The Philadelphia Flyers are off to one of the most brutal, winless starts in NHL history, and the numbers are just plain ugly. They’re sitting at 0-2-2, getting outscored by a ridiculous 17-5 margin, and the shot clock is even worse: 158-76. That massive shot deficit through just four games? According to Flyers reporter Wayne Fish, it’s the largest for any NHL team since 1959. Seriously, 1959.
“Execution Is Not Good” and the Numbers Prove It
It’s not just the overall numbers, either. NHL Network’s Mike Kelly pointed out that the Flyers are a dismal 0-for-11 on the power play in their first four games. They’re getting absolutely swarmed and outshot from the slot and off the rush, which tells you everything about their offensive struggles. Coach Rick Tocchet didn’t mince words after they got outshot 40-18 in an overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, saying, “You have to get the puck. You have to execute plays. Our execution is not good this year. It really isn’t. And if you don’t execute, you’re not going to get shots.” It’s a complete flip from how they finished last season, where Tocchet’s team went 6-2-0 in April to snag a playoff spot for the first time since 2020, even knocking the Pittsburgh Penguins out in the first round. This year? They started with a 7-0 loss to those same Penguins, then blew back-to-back third-period leads in overtime losses to the New Jersey Devils and Hurricanes. Their most recent outing, a 4-1 Monday night loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, saw them outshot 36-14. Tocchet’s take? His team was “way too comfortable.” Ouch.
Running It Back With No Answers
General Manager Danny Briere tried to make a splash this offseason, putting an offer sheet out for top-line center Leo Carlsson, but the Anaheim Ducks matched it. So, for the most part, the Flyers are running with the same relatively inexperienced roster that made the playoffs last year. The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta reported before the season kicked off that the Flyers were “believed to be eyeing defensive depth,” and they only added Simon Benoit to the blue line this offseason. At least one of their new guys is making an impact, though: goaltender Joseph Woll, who came over with Benoit from the Toronto Maple Leafs in June, has been huge. Woll kept the Flyers in both those overtime losses, trying to stop the bleeding despite his team’s total lack of offensive production. Briere is probably banking on more defensive depth to support Woll and Dan Vladar as Tocchet tries to get his young offense to gel.
The Flyers need to sort this out, and fast. Their next chance to start building something positive is a Thursday evening road game against the Ottawa Senators. They can’t afford to be “comfortable” anymore.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
Leave a Reply