Friday’s game is a big one for the Philadelphia Flyers and their playoff push. At this point, calling it a must-win game is redundant. Every game from now until the end of the season is a must-win until the standings say otherwise.

A loss will make the Flyers’ task even more difficult. After falling two points behind the Senators and Red Wings on Thursday, Philly is beginning to fall behind in the Wild Card hunt. A loss in Friday’s game will set them even further back, and make it a difficult task to make up ground with 6 games afterward – three of which against legit contenders.

Again, we all know it’s a must-win game for the Flyers. Friday’s game will be helpful for more than one reason. Yeah, getting the points is the task at hand. But a win against the New York Islanders will help clarify their path to the playoffs.

The Wild Card will remain a possibility throughout the season. However, the Red Wings and Senators will each have a game in hand on the Flyers after Friday. Even if they tie in points, Philly will be third in that group because they’ll have played more games.

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The Flyers’ path to the playoffs is clear: get the Metropolitan 3rd seed

A win against the Islanders would put the Flyers just a point behind them in the standings. The Islanders currently hold the No. 3 seed in the Metropolitan Division. At 89 points, they have a one-point lead on the Blue Jackets and three on Philly.

If the Flyers win in regulation on Friday, they’ll be just a point back with a game in hand. They’ll also be even with the Blue Jackets, who have a treacherous ending schedule.

To me, a win on Friday makes the Flyers’ path to the playoffs as clear as it’s been. It’s not the Wild Card. If Philadelphia wants to sneak its way into the postseason, it will more than likely be through the Metropolitan.

Puck drop between the Flyers and Islanders is at 7:00 p.m. EST at UBS Arena, broadcast on NBC Sports Philadelphia+ and NHL Network.

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