The Flyers have jumped out to a 3-1 series lead over Pittsburgh with plenty of contributions from unlikely sources. Four defensemen have goals, a fifth had two primary assists in a game, 16 players have a point in the postseason, and 13 of them have multiple points. Twelve different players have scored a goal in four games. It’s been a complete team effort to get to where they are now. With the fourth and final win the only obstacle between the Flyers and the second round, there are three Flyers in particular who need to answer the bell if they are to earn the next flight to Raleigh.
Tyson Foerster
Tyson Foerster can be excused to a degree. He’s worked so hard to rehabilitate and rejoin a team in the midst of a playoff push when it was expected that he’d be out for the season. Simply being in the lineup feels like a plus, and any contribution would surely feel like icing on the cake.
However, this is the playoffs. It’s time to win games. Foerster is averaging 17:39 of ice time in the series and has yet to appear anywhere on the scoresheet. He’s been on the scoring line with Owen Tippett and Trevor Zegras– two of the more impactful forwards in the series thus far — and has plenty of power play time. With just six shots on goal, Foerster isn’t using his best asset the way we’ve seen him do even just a few weeks ago. He could have been a little better in the board battles Saturday night, as well. He’ll be the only Flyer forward playing in Game 5 without a point in the series.
Tyson Foerster denied on a shorthanded chance. #Flyers pic.twitter.com/nZV4Wt56yi
— Flyers Nation (@FlyersNation) April 26, 2026
It isn’t worth being concerned about; Foerster was responsible for the Flyers’ second most Expected Goals in Game 4 and had two high-danger scoring opportunities. His expected goal share numbers look good for the series, save for Game 2, and was stopped on a shorthanded breakaway attempt in the Game 4 loss. He’s close to breaking through, and when he does, he could go on one of those goal scoring runs that good shooters tend to have. Despite this, head coach Rick Tocchet chose to swap him in the lineup with Denver Barkey. This could have an impact on the play-driving of his line, though it is making Foerster the primary shooter for Noah Cates– historically a good fit for him– a line he’s scored many goals with.
Travis Konecny
The spiritual leader of the Philadelphia Flyers has not had a bad series. It’s difficult to say anyone has, though you could make the argument for Matvei Michkov, though that’s a discussion for another time. It’s not to say that Konecny needs to be much better– sure, he could be Nathan Mackinnon– but more that he needs to keep going, and going, and going some more. His antics in Game 3 fully flipped the script on the Penguins. That’s called making an impact when the puck hasn’t been going in for you, and he was rewarded for his efforts with an absolute laser in Game 4.
TRAVIS KONNECTS.#PITvsPHI | #IgniteTheOrange pic.twitter.com/534CxifaEv
— x – Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) April 26, 2026
It could be the confidence boost he needs. Once again, this isn’t to say he’s been bad. Konecny is the leading scorer of the decade for the Flyers, and the offense goes through his line with Christian Dvorak and most importantly, Porter Martone. He’s played plenty physical, as well. If they’re going to close out a series win, Konecny is going to have to continue to play a big role. He did assume responsibility for the Kris Letang goal that ended up being the game winner despite being the one who answered back with a goal of his own. Whether he scores another big goal or not, Konecny is versatile enough to impact the game in a multitude of ways, and he’s got to keep his momentum rolling. He’s one of the experienced guys on the roster, and it’s time for one of the captains to steady the ship after a tough loss at home.
Dan Vladar
This could get interesting for the Flyers most valuable player. He’s been a rock all season with very few hiccups along the way. Game 3 ended with some uncertainty about his health, and then Vladar allowed a couple of goals that he’d like to have back in a Game 4 loss. That’s three of the last four goals he’s given up that aren’t exactly “un-saveable”, thinking back to the Erik Karlsson shot that leaked through his potentially uncomfortable blocker side. His puck-handling has been effective until the moment it wasn’t, though Tocchet suggested that was more of a miscommunication with the defense.
These aren’t necessarily “soft” goals, but if Game 5 doesn’t instill confidence in his health and the Flyers lose, the intrusive thoughts would get a little louder. It’s doubtful that Sam Ersson would check in for a suddenly dangerous sixth game unless Vladar lost a couple of limbs, but it would start to get sweaty in Philadelphia.
After the Flyers' first loss of the series on Saturday, Dan Vladar was adamant that they will be okay 🤝@RitasItalianIce pic.twitter.com/vyZMZYF0cq
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) April 26, 2026
Vladar can save everyone a whole lot of headache with a solid performance in Game 5– win or lose. If there’s anyone on the roster who can flush a game and move on, it’s him, and the Flyers need him now more than ever. He isn’t worried, he never is, and the Flyers could certainly have played a little tighter in front of him. With a .926 save percentage in the playoffs, and a stellar .996 percentage on low danger shots, he’s given them more than enough opportunity to win– no “soft” goals anywhere to be seen. It’s time to put the Penguins away for good in front of their home crowd.
