The Flyers Twisty And Turvy Season Could End In The Most Hilarious Way
Just like they drew it up, right?
When the Flyers exited the month of November, they sat in last place. The reason wasn’t because of a poor start to the season. No. It was because of a poor month of November.
After going 6-5-1 to start the season, the Flyers had a month of November to forget. They went 2-5-6 in November and ended the month on a 10-game losing streak.
However, during that losing streak, not one player, coach, or executive gave up and knew they would be able to turn it around since it was so early in the season.
“I still believe we’re a playoff team.” GM Ron Hextall said before the Flyers 8th straight loss.
“Ten games you never thought you would be part of anything like that but nobody feels sorry for us. Obviously everything we touch right now turns to S**T.” Jake Voracek said after the Flyers 10th straight loss.
“You just gotta be real. We’re all professionals in this room. We gotta realize that what we’re doing is not good enough. Whatever anyone says, you can’t take it personal. You just gotta try and get better.” Wayne Simmonds said after the Flyers 10th straight loss.
And what did the Flyers do? Well, they had what I like to call a guys trip to Western Canada.
After the Flyers lost their 10th straight, they went on the road for a 3-game road-trip to western Canada to face Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver. What better way to hash it out and get better than a trip with the boys.
It was at this moment that the Flyers season turned around.
Over the next 3 months, the Flyers were the hottest team in the NHL. They went 26-8-3 after losing their 10th straight to Boston on December 2nd. And, how it got started was all because of that trip out west where the Flyers came together and figured it out.
But, even with this impressive turn-around, have the Flyers been that impressive throughout the season? Are they leading in any categories? Are they even in the top 10?
Well, no, not really. When you look at the Flyers stats, they are actually one of the most average NHL teams this season. They are in the middle of almost every NHL stat for teams. (11-20 range) Which makes their recovery and playoff caliber season so hilarious.
Teams battle each and every year to be at the top of NHL stat lines to show their dominance. But, the Flyers, and the whole city of Philadelphia, have a different approach to that. Philadelphia doesn’t care about being a-top of the stat leaderboards. No. They just care about winning games.
Other than face-off win %, 2nd in league, and penalty kill, 29th in the league, the Flyers are in the dead middle of the pack. The Flyers are tied for 13th in points, tied for 13th in scoring, 18th in goals allowed, 18th in power-play, and 17th in shots-per-game. So, to say this Flyers team has been dominant, is a little over-achievement.
Now, yes at times the Flyers have been dominant. However, for the most part, this Flyers season has been average at best. Which is why this season is so funny. But, what could make this more hilarious? The Flyers could be so basic in more ways than one if the last 3 games go their way.
If the Flyers win their last 3 games, they will end the season with 50 points at home and on the road. They will have a 22-13-6 record on home ice (50 points) and a 21-12-8 record on the road (50 points). Can you be any more basic? But wait, their is more.
If the Flyers outscore the Hurricanes and Rangers, the Flyers last two home opponents, by more than 5 goals, they could have equal +/- at home and on the road.
How much more basic can you get? Home = 22-13-6, 50 points, +7, Away = 21-12-8, 50 points, +7.
Normally, teams float around the .500 mark on the road and have an amazing home record. Well, this year, the Flyers home record is nothing to brag about. But, their road record balances that out.
In any case, no matter how you look at it, the Flyers are back in the playoffs where they belong and will be there for years to come with the high-quality prospect pool waiting to burst onto the scene.