Tyson Foerster returns to Philadelphia Flyers' lineup in time for playoff push

Tyson Foerster isn't going to miss the rest of the regular season after all.

Foerster will return to the Flyers' lineup Thursday night for a pivotal clash with the Red Wings at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

The Flyers and Red Wings, both with 86 points, are battling for a playoff spot. Both teams are on the outside looking in, trailing the Blue Jackets by two points for the Eastern Conference's third and final wild-card spot with eight games left. Philadelphia and Detroit both have a game in hand over Columbus, which has seven games remaining.

The orange and black could also squeak into the postseason by jumping the New York Islanders (89 points) in the Metropolitan Division. The Flyers haven't made the NHL playoffs since the 2019-20 season.

Foerster injured his arm after unleashing a one-timer in the Flyers' 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Dec. 1. He immediately left the game after taking the slapper. His initial timeline to return was two to three months, but the injury later required surgery.

The Flyers announced that Foerster's surgery would keep him out for five months, but the winger's recovery was ahead of schedule.

The 24-year-old was the Flyers' leading goal scorer at the time of his injury, with 10 in 21 games.

Foerster skated on a line with Trevor Zegras and Owen Tippett on the first line during the Flyers' morning skate Thursday, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia's Jordan Hall.

Foerster's return is welcome news to the Flyers' playoff push. The 2020 second-round pick has developed into one of the team's top two-way players and plays on both special teams units.

Porter Martone, the sixth overall pick in 2025, appears to be back with Travis Konecny and Christian Dvorak for his second career game.