The Flyers couldn’t clinch a playoff spot Friday night as they went down to the New York Rangers 4-3. The loss means a spot in the playoffs will likely be on the line Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Wachovia Center with another game against the Rangers.
The Rangers victory ties them with the Flyers at 86 points and also puts them neck and neck for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Both teams are fighting against Boston and Montreal for the final three spots in the race for the cup. Boston and Montreal are currently tied at 87 points.
The Flyers can still back their way into the playoffs if they lose in overtime or if the Rangers win a shootout. But that's only if Montreal and Boston lose their remaining games. The Flyers could end up finishing anywhere from sixth to the dreaded ninth spot in the East.
Marian Gaborik broke a 3-3 second-period tie beating Flyers goalie Brian Boucher. The goal came off a Chris Pronger turnover in the Philadelphia zone and deflected off defenseman Matt Carle’s stick into the back of the net.
The Flyers took an early lead in the game when Mike Richards scored just 40 seconds into the game. Richards added another goal in the second-period that tied the game at three before Gaborik’s winner. Danny Briere scored the other goal for the Fly Guys.
On a bright note, the Flyers leading goal-scorer, Jeff Carter, returned after missing eight games with a broken left foot.
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The Flyers have been in a tailspin towards the end of the season only winning three of their last 11 games.
