Instant reactions: Flyers special teams SINKS bid to extend lead in Stanley Cup Playoff race

Mar 28, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar (80) makes a save on Detroit Red Wings left wing David Perron (57) in the second period at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

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The Philadelphia Flyers entered Thursday game in Detroit against the Red Wings with a two-point lead on the Columbus Blue Jackets and three up on the New York Islanders for the third seed in the Metropolitan Division playoff standings.

But through 40 minutes, some questionable calls, and some penalties that were just stupid, put the Flyers at a special teams disadvantage, as they surrendered three to Detroit’s power play and one short-handed. Porter Martone did get a PPG in the second to bring Philly within two, but Patrick Kane and Dylan Larkin ensured there would be no inspiring comeback.

The only good news to come out of tonight? The Blue Jackets lost in regulation to the Buffalo Sabres, so even with the Islanders winning, Philadelphia “controls its own destiny” in the final three games.

First period

Highlight: The Flyers controlled a lot of the beginning of the game before an ill-advised roughing minor against Matvei Michkov put the Red Wings on the power play. Dan Vladar made a great stop on Alex DeBrincat in-tight, but seconds later DeBrincat netted his 40th of the year to put Detroit up 1-0 just 2:28 into the first. After an unsuccessful power play of their own, Philly continued to attack Alex DeBrincat, including an unsuccessful Michigan attempt by Trevor Zegras that Ziggy initially thought went in.

CHRISTIAN DVORAK TIES IT! Dvo’s 18th goal (tying career-high) comes off of getting strong positioning in front and deflecting a Porter Martone slapper from the blueline through John Gibson to even the game at one goal apiece with 7:30 to go in the first.

What I want to see next period: Stay out of the freakin’ penalty box. The holding the stick minor called on Tyson Foerster could’ve (and should’ve) easily been ignored, but the unnecessary retaliation by Michkov caused the early deficit in a big game. In last week’s 4-2 loss to these Wings, the Flyers were the better team, except for a few crucial mistakes. Repeating that script is something I’d really like to see the Orange & Black avoid tonight.

Beyond that, keep firing at Gibson. The Flyers had some good chances early, and outshot Detroit 3-1 before the Michkov penalty, and won the shot battle 11-4 for the period. The Flyers would have had 27 seconds of power play time to start the second. Unfortunately, the officials decided to legislate an end-of-period scrum unevenly, taking both Martone and Rasmus Ristolainen from Philly, and only calling Lucas Raymond on the Detroit side. So it’ll be 4v4 and then about 90 seconds of power play time for the Red Wings. Officials certainly making an impact in this one!

Second period

Highlight: Well, the whole be smart thing didn’t come to fruition. After the dumb calls at the end of the first, Owen Tippett skated backwards directly into Gibson in the paint, taking him out and giving the Wings a two-man advantage, on which Detroit immediately cashed, with Mo Seider blasting one behind Vladar to re-take the lead. Dylan Larkin made it 3-1 in short order, scoring again on the one-man advantage. This is getting away from the Flyers again, despite having been the better 5v5 team.

Despite some weird officiating, the FLyers are getting power play chances, too, even getting their own 5-on-3 and 4 1/2 minutes into the second. BUT! After getting through the brief two-man disadvantage, the Flyers turn it over with five forwards on the power play and get burned by a Larkin short-handed goal, leading to the removal of Vladar and entrance of Sam Ersson.

Trailing 4-1, Martone buried a backdoor from Zegras for his second goal in six games in the NHL. Zegras’ 41st assist gives him a new career-high with 66 points, and he’s one assist away from tying his career-high of 42. The Flyers were on the power play, so now they’re 1/5 while Detroit is 3/4. And, of course, having surrendered a shortie, the power play is actually just even.

What I want to see next period: TRAVIS. KONECNY. He picked up a secondary assist on the Dvorak goal, but he has once again been mostly invisible. Their emotional leader and “straw that stirs the drink” needs to put a stamp on this game if the Flyers have a chance to at least get a point out of this disappointing first 40 minutes.

Third period

Highlight: There weren’t any, outside of the Sabres putting away the Blue Jackets in regulation.

Final note: This team is simply incapable of winning four straight. They’re 0/6 this season in attempts to turn a three-game streak into a four-gamer, losing all six in regulation. Going back to last season, the Flyers are 0-10-1 after winning the previous three games. This doesn’t seem possible. The good news is, with only three games left, the Flyers can win them all and get into the postseason regardless of what any other team does. They’re great at winning three. Four is the problem.

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