The Philadelphia Flyers lost again on Saturday night virtually assuring General Manager Ron Hextall that the team would be sellers on trade deadline day looming. The Flyers now sit fifth in the Wild Card standings in the Eastern Conference and trail the Boston Bruins by five points for the final playoff spot. With only 21 games remaining it will be a steep hill to climb over the last six weeks of the season.
The Good:
Flyers second year defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere got his first goal since November 25 on Saturday night against the Penguins. It has to be a relief to get back on the score sheet and could be a springboard for Gostisbehere with the stretch run upon us. The Flyers desperately need offense and Ghost can bring a ton of it with his speed and shot from the back end.
The Bad:
The Flyers lost both games to division rivals when they are fighting for their playoff lives. The team need points and they are simply unable to get them. They do not have the talent, speed or scoring to keep up with the upper echelon teams in the East. They totaled three goals in the two games. Not nearly good enough.
The Ugly:
Captain Claude Giroux has one goal in has last ten games, Jake Voracek has two over the same span. Both players have cap hits of over eight million dollars per year. This time of year, your best players have to lead by example. Quite simply neither player has been even close to where they should be. Voracek did score against the Penguins and Giroux did add a helper, but the team needs much more out of them.
The NHL trade deadline is Wednesday afternoon. The Flyers need to make moves not only to make the team better this year, but for next year as well. It was an ugly week for the orange and black. Two nationally televised games, two losses. They may have outplayed their opponents in both games, but the scoreboard does not lie. The clock is ticking on the Flyers season. They need a wake up call. Before its too late.
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
