NHL playoff chances? Maybe it's time to think bigger with 2019-20 Flyers

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During the Flyers' 2019-20 resurgence, much has been made about the team's chances to make the playoffs.

Maybe it's time to think a little bigger.

The Flyers finished off a four-game regular-season sweep of the Blue Jackets with a 4-3 OT victory Thursday night at Nationwide Arena.

Not only is Alain Vigneault's team in third place of the Metropolitan Division, but it's also only five points off the pace of the Capitals and Penguins (see standings).

The Flyers (34-20-7), who were swept by Columbus last season, are 12-4-4 in the deep Metro after going 10-16-2 against divisional opponents last season.

Since Jan. 8, the Flyers are 12-5-1 with an NHL-high 64 goals. Only two NHL teams have more points than the Flyers' 25 during that stretch — the Lightning (31) and Bruins (27).

The Blue Jackets (30-19-13) have dropped seven straight games (0-3-4).

• How good has the Kevin Hayes addition looked in Year 1 of the center's seven-year, $50 million contract?

Hayes has been a force on the penalty kill, a savior to the depth down the middle and he's scoring goals.

The 27-year-old has 19 markers and is projected to break his career high of 25 set in 2017-18 after netting Thursday night's OT winner.

• Once again, Nicolas Aube-Kubel continued to cement his role with the Flyers. He was called up in mid-December out of sheer necessity and has become a fixture in the bottom six.

Aube-Kubel and Claude Giroux sparked the team's comeback from a 3-1 deficit. Giroux's goal came off a nasty shot, giving the captain 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in the last seven games following his season-worst four-game scoreless skid.

• The officiating was ... not great. 

During the second period, Eric Robinson appeared to board Mark Friedman, who went face-first into the wall. There was no whistle on the play.

Later in the stanza, Matt Niskanen did his best lumberjack impression by taking a hefty whack on Gustav Nyquist. Somehow, no whistle.

That seemed to be followed by a makeup call.

• The promising defensive pair of Travis Sanheim and Philippe Myers was strong for the second straight game.

• The first period was pretty crazy and here's why (see story).

• Shayne Gostisbehere's return is nearing and the Flyers have decisions ahead (see story).

• The Flyers return to the Wells Fargo Center for a three-game homestand in which they face the Jets Saturday (1 p.m. ET/NBCSP), Sharks next Tuesday (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP) and Rangers next Friday (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

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