The drought is finally over in Philadelphia. On April 13, 2026, the Flyers clinched their first Stanley Cup Playoff berth in six years, rallying from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 in a dramatic shootout at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Tyson Foerster delivered the game-winning goal in the shootout, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and sealing a postseason spot that seemed unthinkable just weeks ago.
“It’s a dream,” Foerster said after the game. “This is why you play. We’re looking forward to it.” The magnitude of the moment was not lost on the Flyers’ faithful. For the first time since the COVID-19 bubble playoffs in 2020, playoff hockey is set to return to Philadelphia, with the Flyers securing third place in the Metropolitan Division and a first-round clash against their fiercest rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins. This will be the eighth postseason meeting between the two teams, reigniting the legendary Battle of Pennsylvania.
What a journey it’s been for this Flyers squad. Just a month ago, few outside the locker room believed a playoff berth was realistic. The Flyers stumbled through January with multiple four-plus-game losing streaks, including a dispiriting six-game skid. By the Olympic break in February, they’d lost four of five games and looked destined for a franchise-worst sixth straight postseason miss. After dropping their first game back from the break, the season’s outlook was bleak.
But then, something clicked. The Flyers reeled off four wins in five games leading up to the March 6 trade deadline, sparking hope. Post-deadline, momentum wavered after a tough shootout loss to the Blue Jackets, but a sweep of the California road trip flipped the script. From there, Philadelphia surged, going 11-4-0 in their latest 15 games and 17-6-1 since the Olympic break, picking up a remarkable 35 of a possible 48 points. Since the trade deadline, their 14-5-1 run (29 of 40 points) was one of the league’s best.
“Our return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs comes down to two things: the grit and determination of our players and the unwavering commitment of our fans, and I couldn’t be prouder,” said Flyers Governor Dan Hilferty. “We began this New Era of Orange with the goal of building this team the right way, and regardless of what happens in the weeks or months ahead, this milestone shows that Keith, Danny, and Coach Tocchet are moving us in the right direction. Now our players and fans get to share in the most thrilling atmosphere in sports, Flyers Playoff Hockey!”
This playoff berth marks the 41st in franchise history and the first time since 2018 that postseason hockey will be played in Philadelphia. Only three players—Sean Couturier, Travis Konecny, and Travis Sanheim—remain from the last Flyers playoff team. The franchise’s transformation began in earnest in the spring of 2023, when then-interim general manager Danny Briere declared an official rebuild. By the end of that year, Briere was given the full-time role and, along with President of Hockey Operations Keith Jones, began to retool the roster with a new identity in mind.
The Flyers’ resurgence this season is as much about their new faces as their familiar ones. Trevor Zegras, acquired in the offseason after a rocky stint with the Anaheim Ducks, blossomed into a key contributor, tallying 26 goals and 67 points in 81 games. Christian Dvorak, signed as center depth on a one-year deal, proved to be a reliable middle-six presence. In net, Dan Vladar, brought in as a 27-year-old backup, seized the starting job and provided the stability the Flyers have long craved. Vladar finished the regular season 29-14-7 with a 2.42 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage over 52 games. In April alone, he won five of six starts, boasting a 1.81 goals-against mark and a .921 save percentage.
“The emotion Vladdy plays with, the excitement he has, it doesn’t matter who it is, he’s the guy that has always got a smile on his face,” said Owen Tippett. “I’ve never played with a goalie that has been that vocal, both on the ice, off the ice and the TV timeout, he’s always coming by and keeping us going. He’s a big part of this and he deserves this one, for sure.” Vladar himself credited the team’s heart: “We were trying to play good hockey and play with the heart that I remember the Flyers used to be back in the day. That’s the mentality here and that’s what I felt since Day 1, that if you’re going to do your best, the hockey gods are going to help you. That’s what we were trying to do the whole year. Finally, we deserve it. Especially the fans, they deserve it, as well. We’re glad that we were able to deliver.”
Youth has played a pivotal role in the Flyers’ turnaround. The 2025 NHL draft brought Porter Martone, selected sixth overall and signed at the end of March. At just 19 years old, Martone made an immediate impact with three goals and eight points in his first eight NHL games. Matvei Michkov, after a sluggish start to the season, found his stride post-Olympic break, racking up six goals and 19 points in 25 games, including several multi-point outings. Michkov’s energy was on full display against Carolina, as he sparked the comeback with a crucial second-period goal, igniting the crowd. Just over two minutes later, Zegras tied it up on the power play, setting the stage for the shootout heroics.
Head coach Rick Tocchet, in his first year behind the bench, has been lauded for instilling a new culture and maximizing both veterans and young talent. “To me, it was the development of the team,” Tocchet explained. “Obviously the players are a part of it. It’s not about coming every day worrying about one player and developing that guy. Yeah, he’s a part of the process, but it’s how we do things around here and I really wanted the identity of a Flyer. It’s something that we’ve built on every day and we’re getting there. Long way to go, but it’s starting to come around.”
The Flyers’ defensive play has markedly improved from last season, a testament to Tocchet’s system and Vladar’s presence in net. After finishing tied for the Eastern Conference’s worst record just a year ago, the Flyers now boast a 42-27-12 mark and 96 points. Their resilience was on display all season, especially in the comeback against Carolina—overcoming early mistakes and a two-goal deficit to snatch victory and a playoff ticket.
The first-round matchup with the Pittsburgh Penguins promises fireworks. The rivalry reached a fever pitch during a heated December clash, and now, with playoff stakes on the line, the intensity is sure to skyrocket. The Flyers are 10-10 at home and 11-10 on the road against the Penguins in previous playoff meetings, holding a slight series edge, but history will take a back seat when the puck drops on April 18. The exact schedule for the series will be announced in the coming days.
As the Flyers wrap up the regular season against the Montreal Canadiens, the city is buzzing with anticipation. “Man, it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Tippett said. “All the doubters all year. We believed right from the start, right from training camp. It’s going to be a blast. We’re going to soak it all in, but the job’s not done.” For Philadelphia, the wait is finally over. Playoff hockey is back, and the Flyers are ready to write the next chapter in their storied rivalry with the Penguins.