Flyers Clinch First Playoff Berth in 6 Years with Shootout Win Over Canes

Tyson Foerster scored the decisive goal in the extra round of the shootout to give Philadelphia the victory.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:04am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game, with the players and rink deconstructed into abstract shapes and angles, capturing the energy and motion of the sport.The Flyers' dramatic shootout victory over the Hurricanes showcases the raw intensity and competitive spirit of professional hockey.Philadelphia Today

The Philadelphia Flyers clinched their first playoff appearance since 2020 with a 3-2 shootout win over the Carolina Hurricanes in the penultimate game of the regular season for both teams. Tyson Foerster scored the only goal of the shootout, which featured an extra round, to give the Flyers the victory after they rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the second period.

Why it matters

The Flyers' playoff berth ends a six-year drought and marks a significant turnaround for the franchise, which has struggled in recent seasons. The Hurricanes, meanwhile, have already clinched the top spot in the Eastern Conference despite the loss.

The details

Matvei Michkov and Trevor Zegras scored in regulation for the Flyers, who have won five of their last six games. Dan Vladar made 24 saves and stopped all four of Carolina's shootout attempts. Nikolaj Ehlers had a goal and an assist, and Bradly Nadeau also scored for the Hurricanes, who rested several key players in anticipation of the playoffs.

  • The game was played on April 13, 2026.
  • The Flyers clinched their first playoff berth since 2020 with the win.

The players

Tyson Foerster

The Flyers forward scored the only goal of the shootout to give Philadelphia the win.

Matvei Michkov

The Flyers forward scored a goal in regulation to help the team rally from a 2-0 deficit.

Trevor Zegras

The Flyers forward scored a power-play goal in the second period to tie the game at 2-2.

Dan Vladar

The Flyers goaltender made 24 saves and stopped all four of Carolina's shootout attempts.

Nikolaj Ehlers

The Hurricanes forward had a goal and an assist in the game.

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What they’re saying

“We've been working hard all season to get back to the playoffs, and it's a great feeling to finally get there. This team has a lot of heart and we're not done yet.”

— Tyson Foerster, Flyers forward

What’s next

The Flyers will now prepare for their first playoff appearance in six years, while the Hurricanes will continue to rest key players ahead of the postseason.

The takeaway

The Flyers' playoff berth is a testament to the team's resilience and determination after several tough seasons. Their comeback win over the top-seeded Hurricanes shows they have the talent and grit to make a deep playoff run.