Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals and added two assists for a four-point game, as the Avalanche held off a frantic Flyers rally in the third for a 7-4 decision on Saturday afternoon at Wells Fargo Center.
Less than two minutes into the third period, a miscommunication changed the outlook, allowing the Devils to get ahead and grab the lead and never look back. The Flyers continued to put forth the effort, but fell short in a 3-2 loss to the Devils on Saturday night at Wells Fargo Center.
The games continue for the Flyers with the final game of a four-game series with the New Jersey Devils. The series closes on Saturday night in Philadelphia.
As the Flyers face the Devils for the third time this week, a loss of any kind by the Flyers and a win of any kind by the Boston Bruins against the Buffalo Sabres will officially eliminate the Flyers from playoff contention.
The Flyers dropped Tuesday's game to the Devils by a score of 6-4, snapping New Jersey's 10-game winless streak. Coupled with a win for the Boston Bruins, it reduced their tragic number to be officially eliminated from playoff contention to a combination of three points gained by the Bruins or lost by the Flyers.
The four-game series between the Flyers and Devils now heads to New Jersey for the next two games, starting with Tuesday night's game, as both teams begin their final two weeks of play for the 2020-21 season.
After playing deep into the third period with relatively uninspired play, two quick goals by the captain turned the game around and forced overtime. Following the overtime, Kevin Hayes scored the game-winning goal in the sixth round, giving the Flyers a 4-3 come-from-behind win over the Devils on Sunday night at Wells Fargo Center.
Five of the nine remaining games, including the next four in a row, will come against the New Jersey Devils, who come to Philadelphia on Sunday night for the first game.