How the Flyers unnecessarily pulling their goalie in a tie game ended up costing multiple NHL teams a playoff spot
It was the scenario we were all hoping for, mostly for the drama: the Philadelphia Flyers needed to beat the Washington Capitals but ONLY in regulation on Tuesday.
Otherwise, Philly was out, and some of that might open the door for the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins to grab the second Wild Card spot in the East.
Here’s the thing: the Red Wings went to overtime against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday BEFORE the end of the Flyers game, which eliminated Philly on the spot. But John Tortorella and the Flyers didn’t know that. So in a tie game, the scenario we wanted happened — in a tie game, Philly pulled its goalie, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS UNNECCSSARY! — and the Capitals scored to win the contest.
The kicker: that unnecessary move ended up costing the Red Wings and Penguins a chance at the playoffs, too.
WHEW. Here’s what Torts had to say:
THE FLYERS DIDN'T KNOW THEY WERE ALREADY ELIMINATED SO THEY PULLED THEIR GOALIE AND THE CAPS SCORED
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— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) April 17, 2024
The Flyers did not know they were already eliminated from the playoff race and pulled their goalie, resulting in the Red Wings and Penguins being eliminated
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— Everything Hockey (@EHClothing) April 17, 2024
1:50 in, Tortorella addresses timing of his goalie pull and Red Wings tying goal in Montreal. Says he did not know Detroit had gone to overtime (thus eliminating Flyers) until after Capitals scored https://t.co/PWKmc3NFRi
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) April 17, 2024
Wild. Just wild.