The Philadelphia Flyers have made it to the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-2020 season on Monday, April 13, 2026. The Flyers played the Carolina Hurricanes at the Xfinity Mobile Area in South Philadelphia, winning 2-3 in a shootout that clinched a playoff spot in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, finishing third in the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference.
Right-wing Tyson Foerster scored the winning goal in the 4th round of the shootout against Carolina goalie Brandon Bussi. Matvei Michkov and Trevor Zegras had goals in the second period while starting the period, down two. Philadelphia’s goalie Dan Vladar, had two goals against, with 24 saves, and a .923 save percentage.
Foerster stepped up big in a shootout that all of Philadelphia will remember forever, after coming back to Philadelphia after spending part of this season not in the lineup for most of the 2025-2026 season.
Tyson suffered an injury to his arm during the 2024 season and underwent surgery in early December. He returned to the Flyers in late March or early April. Flyers coach Rick Tocchet stated, “We’re excited about him.”
The Flyers hope to carry this momentum into the first game of the postseason against the in-state Pittsburgh Penguins. The Flyers and Penguins are expected to play on April 18th or 19th, with Game 1 predicted to be in Pittsburgh. Schedules are not out yet, though.
Philadelphia’s Flyers have battled all season long for this chance at the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and as they begin, all eyes will be on Tockett’s Flyers and seeing if they can beat the Penguins in the first round and hopefully move on!
