Warning - Hockey Post

The Philadelphia Flyers have just one game left in the regular season, and it would really help their playoff chances if they beat the N.Y. Rangers on Saturday.

The Flyers can still clinch the third playoff spot in the division, either wild card spot, or miss the playoffs entirely. Here's how it shakes out, according to playoffstatus.com:

The Flyers will finish in the third spot in the division IF:

Flyers beats the Rangers in regulation or OT, and Blue Jackets lose to the Predators, and Devils lose to the Capitals; OR Flyers beat the Rangers in a shootout, and Devils lose to the Capitals, and Blue Jackets lose to the Predators in regulation.

Here's what needs to happen for the Flyers to get a wild-card playoff berth:

Flyers beat the Rangers, and Devils lose to the Capitals; OR Flyers beat the Rangers, and Blue Jackets lose to the Predators in regulation; OR Flyers lose to the Rangers in OT or in a shootout, and Devils lose to the Capitals in regulation; OR Flyers beat the Rangers in regulation or OT, and Blue Jackets lose to the Predators in OT or in a shootout; OR Flyers beat the Rangers OR Flyers lose to the Rangers in OT or in a shootout. So the Flyers need a win or end up tied after regulation against the Rangers to get into the playoffs. Got it? 

If the Flyers lose to the Rangers and the Panthers win their last two games, both teams finish with 96 points. The NHL says if two or more clubs are tied in points during the regular season, the standing of the clubs is determined in the following order: The fewer number of games played (i.e., superior points percentage).The greater number of games won, excluding games won in the Shootout.

So just beat the Rangers on Saturday, OK. If you could do that, that would be great. 

Flyers Captain Claude Giroux is having the best year of his career. His 31 goals and 68 assists put him second in the league in scoring. And he's played in every game this season, which is nearly impossible in the land of lower body injuries. He deserves serious consideration for the Hart Trophy, which goes to the league MVP. He still has a shot at the Ross Trophy, which goes to the league's top scorer. Either way, he's been fantastic.