The Flyers entered Saturday with their playoff hopes up in the air, but got a definite answer on whether or not their season will be extended.
A two-goal effort from Wayne Simmonds, combined with a defensive shutdown of a depleted Pittsburgh Penguins team that had stifled them all season, helped guide the Flyers (39-27-14) to a 3-1 win over the Penguins, avoiding a season series sweep.
More importantly, they claimed a berth in the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs, just narrowly edging Boston out for the final playoff spot.
Simmonds first put the Flyers on the board with 1:03 to play in the first, off of a one-timer from Jakub Voracek in front of the net. He tipped in his second goal with 3:02 left in the second stanza, off of a Shayne Gostisbehere shot from the blueline.
The Flyers' defense was able to hold steady in front of Steve Mason, and allowed just 19 shots all game. — nine of which came over the course of the second and third periods, respectively. Mason saved 18 of them, allowing just one goal to Nick Bonino at 11:57 of the first stanza.
With 58 seconds to play, the Orange and Black snagged an insurance marker, courtesy of an empty-net tally from Pierre-Edouard Bellemare.
Matt Murray had saved all 11 shots he faced, before a collision with Brayden Schenn led to his exit from the game. He would not return, and Jeff Zatkoff was left to carry the rest of the weight for the Penguins (48-25-8). Zatkoff finished with a 34-save effort, and was saddled with the loss.
Of course, the Flyers did get some help by virtue of a late change to the Penguins' lineup. Impact players like Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and Olli Maatta were all scratched prior to the game, giving them some extra rest ahead of the playoffs. Nonetheless, the Flyers were still able to capitalize.
The Orange and Black had full control of their playoff fate entering the game, as the Bruins and Detroit Red Wings each lost their final games of the season on Saturday. They needed two points — either against the Penguins today or the New York Islanders tomorrow — in order to snag the Eastern Conference's final wild card spot. Ultimately, they got the full two points against the Pens, and were able to secure their first playoff berth since 2014.
The Flyers conclude their regular season tomorrow in Brooklyn, and will have several days of rest before the playoffs start on Wednesday. They will begin their pursuit of the Stanley Cup on the road, against the Presidents' Trophy-champion Washington Capitals.
Rob Riches is a contributor to Flyerdelphia and Sports Talk Philly. Follow him on Twitter @Riches61
