3 Most Important Games Left on the Philadelphia Flyers' Schedule

The Philadelphia Flyers have played some of their best hockey this last week, winning four of the last five games.

But is the positive swing coming a bit too late?

Since the team trails the New York Rangers and New York Islanders for the seventh and eighth playoff spots, respectively, in the Eastern Conference, the Flyers will need to win a majority of their 10 remaining games this season for any hope at the postseason.

Every game is now do or die, but the Flyers have three important, must-win matchups remaining on their schedule.

Here are those three upcoming games.

1. April 9 vs. New York Islanders

The Flyers will be looking to bounce back from a horrible trip to Winnipeg this past Saturday, where Philly played one of its worst periods of hockey this season, eventually losing to the Jets, 4-1.

The loss ended a four-game winning streak and placed the team five points behind the New York Islanders for the eighth playoff spot.

Now the Flyers will have to travel to Uniondale, N.Y. and face the very team they are chasing.

Luckily, the Flyers have played the Isles well this season, going 1-0-1 on the season series. In the teams' first matchup, Philly erupted for seven goals and Ilya Bryzgalov saved all 19 shots he faced to tally is 30th career shutout.

In Philly's last game against its cross-state rivals, the Flyers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead and were flying high. But much like the theme of the team's season, Philadelphia failed to play a full 60-minute game and the Islanders would end up winning in a shootout.

Not only is this game important for playoff implications, but it will be an excellent judge of character for this Flyers team. How will Philly respond after a letdown game, and can they win on the road this late in the season?

If the Flyers want to begin another hot streak and make a run at the postseason, it will have to start tonight against the Islanders.

2. April 16 vs. New York Rangers

Over the past couple of seasons, the New York Rangers have owned the Philadelphia Flyers, including last year's series sweep.

And this year is no different.

The Flyers have lost three in a row to their rivals, after an impressive 2-1 victory early in the season. Rangers superstar forward Rich Nash has dominated the series with four goals and two assists while compiling 12 shots on goal.

Philly must now try and contain Nash while attempting to break Henrik Lundqvist, one of the best goaltenders in the league—a tall order for any team.

With the Flyers currently trailing the seventh-seeded Rangers by five points, a win against N.Y. would boost morale and tighten the playoff-race gap.

3. April 18 vs. New Jersey Devils

Last season's playoff-series loss to the New Jersey Devils will sting the Flyers for many years, but now may be Philly's chance at redemption.

This year, the Devils began the season incredibly hot but have recently struggled to win games, losing 10 of their last 12. Yet the Flyers remain three points below N.J. in the Eastern Conference standings, making the Devils another rival the Flyers are chasing for a playoff spot.

Unfortunately, like the Rangers, the Devils have won three of four meetings against Philadelphia this season. In fact, the Flyers own a miserable 4-8-2 record against all Atlantic Division foes, largely contributing to a letdown this season. 

If the Flyers have any shot at making the playoffs, they must win these important games against their rivals. All three teams will be battling for the seventh and eighth spots in the East until the last horn blows, making it crucial for Philly to be on the winning side.

Go Flyers!