There was no grand unraveling. No meltdown. No exhale of relief from an exhausted team waiting for the season to end.
Instead, there was a hard-fought hockey game in a loud building, against a confident Montreal squad, where the Philadelphia Flyers held their own for good portions of the night. It was the kind of game they've played dozens of times this season—gritty, honest, and tooth-and-nail until the final horn.
But when that final horn sounded at the Bell Centre, the reality settled in.
The Flyers are officially eliminated from playoff contention.
This wasn't how they envisioned it, especially after the small glimmer of hope that looked to be instilled across the team and fans after rattling off three straight wins under interim head coach Brad Shaw, playing with the kind of looseness and fire that made people think maybe—just maybe—they'd will themselves over the line.
But playoff math is unforgiving. And on this night, the margins were just as slim as they've always been.
1. A Familiar Fight, A Familiar Finish
The Flyers didn’t get caved in. In fact, for long stretches, they played some of their best structured hockey of the last two weeks. But if there’s a theme to this final portion of the season, it’s this: they play close, they push late, but they can’t quite get over the hump.
Montreal struck twice in the second period to put the Flyers in a hole, and though Philadelphia responded with goals from Ryan Poehling and Tyson Foerster, they couldn’t close the gap after giving up the third.
It’s been the story too often—strong effort, plenty of heart, but not enough finish.
Still, the compete level hasn’t wavered, and that matters. This wasn’t a team going through the motions in a lost season. This was a group still in the fight, trying to scrape out wins for each other, for pride, for what’s ahead. That philosophy was evident tonight, even in defeat.
2. Ryan Poehling Stays Hot—and Continues to Make His Case
If this final stretch of the season is part audition, part evaluation, no one’s doing more to boost their stock than Ryan Poehling.
His first-period goal—scored against the team that drafted him, no less—was his eighth goal in 11 games and a continuation of the fast, physical, purposeful style of play he’s brought since being bumped into a bigger role.
Ryan Poehling opens up the scoring against his former team 🚨
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 5, 2025
📺: Canadians vs. Flyers live on SNE or stream on Sportsnet+ pic.twitter.com/uGU3gW9boI
It’s not just the goals, although those have helped a team desperately in need of finish. It’s the way he’s killing penalties, winning races, throwing his body around. He’s playing with energy and conviction, like a guy who isn’t just trying to make an impression—he’s trying to earn his place long-term.
For a team with a lot of questions heading into the offseason, Poehling’s performance has been a welcome clarity. He looks like someone who belongs.
3. Ersson Delivers Again—Despite the Result
If there was any worry about how Sam Ersson would handle the weight of this stretch, he’s put those doubts to bed over and over. And tonight was no ...
