Instant reactions: Porter Martone’s first Flyers goal is OT winner

Apr 2, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Porter Martone (94) celebrates with teammates after assisting a goal against the Detroit Red Wings in the third period at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images Watch PHLY Flyers Postgame The Philadelphia Flyers got all the help they could ask for on Saturday, with all of the Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets losing in regulation, meaning if the Orange & Black come away from this matchup with a single point, they’ll be the third seed in the Metropolitan Division. Two points in a win gives Philly a lead on that playoff spot by both points and points-percentage, and puts them two up on their wild card competition, as well (at least pending other action today).

The luck continued early Sunday, with the Minnesota Wild fighting off a third period comeback by the Detroit Red Wings to beat them in regulation, as well, setting the stage for a very productive afternoon faceoff with Boston, if the Flyers can just squeeze a win out of this game. Philly got off to a great start, controlling much of the first period, limiting Boston’s chances, and taking a 1-0 lead into intermission thanks to a great Porter Martone breakout pass springing Christian Dvorak on a 2-on-1 with Travis Konecny. First period Highlight: What a pass by Porter Martone to send Christian Dvorak on a 2-on-1 with Travis Konecny!

Dvorak skated the puck through the neutral zone and elected to take the shot, giving Philly a 1-0 lead! Rasmus Ristolainen picked up a puck out of traffic behind the Flyers net and fed it to Martone along the wall, and Martone deftly made a one-touch redirect breakout pass, leading Dvorak in-stride to start the rush, and Dvo let it rip from the top of the RW circle for his 17th of the year. Hell of a start for the Flyers, who end the period applying pressure in Boston’s zone, outshooting the Bruins 6-3 in the frame.

Although he only faced three shots in the period, Dan Vladar was also a highlight, making a big pokecheck to deny David Pastrnak a chance alone in front after a Trevor Zegras turnover at the top of the zone looked like serious trouble. Vladar was also aggressive moving the puck ahead, electing to send a few long passes into the neutral zone for his forwards rather than letting his defensemen handle the breakout a couple of times. Love the urgency from the #1 netminder.