(Kate Frese/SB Nation)
By Jeff Quake, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Probably the biggest question the Philadelphia Flyers face is will they make the playoffs?
The Flyers currently sit in the second wildcard position in the Eastern Conference with 56 points, two points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets. However, they are close behind the Pittsburgh Penguins with 59 points, the New Jersey Devils with 58 points and the Metropolitan division-leading Washington Capitals, who have 65 points, certainly not a runaway for the division title with so many teams in playoff position in the Metro.
But in order for there to be playoff hockey again in Philadelphia, a few things need to happen for the Flyers.
For being the second overall pick from last year’s NHL draft, Nolan Patrick has not lived up to the expectations like everyone had hoped he would in his rookie year. On the bright side, Patrick has certainly looked much better as of late before heading into the All-Star break.
The 19-year-old only has 11 points in 40 games played. But the rookie now has two goals and one assist in his last six games, and he is averaging roughly 12 minutes of ice time per game. Patrick was also promoted to the Flyers second line, centering Jakub Voracek and Wayne Simmonds.
The goal of the line jump for Patrick is similar to the one for Travis Konecny, who had been struggling as well, but got a much-needed spark by getting put on the top line with Claude Giroux and Sean Couturier. During the final stretch, Patrick could help spark the Flyers’ lineup and produce some added scoring.
There are 32 games remaining in the 2017-18 season, and 15 of those games are against teams in their division. The Metropolitan Division is the clearly stronger division in the East this season, and will have five representatives in the playoffs with only three teams on pace to make it out of the Atlantic. The margin within the Metro is so close that no team will clinch a playoff spot until late in the season.
The Flyers will play their final 32 games of the regular season over a span of 66 nights. There will be no more four-night breaks in the schedule and only one more three-night break, so endurance will be big and so will injuries and surviving them.
As long as the Flyers have consistent goaltending, cut down on giveaways on defense and play at a consistent level, especially in four-point divisional games, they should be in a position to claim one of the final playoff spots when April hits.
For the "Musical Chairs Division," any team could make the playoffs. The difference between second and seventh is four points, so expect a lot of shuffling in the standings in the next few weeks. No matter what three teams will be out of the playoff picture when the season ends in early April. Which three will be out when the music stops?
