst team in the NHL in the 2024-25 season. Right now, the Flyers rank 17th out of 32 teams. Going from the 29th-ranked team to the 17th ranked team is a good thing, and this is what the front office wanted; a competitive team, and if all breaks their way, they can squeak into the playoffs.
If they really want a shot, they need to beat the Blue Jackets tonight, who currently sit 1 point outside of the second Wild Card spot. The Flyers (73 points) are battling with the Ottawa Senators (75 points), Columbus Blue Jackets (77 points), Boston Bruins (Wild Card #2, 78 points) and the Detroit Red Wings (Wild Card #1, 79 points). Per MoneyPuck.com, the Flyers have a 7.9% chance of making the playoffs. So it’s slim, but it’s not zero (yet).
If there was a path to getting in though, it will look a bit like their last two games.
Flyers Making a Real Push for Playoffs?
If you are an optimist or looking for hope, their last two games provided just that. Flyers’ top players stepped up to the plate and delivered in each games against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday (4-1 win), and the Minnesota Wild Thursday night (3-2 shootout win). While Travis Konecny and Trevor Zegras scored goals on a goalie, Owen Tippett (scored on an empty net) had a monster of a game. He singlehandedly generated 5-6 breakaways, one of them leading to Zegras’ goal, where Tippett earned a primary assist and gave the Flyers their lead. The never lost this lead and went on to win the game.
On Thursday, it continued with Tippett, where he scored a shorthanded goal in the third period to send the Flyers to overtime. Konecny would go on to score the game-winning goal in the shootout. If the Flyers want to make the playoffs, these players will need to deliver like this on a consistent basis.
Injury Report: Philadelphia Flyers
- Rodrigo Ābols (ankle)
- Tyson Forester (arm)
- Christian Dvorak (undisclosed, game-time decision)
Injury Report: Columbus Blue Jackets
- Erik Gudbranson (upper-body)
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena; Philadelphia, PA
When: 03/14/2026; 7:30pm/ET
TV Broadcast: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Last Game PHI: 03/12/2026; 3-2 W (s/o); at Minnesota Wild
Last Game CBJ: 03/12/2026; 2-1 OTL; at Florida Panthers
Philadelphia Flyers
Christian Dvorak will be a game-time decision. Trevor Zegras who has been playing at center, will likely be even more needed at the position if Dvorak does not play. As of late, head coach Rick Tocchet acknowledged improvements by Zegras at center. The Flyers’ first goal against Minnesota may be a great example of his potential at the center position.
Positioned well against, he stole a puck and knocked over Wild defenseman Jake Middleton. He then stick handled and surveyed the ice. Carl Grundström drove the net, forcing Danila Yurov to follow up. Zegras then found a streaking Emil Andrae who got the flyers on the board. This was a legit sequence of a first line center. We’ll see if he can keep it up, and be a lot better on faceoffs (won 7.7% of his faceoffs against Minnesota…).
“I think he’s really improved. I think he’s been having some chemistry with [Tippett]. Hopefully we can continue that relationship.” – Rick Tocchet; 3/14/2026
Dan Vladař is expected to start in goal. The netminder had a strong bounce-back game after struggling in the 5-2 Utah loss last week. In Minnesota, he stopped 21 of 23 shots, finishing with a .913 SV% and stopping all three shooters for Minnesota in the shootout as well. The Flyers need this version of him as they try to claw their way back to be within reach of a playoff birth.
Projected Lineup: Philadelphia Flyers
#20 Alex Bump – #14 Sean Couturier– #11 Travis Konecny
#29 Nikita Grebenkin – #46 Trevor Zegras – #74 Owen Tippett
#52 Denver Barkey – #27 Noah Cates – #39 Matvei Michkov
#91 Carl Grundström – # Luke Glendening – #19 Garnet Hathaway
#6 Travis Sanheim – #55 Rasmus Ristolainen
#8 Cam York – #9 Jamie Drysdale
#24 Nick Seeler – #47 Noah Juulsen
#80 Dan Vladař
(#33 Sam Ersson)
Projected Lineup: Columbus Blue Jackets
#4 Cole Sillinger – #19 Adam Fantilli – #86 Kirill Marchenko
#91 Kent Johnson – #23 Sean Monahan – #83 Conor Garland
#17 Mason Marchment – #3 Charlie Coyle – #24 Mathieu Olivier
#21 Isac Lundeström – #38 Boone Jenner – #43 Danton Heinen
#8 Zach Werenski – #15 Dante Fabbro
#9 Ivan Provorov – #5 Denton Mateychuk
#78 Damon Severson – #2 Jake Christiansen
#73 Jet Greaves
(#90 Elvis Merzļikins)
ULTIMATE WEST COAST HOCKEY TRIP
Flyers Nation and Philly Sports Trips have teamed up to bring you an unforgettable experience as the Flyers hit the road against the Ducks and Kings this March. The Ultimate West Coast Hockey Trip’s full package features group tickets to Flyers-Ducks on 3/18 and Flyers-Kings on 3/19 with game-day transportation, optional flights from Philadelphia with group airport transfers in California, a 5-night stay at the Sandborne Santa Monica, an all-inclusive watch party, custom swag, and a meet and greet with Flyers legend John LeClair! Make sure to use code FLYERSNATION2026 for $100 off your purchase!
