![]() ![]() They were one of the many teams that saw their lineup get decimated for a stretch by COVID protocols, while injuries have robbed them of some key players for significant stretches including Sean Couturier and Ellis. It is not just the defensive failures that have left them here. The team has taken a decisive step backwards defensively, and given how bad the shot and scoring chance numbers are it is a testament to how well the goaltending has been that the goals against numbers are not even worse. Those are bad numbers and significantly worse than they were a year ago. Goals against per 60 minutes: 24th (2.65).High-danger scoring chances against per 60 minutes: 32nd (13.19).Scoring chances against per 60 minutes: 31st (31.1).Expected goals against per 60 minutes: 32nd (2.80).Shots on goal against per 60 minutes: 31st (34.3). ![]() Total shot attempts against per 60 minute: 31st (61.01).Just look at where the Flyers rank in several defensive categories during 5-on-5 play. The result of all of this? One of the league’s worst defensive teams across the board. īeyond the Ellis injury, Yandle has struggled to find any consistency (and taking him out of the lineup seems to be off the table, at least for now, given his consecutive games streak) while the Ristolainen deal was curious at the time given his struggles in Buffalo. Ellis has five points in the four games he has played while also posting strong underlying numbers, but he just has not been available to make a difference. He was supposed to be the big offseason addition, and at the time and on paper it seemed like a strong move. A big part of the problem is that Ellis - an outstanding two-way player when healthy - has been limited to just four games this season. They traded a first-round pick and Robert Hagg to the Buffalo Sabres for Rasmus Ristolainen.They gave away multiple draft picks to convince Arizona to take on the remainder of Shayne Gostisbehere‘s contract.They traded Philippe Myers (and Nolan Patrick) as part of the deal to acquire Ryan Ellis.This is where most of the roster overhaul happened. The defensive overhaul has not gone as planned And while he has been better this season, it has not been enough to make up for everything else that has gone wrong. Hart seemed to be one of the most important pieces of the puzzle given how much his struggles a year ago impacted the team, as well as his upside at the most impactful position on the ice. ![]() They had a wildly busy offseason that saw them overhaul their defense and trade Jakub Voracek for Cam Atkinson, while there was hope for some bounce back seasons from core players like Travis Konecny and Carter Hart. This season has to be particularly frustrating because there really did seem to be a path to return to the playoffs at the start. That would make it three times in four years where they finish on the outside of the playoff picture and the sixth time in 10 years. They have already made a coaching change, and barring some kind of insane second half run the playoffs would seem to be an extreme long shot. The Flyers enter Tuesday’s game against the New York Islanders riding an eight-game losing streak (their second such losing streak of the season) and sit near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Sometimes, like this season, all in the same season. There is always a coaching change, or a blockbuster move, or a 10-game winning streak, or a 10-game losing streak lurking just around the corner. There is no team in the NHL that brings more chaotic energy to every season than the Philadelphia Flyers. ![]()
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