Flyers continuing to “play for their lives”

Brayden Schenntold reporters”I think we all know we’re fighting for our lives right now,” following the Flyers’ clutch 4-2 victory over streaking Tampa Bay Monday night.

With a 10-pointhomestand now in the rearview, the Flyers have played themselves into prime position to, more or less control their own playoff destiny. If they can beat their division rivals and gather enough points over the next month, they could complete an improbably run for a playoff spot.

And that spot is the only thing that matters right now.

“What are we two back now?” Schenn asked.”We have to keep going. This is a fun time of the year for us to keep on battling and competing for a playoff spot. It’s not easy, were going to play a lot of good teams along the way and it’s nice to have a big win at home.”

After three days off the Flyers play the second of a home-and-home against Tampa Friday and then travel south to Sunshine to play the Panthers Saturday. They are the No. 1 and No. 2 teams atop the Atlantic Division.

And you can bet that when they’re not on the ice, they’ll be watching the Penguins and Red Wings closely, the duo they are chasing for the final Wild Card spot.

“Well I think everyone kind of knows where we’re at, but yeah I think guys scoreboard watch this time of year,” Schenn said.”Obviously you have to worry about yourself and winning your own games and getting the two points. At the end of the day you have to worry a little bit about what other teams are doing, too. We’ll enjoy this one right now, we have a few days off to recharge and it’s never easy going to Florida and trying to get four points there.”

After GM Ron Hextall decided not to make a trade deadline move, it united the Philly locker room even further. And the same sentiment — playoffs of bust — echoes throughout.

“We ended up 5 – 1 [on the homestand],” Sean Couturier said.”It’s good but at the same time, we still need to push. We can’t sit on that. We are out two games. We need to be ready. It’s going to be two tough games. If we want to make the playoffs, we need to go get some points here.”