Not that it was the way the Flyers had it pre-arranged, but if they reach the playoffs now it will be one, and only one way: Hot.

And hot works once the win-or-perish rounds begin.

No, they are not challenging the Miami Heat for the most consistent team of the winter, nor are they anything but a last-place team (still) in the Atlantic Division. But they have collected six points over their last five games, and are on a two-game winning streak after a 5-4 overtime victory Sunday over visiting Washington.

They have the No. 1 NHL power play, a useful goaltender in Ilya Bryzgalov, and a look on the face of Claude Giroux that says, well, that maybe he is in a mood to realize Peter Laviolette's projection of him as the best player in the world.

“I think everybody has a good understanding of where we sit and what we are capable of,” Peter Laviolette was saying before the game Sunday. “But I don't think it changes from a week ago or two weeks ago or a month ago: We need to win hockey games. I think guys are ready to play.”

 

They were.

 

And with 13 games left, they have to remain that way.

 

But if so, they will roll --- not back --- into the postseason, where momentum usually helps.

 

Check out my column on the Flyers' sudden rejuvenation in the Daily Times Monday and, as always, on delcotimes.com