The Flyers Start This “Massive Week” In Familiar Territory

Photo Credit: Ricky Brown

The Flyers just aren’t the same team that started the season. At the beginning of the season the players were energetic, the locker room was a breath of fresh air, and most importantly they were winning hockey games. Here as of late neither of those three things mentioned above ring true, as a matter of fact they’re enduring the worst losing streak under Flyers Head Coach Alain Vigneault (Seven games to be exact).

Most Flyers fans would like some sort of change, and that may start with the coaching staff as it’s the easiest to change. The main problem with the Flyers right now it’s not about them losing, rather it’s how they are losing. Lately, they are very reminiscent of the debacle that last season.

Take for instance last night’s game against the New York Rangers. They start the first three minutes off strong, then Morgan Frost commits a bad high-sticking penalty, which leads to a goal. Things then seemed to spiral out of control in the first period, much like last season after one thing went wrong, as the Rangers tacked on another goal just 5:51 later. Just like that it’s 2-0 Rangers in a span of almost six minutes. Carter Hart can only keep his team in it for so long before the opposition pokes one by him.

Last season at times the Flyers looked lethargic, uninterested, no energy. When one thing went wrong, the flood gates would then open. Enter the Flyers seven game losing streak of this season, and all those things mentioned above ring true right now. Throughout this seven game losing streak the Flyers are being heavily out played for the most part, they are uninterested, and lack energy, let’s take a look at the Flyers seven losses on this losing streak:

Tampa Bay-Flyers/ 4-3

Boston-Flyers/ 5-2

Tampa Bay-Flyers/ 4-0

Florida-Flyers/ 2-1

Carolina-Flyers/ 6-3

New Jersey-Flyers/ 5-2

New York Rangers-Flyers/ 4-1

If you think back to each of these losses the Flyers were heavily outplayed for close to 50 minutes of hockey, with the lone exception for the 4-3 loss to Tampa Bay, or even last night to the Rangers. Even the New Jersey Devils controlled the play for well over 40 minutes of hockey this past Sunday night. It’s not that the team is losing, it’s how they are losing that is concerning to me.

For long stretches of the game, the Flyers play with a lack of energy, thus leading to crucial mistakes with the puck. Call it what you want, whether it be the coaching or the players, this is just appears to be reminiscent of last season. The only consistent forward appears to be Zack MacEwen, so he should play in the top six, and hr might get that shot now with the unfortunate injury to Joel Farabee.

So I ask what gives? Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher overhauled the Flyers roster this past offseason. When is the time for him to act? Who will be the scape goat this time? Something has to give here, the Flyers are trending in the wrong direction, but one thing is certain Flyers fans are noticing the lack of effort and lethargicness on the ice. Make no mistake about it, the Flyers are a bad product on the ice at the moment.

“To me this is a massive week to get our house in order, and to push back because it’s five in seven next week. The games are coming fast and furious, and we’re going to have to be a lot better.” – Chuck Fletcher said on Tuesday

Well, it’s not going to be easy on Sunday against Tampa Bay, but this is a crucial week for Alain Vigneault and his staff.

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If the team gave effort and actually showed some sense of caring, then most wouldn’t be calling for Alain Vigneault’s head, or even Chuck Fletcher’s head. It would just be chalked up to they are missing some key players to get them over the hump. Something has to give sooner, rather than later. This team is far better than the way they are playing.

Flyers Notes:

Joel Farabee left last night’s with an upper body injury and did not return. Flyers’ Head Coach Alain Vigneault said Farabee would be reevaluated today, and he should have more information when the Flyers practice on Friday.

Carter Hart is still being mentioned as a starting Goaltender for Team Canada at the Olympics by some high profile pundits.