In early December the Flyers had lost 10 straight and fallen to the bottom of the Metropolitan Division. Only two NHL teams had a worse record.
That gives Saturday’s accomplishment some needed perspective.
A little over four months after they became an NHL laughingstock, the Flyers earned a berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
No joke. They clinched a playoff spot with a Claude Giroux-orchestrated 5-0 wipeout of the New York Rangers.
“We always had the goal to be in and fight for our right for the Cup,” goalie Brian Elliott said after his easy 17-save shutout.