Dave Isaac

@davegisaac

PHILADELPHIA — If, by some chance, the Flyers end up making the playoffs, it will be their shootout-against-the-Rangers moment, a la their storybook playoff run in 2010.

Goalie Michal Neuvirth dove from his left to his right in a full Superman pose, both arms extended in desperation. Three seconds left on the clock up a goal and somehow the puck met his stick and bounced into the crease.

At least that’s what the referees decided after reviewing the play. The Minnesota Wild, including Charlie Coyle, who shot the puck, had all their arms raised.

“I was a little bit worried because they checked it, but then on the big screen you could tell that it probably didn’t cross the line,” defenseman Mark Streit said. “Huge relief for us and a big win.”

By virtue of the save, and perhaps a little luck, the Flyers’ season is still alive after a 3-2 victory over the Wild.

More good fortunes fell the Flyers’ way when the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets blew out the New Jersey Devils. A playoff spot is three points away thanks to a highlight-reel save and a loss by the Devils.

“Especially with the timing, it’s got to be one of the best saves I’ve ever made,” Neuvirth said.

“I never give up on the puck and it worked out this time. I’m really happy we closed out the game. We’ve been having tough times in the last seconds to close out games. We found a way tonight.”

The Flyers still fighting for their postseason lives as Monday’s trade deadline looms. General manager Ron Hextall has vowed he won’t be a “buyer,” but hasn’t said anything about being a “seller.”

Two players that might be commodities come Monday around 3 p.m., Streit and Sam Gagner, both scored in the win.

Many teams would probably like to have Neuvirth, whose .927 save percentage is one of the best in the league, but Hextall says he has no interest in moving him.

“I haven’t thought about (the trade deadline). Thanks for reminding me,” said Streit, whose power-play goal in the second period gave the Flyers a 2-1 lead. “I knew there was a game (against the Calgary Flames). I don’t know. I went through it a few times. It’s part of it. Honestly, I’m just happy about the win. I’m getting rest now and get ready for Saturday and then move on. I don’t really think about it. It’s part of the business, but I can’t control it anyway.”

The 38-year-old defenseman has one year left on his contract after this season and can still run a power play, which might be an attractive attribute to a contending team. He’d rather stay here though and continue the playoff push, hoping the Flyers can re-create their 2010 fairytale.

Thursday night didn’t seem magical until the last seconds of the game. Minnesota pushed back after Gagner scored his second goal in three games, crashing the net from his new position at left wing to pot a rebound behind Devan Dubnyk, who made 28 saves.

“Yeah, left wing is a little new for me but you’ve got to find ways to take every opportunity you’re given and kind of run with it,” Gagner said. “Especially at this time of year you’ve got to get to the net. That’s where goals are scored in this league.”

Thomas Vanek tied the game on a Wild power play in the second period, a fantastic tip of a Jared Spurgeon shot behind Neuvirth, who made 24 saves. After Streit’s goal gave the Flyers the lead, the Wild countered with a Mikael Granlund tally.

It wasn’t until Pierre-Edouard Bellemare dove to score the game-winner as he was being cross-checked by Jarret Stoll for his first goal in 32 games, that the Flyers had enough offense to win.

“I’m just trying to look where the puck comes. I see it come through his legs and I just (dove) for it,” Bellemare said. “I had absolutely no idea until five seconds after the puck went in that it was actually a goal. That’s why I was so surprised.”

With the goal, and a remarkable save, the Flyers are still alive.

Just like Streit, Gagner would rather stay make the playoffs than be traded by Monday, even though first-year coach Dave Hakstol hasn’t given him much of a chance this season. If Claude Giroux, who missed his third straight game of the season, were in the lineup, Gagner may not have been on the top line.

“It’s something that is obviously there,” Gagner, a nine-season veteran who has never made the playoffs, said of the trade deadline. “When you are in a playoff race and you’re in a role where I am getting a chance to play here and trying to help the team win games, it kind of allows you to pull your focus on that and we play a lot of hockey games. It’s nice to be able to focus on those things as opposed to thinking about Monday.”

Dave Isaac; (856) 486-2479;disaac@gannettnj.com.

FLYERS 3, WILD 2

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When: 1 p.m., Saturday

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