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Flyers can only focus on what's ahead this weekend

STANDING in the hallway outside the Gene Hart press box, Flyers general manager Ron Hextall pointed out that any meaningful game at this stage of the season is good experience.

STANDING in the hallway outside the Gene Hart press box, Flyers general manager Ron Hextall pointed out that any meaningful game at this stage of the season is good experience.

Well, the Flyers are about to have a very educational weekend.

Thursday night's loss to the Maple Leafs, the NHL's worst team, would have been more dismal if not for Wayne Simmonds' goal in the final minute. The point the Flyers earned by forcing overtime allowed them to maintain control of their postseason hopes, albeit precariously.

The Flyers spent most of the previous five weeks building a beautiful garden to grow their playoff hopes. They've spent the past week shoveling manure all over it. Philadelphia has been outscored, 13-5, during a three-game losing streak and hasn't led in a game since Saturday - before Villanova destroyed Oklahoma.

There are a few permutations for the Flyers to get into the postseason. The easiest is if they beat Pittsburgh on Saturday and either or both Detroit and Boston lose their games in regulation. Detroit visits the Rangers and Boston hosts Ottawa at 12:30 p.m.; the Flyers host Pittsburgh at 3 p.m. The Penguins flattened the Flyers, 6-2, Sunday.

The Flyers also could be eliminated Saturday. They also could get in when they visit the Islanders in the season finale on Sunday. Circus music, please.

That Islanders game is at the Barclays Center, where Villanova's magical run started. Maybe the 'Cats left some magic there. This time a week ago, who'da thought the Flyers would need it?

"As much as it stings right now, we've got to have really short memories," Flyers defenseman Mark Streit said. "We can be (ticked) off for the next hour or so, but then we have to put it aside and focus on that game against Pittsburgh. That's all we can do. We have it in our hands."

@EdBarkowitz