The Flyers continued a disturbing recent trend last night in their first game back after the All-Star break.
Last night's 3-2 loss in Florida marked the fifth straight contest in which the Flyers have scored first only to give back the lead. They've lost three of those games in regulation after losing just once under those circumstances through the first three and a half months of the season. Of late, the Flyers have been plagued by the "one bad period" syndrome. It's been awhile since the club has put together a consistent 60-minute effort.
Another, even more disturbing trend has gone on the entire season: the Flyers take way too many penalties. Over the course of the season, the Flyers powerplay efficiency and several strong stretches of penalty killing (not to mention the team's 13 shorthanded goals) have masked the problem.
But as the season enters the stretch drive and the points get harder and harder to come by, it's critical that the Flyers start showing better discipline. To name just one player, Scott Hartnell is someone who needs to do a better job of avoiding silly penalties.
****
My view on the Peter Forsberg rumors is that it's not even worth talking about until right before the trade deadline. No decision is imminent on either side.
Personally speaking, however, I am opposed to the Flyers getting involved in another go-round with Forsberg.
That's simply because I don't believe his foot issues will ever be solved sufficiently for him to stay in the lineup and avoid related groin injuries and other problems. Last year, Forsberg said the only way he'd come back is if he felt he was healthy enough to play up to his standards and avoid lengthy absences from the lineup.
Well, he never really got healthy but he came back anyway. I don't think the Flyers should be gambling on the hope that yet another medical procedure will prove to be a panacea this time around.
****
A few months ago, I received a phone call from Brian Startare, the Flyers pregame and postgame show host on Sportsradio 610 WIP. Brian told me about a Flyers book he was working on, and asked if I'd be willing to contribute to portions of it. I was thrilled. In addition to Brian's handiwork, there are also contributions from the likes of Al Morganti, Anthony SanFilippo, Glen Macnow and a Gene Hart tribute from Lauren Hart.
Entitled Flyer'd Up, Brian's book is a fast-read collection of trivia, anecdotes, quotes, lists and short articles on the team. Rather than being another entry into the library of Flyers team histories, the idea behind this book is that the reader can open up to any section or page and find something entertaining.
For ordering information, click
here.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
Join the Discussion:
»