PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 23: Kevin Hayes #13 of the Philadelphia Flyers reacts after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers in the third period at the Wells Fargo Center on December 23, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers defeated the Rangers 5-1. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Date Published: 11-14-2022
Photo Courtesy of Mitchell Leff, Getty Images
Fifteen games have gone by for the Philadelphia Flyers during this NHL Regular season so far. From a Flyers perspective there’s already notable trends that can be pointed towards regarding particular aspects of their game.
The Flyers are within the midst of a three game losing streak and have incurred losses to the Blue Jackets, Senators and Stars respectively. Although there’s components of the team’s game that can clearly be critiqued (which I’ll be expanding on), the Flyers have played with effort while showcasing positives in all of these losses.
It should be kept in mind, that the Flyers are a team in a transitional period at the moment. They are in the early stages of cementing a culture, building an identity and curating a style of play that’s unique to their own rosters skills on the ice. All of those things take time to build and create.
This is not a process that will strictly have a rising trajectory. There will also be losing streaks and dips in play to overcome. It won’t always be impressive in relation to on ice performances. But, there’s still positives to take away from the Flyers play of late regardless of their lack of results. These losses can be looked at as building blocks in some facets of the team’s game.
Special Teams
First to point out the negatives from the past few games, the main thing to touch upon would be the Flyers special teams woes. Since the Flyers matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes on October 29th, they have gone 3 for 28 on the Power-Play. Which indicates their lack of success in terms of creating offense through the man advantage.
215-752-0560 WWW.SUMMITPUBLICADJUSTERS.COM
A main symptom of the struggling Power-Play has been the team’s difficulties entering the offensive zone and setting the Power-Play up in order to begin creating scoring chances. Once they’ve gotten set-up however, they’ve had some good looks. Though they haven’t capitalized as often as they would like to. Thus, contributing to their 16 %, 28th ranked Power-Play in the NHL.
As for the Flyers Penalty Kill, it is currently 77.6% and ranked 18th in the league. The PK aside from the last few games has been a bright spot this season and was 8th in the league earlier in the season.
It will be interesting to see if the Flyers can bring those PK numbers back up to where they were. One thing that has been noticeable with the PK the last few games is the Flyers leaving opposing players open near and in front of their net.
This has resulted in goals against on the PK. If the net front coverage can improve in the coming days that should go a long way in shoring up the Penalty Kill. Likely cementing its return to hitting an above 80 percent efficiency rate.
Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store
Over this 3 game losing streak specifically Special Teams play has not helped the Flyers as it was earlier in the season. Their inability to kill off an important penalty or score at critical moments with the man advantage had hampered their chances to stay in games. Where earlier in the season these special teams units executing at a much higher efficiency rate allowed the Flyers to be more competitive and stick around in games.
Due to the team’s injury troubles Special Teams will need to be a focus moving forward. In the Flyers’ circumstances their Special Teams really need to be executing around the middle of the league or better. Without that occurring it will be difficult to continue competing in a large majority of their matchups. Especially, considering all the injury woes that have affected them to this point.
5 on 5 play
On the other hand, despite the three game losing streak, the Philadelphia Flyers have arguably played their best hockey of the season to date from an underlying process standpoint. Dating back to their game against the Senators on Saturday November 5th, their 5 on 5 play has dramatically improved.
Firstly, the Flyers have been outshooting their opponents for the last 4 games. That was not the case during the majority of their first 11 games. Obviously, shot quality is important to note. Just because a puck reaches the net it doesn’t always qualify it as a high danger scoring chance or opportunity. However, the fact the Flyers are getting more pucks on net is a good sign.
Another thing to point out is the team’s puck possession and their increased play in the offensive zone with the puck. That has noticeably improved over these past 5 games. The team has spent far less time defending and being pinned in their defensive end in comparison to their first 10 games of the season.
They’ve done a much better job transitioning the puck up the ice with quick little support plays and passes through the neutral zone. Improvements with their breakouts have allowed the Flyers to hold onto the puck longer. In turn, this has impacted their zone entries and entering the offensive-zone on a far more frequent basis. All those factors play into the Flyers controlling the puck with more consistency, and having extended offensive zone shifts against opposing teams.
The final thing to point out here is the Flyers have also been limiting their scoring chances against in the last 3 games. Obviously, the results in terms of the final scores are not ideal in relation to these outcomes. Nonetheless, when you’re limiting scoring opportunities against that is always a good thing. If it can be kept up it’s a trend that should start to show itself within the final results of games. John Tortorella spoke on this and provided his thoughts on the teams play during yesterday’s post game press conference.
Question: John, you’ve talked a few times this year about how you guys are going to have to scratch and claw for goals with the type of team that you have. With something like the power play, obviously you don’t want to see the team go 0-for-6, but how much of the power play issues are just inherent to the type of team you have? And how much of the issues are fixable in terms of structure and execution?
Answer: “I do think it’s fixable. I think we need to. Well, I’m not going to go in and break it down, but I think we have some good players there on the power play. It’s been a very important part of us. At the beginning of this year in some of our wins, to score a goal in a game to keep us in it. You’ve got to remember, we were winning games when we were giving up twenty-six, twenty-seven scoring chances. We gave up thirteen in Columbus. We gave up nine the other night. It was fifteen-fifteen going into the third period here. I think we’re beginning to improve as far as with puck possession and making plays.”
Question: John, you talked a lot during the summer about trying to set a new standard around here. How do you think the guys have grown to understand that standard so far?
Answer: “Yeah, I like the guys. I’d be a lot more upset with a loss if I don’t think they’re trying. You can boo us; you can talk shit about us. I will back those guys because they are trying. If it was an effort problem, then it’s a different story. Those are the things that I have to coach. Those are the things that I have to be fair about when we’re trying to build this team. I’m very pleased with the effort. I don’t give a shit what people think about effort.”
Evidently, John Tortorella believes the lack of results in terms of wins will turn around in the near future. Based on the data provided and what he touched upon, it’s hard to argue with that point of view. The team is indeed giving up far less scoring chances against in their last 5 games total versus their first 10 games. That only bodes well for the Flyers moving ahead.
If they can sustain that defensive play and keep teams to the outside through effectively implementing their defensive zone structure, that should eventually translate into more wins. Additionally, controlling the puck more often as they have done. Along with, playing in the offensive zone on a consistent basis, and establishing their forecheck, are all positive signs to highlight from the Flyers prior handful of matchups. Such elements above should all contribute to the team being able to win some more games in a sustainable manner as the season progresses.
Final Thoughts
Overall, with the Flyers losing the past 3 games they now hold a record of, 7-6-2 for 16 points and are 1 point out of the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. Ideally they’ll need to put together some wins in their upcoming matchups taking on the Blue Jackets, Bruins and Canadiens in order to keep pace with the other Eastern Conference teams.
When analyzing their recent performances ensuring their Special Teams play gets progressively better needs to be at the forefront of the Flyers focus. Without increased efficiency on the Power-Play and Penalty Kill it will be hard to string together wins in most situations.
Ultimately, with the teams 5 on 5 underlying play looking improved over the course of the past week that could allow them to develop a more sustainable formula to winning games. Granted it may also be contingent on refining their Special Teams play. Time will tell if John Tortorella and his staff can make the necessary adjustments to improve the Special Teams while maintaining the progress in the Flyers 5 on 5 gameplay.
LOSE HARD FOR BEDARD.