Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen shoves down Washington Capitals forward Axel Jonsson-Fjallby during the third period in a preseason game on Saturday, October 2, 2021 in Philadelphia.
Photo Courtesy of Yong Kim, The Philadelphia Inquirer
With the Flyers returning from the Covid Holiday pause there are positives and uncertainties on the horizon. Some time off had allowed the team the ability to get players back from being in covid protocol such as Kevin Hayes, Morgan Frost and Max Willman. The pause also revealed some players that have been confirmed covid positive and are now in the covid protocol. These players entail Sean Couturier, Carter Hart, Ryan Ellis, Derick Brassard and Scott Laughton.
Though the Flyers are fortunate enough to be adding Hayes, Frost and Willman they are losing forwards the likes of Couturier, Laughton, Brassard, and arguably their best player this season Carter Hart. These alone are very significant losses that will impact the teams performance as they will be without 3 potential NHL center options and a starting goaltender in Hart.
A silver lining for the Flyers with this covid outbreak is that on Wednesday the NHL announced the isolation period after a positive covid test has been shortened from 10 to 5 days for fully vaccinated players who meet the required conditions. Once the 5 days have passed if a negative PCR test result is confirmed for a player in isolation they can rejoin their team for practice and playing games.
Specifically this change to covid isolation protocols could benefit the Flyers as it may allow Couturier, Brassard, Hart and Laughton to return to the team on the upcoming road trip. Due to the injury troubles that have plagued the Flyers throughout this season getting any regulars back would certainly be welcomed. Along with this, the break for the Flyers before returning to game action on Wednesday allowed the team to have some extra practice time on Monday and Tuesday. In turn this should help players become more familiar with the system Mike Yeo wants them to play and should factor in positively to their execution of said playing style.
The Flyers ability to put together a full 60 minute consistent effort will be the main challenge for the team on this upcoming road trip. With that extra practice time on Monday and Tuesday one can hope that some of the team’s inconsistencies that have troubled them this season were addressed. Meaning that plans and practice schemes were put into place to ensure that type of lackadaisical play does not continue going forward or is at least substantially limited.
After a win to start the road trip against the Seattle Kraken the Flyers have an opportunity to make up some ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race. They currently sit at 31 points on the season and are 2 points back of the final wild card spot held by the Red Wings who have 33 points all while having a game in hand. Schedule wise the team faces off against the San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings and, Anaheim Ducks during the remainder of this Western road trip.
Though these teams aren’t pushovers they certainly aren’t the highest skilled teams in the league. As a result, the upcoming games are all winnable for the Flyers. If they pull out 2 wins in the next 3 games and finish the road trip gathering 6 out of 8 possible points it would be a huge success. Essentially, it places the Flyers back into the thick of the playoff race despite their 10 game losing streak earlier in the season. Additionally, it would mean the team has collected 15 out of 18 potential points in the teams previous 9 games.
A run like this would effectively turn the Flyers season around and instill a ton of confidence in their game, as well as, the new system Mike Yeo is implementing. It would likely propel the team to continue such play once they return from their road trip, against other Eastern Conference teams and division rivals. Therefore, it’s evident the remaining games on this Western road trip are crucial for the Flyers. Not only in terms of the process to their play and putting forth a more complete 60 minute effort but, in the overall outlook of their season.
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An argument could be made that this upcoming stretch is the most important of the season for the Flyers. If they perform well they’ll be right back in the playoff mix in the Eastern Conference and have a ton of momentum heading into the final few months of the 2021-2022 season. Considering this, the Flyers need to continue to build on their play and gather as much points as possible while hoping the resurgence of Covid-19 league wide does not further negatively affect their lineup.
