Flyers punch ticket to Stanley Cup Playoffs with shootout win over the Hurricanes
Tyson Foerster scored in the shootout. Dan Vladar stopped the final shot. Xfinity Mobile Arena lost its mind. Five years of waiting ended on a Monday night in South Philly and the Philadelphia Flyers are going to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2020.
Let that breathe for a second.
The Flyers came back from 2-0 down against a Carolina team that sat six of their top players including Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov. Michkov scored in the second period and screamed at the crowd. Zegras tied it on the power play two and a half minutes later and the building was shaking.
They held Carolina through overtime, went to the shootout, Foerster buried his shot, Vladar made the final save, and that was it. Six years of missing the playoffs. One night of pure chaos. Done.
Vladar was the best player on this roster all season and he was the best player on the ice Monday night. He let in two in the first period and then shut the door completely.
Two periods of regulation, overtime, and the shootout without giving up another goal.
His hands went up the second he stopped that final shot and every person in that building went with him. He finished the season 29-14-7 with a 2.42 GAA and a .906 save percentage.
In April he was 5-1 with a 1.81 GAA. The man carried this team when it needed carrying.
Matvei Michkov gets the Flyers on the board
Trevor Zegras Ties It Up
Dan Vlader brings playoff hockey back to South Philly
Last season they were tied for the worst record in the Eastern Conference. This season they have 96 points and a playoff spot. Tocchet in Year 1. Briere in Year 3. Zegras, Vladar, and Dvorak all having career seasons after being brought in this offseason.
Michkov developing into exactly what everyone hoped. Porter Martone showing up from Michigan State three weeks ago and looking like he belongs. The 17-6-1 record since February 26th was not luck. This team finally looks like it’s building something real.
The first round opponent is the Pittsburgh Penguins. The schedule is not out yet but the playoffs start Saturday. Sidney Crosby coming to Xfinity Mobile Arena with a Flyers fanbase that has been starving for this moment.
There is no better way to reintroduce playoff hockey to Philadelphia. They host Montreal on Tuesday night to close out the regular season. Then it is time.
The drought is over. Playoff hockey is back in Philadelphia.
Let’s go Flyers.
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