Red Wings stay alive in playoff race with win over Flyers

Dylan Larkin's hat trick powers Detroit's crucial victory in tight Eastern Conference wild card battle.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:23pm

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A fractured, geometric painting in bold primary colors depicting the action and movement of a hockey game, with players and the puck represented as abstract shapes and planes.A cubist interpretation of the Red Wings' crucial victory over the Flyers, capturing the intensity and energy of the game's key moments.NYC Today

The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 6-3 to keep their playoff hopes alive in the final week of the NHL regular season. Dylan Larkin led the way with a hat trick, while Alex DeBrincat scored his 40th goal of the season for the Wings. Goaltenders John Gibson and Cam Talbot combined for 25 saves in the win, which kept Detroit three points behind the Ottawa Senators for the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Why it matters

With just three games left, the Red Wings' playoff chances are hanging by a thread. This victory over the Flyers gives them a glimmer of hope, but they'll need to win out and get help from other teams to sneak into the postseason. The race for the final wild card spot in the East has been tight all season, and this win keeps Detroit's faint playoff dreams alive for at least a few more days.

The details

Larkin's hat trick, which included a pair of goals in the third period, powered the Red Wings' offense. DeBrincat's milestone 40th goal of the year was also a key contribution. In net, Gibson started but left with neck stiffness, allowing Talbot to come in and close out the victory. The win keeps Detroit three points behind Ottawa for the second wild card spot, with the Senators holding the tiebreaker.

  • The Red Wings defeated the Flyers on Thursday, April 10, 2026.
  • Detroit has three games remaining in the regular season.
  • Ottawa has three games left, including a season-ending home matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The players

Dylan Larkin

The Red Wings' captain, who recorded a hat trick in the crucial win over the Flyers.

Alex DeBrincat

The Red Wings forward who scored his 40th goal of the season, setting a new single-season franchise record.

John Gibson

The Red Wings' starting goaltender, who left the game with neck stiffness after making 13 saves on 15 shots.

Cam Talbot

The Red Wings' backup goaltender, who came in to relieve Gibson and stopped 12 of 13 shots to preserve the victory.

Ottawa Senators

The team currently holding the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, three points ahead of the Red Wings with three games to play.

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What they’re saying

“'Let's keep fighting for our lives'”

— Dylan Larkin, Red Wings captain

What’s next

The Red Wings will conclude the regular season with a home game against the New Jersey Devils, followed by road games against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers. The Senators will play their final three games on the road against the New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, and Toronto Maple Leafs. The Red Wings will need to win out and hope the Senators drop at least one game to have a chance at the second wild card spot.

The takeaway

This win keeps the Red Wings' playoff hopes alive, but their margin for error is razor-thin. They'll need to win their final three games and get help from other teams to sneak into the postseason. The race for the final wild card spot in the East has been intense all year, and this victory at least gives Detroit a chance to extend their season for a little while longer.