Philadelphia Flyers clinch playoff spot: How did they end their drought?

AtlanticBruinsCanadiensLightningMaple LeafsPanthersRed WingsSabresSenatorsMetropolitanBlue JacketsCapitalsDevilsFlyersHurricanesIslandersPenguinsRangersCentralAvalancheBlackhawksBluesJetsMammothPredatorsStarsWildPacificCanucksDucksFlamesGolden KnightsKingsKrakenOilersSharksScores & ScheduleStandingsPodcastsFantasyNHL OddsNHL PicksPlayoff projectionsNHL Draft rankingRed Light NewsletterNHL Regular The Flyers are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Terrence Lee / Imagn Images Share full article1PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Flyers’ five-season playoff drought is over. The Flyers beat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 in a shootout on Monday at Xfinity Mobile Arena to clinch third place in the Metropolitan Division and set up a first-round playoff matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Here’s how they got back into the playoffs for the first time since 2020. 1. Offseason additions play key roles After mostly subtracting from the roster during his first two seasons in charge, general manager Daniel Briere pivoted in the summer of 2025. His three primary additions — goalie Dan Vladar, forward Trevor Zegras and center Christian Dvorak — each had the best season of their respective careers. Vladar assumed the role of No. 1 goalie and was the team’s clear-cut MVP. Zegras has set a new career high in goals (26) and points (67), while Dvorak, who signed a five-year contract extension in January, has provided solid two-way play while adding a career-high 51 points, giving the Flyers some desperately needed help down the middle. There wasn’t much reason to believe the Flyers could make a playoff push coming out of the Olympic break. They went just 3-8-3 in the 14 games before the shutdown, and after losing their first game after the break in Washington, they sat in 14th place in the 16-team Eastern Conference. But they quickly turned things around after that. Monday’s win over Carolina was their 17th in the last 24 games (17-6-1). Sparked by some system changes from coach Rick Tocchet, the Flyers reestablished the defensive identity that they were showcasing earlier in the season, and the offense improved just enough to help them get on a roll. 3. Young players take steps forward The Flyers remain one of the youngest teams in the league. A handful of them found a new level. Jamie Drysdale’s defensive play, in particular, improved dramatically. Noah Cates has established a new career high in points (47). Owen Tippett found another gear after the trade deadline, leading the Flyers’ attack on many nights. While Matvei Michkov’s first half was disappointing, he’s been among the Flyers’ top scorers coming out of the Olympic break, looking more like the Michkov of a year ago. Tyson Foerster, despite having his season interrupted by a shoulder injury on Dec. 1 that kept him out for four months, may already be one of the best two-way wingers in the league. Denver Barkey and Alex Bump, who began the season with the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms, have both showed promise while finding a way to get on the scoresheet, too. 4. Martone a late, welcome addition It’s quite possible the Flyers wouldn’t have been able to clinch a playoff spot without the 19-year-old Porter Martone, who joined the Flyers on March 31 and has immediately become one of their most dangerous scoring threats, with three goals and five assists in his first eight games. Martone has given the Flyers something they desperately needed — size, at 6-foot-3 and 214 pounds — and a shoot-first mentality, with an ability to bully his way to the front of the net both at five-on-five and on the power play. It’s not too early to suggest that Martone, the No. 6 pick in the 2025 draft, is a star in the making. There are only three Flyers remaining from their most recent playoff appearance: Travis Konecny, Travis Sanheim and Sean Couturier. All of them are still vital pieces. Sanheim remains one of the league leaders in ice time, and may be playing the best hockey of his career since the Olympic break. Konecny is on track to lead the Flyers in scoring for the fifth straight season. Couturier — who was struggling mightily before the break — has lately keyed a fourth line that has given the team a huge boost, while also killing penalties and winning draws. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Kevin Kurz is a staff writer for The Athletic NHL based in Philadelphia. He previously covered the New York Islanders and the San Jose Sharks for 10+ years and worked in the Philadelphia Flyers organization. Follow Kevin on Twitter @KKurzNHL