Flyers Thump Blackhawks to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

Philadelphia scores five unanswered goals to defeat Chicago 5-1 and stay in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 7:49am

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The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 5-1 on Thursday night, scoring five unanswered goals to keep their playoff hopes alive in the Eastern Conference. Christian Dvorak, Noah Cates, and Alex Bump each had a goal and an assist for the Flyers, who have won six of their last eight games. Samuel Ersson made 25 saves for Philadelphia, while Spencer Knight stopped 37 shots for the Blackhawks.

Why it matters

The win keeps the Flyers in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, as they look to make a late-season push. For the Blackhawks, the loss further cements their position outside of the playoff picture, as they continue to rebuild for the future.

The details

The Flyers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first three minutes of the game, with Bump and Sean Couturier scoring on Chicago turnovers. Denver Barkey extended the lead to 3-0 in the second period, before Connor Bedard scored for the Blackhawks to cut the deficit. However, the Flyers responded with two more goals before the end of the second period to take a commanding 5-1 lead, which they would hold onto for the remainder of the game.

  • The game was played on Thursday, March 27, 2026.
  • The Flyers scored twice in the first three minutes of the game.

The players

Christian Dvorak

A forward for the Philadelphia Flyers who had a goal and an assist in the game.

Noah Cates

A forward for the Philadelphia Flyers who had a goal and an assist in the game.

Alex Bump

A forward for the Philadelphia Flyers who scored the opening goal of the game.

Samuel Ersson

The goaltender for the Philadelphia Flyers who made 25 saves in the game.

Connor Bedard

A forward for the Chicago Blackhawks who scored the team's only goal in the game.

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What they’re saying

“We must keep fighting and playing our game if we want to make the playoffs. This was a big win for us tonight.”

— Christian Dvorak, Forward, Philadelphia Flyers

What’s next

The Flyers will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Blackhawks, meanwhile, will try to regroup and find a way to get back into the postseason race.

The takeaway

The Flyers' decisive victory over the Blackhawks showcases their determination to remain in the playoff hunt, despite their earlier struggles this season. This game highlights the team's resilience and ability to capitalize on their opponent's mistakes, which will be crucial as they navigate the final stretch of the regular season.