The Philadelphia Flyers (42-27-12) erased a 2-0 deficit against the Carolina Hurricanes (52-22-7) to force overtime and ultimately a shootout, where a goal from Tyson Foerster and a clutch save from Dan Vladař sealed the deal, clinching the Flyers’ first playoff berth since 2020.
1st Period
The Flyers came out flying, feeding off a loud home crowd and controlling play early with the game’s first four shots on goal while holding the Hurricanes without one until nearly six minutes in. But despite the strong start, Carolina struck first.
Bradly Nadeau opened the scoring just under 9 minutes into the game. Nikolaj Ehlers picked up the puck behind the net and quickly found Nadeau alone in front, where he fired a quick shot past Vladař to make it 1-0. Former Flyer Sean Walker gets the secondary assist on the goal.
Things worsened late in the period. After Christian Dvorak was sent to the box for holding at 15:05, the Hurricanes capitalized almost immediately. Just 25 seconds into the power play, Ehlers finished off a clean passing sequence and snuck the puck between Vladař and the post to extend the lead.
Despite the score on paper, there were bright spots for Philadelphia. Owen Tippett was buzzing all over the ice, and Sean Couturier had a strong, physical period. Still, the Flyers headed to the intermission down two, and were met with boos from the home crowd.
2nd Period
Early in the second, a scary moment unfolded as Tippett went down hard after a sidesweep from K’Andre Miller, crashing into the net and clipping his knee on the post. He went down the tunnel but returned quickly, missing little to no time thankfully.
The Flyers finally broke through at 7:57. Noah Cates forced a turnover and, after a second effort along the boards, found Denver Barkey. Barkey sent a beautiful cross-ice feed to Matvei Michkov, who ripped it home to cut the deficit in half.
Momentum continued to build, and just over two minutes later, the Flyers cashed in on the power play. With Walker in the box for roughing, Tyson Foerster worked the puck along the boards and fed Porter Martone, who set up Trevor Zegras in front. Zegras showed patience, waiting out Brandon Bussi before slipping the puck through the five-hole to tie the game at 2-2.
3rd Period
Barkey took a hard elbow to the face from Charles-Alexis Legault, immediately drawing blood. Initially called a high-sticking double minor, the play was reviewed and overturned, as officials ruled it was an elbow, resulting in no penalty. It is another instance of a Flyers rookie getting banged up with no call to show for it.
Later, with Ehlers sent off for slashing at 11:38, the Flyers had another power-play opportunity but couldn’t convert, managing just one shot on goal.
The Flyers registered just one more shot the rest of the way, coming a second after the penalty expired, before going cold over the final six minutes of regulation. Vladař made two saves during that stretch, but the game remained tied. This marked the fourth meeting between the Flyers and Hurricanes this season, and all four required extra time.
Overtime
Both teams collect a point. With these points, the Hurricanes secured the top seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Flyers officially eliminated the Columbus Blue Jackets from playoff contention.
Back-and-forth action followed, with Vladař making stops on Ehlers, Miller, and Nadeau, while Bussi denied Michkov. Neither side could find the winner, sending the game to a shootout.
Shootout
Both goaltenders were perfect through three rounds. Zegras, Michkov, and Travis Konecny were turned aside for Philadelphia, while Jackson Blake, Nadeau, and Miller were denied for Carolina.
In the fourth round, Foerster stepped up and delivered, burying his chance to give the Flyers the edge.
All eyes turned to Vladař, who came up with one final save on Alexander Nikishin to seal the win, and with it, a playoff berth.
The Playoffs
For the first time since 2020, the Philadelphia Flyers are headed to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and they will face a familiar rival in the Pittsburgh Penguins.
If you are just hopping on the Flyers bandwagon now, this matchup comes with plenty of history. The Flyers and Penguins rivalry is one of the most intense in the league, and it looks different in recent years with both teams trending in very different directions.
The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are set to begin on Saturday, April 18. The Penguins will have home ice advantage, meaning Games 1 and 2 will take place in Pittsburgh, while Games 3 and 4 will shift back to Philadelphia, likely falling between April 22 and April 26 depending on the final schedule.
No matter how it shakes out, one thing is certain: playoff hockey is back in Philadelphia.
Up Next
There is still one game left in the regular season.
The Flyers wrap things up tonight, Tuesday, April 14, against the Montréal Canadiens at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Puck drop is set for 7pm/ET, and fans are encouraged to wear orange.
