/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn-tor.buminteractif.com%2F2026%2F04%2Fd8c4d760-abe0-4704-97b0-e477f960a769.jpg)
It was a quiet Friday night in the National Hockey League, with only two games on the schedule.
One of them directly involved two teams in the Eastern Conference playoff race, while the other featured two teams from the Western Conference.
Here's what we took away from those two games.
1. The Flyers are one point away from the playoffs
Who would have thought a few weeks ago that the Philadelphia Flyers would be so good that they'd put themselves back in the playoff race?
Not many people would have believed it or even considered it, but that's exactly the case, as the Flyers are right in the thick of the race for a spot in the spring tournament.
Last night was a must-win game for the Flyers as they faced the New York Islanders, who sit third in the Metropolitan Division with 89 points.
The Flyers, who had 86 points before last night's game, simply had no choice but to win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
And that's exactly what they did, winning 4-1 in New York.
It's Friday night but the bank's still open for Michkov.
#PHIvsNYI | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/nHsRSYvRZ4
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) April 4, 2026
And this, despite all of Matthew Schaefer's efforts to get his team back in the game.
Matthew Schaefer just made not one, not two, but THREE empty-net saves with his goalie pulled.
This kid has so much heart. pic.twitter.com/vVDVjKjl2r
— NHL (@NHL) April 4, 2026
In short, the Flyers dealt the Islanders a major blow with this victory, as they now trail Patrick Roy's squad by one point with a game in hand.
2. The Blues knock the Ducks down in the standings
Unlike the thrilling and exciting playoff race in the East, the one in the West is truly pitiful, as it's a battle to see which team will be the least mediocre.
The race is so lackluster and uncompetitive that teams we thought were out of the running are back in the mix.
Indeed, the St. Louis Blues, who are on a hot streak, are now just three points out of the playoffs after beating the Anaheim Ducks 6-2 last night.
Broberg
Thomas
Wow. pic.twitter.com/sujqc3499o
— NHL (@NHL) April 4, 2026
As a result, the Blues dealt a blow to the Ducks, who slipped to second place in the Pacific Division behind the Edmonton Oilers with this loss.
Overtime
– Here are yesterday's results.
The @NHLFlyers and @StLouisBlues are on the outside looking in for the 2026 #StanleyCup Playoffs, but they boosted their chances and collected two crucial points with regulation wins on the road. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/tmaujoNaVB
— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) April 4, 2026
– Here are yesterday's top scorers.
– Today's NHL schedule: 15 games.
