The Flyers still control their own destiny heading into the final two games of the season.
And it all begins Saturday afternoon against the Penguins at the Wells Fargo Center (see game notes).
On a three-game losing streak, the orange and black face a must-win game against Pittsburgh. The playoff scenarios are wild and by puck drop, the Flyers will know if they can clinch their playoff berth with a win or if they'll have to win to live another day.
But the question is, would a playoff appearance expedite the Flyers' long-term plan?
"As far as from my chair, [I'm] not sure the playoffs would change a whole lot," Flyers general manager Ron Hextall said Thursday. "I think I know where we're at. You have to be careful as a manager judging in small increments. I'm not going to sit down at the end of the year and look at the last two months. I'm going to look at the whole year. That's how you evaluate your team and your players. You have to be really careful."
In his second season as GM, Hextall has proved to be conservative and even-keeled with a focus on the long term. He hasn't rushed his vision despite it being ahead of schedule.
This season has already been a success. The Flyers weren't expected to be where they are, with an opportunity to punch their ticket to the postseason. And the Flyers know it.
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"Tell us two months ago we'd be in this position, we would take it," Flyers captain Claude Giroux said after Thursday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Before this run over the last two months — 44 points since Jan. 27 — the Flyers were comfortably outside the playoff picture. Rookie defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere provided the only excitement around the hockey club, which made the future ever more appealing.
But since the All-Star break, the Flyers settled in under first-year head coach Dave Hakstol and began picking up points and making ground in the standings. Last weekend, they sat comfortably in the playoffs as long as they took care of their own business.
That didn't happen with three straight losses. Still, a roster not built for the postseason has picked up invaluable experience over the last two months.
"I think, quite honestly, I think it's more [valuable] for the players," Hextall said. "The experience, the players, the last month and a half has been valuable. I think if we can get into the playoffs, it's more valuable. Any time you're playing meaningful games late in the season, it's great experience. No matter who it is. The longer you go, the better it is. No question."