When Will The Flyers Hit Rock Bottom?
The Philadelphia Flyers dropped their 5th straight game, 6th in last 7, tonight at the Wells Fargo Center. Tonight, the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Flyers by a score of 5-3.
Just like on Monday in Carolina, the Hurricanes used a three-goal 2nd period to fuel their victory. 3rd period goals by Warren Foegele and Teuvo Teravainen sealed the Hurricanes victory.
Power-play goals by Wayne Simmonds and James van Riemsdyk mid-way through the 3rd period got the Flyers close. But, in the end it wasn’t enough to bring the Flyers back.
Michal Neuvirth stopped 24 of the 29 shots he faced in a losing effort.
Here are 4 more observations from the Flyers 5-3 loss to the Hurricanes…
Power-Play Shows Life
In the 3rd period, the Flyers got two power-play opportunities. The Flyers scored on both of those power-play opportunities. A power-play unit that has been amongst the leagues worst all season, finally has something to build off.
The Flyers power-play was mute through 3 power-play opportunities in the first two periods. But, that changed in the 3rd. First, it was Wayne Simmonds banging home a rebound from his usual net-front spot on the Flyers top unit. Then, James van Riemsdyk scored on a 180-degree wrap around from that same net-front spot.
In a time where the Flyers are looking for just about anything to build off of, the power-play is finally something they can build off. HOPEFULLY.
Rock Bottom Keeps Getting Deeper
A word that has been used with the Flyers this season is rock bottom. But, every time you think the Flyers have hit rock bottom, it just keeps getting worse.
They fired their GM. Things got worse. They fired their coach. Things got better for a bit, but are now getting worse again. So, when will the Flyers hit rock bottom? What will rock bottom be for the Flyers?
Rock bottom is something the Flyers hopefully hit soon or rock bottom will be the end of the season. Missing the playoffs for the 4th time in the last 7 seasons.
Congrats To Claude Giroux
Congratulations are in order for Claude Giroux who will be the Flyers representative at the All-Star game. This will be Giroux 6th All-Star selection. Second straight year selected.
Coming off his best career season to date, 34G-68A-102TP, Giroux has been one of the lone Flyers bright spots this season. Giroux leads the Flyers with 46 points this season. Is the Flyers assist leader with 33 assists. 2nd on the team in goals with 13 goals.
Claude Giroux is a career Flyer and belief is he will only play for the Flyers in his career. Giroux is climbing Flyers all-time leaderboards and should be close to the top of almost every category by the time his career ends.
Where Do The Flyers Go From Here?
The Flyers currently sit 30th out of 31 teams in the NHL. They can’t go much farther down. But, don’t plan on the Flyers going up anytime soon.
A season that had so much promise behind it with the addition of James van Riemsdyk in the offseason, has turned south quickly for the Flyers. Resulting in GM Ron Hextall being let go and coach Dave Hakstol being fired.
With the two main people who make the team tick, where do the Flyers go from here? Well, there is only one last thing you can change. The players.
Tonight, just like during the Vancouver Canucks game, which resulted in Dave Hakstol being fired, it feels like roster changes are on the way. Whether that is a trade or a call-up, tonight’s 5th straight loss seems like it might be the breaking point for Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher.
Result : Flyers 3 – Hurricanes 5, LOSS
Record : 15 – 20 – 5
Next Game : 1/5 Calgary Flames, Philadelphia PA, NBCSports Philadelphia 1:00pm